Alternatives to Carving Pumpkins

Leaves are turning, temperatures are dropping, and Halloween is only 22-days away! I’ve always loved carving pumpkins, but now that we have two little ones in the house, digging out the knives seems like a poor parenting decision…

So this year I set out to find kid-friendly alternatives to carving pumpkins. Below are five ways to (safely) decorate pumpkins with children. I hope you enjoy these ideas as much as we did!

Alternative Number One:

I found this adorable pumpkin push in at the local drug store (only $2!). It’s basically a pumpkin version of Mr. Potato Head.

All you do is unpack the pieces, and push them into the pumpkin.

How cute is that? Ridiculously easy and adorable!

Alternative Number Two:

All you need to make these cuties are pacifiers, a magic marker, push pins and accessories (hats, bows, etc.).

This idea was inspired by a photo I saw in Parents magazine. You can finish these pumpkins in three easy steps: 1) First, using the magic marker, draw two sleeping eyes on your pumpkin. 2) Next, attach the pacifier to your pumpkin by using a straight pin (you could also use hot glue if you prefer). 3) Lastly, add your accessories (hats or hair bows).

And that’s it! These are so cute sitting on our front step!

Alternative Number Three:

This pumpkin is so easy to make! All you need are chalkboard paint, a paintbrush and some chalk!

First, paint your pumpkin with your chalkboard paint.

Let it dry (be sure to follow the guidelines on the back of the paint container).

Then grab some chalk and decorate! The possibilities are endless and you can wipe off your designs and start over again as many times as you want! I think we’re going to turn ours into a Halloween countdown!

Alternative Number Four:

Again, this pumpkin is so easy to make! You’ll need a marker, glue and glitter… That’s it! (And I promise, no artistic talent is needed for this one!)

Start by drawing lines down the side of your pumpkin. Just follow the grooves – no artistic talent needed! I drew a line using every-other groove on the top of my pumpkin.

Next, draw “webs” connecting each line. I drew two or three lines for each section.

Now it’s time to decorate! Using the glue, follow your lines (I did one at a time to keep things relatively clean).

Now dump glitter on top and move on to your next line…

Once you finish, work on gluing and glittering the “webs” in between each line…

Now, if you want to get fancy, just add a spider! (I didn’t even draw mine on. I literally made a big glue circle with eight little legs – so easy!)

When the sunlight hits this beauty, it sparkles like you wouldn’t believe!

Alternative Number Five:

Again, so unbelievably easy to do – and fun for children of all ages! Just grab some paint, paint brushes, stickers, and (if you want) some ribbon.

First, paint your pumpkins with you base coat. I only painted one coat and it dried very quickly (within 20-minutes!).

Next, grab your stickers and go to town! I used my children’s initials for their pumpkins, with some matching circles. Then, just to add a little something extra, I added a bow to the top of each pumpkin. They look so colorful and fun!