Best Pumpkin Decorating Ideas Without Carving

metallic pumpkins

Credit: Carson Downing

Try these easy no-carve pumpkin decorating ideas to avoid injuries and create perfect pumpkins without carving. These easy pumpkin designs will have the whole family NOT carving this year.

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Colorful Decoupage Pumpkin

Credit: Carson Downing

Tissue paper cutouts in a lively mix of bright colors and abstract shapes create a modern effect. To get the look, start with a white pumpkin (natural or painted). Cut a variety of large geometric shapes from colorful tissue paper ($6, Target), but don't worry about perfection. The randomness gives the pumpkins their sense of whimsy. Paint the pumpkin with a 2:1 blend of Mod Podge and water, then apply tissue paper shapes so they are close but don't overlap.

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Hedgehog Pumpkin

candy pumpkin hedgehog diy fall display

Credit: Carson Downing

Create a prickly friend that is almost as cute as a real hedgehog using just felt, candy, glue and a faux pumpkin! This adorable candy corn pumpkin project is a perfect no-carve pumpkin to create with the kids, and makes an extra sweet table centerpiece.

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Pineapple Pumpkin

pineapple pumpkin painted

Credit: Dane Tashima

This no-carve pumpkin decorating project is perfect for kids! Paint a pumpkin yellow and let it dry completely. Use a permanent marker to add the pineapple accents and finish the face with googly eyes ($3, Michaels). To create the greens, cut the tops of purchased glitter foam sheets and hot glue into place.

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Cute Lion Pumpkin

lion pumpkin

Credit: Dane Tashima

This creative no-carve pumpkin design is the cutest critter on the block! To create, cut the lion's ears and face shapes from felt and attach with hot glue. To create the mane, wrap orange fringed paper festooning ($6, Etsy) around the outside of the pumpkin.

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Decoupage Pumpkin

metallic pumpkins

Credit: Carson Downing

You won't believe how easy these easy decoupage pumpkins are! Use decoupage glue or Mod Podge ($5, Target) to add leftover wrapping paper, patterned craft paper or fabric strips to the outside of a faux pumpkin. Create them to match your fall style, and simply recover with a different material next year!

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Tinsel Monster Pumpkin

tinsel monsters pumpkins

Credit: Dane Tashima

A trio of metallic monster pumpkins makes a festive Halloween display. To create this no-carve pumpkin decorating idea, head to the costume aisle! Cut a hole in the top of a tinsel wig ($17, Party City) and place it over the pumpkin's stem. Trim the wig as needed and add eyes made with table tennis balls and cupcake liners.

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Dried Floral Pumpkin

pumpkins with flowers

Credit: Marty Baldwin

This insanely pretty (and easy!) flower pumpkin will be the focal point of your fall decor this year. All it takes is a few dried flowers and some craft glue ($4, Michaels)! Cover the pumpkin in bright blooms that match the colors of your fall decor, and use it as a table centerpiece or as a bright pop of color in a room.

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Animal Pumpkins

animal pumpkins

Credit: Laura Moss

Turn your front porch into a zoo of no-carve animal creations with a few easy embellishments! Use felt and colorful pipe cleaners ($2, Michaels) to create animal faces and whiskers, and get creative with the stem placement for an adorable elephant. Prop the pumpkins on covered cans and use felt or cardboard to add arms and legs and don't forget a tail!

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Gold Fish Pumpkin

orange fish pumpkin

Credit: Dane Tashima

Go fish! This adorable no-carve pumpkin idea starts with a package of polka-dot cupcake liners ($5, Etsy). To make the fins and tail, simply fold the liners in half. Finish the decorated pumpkin with googly eyes and mini-cupcake liner lips.

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Butterfly Pumpkins

gold painted black butterflies pumpkin decor

Credit: Adam Albright

Dress up a faux pumpkin with a coat of metallic spray paint and a few artificial butterflies. Look for black crafts butterflies that are embellished with glitter. Simply use hot glue to attach the butterflies to your pumpkin.

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Temporary Tattoo Pumpkin

small white pumpkin floral painting

Credit: Carson Downing

Put a modern twist on mini pumpkins this year with a collection of floral temporary tattoos ($5, Tattly). All you need is a few tattoo designs and a little water to turn ordinary pumpkins into beautiful fall creations. Tattoo a real pumpkin that will last months longer than a carved one or use a faux pumpkin to create a stunning reusable fall decoration!

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Cute Clown Pumpkin

clown pumpkin

Credit: Dane Tashima

This cute clown pumpkin will have you chuckling all season long! To create, attach pom-poms ($9, Walmart) with glue dots to create the nose and hair. Add pink and black circle stickers to form the face. Finish this no-carve pumpkin with a party hat and a collar (to make simply set the pumpkin on an open paper fan!).

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Adorable Yarn Pumpkins

pumpkins artfully covered in yarn

Credit: Blaine Moats

Swap out a traditional jack-o-lantern for adorable crafted pumpkins that perfectly match your Halloween decor. Brightly-colored yarn and hot glue ($4, Michaels) are all you need to create these fun and festive yarn-wrapped pumpkins that will last for months!

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Candy Covered Pumpkin

holiday candy pumpkins

Credit: Carson Downing

Candy isn't just for trick-or-treating! Use it to decorate this adorable no-carve pumpkin. To get the look, simply glue brightly colored candy onto a faux pumpkin. Use as party of an indoor centerpiece or display.

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Disco Ball Pumpkin

Disco Pumpkin

Credit: Laura Moss

Shimmery silver paint helps this no-carve pumpkin shine bright. Get the look by painting squares in a grid pattern or use silver tape squares for the easiest disco pattern.

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Vintage Silverware Pumpkin

Pumpkin with "Fall" spelled with silverware

Credit: Werner Straube

Now is the time to head to the thrift store and pick up a pile of vintage silverware! Use it to create this pretty no-carve pumpkin decoration. To make, simply use floral pins ($3, Michaels) to secure the flatware to the pumpkin.

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String Art Pumpkin

stacked pumpkins with string art

Credit: Carson Downing

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Candy Corn Painted Pumpkins

candy-corn cone-shaped pumpkins

Credit: Adam Albright

Create sweet Halloween decorations by spray painting pumpkins in three wide bands to look like candy corn. These yummy-looking decorations require no carving, and will draw in trick-or-treaters looking for real candy to eat!

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Super Pumpkin

cat woman pumpkin

Credit: Dane Tashima

Crafts foam transforms a plain orange pumpkin into a hero-worthy no-carve pumpkin design. To create, simply cut features and words from crafts foam ($1, Michaels) and attach with glue. Add a plain black foam mask and stick google eyes inside the eyeholes.

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Pumpkin with Ribbons

pumpkin with ribbons

Credit: Matthew Benson

Use a mix of different ribbon and rickrack to decorate your pumpkin. For a quick and easy method, start at the top of the pumpkin near the stem, and hot-glue ($12, Target) the trim along the veins of the pumpkin.

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