Transform your Halloween into a literary adventure with our no-carve book character pumpkins, featuring beloved characters from children’s books – a creative and educational treat for kids of all ages!
Halloween is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate this spook-tacular season than by combining the love of books with the joy of pumpkin decorating? Book character pumpkins offer a fantastic opportunity to bring your favorite literary friends to life in a fun and non-carve way. My children’s school does a pumpkin book character contest every year. Each year they have well over 100 submissions. The examples I share with you below are some of the books that were submitted into the elementary school-wide contest ranging from Kindergarten to Fifth grade books. Some of the classes make it mandatory book report project similiar to the Turkey in Disguise project that kids tend to get assigned.
In this blog post, I’ll provide you with supplies needed for no-carve book character pumpkins, answer frequently asked questions, present a list of popular children’s books suitable for grades kindergarten to fifth grade, and offer tips and tricks for creating the perfect book character pumpkin.
Table of contents
- Supplies Needed for Book Character Pumpkins
- Popular Children’s Books for Inspiration (Grades K-5)
- FAQs
- Tips and Tricks
- Book Character Pumpkins
- Rainbow Unicorn Pumpkin
- Onion No Carve Pumpkin
- Haunted Barbie Pumpkin
- BB8 No Carve Pumpkin
- Blue Unicorn Pumpkin
- Dog Man and Peety the Cat Pumpkin
- Captain Underpants Pumpkin
- Cat in the Hat Pumpkin
- Elemental Pumpkin
- Dogman Pumpkin
- Eevee No Carve Pumpkin
- Pikachu Pumpkin
- Elephant & Piggie Pumpkin
- Harry Potter Pumpkin
- Charlie Brown Pumpkin
- Hen’s Pens Pumpkin
- Kitty Corn Pumpkin
- Stay Puff Pumpkin
- Peppa Pig Pumpkin
- Pigeon Pumpkin
- Sonic the Hedgehog Pumpkin
- Stitch Pumpkin
- Swim Team Pumpkin
Supplies Needed for Book Character Pumpkins
- Pumpkins: Of course, you’ll need a pumpkin for your project. Choose a size that fits the book character you have in mind.
- Acrylic Paints: Acrylic paints work well for decorating pumpkins, as they dry quickly and adhere nicely. You can find a wide range of colors to bring your character to life.
- Paintbrushes: Different brush sizes will help you with fine details and broader strokes.
- Markers or Sharpies: For outlining and adding intricate details to your character.
- Glue: To attach additional decorations or accessories to your pumpkin.
- Craft Supplies: Depending on your character, you might need materials like felt, googly eyes, fabric, or any other props that your chosen character requires.
- Sealer: To protect your masterpiece from the elements and extend its lifespan.
Popular Children’s Books for Inspiration (Grades K-5)
Here’s a list of 10 popular elementary school books that have captivated young readers for generations. So, if you aren’t sure what book to base your pumpkin off of, I hope this list will help you.
- “Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak: Max’s journey to the land of the Wild Things can inspire a pumpkin with a crown, big round eyes, and a wild, toothy grin.
- “Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White: Craft a pumpkin resembling Wilbur the pig with a pink body, beady eyes, and perhaps a spun web with the word “SOME PIG.”
- “Matilda” by Roald Dahl: Bring Matilda to life with a pumpkin featuring a blue dress, a pile of books, and a head of long hair with a red bow.
- “The Magic Tree House” series by Mary Pope Osborne: Design a pumpkin as the iconic treehouse with detailed windows and a ladder leading up to adventure.
- “The Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series by Jeff Kinney: Create a pumpkin resembling Greg Heffley, complete with his not-so-happy expressions and stick figure drawings.
- “The Harry Potter” series by J.K. Rowling: Transform your pumpkin into a Hogwarts house, complete with the house colors, crest, and a wizard’s hat.
- “The Cat in the Hat” by Dr. Seuss: Paint your pumpkin with the iconic red and white stripes and add a tall red-and-white striped hat for the Cat in the Hat.
- “Ramona Quimby, Age 8” by Beverly Cleary: Craft a pumpkin that embodies Ramona, perhaps with a red plaid dress and a playful expression.
- “Junie B. Jones” series by Barbara Park: Design a pumpkin with Junie B.’s distinctive hairstyle and perhaps a sassy expression to match her character. Pipe cleaners for her glasses and yarn for her hair! This is how we made my daughters pumpkin and it turned out so cute! Customize it to the story you read like Junie B. Jones, Boo.. I mean it too!
- “The Percy Jackson & the Olympians” series by Rick Riordan: Create a pumpkin that represents Camp Half-Blood, featuring a Greek column design and a trident symbol.
These books offer a wide range of adventures, lessons, and imaginative stories that cater to elementary school readers.
FAQs
Yes, you can use real pumpkins for your book character pumpkin. However, artificial pumpkins can also be a great choice if you want your creation to last longer. For the pumpkin book character contest at my kids school they do not allow real pumpkins. So check with your school or library if you are entering in a contest as rules may vary.
With proper care and sealing, your book character pumpkin can last several weeks. Keep it indoors or in a sheltered area to protect it from the elements. If you use an artificial pumpkin it will last virtually forever if you store it properly!
Absolutely! This is a fun and family-friendly project. Younger kids can participate with age-appropriate supervision.
Yes, stencils and templates can be a helpful starting point, especially if you’re not confident in your drawing skills.
Tips and Tricks
- Plan Your Design: Sketch out your design on paper before you start painting. This will help you visualize the final product.
- Layer Your Colors: Acrylic paint may require multiple coats. Be patient and let each layer dry before adding the next.
- Use Reference Images: If you’re unsure about your character’s details, have a reference image handy for accuracy.
- Add Accessories: Don’t be afraid to use props like fabric, buttons, or googly eyes to bring your character to life.
- Seal Your Pumpkin: Apply a clear sealer to protect your masterpiece from moisture and preserve it longer.
Book Character Pumpkins
Rainbow Unicorn Pumpkin
Craft a magical, no-carve unicorn pumpkin inspired by the book “Unicorn Treasure Hunt” using paper, paint, and foam, transforming an ordinary pumpkin into a whimsical treasure-hunting unicorn adorned with colorful rainbows and glittering stars.
Onion No Carve Pumpkin
Capture the coolness of “As Cool as It Is” with a no-carve pumpkin adorned with pipe cleaner hair, eyebrows, and smile, large googly eyes, and felt bowtie to give your pumpkin a hip and stylish persona.
Haunted Barbie Pumpkin
Embark on a glamorous pumpkin decorating adventure inspired by “Barbie: The Haunted Mansion Mystery” using vibrant paint, sparkling glitter, and sequins for the base, topped off with a feather boa and a fashionable Barbie doll, turning your pumpkin into a glamorous and mysterious mansion guest.
BB8 No Carve Pumpkin
Embark on an epic pumpkin transformation inspired by “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker; The Galactic Guide” using paint, paper, googly eyes, buttons, and ribbons, crafting a pumpkin that resembles a charismatic Star Wars droid, complete with intricate details and a galaxy far, far away charm.
Blue Unicorn Pumpkin
Create a whimsical pumpkin based on “My First Stories: Minnie and the Lost Unicorn” with a dash of paint, felt, vinyl, foam, and a pink feather boa, crafting a charming unicorn-themed pumpkin that captures the enchanting world of Minnie’s adventures.
Dog Man and Peety the Cat Pumpkin
Capture the playful spirit of “Dog Man Mothering Heights” with a no-carve pumpkin adorned with a painted base, expressive marker-drawn eyes and a mischievous smile, a cardstock nose with a black pom-pom for that distinctive point, and a cardstock hat, and “Petey the Cat printed out and attached next to the Dog Man pumpkin embodying the heroic and comical essence of the iconic character.
Captain Underpants Pumpkin
Transform a plain orange no-carve pumpkin into the mischievous Captain Underpants himself with marker, paint, and a red fabric cape, capturing the zany spirit of the “Captain Underpants and the Perilous Plot of Professor Poopypants” adventure.
Cat in the Hat Pumpkin
Craft a whimsical, no-carve pumpkin inspired by the adventures in “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” with vibrant paint, whimsical whiskers made of pipe cleaners, and a poster board and styrofoam plate hat, taking your pumpkin on a Seussian journey to celebrate new horizons.
Elemental Pumpkin
Bring the fiery Elemental character to life from the Disney Pixar book “Elemental” with a no-carve pumpkin adorned with expressive marker-drawn features, vibrant paper flames for hair, and a dynamic foam outfit, igniting the magic of the story within your Halloween décor.
Dogman Pumpkin
Bring the comical adventures of “Dog Man” to life with a no-carve pumpkin featuring a painted base and whimsical facial features, eyes, hat, and feet crafted from colorful card stock, transforming your pumpkin into a loyal and lovable crime-fighting canine.
Eevee No Carve Pumpkin
Transform an orange pumpkin into a tan Eevee beauty from the book “All About Eevee” using paint, faux fur, felt, artificial flowers and hot glue.
Pikachu Pumpkin
Make everyone’s favorite Pokemon character, Pikachu alongside the poke ball using paint and some card stock for the book “Pokemon Talent Showdown“.
Elephant & Piggie Pumpkin
Everyone’s favorite elephant and pig are created by using paint, clay, and some paper mache for the book “The Thank You Book“.
Harry Potter Pumpkin
Create a no-carve Harry Potter pumpkin using an artificial pumpkin, paint for the iconic scar and hair, and plastic glasses to complete the wizard’s look based off the book “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets“.
Charlie Brown Pumpkin
Craft a no-carve Charlie Brown pumpkin using a styrofoam pumpkin, painted in a light beige color and simple facial features to bring the beloved character to life from the book “Time for School, Charlie Brown“.
Hen’s Pens Pumpkin
Create a no-carve Hen pumpkin using a plastic pumpkin, feathers for texture, cardstock to make the hen’s beak and neck, googly eyes,and real pens to decorate and bring the book character to life from the book “Hen’s Pens“
Kitty Corn Pumpkin
Create a no-carve “Kitty Corn” pumpkin by painting a fake pumpkin pink, using cardstock and foam to craft the ears, eyes, and horn, don’t forget to add painted details for the face, and finishing it off with a real ribbon bow for a magical touch to bring your “Itty-Bitty Kitty Corn” to life
Stay Puff Pumpkin
Make a no-carve Stay Puft Marshmallow Man pumpkin by stacking two white-painted pumpkins for the body, using mini pumpkins for the arms, adding paper and cloth for the iconic sailor bandana, painting on the details, and including a printed-out green Slimer for extra Ghostbusters fun.
Peppa Pig Pumpkin
Create a no-carve Peppa Pig pumpkin by painting a pumpkin pink, using a toilet paper roll for the pig’s snout, paper to craft the facial features, and plastic buttons for the eyes to bring the popular character from the book “Peppa Pig Sleepover with Suzy” to life.
Pigeon Pumpkin
Create a no-carve Pigeon pumpkin inspired by “The Pigeon Has to Go to School!“ by painting a pumpkin blue, using a foam tube for the neck, paper plates for the sides of the face, felt to craft the beak, paper for facial details, and black pipe cleaners for the legs to bring the character to life.
Sonic the Hedgehog Pumpkin
Create a no-carve Sonic the Hedgehog pumpkin by painting a pumpkin blue, using cardstock to craft the iconic ears, and adding extra paint for detailed facial features to capture the speedy character’s look from the book “Sonic & Tails: Best Buds Forever“.
Stitch Pumpkin
Create a no-carve Stitch pumpkin inspired by “Manners Matter, Stitch” by painting a pumpkin blue and using additional paint to recreate Stitch’s iconic face, capturing his playful expression.
Swim Team Pumpkin
Create a no-carve Bree pumpkin inspired by “Swim Team: Small Waves, Big Changes” by painting Bree’s face directly onto a real pumpkin, capturing her expression and features to bring the character to life.
Creating book character pumpkins is a fantastic way to celebrate Halloween while promoting a love for reading and creativity among children. Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or simply a book lover, these no-carve pumpkins are a perfect addition to your Halloween festivities. With the right supplies, some inspiration from beloved children’s books, and a dash of creativity, you can craft a magical and educational Halloween experience for kids of all ages. Happy decorating!
If you make these any of these Storybook book character pumpkins, I would be honored and love for you to take the time to leave a star rating and comment! I spend researxching these projects, and always love to hear feedback and user experience!
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Comments & Reviews
Amelia says
These are the cutest ideas!! My youngest is having a reading party next week with all her friends, and I think a few decorations like these would be great. We just barely had a carpet cleaning done, so it’s even better that they’re no-carve, and mess-free!
Katie says
Yes, perfect for keep the mess at bay!