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Pumpkin Carving Alternatives. 8 Substitutes for Pumpkin Carving.

pumpkin carving alternatives - woman and girl decorating a pumpkin with stickers


Pumpkin Carving Alternatives.


There are many ways to decorate a pumpkin if pumpkin carving isn't your jam. Pumpkin Carving is messy! I don't blame you if you're not up for it.

Keep in mind that some of these pumpkin carving alternative ideas may still require prep such as cleaning the inside of the pumpkin. 

**This post contains affiliate links. I earn small commissions for qualified purchases at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!

8 Substitutes for Pumpkin Carving



1. Painting Pumpkins 

The possibilities for painting pumpkins are endless. Acrylic paint is the most adherent, but not the easiest to clean up if you have kiddos. Thumbprint designs are especially adorable if your little one likes to finger paint.

Use spray paint for allover coverage, and dual tip acrylic paint markers for finer details. Consider paint pour or splatter if you don't mind getting messy (best done outdoors). Don't forget paint smocks! 

2. Pumpkin Pegs or Push Pins 

Purchase a face specifically for pumpkins, or repurpose your Mr. & Mrs. Potato Head accessories. 

Give your toddler some fine motor practice with a peg and mallet hammer set. Or use decorative push pins, but beware of sharp edges. 

Jack Skellington pumpkin paint and push kit

3. Pumpkin Stickers

Sticking a pumpkin face decal sticker is perhaps the easiest way to make a jack-o-lantern! 

4. Cookie Cutters

That peg and mallet hammer set will come in handy again if you use cookie cutters. You probably have a star shaped cookie cutter on hand, but I love the bat, cats, and ghosts that come with this set of Halloween cookie cutters. Those would look so cool illuminated with tea lights!

5. Stencil and Shallow Shave

Use pumpkin face stencils or whatever you have on hand. Your last name initial would be cute, and should be easy to free hand. 

Choose a tool from this pumpkin carving tool kit to scrape out a shallow design. The outline should still illuminate with the string lights included with the kit.

6. Wrap or Tape it Up

Use gauze and googly eyes to make a mummy. Secure your design with a hot glue gun. 

Choose a cool color or pattern duct tape. I'm partial to the camoflauge and leopard patterns. 

7. Boho Pumpkin 
pumpkin flower arrangement

Treat your pumpkin like a vase, and add artificial flowers. Drape a lace collar or doily over the top of your pumpkin. Burlap bows also give boho vibes. 

8. Bedazzle!

Create dazzling designs with buttons or bows. Paint the top of your pumpkin and add glitter to create a donut design.

Or make a spider web out of glue and glitter. 

Summary

Carving pumpkins is a fun but messy and risky spooky season tradition. Celebrating shouldn't be stressful. 

There are pumpkin carving alternatives suitable for all ages and abilities. Choose to decorate your pumpkins in a way that's most enjoyable for you and whoever you're sharing the experience with. 


Which pumpkin carving alternative idea is your favorite?



 




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