DIY Painted Pumpkins (2024)

Painted pumpkins are a fun home decor craft for fall and Halloween! Learn all about painting pumpkins, including the best paint, here.

Have you decorated pumpkins yet?? I certainly hope so, though a lot of people love waiting until the last minute. While I love carving pumpkins, I really love painting them!

There’s something to be said for buying a faux pumpkin at the craft store and doing something unique with it. Paint is a huge part of that, but Mod Podge is as well. I always use it to seal my creations.

Of course you can use any of these pumpkin painting ideas for real pumpkins, too. It’s not going to make the gourd last any longer, but it’s still pretty fun!

No Carve Pumpkin Ideas

For this roundup, I picked some of my favorite no carve projects, and I think you’re going to love them as well.

When you don’t carve a pumpkin, your best bet is to either paint it, or decoupage it, or both. That’s what we’re doing with all of these ideas. Some are one, the other, or a combination!

Best Paint for Pumpkins

If you’re wondering what kind of paint to use, I can help you – because I’ve tried them all. You can use the following types of paint on pumpkins, real or fake:

Chalk paint – I recommend FolkArt Home Decor Chalk
Acrylic craft paint – I recommend Apple Barrel, FolkArt (including multi-surface)
Spray paint
Tempera paint
Latex paint

The outside of a pumpkin (whether it is really or fake) is really smooth, so I find that watercolors (or anything runny) isn’t as great for painting them.

My favorite type of paint is FolkArt multi-surface. It works well in terms of sticking to the surface of the pumpkin, and the colors cover well and remain vibrant (plus can tolerate some weather).

Spray Painting

Spray painting pumpkins is totally possible and not hard to do, though you need some patience. Place the gourd down on a paper bag and spray at least 12″ away.

You’ll want to spray several times, using a light coat every time you spray. It’s pretty standard spray painting, but you have to be careful around the curves. You also have to wait until the top dries so that you can get the bottom.

Pumpkin Painting Stencils

You can use any stencil, however, my favorite are the flexible or adhesive kind because of the curves. The cardboard or paper stencils only work well if you have a l-a-r-g-e pumpkin surface on which to use them.

Stenciling on punkins is pretty easy to do and fun. I usually like to basecoat the entire gourd, let dry, and then stencil using complimentary colors.

Are you ready to dive into these pumpkin painting ideas? Let’s roll!

Painted Pumpkins

Get a ton of pumpkin painting ideas using a variety of mediums: chalk paint, acrylic paint, chalkboard paint, and more! Pumpkin painting is a fun activity for the entire family.

Color Shift Pumpkins

Photo Credit:plaidonline.com

I wrote all about color shift paint and how amazing it is - so I'm starting with these pumpkins because they are so perfect for the holidays! You'll use a basecoat of multi surface paint and then color shift on top. I think you need one in every color. Looks great on big and mini pumpkins!

Marbled Pumpkins

Photo Credit:plaidonline.com

If you haven't tried the FolkArt marbling paints yet, you're missing out. You've probably seen marbling with nail polish, and this is the same effect - but with paint. You can make all kinds of cool and modern painted pumpkin effects.

Day of the Dead

Photo Credit:plaidonline.com

I kind of love the idea of making a face entirely out of stencils, and that's what this Dia de Los Muertos pumpkin features! Make a circle for the eyes out of adhesive stencil material, or by drawing around a circular object and filling in with paint. All the rest of the features are adhesive stencils.

R2-D2 and C-3PO Star Wars Pumpkins

Photo Credit:Courtney Sanchez

You might hear these painted pumpkins say "beep boop" or, "It’s against my programming to impersonate a deity." I'm thinking that this Star Wars theme with R2-D2 and C-3PO is one of my favorite pumpkin painting ideas!

Oh Deer Pumpkin

Photo Credit:plaidonline.com

Bambi's never been as cute as he is in pumpkin form! I love that the antlers were made with craft sticks, and the ears are felt. This would be pretty easy for older kids to make.

Falling Leaves

Photo Credit:plaidonline.com

Half of this pumpkin is crackle painted . . . did you know I love crackle paint??! Then there are Mod Podge fabric leaves, and the result is so cute I can hardly stand it.

Blood Drip Chalkboard Pumpkin

Photo Credit:plaidonline.com

A black chalkboard pumpkin isn't that spooky - but somehow things are kicked up a notch with the addition of the blood drips! Okay, it's red paint. But wouldn't it be perfect for a party?

Chalk Painted Pumpkins

Create simple pumpkin decorations with chalk finish, diamond dust, and Mod Podge! This craft idea is so easy and perfect for fall. I personally think these would look fabulous with either vintage or farmhouse decor.

Monogrammed Pumpkin

Photo Credit:plaidonline.com

"Is that a door knob???" I squealed out loud when I first saw this project. And yes, this pumpkin stem is a door knob. The monogram and the color palette gives this pumpkin decor a sophisticated touch.

Concrete Centerpiece

Photo Credit:plaidonline.com

This is one of those painted pumpkin ideas I just can't get over! This faux concrete finish is amazing, and looks so real. I have to try this painting technique.

It's Fall Y'all

Photo Credit:plaidonline.com

I just love the bright blue and orange of this happy "it's fall y'all!" pumpkin! If you're going for colorful seasonal decor, this could be pretty cool on your porch. The thumbtacks are a fun addition, and I love the hand painted font.

Stained Glass Pumpkin

Photo Credit:plaidonline.com

I'm always open to something a little different, and this painted pumpkin looks like a stained glass window. I just think of all the bright colors I could use! I'm excited to try this idea.

Black Cat Pumpkin

Photo Credit:plaidonline.com

I have quite a few cat loving friends that would appreciate this Halloween black cat pumpkin! It reminds me of vintage Halloween art, and I adore it.

Neon Paint Drip

Photo Credit:plaidonline.com

If you're looking for eye-catching painted pumpkin ideas . . . you've arrived! I suppose this gourd has more of an 80s vibe, but somehow it's timeless. I don't think anything is too bold for a pumpkin, including this.

Polka Dot Spider Pumpkin

Photo Credit:plaidonline.com

Let kids practice their polka dots with this giant pumpkin spider! The other fabulous part of this project - you get to use giant pipe cleaners (winning!).

Stenciled Candy Holder

Photo Credit:plaidonline.com

If you're having a party, this idea is perfect. People can take candy or party favors out of the large pumpkin. These are pretty modern and cool and I love them. Cute for trick or treaters too!

Ikat Metallic

Photo Credit:plaidonline.com

I love this ikat pumpkin because it's *really* hard to mess it up! The addition of the metallic paint over the top of the spots completes the look. You can customize this pumpkin to your decor or color palette.

Spooky Tree

Photo Credit:plaidonline.com

There's a bit of mixed media happening in this pumpkin project! You'll use a combination of paint, Mod Podge, scrapbook paper, and book pages to make it.

Funny Vampire

Photo Credit:plaidonline.com

Every time I look at this vampire pumpkin, I smile! Even if you don’t have advanced painting skills, this face is simple enough for you to paint. A paint pen can help you with the thin lines.

Glow-in-the-Dark Pumpkin Tree

Photo Credit:plaidonline.com

I couldn't list my favorite painted pumpkin ideas without including a little glow in the dark! You'll need three faux pumpkins for this project, as well as black and glow-in-the-dark paint. It's incredibly fun and easy to do.

Spooky Sailings

Photo Credit:plaidonline.com

I've got to be honest, a pumpkin hot air balloon is something I've never seen before! I pretty much love it. And that clay pot basket?? I'm squealing.

Gold Studded Pumpkin

Photo Credit:plaidonline.com

Tired of orange and black for Halloween décor? Make a statement with this gold studded pumpkin with a chalk finish!

Simple Sparkle Skeleton

This is a pumpkin project I painted a long time ago, but I still love it. I'll show you how to transfer any design to the surface of a pumpkin (and then paint it!). I added Sparkle Mod Podge when all was said and done because, of course.

Which of these pumpkin decorating ideas is your favorite? Do you have any questions about these projects or any techniques? Let me know in the comments!

Painted Pumpkins Web Story