How to Decorate Halloween Pumpkins

While carving jack-o-lanterns remains a Halloween classic, more and more people are seeing the benefits of decorating their Halloween pumpkins without cutting into them. Decorated pumpkins last longer than carved jack-o-lanterns, especially indoors, and they don't involve cutting blades, making them ideal for children.

Things You'll Need

• Pumpkin
• Acrylic or tempera craft paints
• Brushes
• Felt-tip pen or marker
• White craft glue (optional)
• Construction paper (optional)
• Glitter or sequins (optional)

Instructions

1. Make sure that the surface of your pumpkin is dry and free of dirt or dust. If you need to clean it, use a non-abrasive sponge and a mild cleaner.

2. Using a felt-tipped pen or marker, draw a face (or other design) onto the smoothest facing of the pumpkin. Limit your design to one side of the pumpkin (the other side will not be visible).

3. Fill in your design using the paint and brushes. Depending upon the quality and pigmentation of your paints, you may need to apply multiple layers of paint to pumpkin.

4. Decorate your pumpkin by gluing items onto it. Construction paper cutouts, glitter and sequins can all be used to enhance your painted decoration. White craft glue works well for this.

Tips & Warnings

• Because they are not lit from within, decorated pumpkins placed outside will need to be illuminated to be visible on Halloween night. Because they are not cut, decorated pumpkins can last several weeks, even indoors, making them ideal for offices or other workplaces.

• Do not draw your design with a pencil or ball-point pen, as these can pierce the surface of the pumpkin.