26 Mini Pumpkin Painting Ideas for Fall

Mini pumpkins are an autumn staple, not just for their affordability but also for their endless crafting potential.

Unlike the classic Jack-o’-lantern, which can be tricky to carve on such a small scale, painting these tiny gourds is a quick and delightful way to add festive charm to your home.

Best of all, painted pumpkins last longer than their carved counterparts, making them perfect for decorating from the first sign of fall right through Thanksgiving.

And don’t worry—no artistic skills are required! Just grab a paintbrush, pick your favorite colors, and try out one of these adorable mini pumpkin painting ideas.

1. Modern Painted Pumpkins

Sleek, Simple, and Stylish

This chic design is perfect for those who prefer a modern aesthetic. The technique is simple: choose two complementary colors and paint each side of the pumpkin. The result is a sophisticated look that fits seamlessly into a contemporary home.

credits: Carson Downing

Related:Fall Decor Trends for This Year | Your Cozy Guide

2. Cauldron Creatures

Halloween Porch Perfection

These adorable green-painted mini pumpkins with googly eyes make for a whimsical Halloween display. Place them in a cauldron, filling it halfway with rocks or foam to keep the pumpkins in place. It’s a simple yet spooky addition to your porch decor.

credits:Jason Donnelly

Related:20 + Ideas Of Autumn Color Palette

3. Friendly Clown Pumpkins

More Treat Than Trick

Transform your mini pumpkins into cheerful clowns! Start with a base of white paint, then add colorful features like cheeks and ears using paint or stickers. Top it off with pom-poms for the hair and nose, and don’t forget the party hat!

credits:Dane Tashima

4. Splatter-Paint Mini Pumpkins

Fun and Playful

This craft is all about letting loose and having fun. Paint your pumpkin a solid base color, then dip a brush in a contrasting hue and flick the paint onto the pumpkin. The result? A vibrant, splatter-paint effect that’s perfect for all ages.

credits:Carson Downing

Related:Fall Decor Trends for This Year | Your Cozy Guide

5. Metallic Painted Pumpkins

Glamorous and Gold

Take your pumpkins up a notch with metallic paint. Start with a base coat of white, then add metallic accents for a chic, glamorous look. Mix in pumpkins of different sizes to create a stylish, layered display.

credits:Jay Wilde

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6. Gold Mini Pumpkin Painting

Glam Gold Leaf

For a luxurious touch, apply gold leaf to mini white pumpkins. You can find gold leaf at most craft stores, or use gold paint for a similar effect. Arrange the pumpkins in groups for an elegant display.

credits:Marty Baldwin

7. Wild Animal Pumpkins

Glam Meets Fun

Animal prints and metallics come together to create a luxe look that’s still playful. Use black, white, and metallic paints, along with patterned tape, to give your pumpkins a wild makeover.

credits: better homes and gardens

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8. Pineapple Pumpkin

Tropical Twist

Bring a touch of summer to your fall decor with this pineapple pumpkin. Paint the pumpkin yellow, add ‘spikes’ with a marker, and craft green leaves from paper or felt. It’s a quirky and fun decoration that’s sure to stand out.

credits:Dane Tashima

9. Marble Painted Pumpkins

Swirled Elegance

Mini pumpkins are the ideal canvas for this elegant marbling effect. All you need is a bucket of water and some nail polish. Pour different colors of nail polish into the water, swirl them around, and dip your pumpkins for a beautiful, marbled finish.

credis:Michael Piazza

Related: 20 + Ideas Of Autumn Color Palette

10. Mini Monsters

For those who love a challenge, paint your mini pumpkins to resemble classic Halloween characters. This Dracula pumpkin starts with a green base, with other features painted or glued on for a festive, frightful finish.

credis:Dane Tashima

11. Pastel Mini Painted Pumpkins

Soft Hues for a Subtle Touch

If you’re looking for something different from the usual Halloween palette, pastel-painted pumpkins are a great option. Use three to five soft colors and paint abstract shapes on your pumpkins for a fresh, modern twist on fall decor.

credits: Carson Downing

12. Chatty Pumpkins

Create a playful message by stacking painted mini pumpkins inside a large hollowed-out one. Paint the smaller pumpkins with a word like “boo” or “hoot” for a fun and interactive display.

credits:Adam Albright

13. Creepy-Crawly Craft

This spooky spider craft is super simple. Paint your mini pumpkin black, then glue on pipe cleaner legs and googly eyes. It’s a quick and easy project that adds a little Halloween fright to your decor.

credis:David Prince

14. Bubble Painted Pumpkins

Science Meets Art

This bubble painting technique is as fun to make as it is to display. Mix paint, water, and dish soap, then blow bubbles into the mixture. Dip your pumpkin in the bubbles for a unique, textured look. This works especially well on smaller pumpkins.

credits:Carson Downing

Related:Fall Decor Trends for This Year | Your Cozy Guide

15. Fairytale Magic

Turn a large pumpkin into a charming Cinderella carriage by cutting out windows and doors, and painting it silver. Use smaller, silver-painted mini pumpkins as the wheels, attaching clear glass knobs for the spokes.

credits:Scott Little

16. Roaringly Cute

Put leftover candy corn to good use by creating a mini lion. Glue the candy around the front of the pumpkin to form a mane, and use felt or paint to add the lion’s face. It’s a fun and easy project that kids will love.

credits:Carson Downing

17.Texture Play

Enhance your pumpkins with a touch of texture. Paint them in a solid color, then glue on braided cord in a squiggle pattern. You can either buy the cord in a matching color or paint it to coordinate with your pumpkin.

credits: Carson Downing

18.Pour Paint Pumpkin

Quick and Colorful

This effortless pumpkin painting technique is perfect for those short on time. Simply pour craft paint onto a faux pumpkin and watch as it gracefully drips down the sides. The result is a vibrant and artistic pumpkin that you can customize in any color scheme to match your decor.

credits:Jason Donnelly

19.Chalk Paint Pumpkin

Rustic Charm with a Spooky Twist

This idea combines the rustic appeal of chalk paint with the eerie charm of Halloween. Start by writing a word or phrase in hot glue on the pumpkin, let it dry, and then paint the entire pumpkin black. Once dry, apply chalkboard paint with a dry brush technique from the base upward. The uneven strokes add a weathered look that’s perfect for Halloween. Personalize it by spelling out your favorite spooky words!

credits: Carson Downing

20.Pattern Play Pumpkins

Bold Black-and-White

For a striking yet simple look, try this black-and-white patterned pumpkin. Begin with a solid base color, then add patterns or word art in a contrasting shade. This project is perfect for a Halloween craft night with friends—have the base coat ready beforehand, and let everyone get creative with their designs.

credits:Laura Moss

21.Disco Pumpkin

Dance Party Ready

Turn your pumpkin into a groovy Halloween disco ball! Using silver paint applied in a grid pattern, create a shiny, reflective surface reminiscent of a disco ball. To take it up a notch, you can even attach mirrored tiles or use silver leaf. Place your pumpkin where it can catch some light, and let the dance party begin on your front porch!

credits:Laura Moss

Related:20 + Ideas Of Autumn Color Palette

22.Sports Pumpkins

Game Day Gourds

Show off your team spirit by transforming your pumpkins into sports-themed decorations. Whether you’re a football fanatic or a baseball buff, paint your pumpkins to resemble your favorite ball. This idea is simple yet impactful—perfect for families who love to celebrate both fall and their favorite sports.

credits:Cameron Sadeghpour

23.Donut Painted Pumpkins

Sweet and Fun

These donut-themed pumpkins are almost good enough to eat! Paint a ring in a light pastry color around the pumpkin’s top, add sprinkles with different colored paint, and voilà—donut pumpkins. This idea is especially cute for a dessert-themed Halloween. If you can’t find white pumpkins, start with a coat of white paint before adding your pastel donut colors.

credits: Carson Downing

24.Mood Ring Pumpkin

Color-Changing Fun

Who knew pumpkins could reflect your mood? Start by painting your pumpkin black, then add a layer of thermal paint. As the paint reacts to body temperature, the pumpkin changes colors, creating a unique and interactive decoration. Let family members take turns touching the pumpkin to see how their “mood” changes the colors!

credits:better homes and gardens

25.Caterpillar Painted Pumpkins

Creepy-Crawly Cuties

Transform a group of mini pumpkins into a delightful caterpillar. Paint each pumpkin in a melon green shade, and give the stems a coat of black paint. Add adhesive-felt dots for texture, then finish off with googly eyes and curled pipe cleaner antennae for the head. Arrange the pumpkins in a curving line to mimic the movement of a crawling caterpillar—perfect for a whimsical outdoor display.

credits:Adam Albright

26.Princess Pumpkins

Regal and Refined

For a touch of royal elegance, these princess-themed pumpkins are ideal. Paint your pumpkins in soft pastel pinks and add personalized messages using letter stencils. Whether you’re crafting with kids or decorating for a themed party, these pumpkins are sure to be a hit on your doorstep.

credits:Cameron Sadeghpour

These mini pumpkin painting ideas offer a delightful way to celebrate the season, whether you’re crafting with kids or looking to add a stylish touch to your home.

So, grab your supplies and let the fall fun begin!