No-carve painted pumpkins

Pumpkins painted with simple patterns, faces or dots that last for weeks longer than carved ones and need no knife.

LevelBeginner

Time45 minutes plus drying

Cost$6 to $15

Halloween Fall Thanksgiving Groups Under $20 Outdoors

What you'll need

Materials

Tick them off as you find them.

Small pie pumpkins or mini gourdsFind it →
Acrylic craft paintFind it →
Paper towels
Old newspaper

Tools

Foam brushesFind it →
Cotton swabsFind it →
Pencil with an eraserFind it →

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How to make it

1
Wipe the pumpkin
Wash it with a damp cloth and dry it well. Paint sticks better to a clean skin.
2
Paint the base
Paint the whole pumpkin white, black or cream, or leave it orange. Let it dry 20 minutes.
3
Stamp polka dots
Dip the pencil eraser in paint and press it on. Perfect circles every time.
4
Add a face or pattern
Use cotton swabs for eyes, stripes or little leaves.
5
Paint the stem
Give the stem a dab of gold or brown for a finished look.

Edie's tip

Rest the pumpkin on a lazy Susan or a dinner plate. Turn the plate instead of lifting the pumpkin.

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