Learn how to make paper pumpkins with kids! Children will love this DIY craft that they can create for autumn or Halloween. It’s lots of fun for families to make together.

Skills Required: None. Even if you or your child have never crafted before, you should be able to make these quite easily. You’ll be cutting, using adhesive craft dots, and adding pipe cleaner stems.

I don’t know about your kids, but my nieces absolutely love holiday crafts – fall and Halloween especially. My whole family really loves this time of year, so I’m sure she inherited it from her parents.

Well . . . their aunt (that would be me) also loves them. And is happy to do them any time!

The most fun thing about crafts with kids is watching them discover things that you used to do when you were little. It’s hilarious seeing their faces as they figure out how to make a craft you did forty years ago – and the most recent example of this is these paper pumpkins!

My mom guided this activity for my nieces as she used to teach preschool, and paper pumpkins are a craft they did every fall (it’s that easy!). There are several ways to do this paper craft project, but this is our favorite.

Make Paper Pumpkins

These cute gourds can be made in four simple steps. You’re going to cut the paper strips, glue them all together, then form the pumpkin shape. Then you’ll make the stem/add it to the pumpkin.

Before you get started, I want to give you a few FAQs about this project. If you just want to get into the nitty gritty, scroll down!

What paper can I use?

I bought construction paper from Dollar Tree. I highly recommend shopping for supplies there, but you can also look at the craft stores or Walmart.

In addition to construction paper, you can use scrapbook paper, cardstock, or probably even cardboard (not too thick). Basically you need something has a bit of “body” and will remain just a little bit rigid. Notebook and standard thin computer paper is too flimsy.

What adhesives can I use?

I used Glue Dots for this project, which are basically (strong) little circular double-sided tape stickers. You could also use a hot glue gun. You can even use a glue stick, but the glue will need time to set. So you won’t be able to do the project as quickly.

Tools to use

I highly recommend having a paper cutter; I love my Fiskars. It makes it a lot easier to cut even strips of construction paper, and the older kids can use it too.

Having said that, you can also draw lines on the paper with a pencil and cut down the lines with scissors. This is great for kids that are practicing cutting with scissors in a straight line.

Learn how to make these DIY paper pumpkins of your very own with your kids. They are so fun! Get the tutorial for this Halloween paper craft below.

Gather These Supplies

Orange construction paper (about 9″ x 12″) – 1 sheet for a smaller pumpkin, 2 for a larger pumpkin
Glue Dots
Pipe cleaners – brown and green
Hole punch
Paper cutter or scissors and ruler
Pencil

If you don’t have a paper cutter, just draw lines with a ruler and pencil, then cut down the lines with scissors. If young children are making these, drawing the lines is a great way to prep the project for them.

If you’re making a smaller pumpkin, you only need four 12″ strips of paper.

These stayed out on my hallway table from autumn all the way to Thanksgiving. I hope you have a great time making them and let me know in the comments if you did.

Get the printable how to card below.

Yield: 1 pumpkin

Paper Pumpkins

Make a paper pumpkin, step by step! Kids are going to love this fun craft idea for fall and Halloween.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Active Time 30 minutes

Total Time 35 minutes

Difficulty Easy

Estimated Cost $1

Materials

Orange construction paper
Glue Dots
Pipe cleaners - brown and green

Tools

Hole punch
Paper cutter or scissors and ruler
Pencil

Instructions

Cut eight strips of paper that are 12" x 1.25" wide using a paper cutter and scissors or ruler.
Take four paper strips and put them on your work surface. Tape two of the pieces together end to end with a glue dot, overlapping an inch or so. Repeat this three more times and you will have four long paper strips.
Tape two of the long pieces together with a glue to make a plus (+) symbol. Repeat with the other two pieces.
Tape one of the plus symbols onto the other plus symbol with a glue dot, rotating it so there will be eight even strips to your pumpkin.
Punch a hole in approximately the same place at the end of every paper strip.
Use glue dots to bring all the paper strips to the center and attach, matching up the holes. The pumpkin base is complete.
Fold a brown and green pipe cleaner in half, together. Twist the bottom of the combined pipe cleaners and bend to make a little hook.
Insert this end into the hole at the top of the pumpkin (created by matching up the hole punched holes).
Fold down the green pipe cleaners, away from the brown. Twist both around a pencil or pen to create a stem. Remove the pencil and pull the stem up a little bit to "poof" it..
Wrap each green pipe cleaner end around the pencil to create leaves. Pull them out slowly and your paper pumpkin is complete.