Sustainable Pumpkin Craft

 

Paper Mâché Pumpkin from Recycled Materials

Fall is the season of cozy crafts, and what better way to celebrate than by making your very own pumpkin, without spending a dime! This eco-friendly project uses simple, recycled materials you probably already have around your home. It’s a fun, hands-on way to get kids involved in creating seasonal decorations while teaching them about reusing and repurposing everyday items.

Materials You’ll Need:

Plastic grocery bags (for stuffing and shaping the pumpkin)

Yarn or string (to tie around and create the pumpkin’s ridges)

A small piece of aluminum foil (to shape the stem)

Old newspaper (for layering the paper mâché)

Flour and water (to make the paste)

A bowl and spoon for mixing

Optional: Paint for decorating once dry

Step 1: Shape the Pumpkin

Start by stuffing your plastic grocery bags into a round ball shape. The more bags you use, the bigger your pumpkin will be. Once you have a nice ball, tie it off with another bag or twist it closed.

Step 2: Create the Pumpkin’s Ridges

Wrap yarn (or string) around the ball several times, pulling gently so that it indents the sides. This creates the classic pumpkin sections. Tie the yarn securely so it stays in place.

Step 3: Add the Stem

Take a small piece of tin foil, crumple it into a short stem shape, and attach it to the top of your pumpkin. This will give your paper mâché something to hold onto later.

Step 4: Mix the Paste

In a bowl, mix 1 part flour with 2 parts water until smooth. It should be about the consistency of pancake batter. If it’s too thick, add a splash more water.

Step 5: Apply the Paper Mâché

Tear newspaper into strips. Dip each strip into the flour paste, wipe off the excess with your fingers, and smooth it over your pumpkin form. Cover the entire pumpkin, including the stem, with at least 2–3 layers of newspaper. Let each layer dry before adding the next for extra sturdiness.

Step 6: Let It Dry

Set your pumpkin somewhere warm and dry. Depending on how many layers you added, it may take 2-5 days to dry completely.

Step 7: Decorate Your Pumpkin

Once dry, your pumpkin is ready to paint! Go traditional with orange and green, spooky with black and purple, or whimsical with pastel colors. Add patterns, faces, or even glitter—this part is where your creativity shines.

Why This Craft is Wonderful

This pumpkin isn’t just a cute seasonal decoration—it’s also a project rooted in sustainability. You’re giving new life to plastic bags, yarn scraps, and newspaper that might otherwise end up in the trash. It’s a fantastic way to show children how everyday items can be transformed into something beautiful and fun.

So grab those grocery bags, stir up some flour paste, and start crafting your own eco-friendly pumpkin patch!