Artificial pumpkins are one of those craft items that you can do so many things with…carve, cover, paint, etc. The list really does go and on. Last year, I used some washi tape to decorate one for part of my Halloween decorations. This year, I decided to create some chalkboard paint pumpkins so my kids could decorate them over and over again between now and Halloween.
This is one of those tutorials that is so simple that it barely needs a tutorial but I wanted to share with you what I did in case you are thinking of making some chalkboard paint pumpkins of your own.
First, pick out your pumpkins. Just like at the pumpkin patch, there are lots of shapes and colors. I picked white for this project but it really doesn’t matter.
Next, choose your paint method. I originally thought about hand painting them but decided spray paint would be so much faster. So, I grabbed a can of chalkboard spray paint.
Spray several very light coats onto your pumpkins. Seriously, light is the key word here. You are going to need 2-3 coats minimum so go light knowing this from the start. NOTE: Be sure to read the can for your spray paint to determine the wait time between coats. It ranges for each brand so pay attention because it really does matter.
Once your pumpkins are all dry, leave them for 24 hours. Then, rub the entire service down with chalk to cure the paint.
Wipe off all that chalk and you are ready to decorate. Honestly, it is embarassing how bad at drawing I am but I’ll share these with you anyways. #keepingitreal
How do you typically decorate your pumpkins? Do you use a lot of artificial pumpkins around the house to make it easy to reuse year after year?
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Krista @ the happy housie says
So cute Shannah!! Pinning:)
Krista @ the happy housie recently posted…Thrifted Upcycled Homework Station with a Vintage School Desk and Faux Chalkboard Chair
Shannah Coe says
Thanks! I love how they turned out and the kids are having a blast drawing on them.
Cynthia L. says
I love this idea! I never thought of using chalkboard paint on a fake pumpkin, but what better way to change things up. I bet your kids just love them.
Cynthia L. recently posted…#6secondsflat Wendy’s Flatbread Sandwich
Shannah Coe says
Thanks! We used finger paints on pumpkins last year which got me to thinking about painting pumpkins in different ways. Stumbling upon the chalkboard spray paint in my craft closet just made this idea come together 🙂
Jen V says
I love this idea! I bought one of those fake pumpkins last year at Michaels with the intention of carving it, but I think I might do this instead. Thanks for sharing.
Jen V recently posted…Project Life Scrapbooking – St. Augustine
Shannah Coe says
I tend to store a bunch of faux pumpkins so I always them around to use for crafts.
Giveaways 4 Mom says
This is so cute. We did pumpkin carving last year. But, I like this idea so I think we are going to give this a go this year.
Giveaways 4 Mom recently posted…All Day Energy Greens (ADEG) Review
Shannah Coe says
We typically do pumpkin carving but it happens so late in the season so the pumpkins don’t rot. This year, we started with the chalkboard pumpkins so the kids can still have some fun early.
Raquel @ Organized Island says
I love this! I love chalkboard everything and these are so cute! The pumkins look so sleek in black!
Raquel @ Organized Island recently posted…Everybody Wipes #LetsTalkBums
Tracy says
I’ve seen lots of DIY pumpkins this year but this is the first chalkboard pumpkin I’ve seen. I love this idea, thanks for sharing!
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Shannah Coe says
Thanks! We have been having a blast drawing on these.
Malia says
This is such a fun idea!
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Shannah Coe says
Thanks!
Milena says
So clever! Love it! This could be really fun for homeschoolers! Math on a pumpkin- writing on a pumpkin! So cool! Thanks for the tip!
Shannah Coe says
Oh…great ideas! I love the math on the pumpkin.
Janeane Davis says
This is a cute idea. I wonder what other ways I can use the techniques here to decorate with my children.
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Jennifer B says
This is such a CUTE idea!! My kids would love this because they can decorate them over and over again!
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Shannah Coe says
That is definitely what my kids keep doing…over and over!
Melanie a/k/a CrazyMom says
I sooo love this craft.. perfect for Halloween and Fall; will also keep the kids busy and look stylish.. what more do you want from a fun craft?? I just love it.. thanks for sharing
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Shannah Coe says
Thanks! We have definitely had fun drawing on them.
Mary @Capturing Magical Memories® says
I love this idea. I can see my son drawing the face on over and over and over again. Now I don’t like the curing step with the chalk but everything else looks easy as pie.
Mary @Capturing Magical Memories® recently posted…Choosing a Halloween Costume for Mickey’s Not So Scary Halloween Party
Shannah Coe says
My kids have been changing the writing on faces on them just about daily. The curing is really simple…it just uses a lot of chalk on such a big object 🙂
Laurie - Steals and Deals for Kids says
These are adorable!! Great idea for my classroom! I am doing this!!!
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Shannah Coe says
Oh, this would be so great for a classroom. I think I will donate one of these for a countdown pumpkin to H’s classroom.
Amy Desrosiers says
This is a really cute idea! My kids would love this project! Thanks for the idea!
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Shannah Coe says
Thanks so much! It is definitely fun for the kids.
Jenny says
now there’s an idea… gonna have to give this a try~
Jenny recently posted…Saying Goodbye to Mori Amanda
Shannah Coe says
Thanks! We are having so much fun with them.
Dawn Lopez says
Ahhh, that is so adorable! Totally LOVE this idea! I love everything Halloween & pumpkin decor!
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Shannah Coe says
Thanks so much.
Jordyn @ Almost Supermom says
LOVE this idea!! We carve a couple pumpkins each year, but I always like to paint or somehow decorate and artificial one each year to keep for the coming years. Looks like a found a great one for this year 🙂 Thanks!
Jordyn @ Almost Supermom recently posted…Top Ten Staples For Your Paleo Kitchen
Shannah Coe says
We carve them too but I love the idea of having something that I can use over and over.
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says
This is super fun. I’m going to pin it! Love, love the idea!
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell recently posted…A Kitchen #RevitalizeandRedesign Dream In the Works
Shannah Coe says
Thanks! We have had so much with these.
Carmen's Coupon Blog says
I never thought about using chalk paint on pumpkins. That is so cool.. You can even right a different message or change the face everyday if you want to make it more fun for the neighbors lol
Carmen’s Coupon Blog recently posted…Ends 09/30 – Erin Condren Gift Card Giveaway!
Shannah Coe says
I love your idea! We may use one as a countdown until Halloween.
Anu says
It came out really nice. and I like the idea Carmen suggested to draw a new face everyday.
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Shannah Coe says
I love Carmen’s idea too! You can easily change the face or writing on these daily.
Motherhood on the Rocks says
That’s a very creative way to decorate pumpkins!
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Shannah Coe says
Thanks! The kids have so much decorating them over and over.
Aida @ TheCraftingFoodie says
These are ingenious! Every year my daughter can’t decide how to decorate the pumpkins, and this would be tons of fun the whole year around! I’m pinning this, and we’re going to give it a go this weekend!
Aida @ TheCraftingFoodie recently posted…Chocolate Turtle Cupcakes: Chocolate Cupcakes Stuffed with Homemade Salted Caramel and Pecans
Shannah Coe says
Thanks! We have already had so much fun with them and it is just now October. Hope yours turn out as well and get as much use 🙂
Leslie Lambert says
What a great idea for kids…they could decorate over and over! This would be great to link-up to Create It Thursday #22…it’s live now! Hope to see you there!
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Shannah Coe says
The kids definitely love decorating these over and over.
Jackie K says
Hi! Found you on the Project Stash Link Up Project. I love, love, love this idea and I happen to have a can of chalkboard spray paint in the house so I will be doing this. I’m sure my 22 month old will love coloring her pumpkin this way. Now following you via Bloglovin’
Jackie K recently posted…Easy and Cheap Projects to Make for a Baby Nursery
Shannah Coe says
Thanks! Definitely paint those pumpkins. They are so much fun to color over and over.
Chelsea says
Fun idea. So many things you could do with this! Thanks for sharing. I’d love for you to come join our Halloween Party!!!
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Shannah Coe says
Thanks so much for coming by! I am headed over to check out your party.