I research and evaluate all recommended products and services. This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on links, I may receive compensation. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please see my commercial disclosure by clicking here.
I’ve rounded up the 41 best no-carve pumpkin decorating ideas for those who want to create a beautiful-looking pumpkin for Halloween without carving into it. There are some brilliant contest-winning ideas in this roundup.
41 INSPIRATIONAL NO-CARVE PUMPKIN DECORATING IDEAS
Pick yourself a contest-winning design and get creating your pumpkin!
BIRDS AND ANIMALS
CUTE RACCOON
Image: @monicsreativespace
LITTLE GIRL ELEPHANT
Image: @nlove1437 The trunk is made with Crayola Model Magic
PRETTY PINK FLAMINGO
Image: @jilly2786
PRICKLY HEDGEHOG
Image: @maldita_sa_kuzina
CRAFTY FOX
Image: @barbieannray
BLACK AND WHITE DESIGNS
BLACK, WHITE AND GOLD BUTTERFLY
Image: @elizabeth.king.art. Beautifully hand-painted.
THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Image: @lili_herrrra. Beautifully hand-painted Zero the Dog from The Nightmare Before Christmas.
CLASSIC PUMPKIN FACE IN BLACK AND WHITE
Image: @brwn_skyn_beaute
BLACK AND WHITE OWLS
E.T THE EXTRA TERRESTRIAL
Image: @adventuring.watsons
MR POTATO HEAD
Image: @brandy.able
ANGRY BIRDS
Image: @eleniquedesigns
BABY YODA
Image: @kshadows
SHARPIE CARTOON FACES
Image: @savingtalents
SPOOKY CREATIONS
SCARY CARTOON FACES
Image: @alwayssmlllng
COLOURFUL CREATIONS
EASY PEASY COLOURFUL FACES
Image: @funcraftskids
COLOURFUL SUGAR SKULL
Image: @kahlsgirl
MELTED CRAYON PUMPKIN
Image: @kat.dale
DUCK TAPE: NO CARVE PUMPKIN WITCH
The main supplies you will need for creating this scary looking pumpkin are a pair of scissors and some duck tape. It really is that simple.
CRAYON DRIP ART: NO CARVE PUMPKIN
Pile crayons minus papers on top of a pumpkin and melt them with a hair dryer. Use up old crayons or buy a set of new crayons to melt.
MELTED CRAYON PUMPKIN
Just use black crayons to contrast against the orange of the pumpkin (or against a white pumpkin) for a really dramatic look.
HOW TO CUSTOMISE PUMPKINS WITH PAINT - VIDEO TUTORIAL
This is a great tutorial for painting pumpkins, Moriah Elizabeth uses plastic pumpkins, but these ideas would work equally well on actual pumpkins.
GLOW IN THE DARK PUFFY PAINT PUMPKIN
Puffy paint is great for decorating pumpkins, especially if it is glow in the dark paint.
BEAUTIFUL PUFFY PAINT PUMPKINS
Your pumpkin doesn't have to be scary. You can create a really beautiful Halloween pumkin in pretty pastels. These are made using regular paint and dimensional paint.
USE MASKING TAPE TO STENCIL A PUMPKIN
Using masking tape to create a stencil on your pumpkin can lead to some great abstract designs.
TISSUE PAPER DECORATED PUMPKINS
Tissue paper is a great way to allow toddlers and young kids to have fun decorating a pumpkin.
MOD PODGE PUMPKIN DECORATING FUN
There is a lot of arty fun to be had using Mod Podge to decorate pumpkins.
SHARPIES ARE GREAT FOR DECORATING PUMPKINS
Sharpies are great for decorating pumpkins, either if you're in a hurry or if you really do want to create an eye-catching graphic design. Black sharpie on white pumpkins works particularly well.
STICKY BACK FELT DECORATED PUMPKINS
Use sticky back felt to create quick but brilliant pumpkin designs for Halloween.
DRIED BEAN DECORATING PUMPKINS
Using dried beans to decorate a pumpkin is a great eco-friendly way to create a unique Halloween pumpkin design.
DIY NO CARVE MARBLED PUMPKINS
Try marbelling your pumpkin with nail polish. Yes really, it works!
ADORABLE UNICORN PUMPKIN FOR HALLOWEEN
What Halloween is complete without a unicorn pumpkin?!! Go on, you know you want to make this.
CONFETTI DECORATED HALLOWEEN PUMPKIN
This is a great use for confetti, especially using metallic confetti against a black painted pumpkin.
Related: Free, easy Halloween word search for kids
FINDING THE PERFECT NO-CARVE PUMPKIN DECORATING IDEAS
If you are eager to decide how to decorate your pumpkin when you bring it home fresh from the pumpkin patch, it is a good idea to have a design planned and ready.
Whether you want to create a contest-winning pumpkin design, have something you can proudly decorate your front porch with on 31st October, or find a design that is easy enough for your kids to do, this roundup has all the inspiration you need.
I’ve taken care to stick to designs that are realistic; this isn’t a roundup of fine art creations; these are the kind of pumpkin designs that will bring a smile and brighten up someone’s day rather than go on display in an art gallery.
That said, the roundup has some really clever and creative ideas. So I hope you have fun choosing which design you are going to set about recreating.
There are ideas for painting, using Sharpie pens, decals, and temporary tattoos to adorn pumpkins.
I particularly love some of the cartoon character creations.
Whether you only have a few minutes to rush through a design or plan to spend hours creating your pumpkin, there is something in this roundup for you.
- 20ft Parachute
- 12ft Parachute
A 20' parachute is great for larger parties. This is the size that many party entertainers have. I like this particular parachute because it has 24 handles, whereas some 20' parachutes only have ten handles for kids to hold.
Smaller 12' parachutes are the perfect size for smaller, at-home parties.
Luci is the founder of Mums Make Lists (Est. 2011). Over the last decade or so, she has used her experience as a mum to create useful guides to organising family life. During that time, she has found the most joy in creating lists of ideas and inspiration to make it easier for busy parents to plan and host kids’ parties and find great gifts. Read more.
Amanda
Thursday 15th of October 2015
What a great collection of no carve projects... I wanted to comment and let you know I just love your blog name and logo... it's so like me too... I'm glad I found you {from Pinterest{, if you wanted to know :) Blessings Amanda
Lisa/Syncopated Mama
Wednesday 30th of September 2015
Wow, these were ideas I really wasn't expecting - very cool! Pinning.
Mummy Tries
Friday 25th of September 2015
Loved this post, and it's perfect for the non crafters like me! The pink and orange polka dot one is my fave, and know my girls will adore it :) Thanks so much for sharing with #DiffLinky
Heaven Smiling
Tuesday 22nd of September 2015
I can't believe how clever some of these things are! The puff paint ones are intense. Pinning for sure. Stopping by from two cup Tuesday.
Shabby Baker
Sunday 26th of October 2014
Thanks for this very interesting post! i am one of those "talentless" carver who can't carve pumpkins from scratch so these no-carve pumpkin carving ideas are pretty handy for me. I'm gonna try some of them this year. Happy Halloween!
Alice Emma Thompson
Sunday 26th of October 2014
So glad it is not just me who is rubbish at carving :-) We have had so much fun with these no carve ideas and it is great that they last longer uncarved. Happy Halloween!!