25+ Jack O'Lantern Crafts for Kids That Are Cute, Not Spooky

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Need a fun way to decorate for Halloween without carving? These jack o lantern crafts for kids are perfect for little hands and big imaginations.

From glowing jars to playful paper hats, there’s something here for every age and mood; silly, sweet, or just a little spooky.

Want more ideas to celebrate the season? Check out our complete list of Halloween crafts for kids for even more playful and creative ways to enjoy October.

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Halloween Pumpkin Crafts

Paper Plate Pumpkin

Kids can transform a plain paper plate into a festive one with paint and creativity. They will have fun painting the plate bright orange and adding a jack-o'-lantern face using cut-out shapes or a handy template.

This simple art lets kids practice painting and gluing while making a fun Halloween decoration they can be proud of.

nontoygifts.com

Paper Cup Jack-O’-Lantern

A simple paper cup becomes a glowing jack-o'-lantern with a fun twist – its nose lights up! Kids decorate their cups with a friendly or silly face, then add a small LED or glow stick to make the nose shine in the dark.

These little pumpkins are cuter than spooky, and children will be delighted to see their creations glow on Halloween night.

www.firefliesandmudpies.com

Paper Plate Pumpkin

Kids of all ages will enjoy painting a paper plate bright orange and turning it into a jack-o'-lantern. This version even uses a curly green pipe cleaner as the pumpkin's vine, adding a cute 3D touch for the stem.

The activity is simple and perfect for fall, and kids can decide to add a happy face or leave their pumpkin plain as a festive decoration.

Related: Pumpkin Tracing Worksheets

Mickey Mouse Pumpkin

Young Disney fans can create a Mickey-themed jack-o'-lantern with this playful art. Kids cut out and assemble Mickey's round pumpkin face using a printable template with iconic mouse ears.

Combining Halloween with some Disney magic makes this project extra fun, and little ones will be thrilled to display their Mickey Mouse pumpkin at home.

www.theinspirationedit.com

Toilet Paper Roll Pumpkins

Who knew empty toilet paper rolls could become adorable pumpkins? Kids will have a blast painting the recycled tubes orange and adding green paper or pipe cleaner pieces as stems and leaves.

This eco-friendly art makes for a set of cute mini pumpkin decorations, and it's a great way to teach kids about reusing materials in a fun Halloween project.

www.craftymorning.com

Pumpkin Toilet Paper Roll Lantern

Turn a toilet paper roll into a mini hanging lantern with a pumpkin twist. Kids wrap the tube in orange paper, cut slits in another piece of paper, wrap it around to create the lantern shape, and glue on a jack-o'-lantern face.

Hang a few of these paper lanterns as a garland or in the window for a festive Halloween decoration that older kids will be proud to make.

Apple Stamp Pumpkin

A simple construction paper pumpkin project designed especially for preschoolers to make with ease. Little hands use a free template to glue basic shapes into a jack-o'-lantern, practicing their scissor skills and shape recognition as they create.

It's a quick and fun fall activity at the perfect level for little ones, and it makes a cute Halloween decoration to display.

activelittles.com

Pumpkin Paper Plate

Little ones paint a paper plate orange to make their own pumpkin. Toddlers can keep the activity simple—after they paint the plate, an adult can help add a green stem or a simple face with construction paper.

Plus, it's a great indoor activity for a rainy fall day, letting young kids explore paint and see their messy art turn into a festive pumpkin.

Also try: Pumpkin Activity Sheets

www.firefliesandmudpies.com

Jack-O’-Lantern Fall Nightlight Jars

Recycle some old jars to make these charming jack-o'-lantern nightlights. Kids paint or decoupage the jars in orange, add jack-o'-lantern faces, and then place a small LED candle inside each one.

The jars give off a comforting orange glow in the dark, perfect as a not-too-spooky nightlight in a bedroom or a friendly Halloween decoration on the porch.

Paper Bag Pumpkin Puppet

A plain lunch sack becomes a lively pumpkin puppet ready for pretend play. Kids color or paint the paper bag bright orange, draw or glue on a jack-o'-lantern face, and can even add a little green paper stem at the top.

Once dry and assembled, they can slip a hand inside and make the pumpkin talk or gobble up pretend candy, encouraging giggles.

happytoddlerplaytime.com

Pumpkin Leaf

Nature meets art in this project, where kids use real autumn leaves to decorate a pumpkin shape. They might start with a pumpkin cutout (from cardboard or paper) and glue on colorful fall leaves as the pumpkin's “skin.”

The result is a rustic, textured pumpkin project that captures the cozy feeling of fall and allows kids to explore the outdoors and art simultaneously.

kidscraftroom.com

Handprint and Paper Bag Pumpkins

In this clever combo art, a keepsake handprint meets a fun pumpkin project. Kids stuff and paint paper lunch bags to create plump mini pumpkins, then use their handprint cut-outs as the pumpkin's leaves or vines.

It's an excellent sensory activity (squishing the stuffing is fun!) and a sweet way to include your child's handprint in a fall decoration.

Related: Pumpkin Cutting Worksheets

frugalfun4boys.com

Paper Roll Pumpkin

In this easy upcycle, empty toilet paper rolls become adorable little pumpkins. Kids can paint the rolls orange, draw or glue on funny jack-o'-lantern faces, and add a twisty green pipe cleaner as a stem.

This simple fall activity will make kids smile as they create cute pumpkins from something you'd typically toss away.

Also try: Pumpkin Do A Dots For Fall

nontoygifts.com

Halloween Pumpkin Paper Hats

Kids will have a blast making and wearing their own pumpkin hats. This project usually comes with a printable template so children can color in a jack-o'-lantern face, cut it out, and tape or glue it to a paper strip that fits around their head.

It's perfect for a classroom Halloween activity or party, and every child has a fun pumpkin crown to show off.

artsymomma.com

Pumpkin Suncatchers

Kids can create adorable pumpkin suncatchers to hang in the window and catch the autumn sunlight. Coffee filters or translucent paper colored a bright orange make the base for these see-through pumpkins, and once they dry, kids can decorate them with jack-o'-lantern faces.

Hang the finished suncatchers in a sunny spot, and they'll glow like stained glass whenever light shines through.

www.learningandexploringthroughplay.com

Mess-Free Pumpkin

Here's a painting activity that's completely mess-free for kids (and parents!). Little ones squirt or dab a bit of red and yellow paint inside a sealed zip-top bag shaped like a pumpkin, then squish it around to mix orange and spread the color.

They'll be fascinated watching the paints blend and move, and you end up with a colored pumpkin design without any paint on little fingers!

Related: Pumpkin Counting Worksheets

activelittles.com

Foam Pumpkin

Soft foam sheets turn into cute pumpkins in a flash with this art. Kids or adults cut out pumpkin shapes from orange foam and then decorate them with googly eyes, stickers, or markers to give each one a funny face.

The foam pumpkins are durable and fun to play with, making them great as homemade toys or Halloween party decor created by the kids.

handsonaswegrow.com

Popsicle Stick Pumpkin

A popsicle stick pumpkin project that's more than just a decoration — it doubles as a fun face-making game. Children paint a set of sticks orange and draw different eyes, noses, and mouths on them, then use Velcro pieces to attach these parts and mix-and-match jack-o'-lantern faces.

After creating their pumpkin, kids will have hours of fun swapping silly faces in and out and showing off their custom jack-o'-lantern.

www.thejoysharing.com

Jack-O’-Lantern Paper Pumpkins

Just a few cuts and staples turn strips of orange paper into mini 3D jack-o'-lanterns. Kids cut evenly spaced slits in a strip of orange paper and bend it into a round lantern shape, then add a cheerful jack-o'-lantern face and a paper stem on top.

These little paper pumpkins work as finger puppets, so kids can play with them after creating a mini pumpkin patch.

thesoccermomblog.com

Popsicle Pumpkin Faces

Kids will love this mix-and-match pumpkin art that lets them create endless silly jack-o'-lantern faces. They paint or assemble a pumpkin base, then design a variety of eyes, noses, and mouths on separate pieces that kids can swap in and out.

It encourages creativity and allows children to laugh and experiment as they repeatedly switch the pumpkin's expression.

meaningfulmama.com

Sock Pumpkin

In this no-sew art, an old sock gets a new life as a squishy pumpkin decoration. Kids fill a clean sock with stuffing or dry rice, wrap it with rubber bands or string to form pumpkin-like segments, and add a stem on top (like a stick or a bit of rolled felt).

Each sock pumpkin looks unique, and children will enjoy the tactile fun of creating a pumpkin they can squeeze and hold.

www.theottoolbox.com

Pumpkin Fine Motor

An artsy activity that doubles as fine motor practice while kids make a cute pumpkin. Using recycled bottle caps as mini pumpkins, kids pinch, place, and glue the caps onto paper to form a pumpkin shape or even a whole pumpkin patch scene.

It's a simple concept that helps little ones exercise their finger strength and coordination — and they end up with a fun pumpkin artwork to display.

www.thebestideasforkids.com

Build Your Own Pumpkin Paper Plate

Kids get to be the pumpkin designer with this cut-and-paste project. With a free printable template, they can assemble a paper pumpkin by choosing different eyes, noses, and mouths and gluing them onto a pumpkin outline.

It's like carving a jack-o'-lantern with paper — no mess, no sharp tools, and every pumpkin turns out one-of-a-kind based on what features the kids pick.

happytoddlerplaytime.com

Scrunched Paper Pumpkin

Tissue paper scrunching makes this pumpkin art extra fun and tactile. Kids crumple up squares of orange tissue paper and glue them onto a pumpkin shape, filling it in with lots of puffy texture.

The scrunched paper gives the pumpkin a cool 3D look, and it's great fine motor practice for preschoolers as they squeeze and stick each piece in place to create an autumn masterpiece.

thekeeledeal.com

Perler Bead Jack-O’-Lantern Pumpkins

Older kids will enjoy creating these jack-o'-lantern designs from Perler beads (melty beads). They carefully place the tiny beads on a pegboard to form a pumpkin shape with a funny or spooky face, and then an adult helps iron it to fuse the beads.

The finished Perler bead pumpkins are perfect as decorations, keychains, or magnets, and making them is a great way to practice patience and fine motor skills.

preschoolinspirations.com

Paper Plate Pumpkin

This super-easy art lets you whip up a puffy painted pumpkin in minutes. Kids mix a quick batch of orange puffy paint (made from shaving cream and glue, with a dash of pumpkin spice for scent) and slather it onto a pumpkin cutout.

The pumpkin painting dries raised and squishy to the touch, and it even smells like pumpkin pie—a multi-sensory art experience perfect for fall.

www.thejoysharing.com

Pumpkin Emotions

Two paper plates and a brad combine to make a pumpkin with changing emotions. One plate becomes the pumpkin's face with eyes and mouth cut out; a second plate, hidden behind, is painted orange and drawn with different sets of eyes and mouths.

By rotating the back plate, kids can switch the pumpkin from a happy face to a scary one (and more), making this a fun toy and a neat lesson in how expressions work.

Also try: Pumpkin Worksheets

artsycraftsymom.com

Plastic Bottle Jack-O’-Lantern

Learn how to turn a leftover plastic bottle into a glowing jack-o'-lantern. An adult can help cut a 2-liter soda bottle and shape it into a round pumpkin form, then kids paint it orange and give it a classic jack-o'-lantern face.

Pop in a battery tea light or glow stick, and the bottle pumpkin shines as an eco-friendly Halloween luminary that kids will be proud of creating.

www.artycraftykids.com

Pumpkin Jack-O’-Lantern Faces

A set of mix-and-match pumpkin templates lets kids decorate in their own style with this project. First, kids paint their pumpkin cutouts in bright colors using a fun scrape-painting method that blends the paints in cool ways.

After the pumpkins dry, they choose from various jack-o'-lantern eyes, noses, and mouths to glue on, ending up with a batch of vibrant, not-too-spooky pumpkins to display.

www.thesuburbanmom.com

Pumpkin Sun Catcher

Bring some fall color to your windows with a pumpkin sun catcher activity. Kids use orange tissue paper or cellophane to fill in a pumpkin-shaped frame (sometimes made from pipe cleaners or cardstock), creating a stained-glass effect.

Hang the finished sun catcher in a sunny window and watch as the daylight makes the pumpkin glow in shades of orange, delighting kids each time the sun shines.

More Fun Kid’s Ideas

16 Halloween Hand Painting Ideas Perfect For October
29 Easy Pumpkin Crafts For Kids
20 Easy and Spooky Halloween Paper Bag Crafts for Kids

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photograph of found of Simple Everyday Mom, Sam

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Sam is the crafter and founder of Simple Everyday Mom. She has been featured in Oprah Mag, Good Housekeeping, The Spruce Crafts, Country Living, The Bump, and more.

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