Get ready to bring some extra Halloween magic into your home or classroom with this Puffy Jack O’Lantern Craft! Not only is it cute and festive, but it’s also super simple to put together. Easy crafts like this are a lot of fun for kids of all ages and make the perfect addition to your Halloween season. With just a few supplies and a lot of creativity, your little ones will love making their very own pom-pom pumpkin craft to decorate for the spooky season!
- Table Of Contents:
Materials
- Orange and green paint
- Paint brush
- Red and orange pom pom balls
- Scissors
- Cardboard
- Black paper
Instructions
Step 1)
Print and cut out the pumpkin template. Trace the pumpkin onto the white cardboard (or use orange construction paper) and the face onto black paper.
Step 2)
Cut out the cardboard pumpkin and black face pieces. Then prepare to paint if your cardboard isn’t orange.
Step 3)
Paint your pumpkin-shape orange, or if it’s already orange skip that step and get ready to glue! Use a glue stick or white glue to prep your pumpkin.
If you want to save time, you can actually mix paint with white glue so that it gets painted orange at the same time you’re making it a sticky surface for pom poms.
Step 4)
Stick orange pom poms to the pumpkin and green pom poms to the stem. Then add the jack o’lantern face on top of the pom poms with a little more glue.
You can hang this puffy pumpkin craft as a decoration to get your home or classroom ready for Halloween!
​Video Instructions
Prefer video instructions for your crafts? Check out the YouTube Channel for Crafty Kids Play and watch the full video tutorial for this pom pom pumpkin craft here.
Pumpkin Craft Template Download
You can print this pumpkin template for your craft on regular white printer paper. If your children are very young and have a hard time cutting out the little details, you may want to cut out the template pieces with or for them. Young kids should be supervised by an adult during craft time, especially while handling safety scissors if they’re cutting out their own template for this puffy Jack O’Lantern craft.
This template is only for you to use, not for resale or commercial use; if you want to share this template with a friend, please send them the link to this article instead of sharing the template directly.
Tips & Troubleshooting
Glue Consistency
If you’re mixing glue with paint, make sure the consistency is smooth. Too thick, and it won’t spread well; too thin, and the pom poms might not stick as well. You can test the mixture on a small piece of cardboard to make sure it’s sticky enough before applying it to your pumpkin.
Cutting Tips
If cutting cardboard is tough for younger kids, try using thinner craft paper or foam instead. It’s easier to work with, and the results still look great. Alternatively, pre-cut pieces can save time, especially if you’re doing this craft in a group setting.
Extra Sparkle
For an added festive touch, sprinkle some orange or gold glitter to your pom-pom pumpkin while the glue is still wet. Just make sure to work over a tray or paper to contain the mess!
Make it an Ornament
Add a piece of yarn in a loop to the back of this fun DIY project and use it as a decoration in your home or classroom. You could also use green pipe cleaner as vines for your pumpkin top, and as a loop on the back to help hang them. Baker’s twine is another option to make your pumpkin stems look rustic as an addition to your craft.
Benefits of This Pumpkin Craft For Kids
Fine Motor Skills
The Pom Pom Pumpkin Craft is an excellent way for kids to strengthen their fine motor skills. Picking up small pom poms, using glue sticks, and placing the face pieces all require precision and hand-eye coordination. These actions help develop the muscles in their little hands and fingers, which are important for writing and other everyday tasks.
Seasonal Learning
Fun crafts can help introduce children to the concept of seasonal change, particularly Halloween. While working on their puffy pumpkins, kids can learn about traditional autumn symbols like pumpkins and jack-o’-lanterns. It’s a fun way to tie creative expression into discussions about the season and its customs.
Creativity & Self-Expression
Kids can let their imaginations run wild while creating their own unique jack-o’-lanterns. Whether they want to stick to a traditional pumpkin face or create something entirely new, this craft encourages them to think creatively and make design choices, boosting their confidence in self-expression. You can also get kids to use googly eyes to make their pumpkins look even more silly. Kids end up with their own cute pumpkin pal they can feel proud of.
Sensory Engagement
Using different textures like the soft pom poms and smooth cardboard provides kids with a multi-sensory experience while they’re having a lot of fun. This can be especially enjoyable for young children, making the craft process engaging and fun.
Focus & Patience
Crafting helps children learn to focus on one task at a time. Creating a puffy pumpkin requires steps to be done in order, like cutting, gluing, and decorating. This teaches patience as they wait for glue or paint to dry before moving on to the next step.
Final Thoughts
The Halloween season is the perfect time to get creative with your little ones, and this Pom Pom Pumpkin Craft is just the start! Why stop at pumpkins? You can try this same sort of craft idea with different shapes for Halloween like a bat, witches hat or ghost! Sometimes you can find foam or wooden Halloween shapes from your hobby lobby, dollar store or local craft store and get your kids to glue the pom poms to them.
Stick around Crafty Kids Play for more fun ideas and Halloween crafts for kids. Happy crafting!
