Junk Pumpkins
Repurpose Junk into Decorative Pumpkins
What are Junk Punkins? They can be decorative pumpkins made entirely from scrap materials or jack o lanterns that incorporate some junk in their design. Check below for examples of both styles and tips on making your own junk pumpkin.
The fall season is the perfect time to add some pumpkins to your indoor or outdoor decor. With Halloween approaching, jack o lanterns add some fun and sometimes spookiness as well. Time to make your fun pumpkin design and don't forget to include the kids in the activity. Fun for the whole family.
Pumpkin Patch Postcard by tiffjamaica on Zazzle
Junk-O-Lanterns?
Junk Punkins? Whatever you call them, each is unique and fun to make. There's no carving with a sharp knife, so they make a great project for kids.
First You Need Some Pumpkins
What Do You Need to Make a Junk Pumpkin?
ANSWER: anything and everything plus some creativity
Be Creative - Collect Junk to Use with Junk Pumpkins
Gather Some Junk
Start by rummaging in your junk drawer. Some of those gizmos have languished in there for five years so clean it out and try repurposing those mysterious bits and pieces in making a jack o lantern. Look in your bedroom for broken costume jewelry, buttons removed from old clothing, and scarves.
Don't have enough stuff? Look in the kid's room and in their toy box for pieces from defunct toys. The kids will have fun rounding up those for the pumpkin project.
Look at things you normally put in the trash or the recycling bin. Bottle caps, a broken sprocket, and other bits and pieces.
Still need more, poke around in the garage for rusty bits of metal. I bet you'll find some odd items that will look great on the junk punkin. You can even use nails which can be stuck into the skin in a pattern.
Get Ideas for These from My Pinterest Pinboard
Pumpkins with a Steampunk or Junk Look - Videos from YouTube
Here's Someone Who Shares My Appreciation of Rusty Things
- Rust is Beautiful | Seeing the Beauty in old Junk | ...
Rust is beautiful, old objects that have been discarded in bygone days can be re-purposed as yard art. One man's junk is truly another man's treasure.
Turn Metal Canning Rings into a Pumpkin
- How to Make a Canning Ring Pumpkin
Making a pumpkin centerpiece out of canning jar rings is a hot craft that is trending right now. This is the perfect decor for fall and Thanksgiving. It makes a fabulous hostess gift if you will be visiting friends or family for the holidays.
You Don't Actually Need a Real Pumpkin
Make one out of junk
Assemble anything that looks like a pumpkin and glue or tie or nail it together. The more parts that are recycled, and not purchased, the better.
Here's a pumpkin made from a section of clothes dryer hose. These are usually white, so spray paint the hose orange. Pull the hose into a circle and hot glue it or otherwise attach it.
Add a thick stubby stick for the stem and some autumn leaves gathered from your yard. If you want to get fancier, buy some leaves from the dollar store. (photo by my mom, Gail Lee Martin)
Making Things from Junk - Everyone Can Do It

Fun for you and fun for your children.
Tips on Turning Unusual Stuff into Nifty Jack O Lanterns
- Organized Clutter: Re-Purposed Junk Pumpkin Vignette
Check out how this crafty blogger turned some unusual gears into a striking junk punkin. - No-Carve Pumpkin How-To at WomansDay.com
Find fun crafts projects you can do with kids. You'll love this no carve Halloween decoration (a spider made of pumpkins and junk). - Yellow Bliss Road: Canning Jar Ring Pumpkin
Take a batch of canning jar rings and string them together to make this pumpkin shape.
Recycled Craft Projects For Kids: 50 Fantastic Things to Make From Junk

I like that this has photographs showing the projects step-by-step.
Junk Pumpkins
No carving required
Other Ideas for Pumpkins That Don't Require Carving
- Pumpkin Decorating Ideas (Little to No Carving)
If the idea of carving gives you shivers, then check out these awesome ideas to glitter, spray, paint and create your way to an amazing pumpkin that people will stand in awe of! - Great No-Carve Pumpkin Ideas for Kids
Are your kids too young to carve a pumpkin? Don't let them get left out of the fun. These no-carve pumpkin ideas make it easy for anyone to create cool Halloween pumpkins. - No-Carve Pumpkin Decorating
Presents some ideas on how decorate a pumpkin without carving. Refers the reader to a handful of websites that offer tips on this seasonal activity. - Beautiful No Carve Pumpkin Decorating Ideas
Want to try something different this year? There are many ways to decorate a pumpkin without carving including glitter, spray paint and antiquing. - No-Carve Pumpkin Crafts
If you don't like the mess with carved pumpkins, you'll like the ideas you'll find at N0-Carve Pumpkin Crafts. Crafts for kids and crafts for adults can be found included in this article. Fun and easy - No-Carve Pumpkin Ideas
Carving pumpkins is a fun Halloween tradition, but it takes a bit of time and skill to create a great-looking jack-o-lantern. These no-carve pumpkin ideas are quick, fun and easy. If you have young kids who aren't old enough to carve (or don't like.. - No Carve Halloween Pumpkins - Ideas for Decorating P...
Easy, inexpensive, and last-minute ideas for decorating real or artificial pumpkins. Get inspiration for what to do with your pumpkin. All ideas don't require carving or gutting pumpkin.
© 2013 Virginia Allain