How to Paint Foam Pumpkins with Great Results Every Time
This season, two trends are dominating fall decor: velvet pumpkins and painted styrofoam pumpkins from the dollar store. I’ve put my spin on the dollar store pumpkin craze, too! Today, I’ll show you exactly how to paint foam pumpkins like the pros.
Now, let’s get started with this DIY project!
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Supplies for Painted Foam Pumpkins
For this project, you’ll need just a few basic supplies. This is a great opportunity to reuse existing paint colors!
- Foam pumpkins (Dollar Tree or similar)
- Acrylic paints, chalk paint or latex paint
- Paint brushes
- Natural wood stems
- Kitchen sponge (optional)
- Decorative ribbon or fabric (optional)
Steps for Painted Foam Pumpkin
Step 1: Prime the faux pumpkin with a base coat of paint
Before painting the pumpkins in your desired color, remove all foam stems. They are usually attached to the pumpkin by a toothpick.
Then, apply 1-2 coats of thick chalk paint or another light-colored paint.
(This helps disguise the original orange color of the pumpkins.)
Step 2: Paint pumpkins in the desired color
You can play with several colors to lighten or darken your paints until you find a tone that you like.
The chalk paint from the first step can also help lighten other colors as needed. I chose light teal and rust colors to coordinate with my living room decor.
For best results, wait about two hours in between coats of paint.
Step 3: Apply metallic paint or darker color accent to pumpkins
As a final touch, you can use a sponge or brush to apply accent paint onto the pumpkins.
In my case, adding gold metallic paint gave the pumpkins more depth and texture. Since I decided to paint a few other dollar store gourds in gold paint, the collection hung together nicely.
Step 4: Prepare stems of pumpkins
For stems, I collected twigs from our local community park. You can use any type of stem that strikes your fancy.
If you choose to use wooden stems, place the stems in the oven at a low temperature (200°F or 93°C) to dry them out and get rid of any small critters. Once the stems are toasted, you can gently insert them into your pumpkins.
Shop for Pumpkin Stems
Did you know you can also keep real pumpkin stems for future craft projects? Just make sure you remove all raw pumpkin flesh and store the stems in a dry place for several weeks. You can also shop for real or faux stems below.
More Pumpkin Crafts
If you’re looking for more ways to customize your pumpkins for home decor this year, try making these easy decoupage pumpkins or my glam painted pumpkins that look like MacKenzie-Childs knock-offs (see below).
You can watch me make these MacKenzie-Childs beauties in my Halloween crafts video on YouTube.
I also have a tutorial on how to make farmhouse-style white painted pumpkins.
You can see how these white-painted pumpkins work for a neutral color scheme in my fall cloche centerpiece below.
Final Look at Painted Foam Pumpkins
You can add whatever bling you like to your upcycled pumpkins. I found an adorable set of mini wooden fall leaves that I placed at the base of my stems. Try adding these to your Halloween decor next to jack-o’-lanterns or plain white pumpkins.
Do you have plans to upcycle some ugly pumpkins with paint this year? Tell me about it in the comments below!
Shop the Look
Pin it for later!
I hope you enjoyed learning how to paint foam pumpkins! If you want to share your painted pumpkins, tag me on Instagram @firstdayofhome!
How to Paint Foam Pumpkins (Dollar Store Craft)
Equipment
Supplies
- Foam pumpkin
- Acrylic paint (chalk paint in 1 light color for primer coat and 1 desired color for top coat)
- Gold acrylic paint (optional, for highlights or texture)
- Natural wood stem or faux pumpkin stem
- Kitchen sponge
- Decorative ribbon (optional)
Instructions
- Prime the pumpkin by painting 1-2 coats of white or light-colored paint. Let dry 1-2 hours.
- Apply top coat of paint and let dry.
- Wet part of the sponge, pat dry and then dip it into gold/metallic paint. Dab off excess paint and then pounce the sponge onto the pumpkin. This gives a soft highlighted effect to the pumpkin.
- After pumpkin is completely dry, insert ribbon (optional) and stem into center of pumpkin.
Previous photos:
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I love the transformation of your pumpkins. They look so lovely. congrats, you are being featured at Thursday Favorite Things.
Hugs,
Bev
Hi Bev! That is great news, indeed! Thank you so much for the feature. I’m giddy. Have a wonderful week! xo, Crissy
Crissy, your pumpkins turned out adorable and you gave an awesome tutorial so we can do it ourselves! Thank you so much for sharing at the TFT party! I’m featuring you this week! Pinned and shared, as well! 🙂
Theresa
That just brightened my day! Thanks so much, Theresa! I appreciate you featuring and sharing. I’ll definitely stop by this week. Hugs, Crissy
Beautiful pumpkins from not so pretty beginnings. Stunning transformation!
I would love to include this post in a post I am writing this week (roundup) full of pumpkin inspiration.
Happy Fall,
Kippi
Hi Kippi! Thank you so much. They are so fun to play with, aren’t they? I’d love to be included in your roundup post. Thanks for asking! I look forward to seeing it and sharing it with others. Happy Fall! -Crissy
Wow – those look great Crissy! I totally love the silver one, and the decoupage ones, and …. I guess all of them! 🙂 Thanks for sharing your tips!
Ha ha! I’m glad you like them, Barbara. It’s always fun to experiment. I bought some more dollar store pumpkins, so now I’ll have to find something else to do with them! Thanks for visiting.
These look so good with your tricks an updating them! Thanks for sharing with Thursday Favorite Things!! I’m going to be featuring you tomorrow! Angelina @ Petite Haus
Thanks so much, Angelina!! You made my day! I can’t wait to see the party feature. 😊
Wow, so pretty!!
Thanks, Spela! Lovely of you to stop by! ❤️
These are adorable. They look amazing! Great tutorial.
Thanks, Katie! You’re so kind. I’m glad you liked the tutorial! 😊
Great tutorial! Do you instructions on how you did the rafia covered one? Did you just use glue or mod podge?
Hi Renee! Thanks so much! I actually purchased the brown woven pumpkin at a local boutique. If I find a similar one online, I’ll add it to my home decor shop on this site!
I love these and your display is awesome! Where did you get the planter pot that the pumpkins are in?
Hi Oma! You’re so kind! I got the planter pot at Michaels. They had lots of cute farmhouse decor this year. You might also try Hobby Lobby.
So petty, Crissy! You and I are on the same wavelength! 😉 Pinned!
Thanks, sweet friend! I have yours scheduled, too! Always fun to support each other. 😊
Hi Crissy!
So cute!!! Last year I found a big foam pumpkin at Walmart so I ended up creating a faux vase with it. There are so many fun things we can do with faux pumpkins. 🙂 Thanks for the new ideas! Pinned to my Crafts & Sewing board ~ Fall for you and our readers. <3
Hugs,
Barb 🙂
Hi there, Barbara! Thanks for popping in! The possibilities are endless, aren’t they? I love the fact I can reuse these or update them from year to year. Thanks for pinning! Hugs back to you! 🙂
Great tutorial and great job! I’ve been wanting to decoupage some pumpkins but cannot find the time. Happy Fall! Shared and Pinned 🙂
Hi Cindy! Thanks so much for pinning and sharing! I have so many projects I want to do and also struggle to find the time. Happy Fall!
I love your pumpkins! Great tutorial! I have some pumpkins I painted blue last year that I would love to update. I think I’ll decoupage them now!
Thanks for dropping by, Lauren! I’m glad you liked the pumpkins! If you’ve already painted your pumpkins, your one step ahead to use decoupage. Please let me know how they turn out! 🙂
Your pumpkins turned out so cute! Painting pumpkins is on my to-do list for this week. 😉 I would love you to share these at our Vintage Charm party on Wednesday! Blessings, Cecilia @My Thrift Store Addiction
Thanks, Cecilia! I’m glad you liked them! I’d love to participate in the Vintage Charm party, and I can’t wait to see how your pumpkins turn out…
Crissy,
Excellent tutorial and photographs. Pinned the title photo to DIY Rockstars, KariAnne Wood’s group board.
Happy Fall,
Judith
Judith, Thanks very much for the kind words. I truly appreciate the support! 😊
Love these, they are so sweet! What a great way to turn not so fancy pumpkins into fall beauties. Can’t wait to try it!
Thanks, Joy! Glad you liked them! I hope you do try it so I can see your creations! ❤️
These are so cute!! I love the variety you ended up with!
Pinning and sharing.
You’re always so kind, Stacey. Thank you!
I painted a bushel load of plastic pumpkins last year and they’ve held up really well.
I love your decoupage version, but Mod Podge is not my friend.😀
Happy first day of fall.
Thanks, Lisa, and Happy Fall! Sorry to hear you and decoupage don’t get along! I love playing with it, though it can get sticky. 😉
Simply amazing!! Your pumpkin creations are delightful and so creative. Above all, the placement and decor in your home is magazine quality! Congratulations and keep up the good work.
Thanks so much! I had fun playing with these, and the boys enjoyed helping, too! 😊