Do you need some creative ideas for pumpkins that are non-Halloween and not scary? Keep reading to check out over 40 ideas for painting pumpkins! No-carve, no mess, no spooky vibes. These painted pumpkins great for the kids and adults and a great way to decorate your front door for fall!
My Real Feelings About Halloween
I know I might be an outlier (or maybe not, since you found your way to this post), but Halloween is not my favorite holiday.
I’m sure it goes beyond the fact that we didn’t celebrate it when I was a kid.
I don’t have anything against kids in cute costumes getting lots of candy (well, I’m sure most of our kids would be better off without all the candy!) – but it’s the emphasis on darkness and death that I really don’t like.
If we could have Halloween season minus all the spooky stuff that can scare kids – or really – without everything that is the opposite of light and goodness, sign me up.
But I feel like I have to navigate a maze in order just enjoy the fun parts without all the dark parts.
I’m usually trying to find a middle ground. My kids know it’s not my favorite, they know we don’t do Halloween decorations. But we love pumpkins and decorating with them. And they love the candy.
I have to admit though – the pumpkin carving? I’m always looking for something else to do with pumpkins besides carving them up.
No Carve Pumpkin Ideas? Hello, Paint!
Now, the idea of painting pumpkins is right up my alley. There are so many fun ideas for kids as far as decorating pumpkins – their favorite cartoon characters, popcorn and donut pumpkins, Disney pumpkins, googly eyes (my sons’ favorite), pom poms and all kinds of crafty bling.
But really, I was looking for creative ways that I could decorate a pumpkin.
Well, lo and behold, there are so many ideas for the perfect pumpkin for mom.
Disclaimer – kids can do a lot of these ideas, but they are perfect if you want to use pumpkins for fall decor but not necessarily put up traditional Halloween pumpkin decorations on the front porch.
And if you’re not wound too tight, letting a kid loose with a pumpkin and some paint in their little hands is great fun (for them), too.
By far, painting pumpkins is my favorite way (and sometimes the easiest way) to decorate them.
And the best part? No icky pumpkin guts.
What Do You Need to Paint Festive Pumpkins
As you go through this list, obviously, craft paint and brushes are the primary materials you’ll need.
Each project calls for different kinds of paint.
It might be acrylic paint, it might be spray paint, it might even be chalk paint.
Sometimes you’ll need painter’s tape to create a straight line. Some projects involved decals or SVGs.
Some projects are painted faux pumpkins; others use a real pumpkin. Some projects use fake pumpkins or real one – it doesn’t matter.
Some paint part of an orange pumpkin and use the rest as background; others paint the entire pumpkin.
But there truly is something for everyone – all depending on how much effort you want to put it. And how much skill you have.
Let’s get to the good stuff!
40 Creative Pumpkin Painting Ideas
Ombre is such a fun idea for so many craft projects. This tutorial will help you create these stunners in no time. This is a very easy project, even if you're not an artist, but the results are so impressive! I love how leaves created with gold paint tie into other fall elements! The colors in this project just look so magical! This isn't hard but there is some technique involved! You can do this with either acrylic paint or marbling paint - your choice! You can even do it with nail polish! This tutorial goes over all the tricks of paint pouring on a pumpkin as well as gives you a free SVG to take your pumpkin up a few notches! Beautiful fall colors on this one! If you don't have a vinyl cutting maching, try this faux calligraphy hand lettered pumpkin DIY! This is an easy project for beginners where you can trace a design and fill in with paint pens or Sharpies! If you're a Rae Dunn fan, you'll love this idea of covering your pumpkin in white paint and adding the classic, instantly recognizable text! You can grab the SVGs or you can do this freehand! Plus, there are other techniques you can use to use an SVG even if you don't have a cutting machine! There is something so soothing about using dots to create designs - reminds me of pointillism! If you love henna designs and just letting your imagination run, you'll love this idea for painted pumpkins! Color blocking using metallic paint is a wonderful idea for pumpkins - pairing straight lines with the roundness of the pumpkin - but that glitter just puts it over the top in the festivity department! This is such a cute idea for adding zest to a pumpkin - I love the idea of a dreamy fall night, complete with constellations. This is fantastic, in my opinion! It's made with a black fake pumpkin - or use some black spray paint on a real one! This post has so many fun ideas for kids, like scarecrows and foxes and Pikachu, but I admit that this gorgeous black and white pumpkin has my heart.Her I just love the glittery effects on this pumpkin! I can think of so many ways to create a pumpkin with this technique in beautiful fall colors! Herringbone is such a classic design - creating that look with paint pens on a pumpkin will instantly elevate your pumpkin decor. I love the boldness of these colors when applied to pumpkins! As a display, it's something of a happy surprise but I love how they work together. Several options using black, white, and gold on pumpkins! I got into using paint pens when my sons and I decided to paint rocks, but I just love the idea for using them on pumpkins! Literally, the sky is the limit for all the things you can draw on a pumpkin! If you enjoy using watercolors (yes, you can use watercolors on pumpkins), check out this girly, feminine idea painting flowers on your pumpkin. If you love a little bit of the vintage, rustic look that patina brings, check out how to do this on a pumpkin! I think this would also be an amazing piece of decor in your love industrial farmhouse style! A white pumpkin is so classy, in my opinion - and there are so many awesome ways to decorate them! Try a monogram, a welcome message, even your house number! These need to be on your porch this year! I love the idea of using a solar eclipse as inspiration for a pumpkin! So clever! If you want to step up the idea of polka dots, give this nod to a solar eclipse a try! Wow!! Aren't these so fun?!? Check out this post to master the skill of getting paint to stick as well as nailing those stencils! A stencil opens up so many possibilities. I just love all the fun colors! These pumpkins are totally fancy, and I just love it! If you feel like pumpkins seem a little too juvenile or too rustic for your taste, then these shiny and glittery beauties are just what you need. Even just using plain black paint creates a striking effect! If you like pumpkins that look like stone or concrete, give this a try! I love the creativity in fresh and unique colors. Once you have the technique, you can go in so many direcitons. For those who artists or genuinely love art, you'll find so much inspiration in this post. Based on the work of Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, these are so interesting to create and display, especially with the bright colors. If you have a little girl in your life or just like a little bit of whimsy, this is a super - adorable one to try! And so easy, too! The painting involved in this one is just the background for the confetti! Those circles are tissue paper attached with Mod Podge! This is perfect if you feel like drawing or free hand painting isn't your strongest skill set. Here's another wonderful idea for decoupaging a painted pumpkin! Mod Podge opens up so many possibilities for designs on a pumpkin - it's a genius hack! This looks so complex and intricate, but it's actually soooo easy! I just LOVE how this turned out - so elegant and beautiful! Maybe you just love the idea of simple, solid-colored pumpkins in hues of your choice. This post will show you how to get it done so they look real, neat, and fabulous. This is such a fun and playful design for pumpkins1 I love how you can use the background color of the pumpkin itself as part of your design. If you're looking for an idea that doesn't use traditional fall colors, this color-blocking method using Kate Spade inspired hues is your answer! This is simple but gives a striking effect that you can custom create to blend with your decor, especially if you love bright colors. African mud cloth patterns have been on trend for a while now - and it looks amazing on a pumpkin! If you enjoy doodling, this is a fantastic project to try for a fresh and trendy look! I love the end results! There are a few painted pumpkin ideas in this post - floral, starry night, buffalo check... these are so dreamy! If you like to try your hand at an artist pumpkin, take a look though this one! If you want some custom designs that are in a category all their own, take a little time to see what some artists at the Creative Studios from Hallmark came up with for their pumpkins. I just love all the different colors and combinations! If you're familiar with Lucy and her amazing artistic talent, this gorgeous pumpkin will come as no surprise! Check out this post to create your version of this masterpiece! How sweet are these! I love that this uses fingerprints as part of the design - a great way to get the kids involved, too! If you like to keep things fun and lighthearted, these are such fun ideas to try! Kids of the neighborhood will just love these, and I'm sure it will put a smile on the face of everyone who sees it. Another fanciful and whimsical idea! What is fall without candy corn? So cute! A monogrammed pumpkin with all the sparkly glitter! This is a fantastic idea for the porch, one that you can truly customize in colors you love! Not only do you get a tutorial for how to create these gorgeous metallic pumpkins, but it comes with wonderful ideas for stack a couple of pumpkins for a topiary as well as how to style them! Buffalo check has been a reigning trend for years now, with no sign of letting up! If you love this type of decor, check out this tutorial for painting this pumpkin in your favorite pattern! I'm not sure it gets easier than a brush stroke design! I love the fun color combinations, which is where this project shines. Have at it! Here's another spin on a pumpkin that's marble painted. I just love the color combination here ... it's so unique for fall and I honestly think these are just perfect. Here's another fun idea for doodles on pumpkins! I love the gold mixed with the creme color... it's whimsical and classy!
No Carve Ombre Painted Pumpkins
Pumpkin Painting Ideas: Simple Gold Leaf Pattern
“Dirty Pour” Marbled Pumpkin
DIY Paint Pour Pumpkin
DIY Hand-Lettered Painted Pumpkins
Easy Painted Pumpkin Idea (Rae Dunn Inspired)
Crafty Henna Decorated Pumpkin
Metallic Color Block Pumpkins
Galaxy Pumpkin
Black and White Chic Pumpkin
Glitter Drip Pumpkin
Make Herringbone Mini Pumpkins for Fall Decor
Black and Gold Pumpkins
DIY Paint Pen Patterned Pumpkins
Flowered Pumpkins
Faux Patina Pumpkins
White Pumpkin Decor
Painted Pumpkins Total Solar Eclipse Style
Stenciled Pumpkins with Chalk Paint
DIY LUXURY PAINTED HALLOWEEN PUMPKINS
Textured Painted Pumpkins
DIY Yayoi Kusama Painted Pumpkins
Adorable DIY Unicorn Pumpkin
Confetti Pumpkins for a Colorful Halloween!
DIY Mod Podge Painted Pumpkins
Patterns Painted On A Pumpkin DIY
Chalk Painted Pumpkins
Colorful Harlequin Pumpkins Painted for Halloween
DIY Kate Spade-Inspired Painted Pumpkin
DIY Mud Cloth Pumpkins
Hand Painted Pumpkin Designs
Easy Matte Pumpkin Painting
Hand Painted Floral Pumpkin
Nature-Inspired Fingerprint Art Pumpkins
No Carve Emoji Pumpkins
Painted Candy Corn Pumpkins
Easy No-Carve Monogram Glitter Pumpkin
Gilding Pumpkin Topiary
Buffalo Check Pumpkins
DIY Brushstroke Pumpkin
Marbled Indigo Pumpkins
Painted Pumpkins with Gold Botanical Pattern for Fall
Painting pumpkins is an easy way to get young kids involved without worrying if they will get scared.
And it’s a great item to add to your Fall Bucket List!
If you try any of these pumpkins, I’d love to see them! Please tag me on Instagram @100affections and I’ll share it in my stories!
Other thoughts? I’d love to hear them! Leave a comment below!
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