7 creative pumpkin decorating crafts

Pumpkin carving is so last year, wouldn’t you say? Try one of these creative no-carve pumpkin decorating ideas for Halloween with your kids instead.

You’ll brighten up your home and hearts alike with these alternative crafts. As a bonus, you won’t have to worry about the dangers of sharp pumpkin-carving knives near little hands.

Look at this friendly crew of felt face pumpkins! Use pre-made templates for the felt pieces or design your own, and then all you need to do is stick the pieces onto your pumpkins. Better yet, you can reuse the craft next year, too.

Get the craft here: A Small Snippet

Mom and Dad might need to help with this pumpkin decorating idea, as it involves melting crayons of all colours over your pumpkin. The effort (and supervision) is definitely worth it.

(Psst... if you're nervous about using a kitchen or gas lighter to melt your crayons, try using the hot air from a hairdryer to melt them instead.)

Get the craft here: The Swede Records

If your kids prefer their pumpkins to keep to the scary theme of carved Jack-o'-Lanterns, then this mummified pumpkin is perfect. It's really easy to make, and somehow both spooky and cute at the same time...

Get the craft here: Better Homes and Gardens

There are two easy ways to create these jeweled pumpkins worthy of carrying Cinderella to the ball: either buy jewels (the kind used for scrapbooking) from a craft store and stick them on, or use a combination of glitter sprinkled over wet glue to create your own designs.

Get the craft here: Glorious Treats

This no-carve alternative to your Halloween pumpkin is more than just a decoration, it's a pumpkin art statue! This pumpkin spider is guaranteed to make everyone look twice — and probably jump in fright, too.

The more we look at it, the spookier it seems. Aaaah!

Get the craft here: Budget Wise Home

This no-carve Halloween pumpkin idea is so easy and kid-friendly that we're surprised everyone isn't doing it already! Simply paint an entire pumpkin with white paint, let it dry, and then paint on creepy crawlies using black paint.

Alternatively, get your kids to pick their own paint colours and designs instead. Rainbow pumpkins, anyone?

Get the craft here: Country Living

We dare anyone to resist saying "aw!" upon seeing — or making — this butterfly pumpkin craft. Pick up a few mini pumpkins on your next trip to the store (or pumpkin patch), then turn them into butterflies with scrap paper, pipe cleaners, and googly eyes.

Get the craft here: Spoonful

11 Halloween crafts for kids> Don't stop at the pumpkin! Here are 11 more Halloween crafts for your family to make.