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I’ve put together a list of 15 easy no carve pumpkin decorating ideas for those of us who want to create a beautiful looking pumpkin for Halloween, but don’t want to risk trying to carve!
This list is for busy parents with no time to spend working out how to use a pumpkin carving knife or for parents who want to set their kids free to create a great pumpkin for Halloween without the risk of them ending up in A&E.
15 EASY NO CARVE PUMPKIN DECORATING IDEAS
Hands up who has either the spare time or the will to carve an amazing pumpkin amongst all the other weekly busy mother tasks?
No, me neither!
I love seeing beautifully carved pumpkins, but I just can’t get it together to create one.
Seriously, I can barely manage a toothless grin and some splodgy eyes without almost slicing one of my fingers off each Halloween.
Plus I’m always put to shame by the neighbours.
One neighbour makes models for major movies.
The other neighbour studied fine art!!
Both of them produce fantastic carved pumpkins every Halloween.
I’ve got a pumpkin carving kit but even with the best kit in the world, I am not convinced my pumpkins won’t look like scary in all the wrong kind of ways.
So, I have been on the hunt for truly simple ways we can decorate our pumpkin this year.
Ways that we can create something amazing with no carving at all.
I’ve put a list together to share with you – because lists is what I do!!
Each no carve pumpkin decorating idea is super quick, super easy. Which means you’ll have plenty of time to focus on all the other aspects of what Halloween entails, like planning the Halloween food, trick or treat ideas and generally planning a brilliant party for Halloween.
The kind of pumpkin decorating that just can’t go wrong.
15 EASY NO CARVE PUMPKIN DECORATING IDEAS
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.
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Luci is the founder of Mums Make Lists. She has written about all aspects of organising family life for ten years. Her main areas of expertise are family finance and budgeting, simplifying housekeeping and family admin and kids’ party planning. 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!!