Carving pumpkins, for some, is a hallowed (get it?) tradition that is not to be tampered with. Picking out just the perfect shape and color has become a science that some people are very particular about.
But the act of carving, especially as we get older, is a tricky chore that can become dangerous, especially if you’re using unreliable or old tools. Pumpkins have thick shells that can require a lot of effort—especially large pumpkins—and it can be hard to get a knife through the shell at all, let alone carve out the small intricate details that we see on Pinterest and Facebook.
But never fear (or do, because it’s the time of year for that). We’ve got some pumpkin-carving alternatives that look just as amazing on your front porch.
Image Owned by GigglesGalore.net
Melted Crayons Pumpkin
One blog uses melted crayons to create a spooky, textured wax-like drip down the sides of their pumpkin. While they show a pumpkin with black crayons, you can use any color you like, especially if you have a white pumpkin!
Plus, if you’ve got grandkids, you may already have old, worn-down crayons that you can melt with a hairdryer. Not to mention that this is a great, safe activity you can do together.
Image owned by Craftberrybush.com
Painted Pumpkin
Painting your pumpkin instead of carving it isn’t anything new, but it’s a tried and true method for those of us who don’t really enjoy scooping out pumpkin guts.
From simple designs to beautiful works of art, painting your pumpkin can be a more versatile option if you’re having a themed party or want an unnaturally colored pumpkin.
Again, this is a fun activity you can do with your friends or even with your kids or grandkids. Just be sure to use acrylic paint!
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Duct Tape Pumpkin
Duct tape is no longer just the boring, ugly silver tape we used to know. With a variety of colors and patterns, you can use duct tape to decorate a pumpkin without having to put any of your own painting skills to the test.
While this process is a little more involved (the blog gives a full tutorial), it can be a fun way to get some crazy patterns that you couldn’t otherwise achieve on your own.
Image Owned by LinesAcross.com
String Art Pumpkin
If you’ve ever done string art, you know how satisfying it can be to weave your web of string into the perfect pattern (more Halloween puns!). If you’ve got a bit more gusto in your pumpkin decorating game, string art can be the perfect outlet for that while achieving a unique looking pumpkin.
This tutorial can walk you through how to do a cute heart design, but with your imagination—or maybe a pattern you can find online—you can create some cool, spooky designs!
Carving a pumpkin can be a lot of fun, and if you’ve got the time and energy for it, it can be a great activity with family and friends. But if you’re looking for something different this year, try out one of the tutorials above and let us know how it goes! You can post your pictures to our Facebook page—we’d love to see your pumpkins!
