This October, skip the messy carving and have fun with these easy, no-carve pumpkin crafts. From a spooky ghost to a chalkboard pumpkin you can decorate again and again, these projects are simple to make and even easier to clean up. Happy spooky season!

GHOST PUMPKIN CRAFT

Materials
■Small pumpkin (real or fake)
■Air-dry clay
■Rolling pin
■Craft knife or clay cutter (have an adult handy!)
■Small bowl of water
■White acrylic paint
■Black acrylic paint
■Paintbrush
■Parchment paper (optional)

Directions
1. Cover your workspace with parchment paper.
2. Roll out clay to about ¼-inch thick.
3. Trim the edges into wavy or scalloped “ghost” drips.
4. Lay the clay over the pumpkin so it hangs like a sheet. Smooth with damp fingers.
5. Press in the eyes and mouth for the ghost.
6. Let sit for 24–48 hours until completely dry.
7. Paint the clay white to look like a ghost. Once the paint is dry, paint the mouth and eyes black.
8. Let dry completely before displaying.

SILLY FACE PUMPKINS

Materials
■Pumpkins
■White acrylic paint
■Black acrylic paint
■Paintbrushes
■Paper plate or palette
■Paper towels

Directions
1. Lay down newspaper or paper towels to keep your space clean.
2. Using white acrylic paint, create fun and spooky mouth shapes and eye outlines directly on the pumpkin. Let them dry completely.
3. With black paint and a fine-tipped brush, fill in the pupils of the eyes and add any extra features (eyebrows, teeth gaps, etc.).
4. Let the painted pumpkins dry fully so the paint won’t smudge.

CHALKBOARD PUMPKINS

Materials
■Real or faux pumpkin (smooth surface works best)
■Chalkboard paint (brush-on or spray)
■Foam brush or paintbrush (if using brush-on paint)
■Chalk
■Damp cloth or paper towel

Directions
1. Wipe the pumpkin clean and dry to remove any dirt or residue.
2. Apply a thin, even coat of chalkboard paint over the entire pumpkin (or just one side if preferred). Let it dry completely.
3. For the best coverage, apply a second coat of chalkboard paint and allow it to dry according to the paint instructions.
4. Use chalk to doodle faces, fall patterns, spooky messages, or anything you like.
5. Wipe clean with a damp cloth whenever you want to create a new look.