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12 No-Carve, No-Mess Pumpkin Ideas for Halloween

Skip the sharp knives and pumpkin guts, and try one of these DIY jack-o'-lanterns for Halloween!

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pumpkin decorated like a mummy
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iStock

Halloween pumpkin ideas abound!

If you hate dealing with pumpkin guts or you just don’t want the kids handling knives, try one of these no-carve pumpkin ideas. Bedazzle a princess pumpkin, dress your pumpkin as a witch, make that gourd glow in the dark or give your pumpkin the wings of a fairy. The possibilities are endless; find your inspiration below and get decorating!

Up first: Temporary tattoos

More ways to celebrate Halloween:

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in several years ago and was updated most recently on Sept. 16, 2025 by ParentMap's associate editor, Kari Hanson. New Halloween pumpkin ideas were added and all others were verified as current by our editor. 

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