How to Make Decoupage Pumpkins with Flowers

Here’s how to make easy DIY decoupage pumpkins with flowers, without buying flowers! For this decoupage pumpkin craft project, we’ll make our own paper flowers.

I recently hosted a fall dinner party with a group of girls who didn’t all know each other, so I thought it would be fun to do a little pre-dinner craft project to mingle and get to know one another. Initially, I had my heart set on painting pumpkins, but didn’t want anyone who might be less artistically inclined to be intimidated, so I decided to make it as easy as possible–DIY decoupage pumpkins!

I had seen TikTok tutorials of girls decopauging with dried flowers (I actually ordered these!), but I couldn’t find enough small pumpkins for the flowers to work for the size of group I had, so I pivoted and made my own flowers! 

Note: If you don’t want to use real pumpkins, you could definitely use faux pumpkins from a local craft store – then you could reuse it as decor every year! 

Alternative materials to decoupage pumpkins with: fabric, patterned napkins, scrapbook paper, tissue paper, wrapping paper, sheet music, book pages, magazine pages, leaf cutouts, etc. Get creative with what you have around!

Materials for Decoupage Pumpkins

Here’s what materials you’ll need to make DIY decoupage pumpkins:

• Foam brushes
• Mod Podge (I used a matte satin finish in the pictures, but I also love using glossy finish for this project!)
• White pumpkins
• Printed out flowers – I created my files in Canva, I will drop them below if you want to use them!
  • Red flowers
  • Sunflowers
  • Yellow flowers
  • Golden flowers
  • Pink flowers
  • Blue flowers
  • White flowers
• Scissors (and some patience)

Sidenote: This kit from Amazon is great! Also, remember that larger pumpkin = more flowers needed, smaller pumpkin = less flowers needed.

How to Decoupage Pumpkins with Flowers

1. Print off various flowers on normal printer paper.
2. Cut out flowers.
3. With a foam brush, Mod Podge base coat on the pumpkin where you want your flower to go.
4. Dip your paper flower into water to make it thin and pliable (this step is a game changer if you’re using paper!!!)
5. Place the flower on your Mod Podged spot, then let dry.
6. Cover the flower in a top coat of Mod Podge.
7. If it will be an outdoor pumpkin, repeat with another layer of Mod Podge.

Different Ideas for Decoupage Pumpkins

• Cut out big polka dots
• Use dried flowers
• Use team sports logos/colors
• Cut out letters to spell out a name or saying
• Use wrapping paper that accents your home
• Use decorative napkins
• Tie a bow with a matching ribbon around the stem of the pumpkin
• Use craft pumpkins so you can re-use year after year

Have fun with it and don’t stress too much – it’s a super easy DIY project (and a great way to make some cute fall decor!), and half the fun is making them!

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