Every fall, as the air gets crisp and leaves start turning gold, pumpkins seem to pop up everywhere – on porches, in markets, even in the shape of cookies and candles. But when Halloween rolls around, those bright orange gourds become more than decoration. They turn into a kind of blank canvas for fun. And if you’ve got kids, you already know how magical it can be to turn a simple pumpkin into a whole afternoon of laughter, mess, and creativity.
Still, the same question comes up every year: What can I do with pumpkins for kids during Halloween besides just carving faces? Maybe you’ve carved so many jack-o’-lanterns you can do it with your eyes closed. Or maybe you want something that won’t involve knives and pumpkin guts everywhere (because let’s be honest, the cleanup is real).
Here are a bunch of pumpkin ideas – from crafts to snacks to games – that are perfect for Halloween and kid-friendly enough to enjoy without stress.
1. Paint Instead of Carve
Carving is classic, sure, but for little kids it can be a bit much. Painting is easier, safer, and gives them endless room for creativity. You can use acrylic paints, washable paints, or even markers if you want less mess.
Here ae some ideas to get started:
- Turn pumpkins into animals – cats, owls, or even a silly monster.
- Paint each pumpkin a solid color and add googly eyes or stickers.
- Use glow-in-the-dark paint for spooky nighttime fun.
If you want to make it extra special, set up a “pumpkin art table” outside. Spread newspaper, bring out all the paints and brushes, and let kids go wild.
2. Pumpkin Bowling
Here’s a fun one for groups or parties. Grab a small round pumpkin (the smoother the bottom, the better), and use it as a bowling ball. Then, line up ten empty water bottles as pins – you can decorate them with Halloween stickers or draw faces on them.
Clear a bit of space – a hallway, driveway, or even a backyard spot – and let the pumpkin bowling tournament begin. Kids love seeing how the pumpkin rolls and wobbles in funny directions.
And if you want to make that bowling the most special, put some lights that turn your bowling or any activity into magic!
Source : https://callie.com/happy-halloween-personalized-square-light-up-jack-o-lanterns-pumpkin-lantern
3. Pumpkin Ring Toss
If you’ve got pumpkins with stems, this is easy. Grab a few glow sticks (the bracelet-sized kind) or small rope rings and see who can toss them around the pumpkin stem. Turn off the lights for a glowing version, or make it part of a mini carnival if you’re hosting a Halloween party.
It’s simple, cheap, and gives you a fun break between candy binges.
4. Make Pumpkin Slime
Kids and slime go together like Halloween and candy. If you want to do something sensory and seasonal, try pumpkin slime.
All you need is:
- Pumpkin guts (yep, straight from the inside)
- Clear glue
- A bit of water
- Saline solution or borax (for texture)
Mix the glue and water first, then slowly add the pumpkin goo and your thickener. It’s sticky, messy, and completely irresistible for kids.
5. Cook Together
Pumpkins aren’t just for decorating – they’re delicious too. Cooking or baking with kids can be chaotic, sure, but it’s also one of the most memorable ways to spend Halloween week.
Some easy kid-friendly recipes:
- Pumpkin muffins. Let kids help stir and scoop batter.
- Roasted pumpkin seeds. After carving, clean the seeds and season them with salt, cinnamon sugar, or even chili powder if your kids like a kick.
- Pumpkin pancakes. Add a bit of pumpkin puree to your regular mix and sprinkle in chocolate chips or cinnamon.
- Cooking teaches patience (and how to clean up afterward). Plus, your kitchen will smell amazing.
6. Pumpkin Scavenger Hunt
Hide a few mini pumpkins around your home or yard, and let the kids go hunting. You can paint numbers or letters on each one, or even write clues on sticky notes.
To make it extra Halloween-y, use flashlights or glow sticks for an evening hunt. Bonus: you can sneak in some small treats inside paper bags with each pumpkin to keep them motivated.
7. Story Time with Pumpkins
Grab a few pumpkins of different shapes and sizes, and use them as characters in a story. You can stick eyes, mouths, and arms on them using paper or craft foam.
Then, gather the kids and tell a spooky (or silly) Halloween story using the pumpkins as your cast. Let them take turns adding plot twists or giving voices to the pumpkins. You’d be surprised how much fun it gets when kids start making the pumpkins “talk.”
8. Pumpkin Tic-Tac-Toe
Paint five pumpkins one color and five another. Then, tape or draw a tic-tac-toe grid on the ground using chalk or string.
Take turns playing – first to three in a row wins! This works great outside, especially for small kids who might not sit still for long board games.
9. Pumpkin Memory Jar
Here’s a more sentimental idea. Have each family member write down a favorite Halloween memory or something they love about fall, fold it up, and put it inside a hollowed pumpkin.
You can read them together on Halloween night or keep them for next year. It’s a small way to build a tradition that grows sweeter every year.
10. Pumpkin Science Experiment
Halloween is a great excuse for a little science. Try the “pumpkin volcano.”
You’ll need:
- A small pumpkin (cut the top off)
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- A few drops of food coloring
Scoop a bit out of the pumpkin, fill it halfway with baking soda, add some color, and pour in vinegar. Boom – bubbly pumpkin eruption!
It’s simple, safe, and full of “oohs” and “aahs.”
11. Mini Pumpkin Decorating Party
If you’re hosting a group, skip the knives and go for mini pumpkins. Give each kid one, plus craft supplies: yarn, paint, felt, stickers, buttons. Add music, snacks, and let them take their creations home.
You can even give little awards like “funniest pumpkin,” “spookiest,” or “most creative.” Kids love that recognition – even if everyone wins something.
12. Pumpkin-Themed Treat Bags
Want to combine craft time with candy? Have kids decorate small orange paper bags with pumpkin faces, stickers, and names. They can use these as candy bags for trick-or-treating or fill them with goodies for friends.
It’s a simple project, but it lets them show off their creativity – and you get fewer last-minute “where’s my candy bag?” moments before heading out.
Wonder where you can find a customized treat bag? Here goes an option that every kid will enjoy :
13. Pumpkin Toss Game
Cut large holes in a cardboard box (different sizes), paint it orange, and decorate it like a pumpkin face. Then, give kids bean bags or rolled-up socks to toss through the holes.
Each hole can have a different point value, and you can turn it into a competition or a team challenge.
Conclusion
Halloween can easily turn into sugar overload, but with a little creativity, pumpkins turn it into something richer – hands-on fun, family time, and moments that stick.
You don’t need to spend much. A few pumpkins, some paint, and a bit of imagination go a long way. Kids don’t care about perfect crafts or Pinterest-level decorations. What they’ll remember is laughing with you, getting a little messy, and turning something simple into magic.
So this year, before you grab the carving knife, pause. Look at those pumpkins and think: What else can we make out of this?
Because sometimes, the best Halloween memories don’t come from the decorations – they come from the moments you build around them.
