Craft: 6 no-carve pumpkin ideas

Whether they want something scary or just simply a fun design, this Halloween your family can easily decorate their own pumpkins — without the mess!

A version of this article appeared in our October 2012 issue with the headline "Tales from the patch" (p. 95). For more spooky ideas, visit our Halloween Headquarters!

Materials
- white gourds, black-sparkled felt or card stock, scissors, spray glue, spray paint, push-pins, nails, fishing line

Instructions
1. Cut out bat wings and ears from the felt or card stock.
2. Attach the wings and ears to the back and top of the gourd with spray glue.
3. Spray paint the tops of the push-pins black, let dry, then push into the front of the gourds as the eyes.
4. Put a nail just behind the stem and tie fishing line to it to suspend the gourds.

Materials
- pumpkin, non-toxic white paint, chalkboard paint, paintbrush, chalk

Instructions
1. Paint the entire pumpkin with chalkboard paint; allow to dry.
2. Paint the shape of a ghost in white.
3. Once the paint is dry, add eyes and a mouth to your ghost with black paint, and use the chalk to write a spooky message.

Materials
- pumpkin, aluminum pie plate, paintbrush, white glue, colourful sparkles

Instructions
1. Place the pumpkin in a pie plate, then paint a thin layer of glue on it and sprinkle with glitter.
2. Let the layer dry, then repeat the process until the pumpkin is covered and there is no orange showing.
3. Sparkles caught in the pie plate can be reused.

Materials
- small pumpkin, 17 black pipe cleaners, a large nail

Instructions
1. Twist two pipe cleaners together to form one leg.
2. Use the nail to punch eight holes around the top of the gourd, then insert one end of the pipe cleaners into the hole.
3. Shape the pipe cleaners into a spider’s leg and foot.
4. Repeat and make legs for the remaining holes.
5. Wrap another pipe cleaner around the stem.

Materials
- squash or pumpkin, black spray paint, thumbtacks

Instructions
1. Spray paint thumbtacks black and let dry.
2. Push the pins into the pumpkin to create a skull face.

Materials
- pumpkin, black spray paint, scissors, gauze, fabric stiffener, adhesive, googly eyes

Instructions
1. Cut off the stem of the pumpkin.
2. Spray paint the pumpkin black.
3. Once dry, cut the gauze in 2-in. wide strips and spray with fabric stiffener to give them an aged look.
4. Wrap the strips around the pumpkin, pressing them on as you go.
5. Leave some space between the cloth for the eyes and mouth (if desired).