Simple Thumbprint Pumpkins

Looking for a Halloween craft that’s equal parts fun and sentimental? Thumbprint Pumpkins are where it’s at.

Your kids get the joy of painting, and you get an adorable keepsake that you’ll smile at every year when spooky season rolls back around.

The best part? This project is simple, low-mess, and totally customizable. You can use real pumpkins if you want something quick and temporary, or grab a faux pumpkin if you’d like to keep it forever.

How to make Thumbprint Pumpkins

Here's how easy it is to decorate pumpkins with thumbprints!

What You’ll Need:

• Pumpkins (real or faux — faux if you want a keepsake!)
• Craft paint (skip washable paint if you want them to last outdoors)
• Paper plate or palette (I love these silicone painting mats because they’re reusable, easy to wash, and protect your table)
• Sharpie or permanent marker

Set up the paint

Squeeze a little bit onto a paper plate or palette.

Let each kiddo pick 1–3 colors. (This gives some variety without going full rainbow overload!)

Dip those thumbs

Have the kids press their thumbs gently into the paint, then stamp them all over the pumpkin.

Encourage them not to glob on too much paint—thinner prints dry faster and don’t drip as much. But honestly…if you get drips, it’s still cute.

Repeat with more colors

Add more thumbprints all around the pumpkin until it’s covered in colorful spots.

Let it dry

Give the pumpkins plenty of time—overnight is best—so the paint doesn’t smudge.

Add the faces

Once everything is dry, grab your Sharpie and draw on the details.

Add eyes and a mouth for ghosts, zig-zag hair and stitches for zombies, or a little stem for mini pumpkins. The sillier, the better!

Display and Enjoy

Line them up on your porch, use them as a centerpiece, or set them on your mantle.

Your kids will love pointing out their thumbprints, and you’ll love the sweet reminder of their tiny hands every Halloween.