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How to decorate pumpkins for Halloween

Close up of three decorated pumpkins in front of a potted plant in a barrel.

Overview

Give visitors a treat this Halloween with this D.I.Y. pumpkin decorating project. Make your front entrance the spookiest on the block with a variety of different pumpkin designs, using a few simple tools and materials.

Before you begin decorating, you’ll need to choose your pumpkins. Look for a variety of sizes and colours, with smooth, unblemished skin. They’ll make the best canvases for your creation!

Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves and mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.

Steps

1Hollow out pumpkin

We’re going to decorate a number of pumpkins in a few different ways, starting with an illuminated stencil design.

Using a jab saw, cut a hole in the bottom of your pumpkin and scoop out the insides using a large spoon. Make sure you keep the lid for later on.

Bunnings team member hollowing out the pumpkin.

2Outline a shape

Outline a shape on the pumpkin's skin using a pencil. We’re going to make a moon, but you can create whatever shape you like.
Bunnings team member outlining a shape on the pumpkin.

3Drill

Using your drill, drill evenly-spaced holes along the pencil sketch to create your shape.
Bunnings team member drilling a pumpkin.

4Light it up

Place a set of battery-operated lights in the middle of the pumpkin to illuminate your design. Place the lid back on when you're done – this will help keep the lights in place.
Three decorated pumpkins in front of a potted plant in a barrel.

5Spray paint pumpkins

Next, we’re going to use our pumpkin as a canvas for some painted designs.

Lay down your drop sheet and put on your safety equipment – glasses, mask and gloves. Place your pumpkin on the sheet and spray paint it with the colour or colours of your choice – we’re using white and orange. Leave to dry.

Bunnings team member spray painting the pumpkin.

6Paint thumbprints

Squeeze craft paint into a paint saucer. Dip your thumb into the paint and imprint it onto the pumpkin. Repeat all over the pumpkin so the thumb prints are evenly spaced. Use white paint on the orange pumpkin to create ghosts, and orange paint on the white pumpkin for a striking contrast.

Once your fingerprints are done, leave to dry for a few hours.

Bunnings team member painting thumbprints.

7Add details to the prints

Using black craft paint and a brush, add two eyes and a mouth to each ghost. Using green craft paint and a brush, add green stems on all your orange pumpkins. Leave to dry.
Bunnings team member adding details to the shapes.

8Style your space

Place your pumpkins at your front door for a wonderful Halloween display!

Decorated pumpkins styled at the outside entrance of a house with some broomsticks.

9Ready to get started?

Check out our range of paints, ready for pumpkin painting. 
Health & Safety

Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.

Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer. You can also use a simple test kit from Bunnings to indicate the presence of lead-based paint.