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Paper Mache Pumpkins for Fall Decorating

Learn how to make paper mache pumpkins using balloons, twine, and Mod Podge! This is a fun craft for fall decorating and great for families.

Skills Required: Beginner. The steps are simple. You’ll be inflating the balloon with twine around it, applying newspaper and Mod Podge to make the paper mache, then painting. This idea is perfect for older kids or parents to do with their children.

paper mache pumpkins

I don’t know what it is about this year and my fall decorating, but I’m all about the pumpkins! I think that what I’m looking for is decor that can easily transition from autumn to Halloween through Thanksgiving. So I don’t have to change everything out for each holiday.

And we all know that pumpkins fit that description.

Pumpkins are the universal symbol of cool weather! I’ve been trying all sorts of styles including these pumpkin wood blocks, napkins on wood pumpkins, and even toilet paper pumpkins (on my other blog!).

So my next project? Paper mache pumpkins!

diy paper mache pumpkin

While I was shopping for fall crafts at Dollar Tree, I remembered to buy balloons to give this a try. I already had the felt, paint, wine corks, twine, and Mod Podge . . . and then I grabbed newspaper from the recycling bin.

So for me, this project only cost $1.25! Technically less than that because 25 balloons come in a bag. But we don’t need to get too technical. I know you hear me knocking.

You have a lot of options for customization of this project. First, you can use really any Mod Podge formula. I used Hard Coat just to make them a bit more solid, but the Gloss, Matte, or Satin are fine too.

For painting the outside, I used regular acrylic craft paint. But you can use chalk paint as well. Honestly I’d love to try these with chalk paint next!

The topper is made with felt, but you could use craft foam or a piece of thicker fabric. The stem could be a twig or something else that has a similar shape to the wine cork. Feel free to get creative!

Are you ready to make these cute pumpkins? I’d love to show you how to do it. You’re going to love the process!

Yield: 2 pumpkins

Paper Mache Pumpkins

diy paper mache pumpkin

Learn how to make a paper mache pumpkin using inexpensive supplies! This is a fun family activity for your fall decorating.

Prep Time 30 minutes
Active Time 3 hours
Dry Time 1 hour
Total Time 4 hours 30 minutes
Difficulty Easy
Estimated Cost $2

Materials

  • Balloons
  • Roll of twine
  • Wine corks - 1 per pumpkin
  • Newspaper
  • Acrylic paint or spray paint - orange and brown
  • Felt

Tools

  • Scissors
  • Paintbrush
  • Hot glue gun and hot glue
  • Clip or clothespin

Instructions

  1. Blow up a regular party balloon to slightly over half full. Use a clip or clothespin to hold the balloon shut securely. You will need to add more air in a bit.Blue balloon, scissors and twine
  2. Cut a length of twine and secure around the balloon from the top to the base with a knot.Tying a loop of twine around the balloon
  3. Repeat with two more strings around the balloon, forming a snowflake at the top (the opposite end of the neck that you blow into).Top of the balloon with the twine crossing
  4. Inflate the balloon to a little more than two-thirds full, or whatever your desired size. This is to create the pumpkin ribs. Tie off the end of the balloon.Tying the balloon shut
  5. Adjust the strings to make the ribs of the pumpkin more even.Tying three twine loops around the balloon
  6. Open a newspaper page and cut into small pieces using the scissors. My pieces were about 1” x 1”.Cutting newspaper into squares with scissors
  7. Working in one area at a time, apply Mod Podge to the balloon surface with a paintbrush. Stick a newspaper piece down into the Mod Podge, and then brush over the top. Continue doing this with additional pieces of newspaper and Mod Podge.Applying magazine pages to the balloon with Mod Podge and a paintbrush
  8. Continue applying strips of newspaper and Mod Podge, going over the twine, from the top of the balloon towards the neck. You’re going to cover the entire balloon with one layer and let dry.Covering the balloon and twine with decoupage medium and newspaper
  9. Repeat this process two more times. You want three layers of newspaper and Mod Podge on the balloon. Let completely dry before painting.Two additional layers of newspaper added to the baloon
  10. Paint the pumpkin with a layer of orange paint and let dry completely.Painting a first layer of orange paint on the pumpkin
  11. Paint a few additional layers of paint and set aside the pumpkin to dry completely.Painting two layers of orange paint on the paper mache pumpkin
  12. Dip a paintbrush in some brown paint and tap a lot of it off. Brush some of the paint into the ridges between the pumpkin ribs. If you need to remove paint, wet another paintbrush and brush some off. Repeat with the rest of the ribs and let dry.Adding brown paint between the pumpkin ribs with a paintbrush
  13. Using the felt, cut leaves or a topper that can sit under the wine cork stem. Hot glue it to the top of the pumpkin. A hole was cut in the middle of my topper so that the stem could be glued directly to the pumpkin.Hot gluing the felt topper
  14. Cut a length of twine. Hot glue one end to the base of the wine cork. Wrap the twine around the cork and secure the end near the top with hot glue. Trim with scissors.Wine cork wrapped in twine
  15. Attach the wine cork to the top of the pumpkin with a hot glue gun. Let cool completely before displaying.Hot gluing the wine cork to the top of the pumpkin
  16. Repeat to make an additional pumpkin. This time you can make the balloon smaller when you inflate it so that your second gourd is slightly smaller than the first.paper mache pumpkins

Notes

If you don't want ANY newspaper print showing through your pumpkins, consider covering them with white primer spray paint first before painting orange.

A fun twist on this would be painting as a jack o lantern! Plus the kids would love it.

Did You Make This Project?

Please leave a rating or share a photo on Pinterest!


Did you enjoy this fall craft idea? Don’t forget to let me know in the comments! I’d love for you to check out these other posts:

Confetti PumpkinsDecorate Paper Craft PumpkinsDIY Fall Napkin RingsDIY Fall SignDIY Leaf BowlDIY Nautical PumpkinDIY Pumpkin Seed ArtFall Leaves FrameGlitter Acorn DecorHow to Preserve LeavesMod Podge Map Pumpkins

Tom Stuart

Saturday 28th of September 2024

Great idea. We already had everything except for the balloons. A quick trip to the drugstore and the papier-mâché on the first batch is drying now. I plan on making the final coat in polyurethane so we can display it in the yard. Thank you.

Mandy Williams

Thursday 26th of September 2024

Super fun! I'll be giving this a try.

Cheryl Atkinson

Friday 8th of September 2023

These look great but aren't you scared they will pop? How do they not pop?

Amy

Tuesday 3rd of October 2023

The balloons inside can be popped if you want! The *frame* you construct for the pumpkin is enough so the balloon just deflates inside usually. I've never had it explode! But if it scares you just stick a pin through the paper mache at the end.

Denise Mayer

Thursday 24th of August 2023

Love this. Will definitely be giving it a go... thank you.

Amy

Tuesday 3rd of October 2023

Thank you!!

Rita Clark

Thursday 24th of August 2023

I think this is a great idea.we have been doing the toilet paper pumpkins for years and it’s time for something different.

Amy

Tuesday 3rd of October 2023

I hope they turn out awesome!

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