17 Fun and Easy Pumpkin Designs to Try with Kids

These 17 pumpkin designs are easy, fun, and perfect for getting your kids involved in creative Halloween and fall activities.

Whether they’re making silly faces, spooky spiders, or sparkling glitter pumpkins, they’ll have a blast expressing their creativity.

So grab your paints, brushes, and pumpkins, and start crafting your own fall masterpieces!

1. Classic Jack‐o’‐lantern Face (Painted, Not Carved)

Concept: Use your pumpkin as a canvas. Paint a classic triangular eye/nose and jagged mouth face rather than carving.
How to do it:

• Choose a medium to large pumpkin with a smooth surface.
  
• Use acrylic craft paint (or spray a base coat if desired).
  
• Sketch the face lightly in pencil/chalk.
  
• Paint black (or dark colour) for the face features. Optionally highlight with white or contrasting colour around the edges for more effect.
  Styling tips: Group several pumpkins painted this way with different expressions so you have a “family” of faces. Place them on your porch or a step ladder for height variation.

2. Ombre or Dip‐Dyed Pumpkin

Concept: Instead of painting imagery, you focus on colour transitions—ombre shading or dip‐dyed effect from one colour to another.
How to do it:

• Choose colours that transition well (for example: orange → peach → white, or teal → aqua → white).
  
• Begin at the stem/top with the darkest shade. Gradually blend into the lighter shade at the bottom. Use a soft brush or sponge for blending.
  
• Once dry, you can leave it plain or overlay minimal accents (like gold stems, glitter, or simple stencils).
  Styling tips: This is very modern and fits clean décor spaces. Pair with metallic pumpkins (gold or silver stems) for added sophistication.

3. Metallic Accents & Foil Highlights

Concept: Use metallic paints or foil to accent features: stems, stripes, drip lines. This gives a chic, upscale look.
How to do it:

• Paint or spray the base pumpkin in your primary colour.
  
• Use liquid leaf or metallic craft paint for chrome/gold/silver accents. For example: drip lines from the top, or paint the stem entirely gold.

4. Bold Patterns & Graphic Designs (Stripes, Polka Dots, Checkerboards)

Concept: Transform your pumpkin with bold patterns like stripes, polka dots, or checkerboards. These graphic designs add a modern, playful touch to any fall setting.
How to do it:

• Plan your pattern in advance, ensuring it fits the size of the pumpkin.
  
• Use painter’s tape to create clean lines for stripes or checkerboards.
  
• Apply your base color and let it dry. Afterward, carefully tape off the sections for the second color.
  
• For polka dots, you can use a circular sponge or the back of a paintbrush to create uniform dots.
  Styling tips: Ideal for family craft nights or for adding a quirky, fun element to your décor. These bold patterns work beautifully as accents, whether for indoor displays or as statement pieces for your porch.
  

5. Floral or Botanical Painted Pumpkin

Concept: Turn your pumpkin into a beautiful canvas of flowers, leaves, and vines, perfect for a botanical-themed fall display.
How to do it:

• Choose colors that contrast with the pumpkin’s natural shade—like coral flowers on a dark navy pumpkin.
  
• Lightly sketch your floral shapes and then fill them in with vibrant acrylic paint.
  
• Add extra dimension by outlining the details with gold or highlighting areas with small dots.
  Styling tips: This design is perfect for more elegant fall occasions like bridal or baby showers. It works best for indoor décor, especially on dining tables or as part of a flower arrangement, combining natural foliage for extra beauty.

6. Striped and Dotted Painted Pumpkin Design

Concept: Transform your pumpkin into a striking visual statement with bold stripes and dots, perfect for a playful, modern fall display.

How to do it:

1. Base Colors: Start by painting your pumpkin in bold orange and black hues for a classic autumn feel.
   
2. Stripe Design: Use painter’s tape to create vertical stripes across the pumpkin. Fill the stripes with white paint, leaving some orange and black spaces to create contrast.
   
3. Dot Accents: Once the stripes dry, use a small round brush or dotting tool to paint evenly spaced black dots along the lines of some of the stripes, or scattered across the pumpkin for added visual interest.
   
4. Additional Detail: For a polished look, outline the dots with a thin gold line to give them extra dimension and contrast.
   

Styling tips:
This design works wonderfully for modern or festive fall occasions like Halloween parties or fall gatherings. The bold contrast between black, white, and orange creates a striking statement piece. Place your pumpkins in a stylish vignette, or use them as a centerpiece for dining tables or entryways. Pair them with autumn leaves and natural foliage for a full seasonal effect.

7. Pastel Pumpkin Faces Design

Concept: Transform your pumpkin into an adorable, playful display with pastel colors and cute, expressive faces. This design adds a charming and fun element to your fall decorations, perfect for a whimsical Halloween or cute autumn display.

How to do it:

1. Base Colors: Start by painting the pumpkins in soft pastel colors like pink, mint green, and lavender. These colors will give a cute and modern twist to traditional pumpkin designs.
   
2. Face Details: Use a fine paintbrush to add adorable faces. For the eyes, you can go for simple black dots, and for the cheeks, paint tiny heart shapes using a soft pink.
   
3. Add Glitter: Use gold glitter to accent the stems of the pumpkins to give them a little sparkle and shine.
   
4. Finishing Touches: Add a light sprinkle of glitter on the pumpkins’ body or use gold detailing to outline the faces for an extra pop.
   

Styling Tips:
This design is perfect for creating a charming fall vibe in any room. It works beautifully for more fun, family-friendly settings like kids’ parties, baby showers, or Halloween décor. Display them in a group on a wooden table or as part of a mantelpiece decoration. Combine with autumn leaves and fairy lights for added coziness and charm.

8. Spa Day Pumpkin Design

Concept: Transform your pumpkin into a relaxing spa-inspired character complete with cucumber eyes and a cozy towel wrap. This playful and creative design is perfect for creating a fun, pampering fall display.

How to do it:

1. Base Colors: Start by painting your pumpkin with a natural orange base to retain that autumn vibe. For the spa facial mask, paint the front of the pumpkin with gray or light beige to mimic a face mask.
   
2. Cucumber Eyes: Use green construction paper or foam to cut out cucumber slices. Attach them to the pumpkin using glue for the eyes.
   
3. Facial Features: For the smile and eyelashes, use black paint or markers to create a happy, relaxed expression. Add little pink cheeks with paint or a blush pencil to enhance the fresh, pampered look.
   
4. Towel Wrap: Take a small white towel (real or made from fabric) and wrap it around the pumpkin’s stem. You can use glue or pins to secure the towel and make it look like a cozy spa treatment.
   

Styling Tips:
This fun and quirky design is perfect for Halloween or fall parties that focus on lighthearted, creative themes. It works best for indoor décor, particularly in bathrooms or spa-themed areas. You can even create a whole spa pumpkin set with different expressions to add more fun to the display. Pair it with fall flowers, small fall pumpkins, and candles for extra charm.

9. Watercolor Painted Pumpkin

Concept: Use watercolor techniques to create a soft, ethereal painted pumpkin.
How to do it:

• Begin by painting your pumpkin in a light, neutral color.
  
• Using watercolor-style paint or watered-down acrylics, create soft color washes in pastel shades (like peach, lavender, or light blue).
  

Blend the colors together to form a dreamy gradient.
Styling tips: This is ideal for people who prefer a soft, subtle touch in their fall décor. Pair it with neutral-colored fabrics and elegant décor for a peaceful, autumn ambiance.

10 . Pumpkin with a Glittered Stem

Concept: Focus on the stem to create a bold, sparkly statement piece.
How to do it:

• Paint the pumpkin with a simple, elegant color (like white or black).
  
• Cover the stem with glitter or metallic paint for a glamorous look.
  

You can also add sequins or rhinestones to the stem for extra sparkle.
Styling tips: This minimalist design works beautifully for modern or minimal fall décor. Place it on a mantel or as a statement piece on a table with a simple backdrop.

11. Soft Pink Floral Pumpkin Design

Concept: Transform your pumpkin into a delicate floral masterpiece with soft pinks and bows. This design adds a feminine, elegant touch to your fall décor, perfect for creating a charming, pastel-themed autumn display.

How to do it:

1. Base Color: Start by painting your pumpkin in a soft pale pink to create a delicate canvas. Use acrylic paint to cover the pumpkin smoothly.
   
2. Floral Design: Lightly sketch flowers and vines using a light pink shade. Fill in the flowers with deeper pink tones for dimension and soft green leaves to balance the design.
   
3. Adding Bows and Accents: Attach small pink satin ribbons around the pumpkin’s stem or sides for an added touch of elegance. You can also add miniature roses or floral embellishments to enhance the design.
   
4. Details: To add depth, gently outline some of the flower petals with soft gold or white for extra definition. You can also add a gold stem to make the pumpkin more sophisticated.
   

Styling Tips:
This design is perfect for a light, girly fall atmosphere—ideal for bridal showers, baby showers, or feminine-themed events. It works best for indoor décor, especially in living rooms, bedrooms, or as part of a centerpiece for a table. Pair it with roses or pastel-colored candles for an extra touch of elegance.

12. Floral or Botanical Painted Pumpkin

Concept: Transform your pumpkin into a stunning botanical masterpiece with delicate flowers, leaves, and vines. This design is perfect for a soft and natural fall display.

How to do it:

1. Start by selecting a pumpkin with a smooth surface.
   
2. Paint the base of the pumpkin in a neutral shade like light green, white, or a soft pastel to create a perfect backdrop for your floral design.
   
3. Lightly sketch your floral shapes—such as roses, leaves, and vines—on the pumpkin.
   
4. Use white acrylic paint to fill in the shapes, ensuring a contrast with the pumpkin’s base color for a clean, artistic look.
   
5. For added dimension, you can outline the floral shapes or use gold or silver highlights around the petals or leaves.
   

Styling tips:
This floral pumpkin design works beautifully as part of an elegant fall table setting, ideal for occasions like bridal showers, baby showers, or an indoor autumn gathering. Combine this pumpkin with real foliage or dried flowers for an added touch of nature, creating a timeless and chic aesthetic perfect for the season.

13. Floral or Botanical Painted Pumpkin

Concept: Turn your pumpkin into a beautiful canvas of flowers, leaves, and vines, perfect for a botanical-themed fall display.

How to do it:

1. Select a pumpkin with a smooth surface that can easily showcase your design.
   
2. Pick colors that contrast well with the natural color of the pumpkin—consider using coral flowers on a darker or neutral-toned pumpkin to make the design pop.
   
3. Lightly sketch the shapes of flowers, leaves, and vines to give yourself a basic outline to work with.
   
4. Fill in your shapes with vibrant acrylic paint, making sure the colors are bold and vivid. For example, use bright shades of pink, green, and yellow for the flowers and leaves.
   
5. Add extra dimension by outlining the details with metallic gold or silver paint to give the design a more refined and polished look. You can also add tiny dots or highlights to the flowers for added texture.
   

Styling tips:
This design works beautifully for more elegant fall occasions, such as bridal or baby showers, and makes a stunning addition to indoor décor. Display the painted pumpkin on dining tables or incorporate it into flower arrangements for a whimsical yet sophisticated autumn theme. For extra beauty, combine the pumpkin with real foliage or dried flowers to create a natural, earthy atmosphere.

14. Halloween Character or Monster Faces Painted Pumpkin

Concept: Create a spooky and fun pumpkin by painting it to resemble a beloved Halloween character, such as a classic monster face, perfect for Halloween décor or themed parties.

How to do it:

1. Choose a pumpkin with a smooth surface for easy painting.
   
2. Paint the base color of the pumpkin in a light shade (white or cream works best for this design).
   
3. For the face, paint large black circles for the eyes and a small black nose in the center.
   
4. Use black paint to create the jagged smile with stitching across the pumpkin’s surface for a spooky, skull-like effect.
   
5. Finish by painting the stem in black to match the character’s overall theme.
   Styling tips:
   This design is perfect for outdoor Halloween displays or as a fun centerpiece for Halloween parties. It adds a playful yet spooky vibe, ideal for families or anyone looking to add some Halloween character to their décor. Pair it with other spooky items like spider webs, LED lights, or creepy props to enhance the Halloween atmosphere.

15. Floral or Botanical Painted Pumpkin with Birds

Concept: Transform your pumpkin into a beautiful canvas by painting it with delicate flowers, vines, and birds, perfect for an elegant fall display or a nature-inspired touch.

How to do it:

1. Begin by painting the pumpkin with a neutral white base to create a clean backdrop for your design.
   
2. Lightly sketch the outlines of your floral shapes and birds, paying attention to the details of the branches, flowers, and bird figures.
   
3. Fill in the floral patterns with vibrant acrylic paints, using soft blues for the flowers and earthy tones for the branches.
   
4. Paint the birds with shades of blue and brown, ensuring to add fine details to their feathers and beaks for a more realistic effect.
   
5. For the stem, use metallic gold paint to add a touch of elegance and contrast with the floral design.
   Styling tips:
   This design is perfect for a rustic or nature-inspired fall gathering or as a sophisticated piece for your indoor décor. Place the painted pumpkin on a dining table, mantel, or bookshelf. The combination of flowers, birds, and gold accents adds a whimsical yet polished touch. Pair it with real foliage or small decorative vases to enhance the natural theme.