Looking for unique pumpkin painting ideas for toddlers and preschoolers? I thought it would be cute to paint handprints on one of our pumpkins this year. We made a spider on one side and a ghost on the opposite side using my toddler’s handprints. *This post was originally published on 10/21/2009 and updated with new images on 10/21/2019.
Halloween Pumpkin Painting Tips
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Here are a few easy tips for how to paint a pumpkin with toddlers and preschoolers:
First, I let my son free paint a different pumpkin by himself. He enjoyed this a lot! I put on his art smock and set out newspaper to help contain the mess.
What is the best paint for pumpkins that is safe for kids? We use Crayola kids paint because it is non-toxic and washable. For toddlers who are painting on their own, I recommend these kinds of paintbrushes because they are easier to grasp.
If you’d like, you could even use a craft pumpkin so that you can have it as a toddler keepsake and a fun Halloween decoration to display every year.
Ghost Handprint Pumpkin Design:
To make the hand shaped ghost design, paint your child's hand white and press on to the pumpkin with the fingers pointed down and in a closed position. Let dry.
The ghost's eyes are made using black fingerprints and the mouth is made with a black thumbprint.
Cute Spider Pumpkin Painting Instructions:
Once the painted ghost is completely dry, it's time to make the spider.
To make the hand shaped spider, paint all but the thumbs black. Make one sideways handprint on the pumpkin, then make the second print using the opposite hand. Press down so it overlaps the palm area of the first handprint. Let dry.
Add googly eyes and teeth or a smile.
Don't forget to add your little one's name, age and/or year! Some other handprint pumpkin painting ideas you could try are: black cat, bat, or even Frankenstein!
More Fall and Halloween Pumpkin Painting Ideas with Handprints
Here are a few more fun ways to incorporate handprints on pumpkins:
- Thankful Pumpkin Family Idea by The Melrose Family
- Painted Bat Designs by The Little Nook
- Glitter Hand Designs by Lil' Pink Pocket
arwenart says
Cute! =D My husband had a neat idea for the ghosts using handprints. Instead of painting your thumb, just paint your palm and fingers. Instead of eyes and a mouth, paint eye sockets and a nose socket(?) to make a skull. The fingers would be the teeth.
Anna says
this is too cute, was looking for something fun to do with our pumpkins this year. will add this to my round-up for sure!