Concrete Pumpkins
No need to worry about rotting pumpkins with these concrete pumpkins. You can display these DIY decorations for the entire fall season! They’re made by pouring concrete into pantyhose and tying a pumpkin shape with twine. Concrete may be a little messy, but it’s SO EASY to work with – it just requires a bit of patience for it to dry. I love how each pumpkin is completely unique! They look great displayed outside on a porch, especially when surrounded by other fall decorations, like mums, corn stalks, and bales of hay.
Check out our Concrete Pumpkins video tutorial:
*Note: Scroll down for the step-by-step photo tutorial. Looking for more pumpkin crafts? Here’s a few of our favourites: Chunky Yarn Pumpkins Tree Stump Pumpkins Paper Mache Pumpkins
Here’s what you’ll need:
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Concrete mix (it’s a lot cheaper at Home Depot!) Pantyhose Wood dowel Twine
What kind of concrete do I need?
We used a ready to use concrete mix called “Quikrete” and were happy with the results. You can buy a large bag at a home improvement store, like Home Depot, for around five dollars. Sometimes you can check the shelves for broken bags of concrete, or you can ask at the store if they have any damaged bags. I’ve bought 1/2 bags of “damaged” Quikrete where half the concrete was missing. Not only was the open bag lighter to carry, I also didn’t have to store the full bag when I was done my project.
What else can I use for the stem?
Thick hemp rope looks great as a stem for the concrete pumpkin. You can also use a dried branch, or even loop twine and wrap it around itself in a stem shape. Jewelry wire bent into vines or tendrils also makes a great addition to the stem.
Can I colour these concrete pumpkins?
Yes, you can either add colour to the concrete mix or you can paint the concrete after the pumpkin is dry! Acrylic paint, latex paint, or fabric dye are great for adding subtle colours to the concrete mix. Powdered oxide pigment made for dying concrete will give you the brightest colours.
What safety tips should I know for working with concrete?
You should always wear protective gloves when working with concrete. Safety glasses and a dust mask are also recommended. Concrete contains abrasive chemicals that can be dangerous when they come in contact with your skin or if the dust is inhaled. Artsy Pretty Plants has a great article about working safely with concrete if you want more information.
These concrete pumpkins are really inexpensive to make and they’re a great first project for working with concrete! Try adding moss to the grooves by the stem for a real outdoorsy look.
Here’s even more pumpkin craft ideas:
Chunky Yarn Pumpkins
Tree Stump Pumpkins
Paper Mache Pumpkins
Our book Low-Mess Crafts for Kids is loaded with 72 fun and simple craft ideas for kids! The projects are fun, easy and most importantly low-mess, so the clean up is simple!
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