Halloween’s a fun time of year but you’re so busy getting the kids’ costumes ready that you really don’t want to deal with carving pumpkins too. Our DIY monster pumpkins make it easy to create a custom look without the mess!

Artificial pumpkins of all shapes are perfect for this project. They can be used again year after year, unlike real ones, and there’s no need to worry about them rotting before the trick-or-treaters arrive.

Frankenstein, vampires and ghosts can be as spooky or as goofy as you’d like—just follow our easy instructions. A little spray paint gets you started—just remember to use the appropriate kind of paint, especially if your pumpkins will be outside.

This post includes links to purchase items you’ll need from our affiliates.

How to make DIY monster pumpkins

monster pumpkins instructions
Ingredients
  • all pumpkins
  • artificial pumpkin
  • scissors
  • 81/2″ x 11″ sheet white stiffened felt
  • [url href=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0026HZW9O/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0026HZW9O&linkCode=as2&tag=chery01-20″ target=”_blank” title=”Amazing Goop Contact Adhesive”]Amazing Goop Contact Adhesive[/url]
  • Frankenstein
  • [url href=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002BWORUE/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B002BWORUE&linkCode=as2&tag=chery01-20″ target=”_blank” title=”Green Spray Paint”]green spray paint[/url] (indoor/outdoor for plastic surfaces)
  • blue painter’s tape
  • [url href=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002BWOS6C/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B002BWOS6C&linkCode=as2&tag=chery01-20″ target=”_blank” title=”Black Spray Paint”]black spray paint[/url] (indoor/outdoor for plastic surfaces) OR black paint and paint brush
  • 8 1/2″ x 11″ sheet black felt
  • 2 self-tapping bolts
  • vampire
  • green spray paint (or paint color of your choice) (indoor/outdoor for plastic surfaces)
  • blue painter’s tape
  • black spray paint (indoor/outdoor for plastic surfaces) OR black paint and paint brush
  • 8 1/2″ x 11″ sheet black felt
  • 8 1/2″ x 11″ sheet felt (a close match to spray paint color)
  • 12″ x 18″ sheet black stiffened felt
  • ghost
  • [url href=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002BWORW2/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B002BWORW2&linkCode=as2&tag=chery01-20″ target=”_blank” title=”White Glossy Spray”]white gloss spray paint[/url] (indoor/outdoor for plastic surfaces)
  • 8 1/2″ x 11″ sheet black felt
  • spider
  • [url href=”http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005574J4G/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B005574J4G&linkCode=as2&tag=chery01-20″ target=”_blank” title=”Black Glitter Spray”]black glitter spray[/url]
  • 8 pipe cleaners
  • black permanent marker
Instructions
Frankenstein
  1. Spray paint pumpkin with green spray paint; let dry completely. Repeat if necessary.
  2. Tape off pumpkin so only “hair” is exposed (if you purchase a black pumpkin, tape off the area for the hair and spray the rest of the pumpkin green, then you can skip painting the hair).
  3. If you aren’t confident in your taping and spray paint skills, you can always paint the hair on with black paint and a paintbrush.
  4. Spray top (hair) portion of pumpkin black.
  5. Cut large ovals from white felt for eyes.
  6. Cut small circles for pupils and apply adhesive to white ovals (find something small and circular to trace, then cut out felt if you want perfect round circles).
  7. Place pupils in different places on each eye to give Frankenstein a goofy look.
  8. Cut unibrow, stitches and mouth from black felt.
  9. Adhere all felt pieces to pumpkin with adhesive.
  10. Screw bolts into sides (self tapping bolts make it much easier to screw into pumpkin). [img alt=”” src=”https://everydaydishes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/DIY-monster-pumpkins-cherylstyle-cheryl-najafi-frankenstein.jpg” class=”aligncenter” width=”413″ height=”620″]
vampire
  1. Spray paint pumpkin green; let dry.
  2. Tape off pumpkin so only “hair” is exposed (make sure to incorporate a widow’s peak).
  3. Spray uncovered portion of pumpkin black (if you purchase a black pumpkin, tape off the area for the hair and spray the rest of the pumpkin green, then you can skip painting the hair).
  4. If you aren’t confident in your taping and spray painting skills, you can always paint the hair on with black paint and a paintbrush.
  5. Cut large ovals from white felt for eyes.
  6. Cut small ovals for pupils and apply adhesive to white ovals (find something small and circular to trace if you want perfect circles, then cut out of felt).
  7. Cut fangs from white felt.
  8. Cut eyebrows, nose and mouth from black felt.
  9. Cut ears from felt (match to spray paint).
  10. Adhere all felt pieces to pumpkin with adhesive.
  11. Cut collar out of black stiffened felt and adhere to bottom of pumpkin. [img alt=”” src=”https://everydaydishes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/DIY-monster-pumpkins-cherylstyle-cheryl-najafi-vampire.jpg” class=”aligncenter” width=”620″ height=”413″]
ghost
  1. Spray paint pumpkin white; let dry.
  2. Cut eyes from black, then white felt (see photo).
  3. Cut small circles for pupils and adhere to white ovals with adhesive.
  4. Cut brow and mouth from black felt.
  5. Adhere all felt pieces to pumpkin with adhesive. [img alt=”” src=”https://everydaydishes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/DIY-monster-pumpkins-cherylstyle-cheryl-najafi-ghost.jpg” class=”aligncenter” width=”620″ height=”413″]
spider
  1. Spray paint pumpkin with glitter spray.
  2. Cut eyes and fangs from white felt.
  3. Draw pupils with marker.
  4. Fold pipe cleaners in half and twist so they look like one pipe cleaner.
  5. Use tip of scissors to create 8 holes in top of pumpkin.
  6. Put drop of adhesive on end of each pipe cleaner and insert into pumpkin.
  7. Bend pipe cleaners to create spider legs.
  8. Adhere felt eyes and fangs to pumpkin (glue just the top of the fang to the spider to give it a 3D effect). [img alt=”” src=”https://everydaydishes.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/DIY-monster-pumpkins-cherylstyle-cheryl-najafi-spider2.jpg” class=”aligncenter” width=”620″ height=”413″]
Notes
Make sure to use a variety of shapes and sizes of pumpkins for added interest.