Create your own unique, reusable fall decor with hand-painted paper mache pumpkins!
Don’t tell anyone, but I may have a slight pumpkin painting obsession. I’ve painted my own pumpkins, led pumpkin painting parties, and coordinated dozens of large-scale pumpkin painting community events. Painting pumpkins is so much fun!
I’ve always painted regular pumpkins and had great results, but this year I decided to try something new and paint on paper mache pumpkins. I found I really enjoy painting on the paper surface.
This is a great project for all age ranges and abilities. Create a little paint party with your kids and let them go wild with the paint or coordinate a Sip & Paint night for your girlfriends!
Reusable Fall Decor
Two things I love about the paper mache pumpkins:
- They are super lightweight. Hauling and setting up a pumpkin painting party with these is so much easier than lugging regular heavy pumpkins!
- Save your painted paper mache pumpkins for next year’s Fall Decor! After you have spent time painting the perfect pumpkin, its nice to be able to save it for next year! And, kids love when you pull out their painted pumpkin art from previous years.
Grab your brushes and paint and let’s paint some pumpkins!
Pick Your Pumpkins
I picked up mine at the local Hobby Lobby. Keep your eye on the sales and get them for 40% off. These are around $9 each with the 40% off coupon.
Paint Palette
I’m a nontraditional fall color type of girl. I love to mix up colors and decorate with unexpected color combinations. Hot pink is my favorite so I chose magenta, light pink, hot pink, dark magenta, orange and yellow paint.
Supply List
- Acrylic paint, craft paint in a variety of colors
- Paint brushes and/or foam brushes
- Foam pouncers in variety of sizes
- Hand wipes, paper towels
- Plastic cups or containers
Optional Supplies
- Glitter
- Google eyes and glue
- Feathers
- Artificial flowers
Brush Stroke Pumpkin
This Brush Stroke Pumpkin is my favorite look for the paper mache pumpkins.
1. Start by painting the entire pumpkin magenta. Set your pumpkin on a plastic cup to paint the bottom. Let this fully dry.
2. Use a paint brush or foam brush and paint on simple brushstrokes in light pink, yellow, orange, dark magenta, and hot pink.
3. Paint the stem gold.
Polka Dot Pumpkin
I think kids of all ages enjoy using a pouncer to paint the Polka Dot Pumpkin! This one is a lot of fun to paint.
1. Start by painting the entire pumpkin magenta. Set your pumpkin on a plastic cup to paint the bottom. Let this fully dry.
2. Dip pouncer in paint and pounce polka dots all over your pumpkin. Use two or three different sizes of pouncers for a variety of polka dot sizes.
3. Paint the stem gold.
Set your painted pumpkins on your fall table, mantle, or porch for unique, fun fall decor!
In addition to painting pumpkins, Angie paints on any surface she can get her brushes on. Walls, wood, clothing, shoes, and furniture are her canvases. Check out more of Angie’s work at angienordstrum.com and Instagram.
