The most frightening part of Halloween isn’t the spooky costumes, eerie decorations, or trick-or-treating—it’s the shocking amount of waste we create. In the UK alone, around 18,000 tonnes of pumpkins are discarded each year after being carved into jack-o’-lanterns, leading to an alarming level of food waste. However, you can still embrace the festive spirit without harming the environment by opting for sustainable pumpkin decorating ideas. 

Instead of carving, try painting spooky faces, wrapping them in cloth like mummies, or using fun stickers to create unique designs. Keep children entertained throughout the October half-term with these eco-friendly decorating alternatives that are both fun and waste-free. For more seasonal inspiration, explore our autumn baking projects designed especially for kids, featuring delicious treats perfect for the Halloween season.

Good Food’s food director, Cassie Best, suggests choosing edible varieties like Crown Prince, Red Kuri, or Blue Hubbard pumpkins, as these have a richer flavor and a firmer texture compared to the typical carving pumpkins, which often turn out bland and watery. If you plan to cook them, be sure to remove the skin and wash them thoroughly to enhance their taste. By making thoughtful choices, you can enjoy Halloween festivities while reducing waste and making the most of your pumpkins in a sustainable way.

You will need:

When exploring pumpkin decorating ideas, having the right supplies is essential for bringing your creative vision to life. Gather a variety of tools to achieve stunning designs effortlessly.

• Paintbrushes & Paints: Use different brush sizes and vibrant paints to create detailed or bold designs.
• Pens & Markers: Thin and thick markers in various colors help outline patterns or add intricate details to your pumpkin.
• Newspaper: Lay it down as a protective surface to keep your workspace mess-free while decorating.

With these supplies, you can easily transform your pumpkins into festive, artistic masterpieces!

Optional extras

When exploring pumpkin decorating ideas, having additional craft supplies can make your designs even more creative and fun. Depending on your chosen style, these materials can help you craft unique and eye-catching pumpkins.

• Bandages or Toilet Roll: Perfect for creating a spooky mummy-themed pumpkin.
• Black Card: Cut into shapes like bats, cats, or spooky faces for a dramatic effect.
• Colorful Stickers: An easy way to add vibrant patterns or fun designs.
• Glue: Essential for securing decorations like paper cutouts or embellishments.
• Googly Eyes: Give your pumpkin a playful, animated look.
• Pipe Cleaners: Great for making creative accents like curly stems, spider legs, or whiskers.

With these supplies, your pumpkin decorating ideas can come to life in endless imaginative ways!

How to paint a pumpkin

When trying out pumpkin decorating ideas, proper preparation is key to achieving stunning results. Follow these simple steps to ensure your pumpkin is clean, dry, and ready for decorating.

• Clean Your Pumpkin: Wash it thoroughly using a vegetable brush or a damp cloth to remove dirt.
• Ensure It’s Dry: Let it dry completely before decorating, as wet surfaces prevent paint, glue, or markers from adhering properly.
• Protect Your Workspace: Place newspaper underneath to keep paint, glue, or markers from making a mess.
• Get Creative: Follow our design ideas or use them as inspiration to craft your own unique pumpkin masterpiece. Let it dry fully before displaying.
• Avoid Rain Exposure: Keep your decorated pumpkin indoors or in a sheltered area to preserve its beautiful design.

By following these steps, your pumpkin decorating ideas will turn into festive, eye-catching creations!

Pumpkin decorating ideas

1 .Paint a cat’s face

For a fun and creative pumpkin decorating ideas, transform your pumpkin into a spooky black cat! Start by painting about two-thirds of the pumpkin in deep black, leaving space to craft a feline-inspired face. On one side, carefully paint two half-moon shapes to form the illusion of a cat’s mouth. Once the paint dries, use a silver or white marker to delicately sketch the cat’s expressive eyes, a tiny triangular nose, and fine whiskers for added detail. 

To complete the look, cut out two pointed ears from black card or soft felt, then securely attach them using pins for a firm hold. Alternatively, for an easy and reusable option, simply place a cat’s-ear headband on top of the pumpkin. This charming and mess-free decoration is perfect for adding a festive yet spooky touch to your Halloween display while keeping things simple, creative, and fun!

2. Wrap up like a mummy

For a fun and spooky pumpkin decorating ideas, turn your pumpkin into a mysterious Halloween mummy! Start by wrapping it tightly with bandages or even strips of toilet roll, ensuring most of the surface is covered while leaving a thin slit exposed to create a space for its eerie eyes. Next, cut out two eye shapes from black card, making them as round or oval as you like for a dramatic effect. 

Use paint or a marker to carefully draw the pupils, giving your mummy a spooky or silly expression. Finally, pin the eyes onto the pumpkin in the exposed slit, making sure they peek out just enough to give it a hauntingly fun look. This easy yet effective no-carve decorating idea is perfect for kids and adults alike, offering a creative and mess-free way to celebrate Halloween in style!

3. Make a face out of stickers

For a vibrant and cultural pumpkin decorating ideas, take inspiration from the Mexican holiday Día de los Muertos, also known as the Day of the Dead, celebrated on 1st November. Begin with a white pumpkin as your canvas and carefully paint a striking black skull face to capture the essence of traditional sugar skull designs. 

To enhance the look, use bright neon stickers or small, colorful blobs of paint to create an eye-catching outline around the eyes, adding depth and vibrancy. For an extra decorative touch, encircle the design with delicate hand-painted daisies, giving your pumpkin an authentic, festive feel. This bold and artistic decoration not only honors Mexican heritage but also makes a stunning and unique addition to your Halloween display!

4. Give it stripes

Show off your eco-friendly Halloween spirit with a striking striped pumpkin design. Embrace a chic and sustainable approach by painting alternating sections in shimmering gold and deep black, following the natural curves of the pumpkin. This eye-catching decoration will add a sophisticated and festive touch to your Halloween party, blending elegance with seasonal charm. 

The contrast of bold black and radiant gold creates a refined yet playful aesthetic, making your decor stand out effortlessly. Perfect for those who love stylish yet environmentally conscious celebrations, this dazzling design ensures your Halloween setup remains both classy and visually captivating.

5. Add googly eyes

Amaze your guests this Halloween by giving your pumpkins a fun and spooky makeover with stick-on googly eyes. With just a few simple additions, you can transform an ordinary vegetable into a lively, eerie decoration that adds a playful yet creepy vibe to your festive display. To make your setup even more visually captivating, mix and match pumpkins of different shapes, sizes, and textures, creating a unique and dynamic arrangement. 

For an extra dose of Halloween charm, use markers to sketch sinister grins, surprised expressions, or ghostly faces, ensuring each pumpkin has its own haunting personality. This effortless yet creative technique guarantees your decorations will be both amusing and spine-chilling!

6. Make it monochrome with black

You don’t need pricey materials to create a spooktacular pumpkin decorating ideas—just grab a thick black marker or some basic paint to bring your design to life! Outline and fill in eerie shapes, creepy faces, or fun patterns effortlessly. For extra inspiration, explore our Halloween templates, which offer plenty of creative ideas to make your pumpkin stand out. 

Whether you prefer a classic jack-o’-lantern look or something more unique, this budget-friendly approach ensures you can decorate with ease while still making an impact. Get creative, have fun, and let your imagination run wild with these simple yet effective pumpkin designs!

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7. Paint a floral design

Who says Halloween pumpkins have to be spooky? If you’re feeling creative, try a stunning pumpkin decorating ideas that swaps scary faces for elegant floral designs. Use a variety of vibrant paints to craft a beautiful, intricate flower pattern, transforming your pumpkin into a work of art. 

For an easy and mess-free alternative, grab colorful felt-tip pens and doodle delicate blooms, swirling vines, or autumn leaves for a charming seasonal touch. This unique approach to decorating offers a refreshing twist on traditional Halloween themes, allowing you to showcase your artistic flair while creating a festive yet sophisticated pumpkin display.

8. Give your pumpkin a hat

Give your pumpkin a magical makeover with this enchanting pumpkin decorating ideas! Instead of carving, create a charming witch’s hat using black and orange card for a classic Halloween look. Simply cut and shape the paper into a tall, pointed hat and secure it in place for a fun, festive touch. 

If you’re feeling extra crafty, take your creativity to the next level by knitting a tiny witch’s hat, adding texture and personality to your pumpkin. This whimsical and easy-to-make decoration is a fantastic way to celebrate Halloween in style without the mess of carving, making it perfect for a spooky yet sophisticated seasonal display!

9. Write a Halloween message

See your pumpkin as a limitless canvas for creativity with this fun pumpkin decorating ideas! Instead of carving, use markers or paints to bring your design to life by sketching iconic Halloween symbols like intricate spider webs, fluttering bats, or eerie haunted houses. 

Add a personal touch by inscribing spooky Halloween messages, such as “Trick or Treat” or “Happy Haunting,” to make your pumpkin stand out. Whether you go for a classic black-and-white theme or incorporate vibrant Halloween colors, this artistic approach ensures a mess-free yet striking decoration that’s perfect for celebrating the spooky season on 31st October!

10. Use pipe cleaners

Bring your pumpkin to life with this playful pumpkin decorating ideas by using pipe cleaners to create fun and quirky features! Twist, bend, and shape colorful pipe cleaners into expressive eyes, pointy ears, or even curly whiskers for a unique and whimsical look. For a spooky twist, craft spiraled antennae, creepy spider legs, or even wild, wavy hair to give your pumpkin a fun and eerie personality. 

This mess-free, hands-on decorating method is perfect for kids and adults alike, offering endless possibilities to design a one-of-a-kind Halloween masterpiece. Let your imagination take over and turn your pumpkin into a creative, eye-catching Halloween decoration.

11. Make them extra-colourful

Unleash your imagination with this exciting pumpkin decorating ideas by transforming your pumpkins into your favorite cartoon characters or iconic TV show villains! Grab some brightly colored paints and bring beloved animated figures to life, whether it’s a mischievous character with a cheeky grin or a sinister villain with a dramatic expression. 

The more vibrant and detailed, the better! Use bold outlines, exaggerated features, and signature colors to make your pumpkin instantly recognizable. This fun and creative approach adds a playful twist to Halloween decorations, making your display stand out with personality, nostalgia, and plenty of festive charm!

12. Paint it white

Coating your pumpkin in a crisp layer of white paint instantly turns it into the perfect blank canvas for your creative Halloween designs. Let your imagination run wild by decorating it with eerie Halloween-themed lettering, vibrant flying bats, or even miniature painted pumpkins for a fun, layered effect. 

The stark white background enhances the contrast of bold colors, making every detail stand out beautifully. Whether you opt for classic spooky motifs or a more artistic, abstract approach, this simple transformation allows endless customization. Get creative with paints, markers, or even glitter to craft a truly one-of-a-kind Halloween masterpiece that will impress all who see it.

13. Get glittery

Turn your pumpkin into a dazzling centerpiece with this glamorous pumpkin decorating ideas by transforming it into a sparkling disco ball! Start by covering the entire surface with a layer of eco-friendly, non-plastic biodegradable glitter in shimmering silver, gold, or even multicolored hues for a radiant effect. 

For extra shine, use a strong adhesive to ensure the glitter stays in place, creating a mesmerizing, reflective look. Place your glittery pumpkin under a light source, and watch as it twinkles, bringing a fun and festive vibe to your Halloween display. This eye-catching decoration is a perfect way to add some glitz and glamour to the spooky season while staying eco-conscious!

14. Draw cartoon faces

Give your pumpkin a playful and eye-catching twist with this fun pumpkin decorating ideas by creating simple yet expressive cartoon designs! Use bold paints or markers to draw exaggerated animated faces with big, goofy grins, winking eyes, or even surprised expressions to bring your pumpkin to life. 

Add vibrant colors and extra details like eyebrows, rosy cheeks, or quirky accessories to make it even more unique. Whether you go for a classic comic-style look or a cute, mischievous character, these fun and animated designs will ensure your pumpkin stands out from the crowd, making it a delightful addition to your Halloween décor!

15. Make it into a unicorn

Create a magical and enchanting pumpkin decorating ideas by transforming your pumpkin into a stunning unicorn! Start by painting it in a soft pastel shade or pure white for a dreamy effect. Add fluttery, long eyelashes using black paint or a marker to give your unicorn a sweet, whimsical expression. 

Decorate the top with a crown of beautiful flowers and lush greenery for a natural, fairy-tale touch. Complete the look with a dazzling golden horn crafted from glittery paper, clay, or even a painted cone to bring your unicorn to life. This charming, no-carve decoration is perfect for adding a touch of fantasy and elegance to your Halloween display!

16. Give it legs

Give your Halloween décor a creepy-crawly twist with this spine-chilling pumpkin decorating ideas by turning your pumpkin into a giant, hairy spider! Start by firmly poking sturdy sticks into the sides of your pumpkin to create a solid base for the legs. 

Then, take long, fuzzy pipe cleaners and carefully twist them around the sticks to form thick, spindly spider legs, bending them at the joints for an eerie, lifelike effect. Add large, beady eyes using buttons or paper cutouts to complete your terrifying arachnid. Place your pumpkin spider in your front garden or porch to give your neighbors a fright and make your Halloween decorations truly unforgettable!

17. Draw a spiderweb

Children of all ages can unleash their creativity by painting or sketching intricate spider webs onto their pumpkins, turning them into festive Halloween masterpieces. Younger kids can enjoy crafting simple, swirling web designs, while older ones can take it a step further by adding a realistically creepy spider crawling at the center. 

With just a few strokes of paint or a marker, each pumpkin transforms into a spooky yet fun decoration that adds an extra eerie charm to your Halloween setup. Whether using bold black lines or shimmering metallic accents, this activity ensures that every pumpkin becomes a uniquely haunting work of art.

18. Use crackly paint

Enhance your Halloween décor effortlessly with this eerie pumpkin decorating ideas by using special crackle-effect paint to create a hauntingly aged look. Simply coat your pumpkin in a base color, then apply the crackle paint over it, watching as the surface transforms into a spooky, weathered texture as it dries. 

This technique gives your pumpkin an old, cursed, or even ancient artifact appearance, making it perfect for a ghostly or gothic-themed display. Pair it with cobwebs, candles, or eerie lighting to amplify the chilling effect. With minimal effort, you’ll have a strikingly unique pumpkin that captures the spirit of Halloween!

19. Make it luminous

Adding a splash of bright, bold, or even glow-in-the-dark paint to your pumpkins will make your Halloween decorations truly unmissable, ensuring trick-or-treaters are drawn to your house on October 31st. These eye-catching hues create an enchanting glow that enhances the eerie atmosphere of the night, making your doorstep stand out in the dark. 

Whether you opt for neon greens, electrifying oranges, or ghostly blues, these luminous designs will add a mesmerizing touch to your spooky setup. The glowing effect not only enhances the festive ambiance but also ensures your home becomes a must-visit stop for excited trick-or-treaters seeking Halloween thrills.

20. Keep it simple

One of the best things about pumpkin decorating ideas is that they’re perfect for kids of all ages and skill levels! Little ones can enjoy painting simple, fun designs like smiley faces or polka dots, while older children and budding artists can unleash their creativity with intricate patterns, spooky monsters, or even detailed Halloween scenes. 

There’s no right or wrong way to decorate—whether using bold brushstrokes, colorful splashes, or adding extra embellishments like stickers and glitter, every pumpkin becomes a unique masterpiece. This mess-free, creative activity makes Halloween extra special, ensuring that everyone, from toddlers to teens, can join in the festive fun!