Halloween Kids’ Craft: Adorable Pet Pumpkins

These playful pet pumpkins are a fun, no-carve fall craft. Templates are included to take the guess work out of creating the shapes to make each animal come to life.

These sweet and playful pet pumpkins are a fun, no-carve fall craft. Templates are included to take the guess work out of creating the shapes to make each animal come to life.

Photo by: Marian Parsons

Marian Parsons

Related To:

Materials Needed

  • artificial pumpkins
  • acrylic craft paint (black, gray and yellow)
  • 1-1/2” flat brush
  • 3 x 5 card stock in desired colors (white, black, pink, orange and gray were used for this project)
  • felt (white and yellow)
  • black craft foam
  • two white pipe cleaners
  • yellow craft feathers
  • pencil
  • black permanent marker
  • small black and white pom-poms, 6 of each color
  • sharp scissors
  • hole punch
  • hot glue gun and glue sticks

Paint Pumpkins

With a flat 1-1/2” paint brush, apply acrylic craft paint to pumpkins. Two coats may be required. Allow pumpkins to dry completely. Tip: Use colors that match the coloring of your pet to personalize this project. 

With a flat 1.5â   paint brush, apply acrylic craft paint to pumpkins.  Two coats may be required.  Allow pumpkins to dry completely.  Tip: Use colors that match the coloring of your pet to personalize this project!

Step 1:Paint Pumpkins

With a flat 1.5â paint brush, apply acrylic craft paint to pumpkins. Two coats may be required. Allow pumpkins to dry completely. Tip: Use colors that match the coloring of your pet to personalize this project!

Photo by: Marian Parsons

Marian Parsons

Trace and Cut Animal Pieces

While pumpkins are drying, cut out cat/rabbit (Image 2) and bird (Image 3) templates and use them to trace shapes onto assigned material (cardstock or felt in specified color.) Cut out shapes with a sharp pair of scissors. Use a hole punch for the rabbit’s eyes. Tip: Use smaller scissors for fine detailed cutting and small features, like the cat’s nose. 

Glue Layered Features

Use hot glue to assemble animal features that are layered, like the cat’s eyes. Use a small amount of hot glue to prevent squeeze-out. 

Use hot glue to assemble animal features that are layered, like the catâ  s eyes.  Use a small amount of hot glue to prevent squeeze-out.

Step 3: Glue Layered Features

Use hot glue to assemble animal features that are layered, like the cat’s eyes. Use a small amount of hot glue to prevent squeeze-out.

Photo by: Marian Parsons

Marian Parsons

Add Additional Details

Use a black permanent marker to draw a mouth on the cat and pupils on the bird’s eyes (Image 1). Cut two white pipe cleaners into thirds (or about 2” long pieces). Add a dab of hot glue to each end and stick onto the cat’s face (Image 2). 

Attach Features

Use hot glue to affix facial features onto each pumpkin pet (Image 1). Pinch the ends of 6-8 yellow craft feathers together and add a dab of hot glue. While glue is still hot, stick onto bird pumpkin, just in front of the stem. Hold in place and allow to cool (Image 2). 

Add Card Stock Elements

To give pet pumpkins more dimension, cut and fold card stock pieces for the cat ears, rabbit ears and bird’s beak (Images 1-3). Cut, fold, apply glue to tabs and secure to pumpkin, holding in place until glue cools (Image 4). 

Cut & Glue Cat’s Tail and Add Feet

Cut a cat’s tail shape out of black craft foam (Image 1) and secure to back of cat pumpkin with hot glue (Image 2). Also, hot glue six small pom-poms to the base of both the cat and rabbit pumpkin, three for each front paw. Glue on bird’s cardstock feet. Tip: Since these pumpkins are embellished with felt and paper, use them inside or on a covered porch (Images 3 and 4). 

Next Up

DIY Halloween Outdoor Decor That Will Have "All Eyes on Boo"

Create some Halloween curb appeal with a mischevious monster door. Inexpensive card stock, crepe paper and tape are a budget-friendly way to deck out your home before Halloween guests or trick-or-treaters arrive.

Halloween Treat: Healthy Monster Apples

Turn tart apples, dried fruit and nuts or seeds into healthy treats for your favorite trick-or-treaters.

Halloween Treat Recipe: Lucky Black Cats

Made from salty pretzels and creamy chocolate, there's nothing to fear from these delicious Halloween black cats.

20 Best Halloween Countdown Calendars

The countdown to Halloween is on! Start a fun new tradition with these festive calendars.

40+ Last-Minute Halloween Costumes You Can Order Online

Are the holidays sneaking up on you? We've got you covered for the first one to hit the scene — Halloween — with costumes you can get delivered to your home in a matter of days.

10 Fun Ways to Treat Your Favorite Pup This Halloween

Halloween isn't just for humans! Show your four-legged best friend some love with these festive dog treats, toys, accessories and costumes.

Halloween Party Magic: Make a Wicked Wine Cauldron + Ghostly Garnishes

Channel your inner spellcaster to magic up a wine-dispensing cauldron along with tastefully terrifying (and delicious!) liqueur-soaked fruit garnishes.

Dia de los Muertos Mule Cocktail

The traditional Moscow Mule gets a spicy twist using tequila and a pinch of ancho chile powder. Plain mini sugar skulls can be purchased online, then decorated at home with our instructions.

How to Make a Life-Size Halloween Ghost

Create a life-size ghost for Halloween using cheesecloth and other inexpensive items. Hang it from a tree or place it on your front porch so passersby will shake in their boots.

How to Make Halloween Tombstones From Upcycled Styrofoam

Upgrade your outdoor Halloween decor and create a creepy graveyard scene with this easy-to-make Styrofoam tombstone complete with custom epitaphs.

More from:

Halloween Ideas

Go Shopping

Get product recommendations from HGTV editors, plus can’t-miss sales and deals.

On TV

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds.