DIY Pumpkin Paper Bag Craft For Fall

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Fall is the perfect time for crafting! Whether you’re looking for a simple and fun fall activity or an adorable way to make a pumpkin decoration, this pumpkin paper bag craft is a fantastic choice. It’s great for kids of all ages and makes an excellent Halloween decoration or party favor.

If you’ve been searching for a Fall Pumpkin craft that is both easy to make and festive, then you’re in the right place!

Adorable pumpkin-themed paper bag puppet craft with a smiling face, bright orange pumpkin sections, and googly eyes, set against a vibrant purple background with colorful autumn leaves.

Pumpkin Paper Bag Craft

This simple-to-make paper bag craft is perfect for a fall classroom or homeschool craft for preschoolers.

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Materials Needed to Make This Paper Bag Craft:

  • Paper bag (lunch-size bags work perfectly)
  • Construction paper – several colors, including orange, green, and black)
  • Scissors
  • Black Marker or crayon
  • Double-sided tape
Craft materials including a brown paper bag, black, orange, pink, green, and white paper, double-sided tape, glue, and a pair of blue scissors laid out on a white surface.

How to Make This Easy Preschool Craft:

Prepare the pumpkin shape:
Begin by drawing the pumpkin shape.

A black-and-white outline template featuring two rounded pumpkin shapes, meant for cutting out.

Carefully cut along the traced lines to create the main body of the pumpkin.

A pair of scissors next to a template with two pumpkin-shaped outlines, ready to be cut.

Use a black marker to draw several curved lines from top to bottom, mimicking the pumpkin’s natural grooves.

The template placed over a piece of orange paper, showing how to trace and cut out the pumpkin shapes.
Two orange paper cutouts in the shape of pumpkins, prepared for a craft project.
The two pumpkin-shaped pieces with additional curved cutouts to mimic pumpkin texture, alongside a black marker.

Once finished, attach the orange pumpkin piece to the front of your paper bag using double-sided tape or glue.

The orange pumpkin shapes attached to a brown paper bag, creating a pumpkin-themed puppet base, with double-sided tape next to it.

Draw the pumpkin’s smile:
With your black marker, draw a big, friendly smile on the front of your pumpkin. You can make it simple or give it a cute jack-o’-lantern grin for a Halloween twist.

The paper bag pumpkin puppet now has a hand-drawn smile on its face, with a black marker next to it.

Add the rosy cheeks:
Cut out two small circles from pink construction paper to create the pumpkin’s blush.

A pair of small pink paper circles next to blue-handled scissors, ready to be used as cheeks for the craft.

Place one on each side of the smile and attach them securely. This gives your pumpkin a sweet, cheerful expression.

The paper bag pumpkin puppet with added pink cheeks, placed next to double-sided tape.

Make the eyes:
Cut two medium-sized circles from white paper for the eyes and two smaller circles from black paper for the pupils.

A piece of black craft paper with two circular holes cut out, two small black circles, and a pair of blue-handled scissors.

Layer the black circles on top of the white ones and glue them in place.

Two completed eyes made from black and white craft paper, placed next to a roll of tape.

Attach both eyes just above the smile. For a touch of personality, tilt the pupils slightly to make your pumpkin look curious or silly.

The craft now has eyes, a smile, and cheeks attached, resembling a cute pumpkin face, with a roll of tape beside it.

Create the stem:
Cut a small rectangle from brown construction paper and glue it to the top center of the paper bag — this will be your pumpkin’s stem.

You can round the corners or make it slightly crooked for a more natural look.

A green curled paper strip and a brown paper stem cutout, next to a pair of blue-handled scissors.

Cut a strip of green paper and gently curl it with scissors to give it a curvy shape.

Attach the stem and the green curled strip (leaves) to the top of the paper bag.

The craft now has a brown stem and a green curled vine attached to the top, next to a roll of tape.

And there you have it, a paper bag pumpkin puppet that’s ready to party! Not only is this craft super cute and festive, but it’s also easy to make for school classrooms, home, or your next Halloween party.

The completed pumpkin-themed paper bag puppet on a white background.

These little Halloween treat bags double as cute handmade decorations. Fill your paper bag pumpkins with newspaper or treats, and you’ll have yourself a sweet party favor or seasonal decor.

What an excellent way to celebrate fall and get crafty at the same time!

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Why You’ll Love This Pumpkin Paper Bag Craft

Crafting is always more fun when it’s simple yet creative. This paper bag pumpkin craft checks all the boxes—it’s inexpensive, engaging, and customizable in so many ways.

Additionally, it’s a great way to recycle paper bags and transform them into something festive. Instead of tossing out those lunch bags or plastic grocery bags, why not use them to create something fun?

The finished pumpkin puppet displayed on a vibrant purple background, surrounded by cut-out paper leaves in autumn colors.

This diy craft is excellent for schools, daycare activities, or just a cozy afternoon at home. Whether you want to decorate your home for fall or make adorable Halloween treat bags, this project is both functional and festive.

How to Personalize Your Paper Pumpkin

One of the best parts about making a pumpkin craft like this is the endless possibilities for customization. Here are some ways you can make it unique:

  • Choose Your Pumpkin Colors: While traditional pumpkin colors like orange and green work ideally, you can also get creative. White pumpkins are trendy and would look fantastic with black facial features for a spooky touch.
  • Add a 3D Effect: Use 3D paper elements, such as paper strips, to make your pumpkin look even more dynamic. You can even stuff the paper bag with newspaper to give it a rounder, fuller shape.
  • Make a Jack-o’-Lantern: Want to take it up a notch? Cut out a jack o’ lantern face using black cardstock or white paper and glue it onto your pumpkin.
  • Add a Fun Twist: Use pipe cleaners or twistable paper to create curly vine details around the stem. Twist the top to form the stem, then wrap a green pipe cleaner around it for a realistic look.
The pumpkin puppet displayed at a slight angle on the purple background, with scattered paper leaves.

Themed Halloween Decor with Paper Pumpkins

These pumpkin decorations are ideal for adding a touch of fall to your home. Whether you place them on a mantel, a classroom wall, or as Halloween party table decor, they will bring a cozy autumn vibe. Since they’re easy to make, you can create multiple to stack and display in different ways.

Fun Ideas to Use Your Paper Pumpkin Craft

Not sure what to do with your finished pumpkin? Here are some fun ideas:

  • Halloween Decorations: Hang them on walls or doors.
  • Halloween Treat Bags: Fill them with small goodies for trick-or-treaters.
  • Party Favors: Perfect for Halloween-themed parties.
  • Classroom Crafts for Kids: A great activity to do in school.
  • Autumn Home Decor: Use them in centerpieces with other pumpkins for fall.
A close-up of the pumpkin puppet, showing details of its eyes, cheeks, and curly green vine.

Fun and Simple Craft for Kids

If you’re looking for crafts for kids that are both engaging and mess-free, this paper pumpkin craft is a winner.

It only requires a few supplies—scissors, glue, and orange paper —making it an ideal craft project for home or school. Plus, kids will love seeing their creation come to life!

Not everyone has the time for complex crafts, which is why this one is a favorite. It’s super simple yet so cute. With just a paper lunch bag and a little creativity, you can easily make an adorable pumpkin.

Another close-up of the pumpkin puppet, highlighting the stem, vine, and textured craft paper details.

More Fun and Festive Pumpkin Crafts

If you enjoyed making the Pumpkin Paper Bag Craft, here are more creative pumpkin-themed crafts to try:

Pumpkin-themed paper bag puppet with googly eyes and a smile, on a purple background with autumn leaf cutouts.

If you prefer following a step-by-step tutorial, you’ll find this is a fun activity that requires minimal effort but delivers maximum cuteness.

With just a little paint, some hot glue gun work, and your imagination, you can create an entire set of fall crafts. Whether you’re making decorations for a party, classroom, or just for fun, this pumpkin paper bag craft is sure to be a hit!

pumpkin paper bag craft

Pumpkin Paper Bag Craft

Yield: 1 Pumpkin
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Active Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Estimated Cost: $3.00

This adorable pumpkin paper bag craft is a fun and straightforward project that brings the charm of fall to your classroom or home. Kids will love transforming an ordinary brown paper bag into a smiling pumpkin friend using colorful construction paper and a few basic craft supplies. It’s a great hands-on activity to celebrate the fall season, practice fine motor skills, and spark creativity — whether you use it for a Halloween project, a Thanksgiving decoration, or a harvest-themed craft day.

Materials

  • Paper bag
  • Construction paper (orange, brown, green, pink, white, and black)
  • Scissors
  • Marker
  • Double-sided tape or glue stick

Instructions

  1. Make the pumpkin body: Cut out the pumpkin shape from orange construction paper using the provided template. Use a marker to draw vertical lines for texture, then tape or glue it to the front of the paper bag.
  2. Add a smile: Draw a cheerful smile on your pumpkin’s face with the marker.
  3. Create the blush: Cut two small pink circles and attach them to the pumpkin’s cheeks.
  4. Make the eyes: Cut two white circles for the eyes and two smaller black circles for pupils. Layer and attach them to the paper bag.
  5. Add the stem: Cut a small brown rectangle and attach it to the top of the bag to form the pumpkin’s stem.
  6. Add the vine: Cut a thin strip of green paper, then gently curl it by running one edge along the edge of your scissors. Attach it beside the stem for a playful, curly vine look.

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