Skip to Content

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy

No Carve Pumpkins

Sharing is caring!

With Halloween coming up, I have been trying to figure out a way to easily decorate a pumpkin with a toddler and without it taking up my whole night. I don’t know about you, but I don’t have time to spend with that tiny dull knife that’s included in the $5.99 carving kit, just to have my beautiful (and by beautiful I mean totally distorted) version of one of the patterns be shriveled up within a week.

Not to mention trying to do anything FOR my little man is a big no-no in his world, and him using a knife (dull or not) is a big no-no in mommy’s world. [Enter tantrum here.]

no carve pumpkin ideas

And so, because I love Halloween so much and love having fun activities to do WITH my kids, I give you no carve pumpkins!

Option #1: Watch this Martha Stewart video for Glow in the Dark Pumpkins! Although this option is not totally children-friendly, our version used glow in the dark spray paint instead of powder.

Photo Source: Martha Stewart
Photo Source: Martha Stewart

Option #2: Finger Paint Pumpkins! My son love love loved doing this. Just a quick set-up and he was on his way! Check it out here.

Photo Credit: Young House Love
Photo Source: Young House Love

Option #3: Super fun Glitter Pumpkins! I suggest mod podging and working in sections.

Photo Credit: HGTV
Photo Source: HGTV

Option #4: Chalkboard Pumpkins! This one was probably my favorite to do out of all of them. Although my son couldn’t participate in painting it (we used spray paint again), he loved decorating with the chalk after. I found this idea from Michael’s Craft Store.

Photo Source: Michaels
Photo Source: Michaels

Option# 5: Don’t want an actual pumpkin? Want the kids to play outside? Go on a nature adventure and pick some leaves for this easy no carve Leaf  “Pumpkin.”

Photo Source: How We Learn
Photo Source: How We Learn

So there you have it! Just a couple of alternative ideas to the traditional pumpkin carving. I hope you have as much fun as I did!

Which no carve idea is your favorite? Leave us a comment and let us know! 

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Rosco

Friday 17th of October 2014

Lauren your baby tips are amazing. Trying this with my 3 year old. He is such a handful.

Lauren Cardona

Saturday 18th of October 2014

Thanks! :D I hope you guys have a good time!!

Martine Vartanian

Friday 17th of October 2014

Awesome article- never thought of these! Perfect for grandkids too....thanks Lauren!

Lauren Cardona

Saturday 18th of October 2014

You are so welcome! Enjoy your grandbabies! :)

stacy heckendorn

Friday 17th of October 2014

Great ideas! Well def be doing one of them :)

Lauren Cardona

Saturday 18th of October 2014

Thank you! Let us know which one you try!

Heather

Friday 17th of October 2014

These are great! We will for sure be trying the finger painting one this year!

Lauren Cardona

Saturday 18th of October 2014

Make sure you use washable paint and give your kids an art smock to wear (or go without clothes)...it gets kind of messy!

Jacqui

Friday 17th of October 2014

Great ideas! I was stumped on how to do this with my two year old!

Lauren Cardona

Saturday 18th of October 2014

My boy is 18 months old so he wants to do EVERYTHING we do. That's what led me to these :) Glad you like them! Enjoy!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.