Spooky cute! 20 adorable pumpkin painting ideas to try today
Put a twist on traditional pumpkin carving this Halloween with pumpkin painting. Pumpkin painting is less messy than traditional carving and much easier (and safer) for young children to do (even toddlers can get involved!)
There is a huge selection of pumpkins available, and unlike a carving pumpkin, you can paint the tiniest of pumpkins to create a colourful stack or sweet display.
Depending on where you display them, painted pumpkins can last for weeks. Keeping them in a cooler spot out of direct sunlight will prolong their life.
If, like us, you love decorating your home, front porch or garden with pumpkins and other seasonal decorations, then pumpkin painting is the perfect craft for you.
What’s more, when you’ve finished enjoying your painted pumpkin you can scoop out the flesh to make a delicious pumpkin pie or soup for a Halloween feast.
From simple black and white designs to spooky skeletons and curious cats, explore a variety of pumpkin painting designs in our article. We’ve gathered 20 pumpkin painting ideas that children and adults of all ages will love making – no knife in sight!
Pumpkins vary in price and size, but most supermarkets or PYO pumpkin farms and farm shops will have a good selection of varieties available, ideal for non-carve pumpkin crafts. Before you get started, take a look at how to paint pumpkins in our easy to follow tutorial.
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20 cute pumpkin painting ideas
1. Googly eye painted pumpkin
Pumpkin painting doesn’t get much easier than this. Simply paint your pumpkin in a single or multi-colour and once dry stick on as many googly eyes as you like.
Children will love making these colourfully decorated pumpkins with eyes. Easy to make, all you need is paint, glue and googly eyes. In a fun twist, you could also attach hair and other features.
It All Started with Paint shows you how to recreate this cute pumpkin painting idea on their blog.
2. Checkerboard painted pumpkin
This stylish yet easy checkerboard design looks very insta-worthy! It makes the perfect seasonal display to add to your dining room table or fireplace this autumn.
Gold leaf can be used to add a touch of glamour for a special occasion.
The House that Lars Built has an easy pumpkin painting guide you can follow.
3. Scarecrow painted pumpkin
A fun pumpkin painting idea for kids is to create a scarecrow pumpkin – you could even go the whole hog and build a scarecrow to attach your pumpkin head!
The pumpkin can be completely painted or you could opt to add features using paint or pens. Add googly eyes, hair, a nose and mouth to give your scarecrow pumpkin character.
Easy Peasy and Fun explains how to make a scarecrow pumpkin.
4. Bat painted pumpkin
Simply paint your pumpkin black to create the body, before adding wings, eyes and a mouth. You can paint these features on r use paper. You could create an entire cauldron of bats if you’re feeling brave!
Find out how to make a painted bat pumpkin with this guide by Easy Peasy and Fun.
If you’re after more pumpkin painting inspiration, Gathered has got you covered with 43 easy painted pumpkin ideas.
5. Minion painted pumpkin
Children will delight in making these cute minion painted pumpkins. You’ll need craft paint, drink cans and a glue gun so some adult supervision is required.
Give each minion a unique expression to bring these adorable characters to life.
Crafty Morning explains how to make this cute pumpkin painting idea.
6. Abstract mountain pumpkin
Mountain lovers will enjoy painting this colourful mountain scene. Create an abstract mountain range using broad brush strokes and bold colours.
Put a twist on this design by adding natural details such as trees, birds or a cosy mountain cabin in this cute pumpkin painting idea.
The Craft Patch blog explains how to make it.
7. Disco ball pumpkin
Calling all disco lovers! Learn how to paint a disco ball pumpkin to dazzle your friends this autumn. Add eco glitter sparkles to bring a touch of retro glamour to your home.
Find out how to paint a disco ball pumpkin with this easy-to-follow Club Crafted guide.
8. Black cat pumpkin
Gather a handful of tiny pumpkins to create these cute cat designs. From a traditional black cat to a sweet ginger tabby, cat owners will delight in making these painted pumpkins.
Use chalkboard and marker pens to recreate this cute pumpkin painting design.
The Crazy Craft Lady shares these cat design ideas.
9. Chinoiserie-inspired blue and white pumpkin
Inspired by art and design from France, China and Japan in the 18th century, Chinoiserie, or 'chinois' became popular in British homes.
These elegant pumpkins are a joy to paint and can be painted in traditional blue and white or a mix of colours. If you have a steady hand you could draw your own design or create a template to trace.
Polka Dot Chair has a short video guide which explains how to make it.
10. Burger painted pumpkin
Who doesn’t love tucking into a juicy burger? These cute burger-painted pumpkins are surprisingly realistic and fun to make.
Smaller pumpkins work best for this design and you could create an entire plateful for an autumn feast!
Studio DIY explains how to create burger pumpkins.
11. Botanical painted pumpkin
Relaxing nature-themed painted pumpkins are our favourite. We love these botanical designs! Create your own stencil using our handy how to guide or browse stencil designs on Etsy.
To make your own botanical pumpkin, simply trace your plant design onto your chosen pumpkin using a marker pen and then paint using acrylic paint.
Learn how to paint a botanical themed pumpkin with PMQ For Two's handy guide.
12. Ice cream cone painted pumpkin
Prolong the summer vibes throughout autumn with these fun ice cream cone painted pumpkins. Collect a handful of the tiniest and cutest pumpkins you can find, before painting each pumpkin in an ice cream shade.
Stack them in a cone, sticking a small ball of whitetack under each pumpkin to hold the display together. Don’t forget to add sprinkles and a flake!
Learn how to make this cute pumpkin painting ideas using Sugar and Charm’s craft guide.
13. Unicorn painted pumpkin
There is something magical about unicorns and these cute unicorn painted pumpkins are super fun to make. Using a selection of pumpkin sizes, create an entire family of characterful unicorns.
Posh Little Designs has this easy to follow guide.
14. Donut painted pumpkin
Create these scrumptious donut painted pumpkins for a delicious display this autumn. You’ll simply need acrylic paint and a brush to make.
Smaller pumpkins would work best or you could make a huge donut pumpkin to display on your front porch.
Studio DIY has this handy guide which explains how to make it.
15. Galaxy painted pumpkin
Adorn your home with pumpkins from outer space by making these fun galaxy-inspired designs. Use deep purple, blue and blank paint to create your space background before mapping out star constellations using silver or gold paint and a thin brush.
Dream a Little Bigger explains how to make these intergalactic painted pumpkins.
Cute Disney-themed painted pumpkins
16. Disney’s Mickey and Minnie Mouse painted pumpkins
Bring the Disney magic home this Halloween with this cute Mickey Mouse painted pumpkin. You’ll need a good sized pumpkin and a marker pen to draw Mickey’s infamous features and acrylic paint to decorate.
Of course, don’t forget to create Mickey’s favourite sidekick – Minnie Mouse!
Crafty Morning explains how to make Mickey and Minnie Mouse painted pumpkins.
17. Disney’s Frozen painted pumpkin
If you have an Elsa fan at home then this Frozen themed painted pumpkin is sure to be a hit. You can use any sized pumpkin but will need plenty of blue acrylic paint (in that perfect Frozen teal blue shade), eco glitter and sparkly adornments to create the look. Don’t forget to add a crown to the top!
Asda Living has this easy to follow guide to making a Frozen themed painted pumpkin.
18. Disney’s Little Mermaid painted pumpkin
Make your very own Disney Little Mermaid pumpkin and recreate her underwater adventures. There are so many colourful characters to choose from that you could make an entire set! Make Ursula, the Little Mermaid, Flounder and Sebastian.
The Farm Girl Gabs has some easy to follow Little Mermaid pumpkin painting ideas.
19. Disney’s Finding Nemo painted pumpkin
Just keep swimming with Disney’s Finding Nemo. This fun design lends itself perfectly to pumpkin painting, thanks to the bright orange colour of Nemo. You’ll need a stencil, tracing paper and acrylic paint to create your very own Nemo.
Asda Living has this Finding Nemo painted pumpkin handy guide.
20. Disney’s Star Wars painted pumpkin
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, there was an impressive collection of Star Wars-themed painted pumpkins! These designs will appeal to any diehard Star Wars fans and older children who love the epic films.
Why not host a Star Wars craft party and make your own R2D2, BB-9E Yoda and Storm Trooper painted pumpkins?
Creative Green Living has a selection of Star Wars-themed painted pumpkin designs.
Celebrate the spooky season with cute pumpkin painting ideas
Pumpkin painting is a fun, affordable and wholesome activity to do with the whole family this Halloween.
Use our collection of cute pumpkin painting ideas to create an adorable display this October. Your neighbours will say 'aww' rather than 'oooh' this year'
Host a Halloween party for kids with Gathered
Have fun as a family turning your home into a haunted house, before throwing a Halloween themed party for your kids and their friends.
From face painting to making a fearsome feast, our Halloween party ideas for kids is packed full of 21 fun games, crafts and activities suitable for all ages.
