Fun Things to Do With Pumpkins

Pumpkin Ideas That Go Way Beyond the Jack-o’-Lantern

Fall is here, and pumpkins are suddenly everywhere — farmer’s markets, roadside stands, pumpkin patches, and stacked in giant bins at the grocery store. If you’re looking for things to do with pumpkins that don’t involve a knife and a pile of pumpkin guts, you’re in the right place.

Around our house, we love a good jack-o’-lantern, but honestly, the no-carve ideas are the ones we come back to every year. They’re less mess, they’re kid-friendly, and a pumpkin you don’t carve lasts a whole lot longer on the porch. If you do still want to carve, go for it — but here are five fun, frugal ways to get more out of every pumpkin you bring home.

What Can You Do With Pumpkins Instead of Carving Them?

You can turn pumpkins into homemade face masks, natural air fresheners, fall centerpieces, cozy recipes, and fall games for kids. Uncarved pumpkins also last much longer than jack-o’-lanterns, and when the season is over, they can be composted instead of tossed in the trash.

1. Make DIY Pumpkin Face Masks

A pumpkin face mask is one of the easiest at-home spa treats you can make for pennies. Pumpkins contain vitamin C and beta-carotene, both linked to healthy-looking skin, plus vitamin A, which is a popular ingredient in many skincare products.

Try out any of these 10 easy pumpkin face masks. Most use simple pantry ingredients like honey, yogurt, or oats mixed with pumpkin puree. Make it even easier with this Face Mask Mixing Bowl Set.

Quick tip: Always do a small patch test on your wrist or jawline first, especially if you have sensitive skin. Pumpkin has natural enzymes that can tingle a bit.

2. Make a Pumpkin Spice Air Freshener

You can make your whole house smell like fall with a pumpkin, two spices, and a candle — no plug-ins or pricey sprays needed.

Mix together 1 tsp of cinnamon and 1 tsp of nutmeg. Rub some of the mixture on the inside of a hollowed-out pumpkin and add a small lighted candle. As the pumpkin warms, it releases a cozy pumpkin-spice scent.

If you have little ones or pets, go flameless with these LED candles — you’ll lose a little of the warm-spice effect, but you’ll gain peace of mind. Spice it up a notch with this DIY Pumpkin Pie Spice.

3. Create a Pumpkin Flower Centerpiece

A hollowed-out pumpkin makes a beautiful, budget-friendly vase for a fall centerpiece. This idea is one of our fabulous favorites because it looks like something from a boutique florist but costs just a few dollars.

Hollow out a pumpkin and set a vase or jar of your favorite flowers inside. Choose a pumpkin size that fits your vase snugly so it stands upright. Set it directly on your table, or place it on a rustic tray for an extra-cute fall look.

Frugal tip: Grocery store flower bunches work great here. Change the water every day or two so the arrangement stays fresh and doesn’t speed up the pumpkin’s decay.

4. Try a New Pumpkin Recipe

Pumpkin is one of the most versatile fall ingredients — it works in drinks, desserts, breakfasts, and even savory dinners. We have TONS of pumpkin recipes, but these are reader favorites:

• Pumpkin Hot Chocolate — perfect for chilly fall evenings
• Layered Pumpkin Cheesecake — a showstopper for holiday dessert tables
• Mini Pumpkin Pies — bite-sized and great for parties
• Pumpkin Cinnamon Streusel Pancakes — a weekend breakfast upgrade

Don’t toss the seeds, either! Rinse them, pat them dry, toss with a little oil and salt, and roast for a crunchy, practically free snack. Check out more pumpkin recipes for even more ideas.

5. Turn Pumpkins Into Fall Games for Kids

Mini pumpkins make fantastic game pieces, and fall games are a great way to keep kids busy without spending much. Our favorite is Mini Pumpkin Checkers — it looks adorable and takes about 10 minutes to set up.

Make a checkerboard on a table or floor with masking tape, then grab some mini pumpkins. Use orange pumpkins for one player and white pumpkins for the other (or paint half of them).

Other easy pumpkin games kids love:

• Pumpkin bowling: Set up empty water bottles as pins and roll a small pie pumpkin to knock them down.
• Pumpkin ring toss: Use glow sticks or embroidery hoops as rings and toss them over pumpkin stems.
• Pumpkin decorating station: Set out markers, stickers, and paint for a no-knife, no-mess alternative to carving.

Check out more Halloween games and activities for even more ideas.

What to Do With Pumpkins After Halloween

The best thing to do with leftover pumpkins after Halloween is to compost them, bury them in your garden, or donate uncarved pumpkins to a local farm. Sending them to the trash adds to landfill waste when they can easily feed your soil instead.

• Compost them: Remove candles, wax, paint, and seeds, then break the pumpkin into chunks so it breaks down faster.
• Bury them: Dig a hole in a garden bed and let the pumpkin decompose naturally over winter.
• Donate them: Some farms, sanctuaries, and zoos accept uncarved, unpainted pumpkins. Always call ahead first.
• Don’t eat porch pumpkins: Pumpkins that have been sitting outside — especially carved ones — aren’t safe to cook with. Save cooking for fresh pie pumpkins.

Agriculture specialists at West Virginia University Extension recommend chopping pumpkins up before composting to speed decomposition over the winter. Rules about leaving pumpkins out for wildlife vary by state, so check with your local wildlife office before doing that.

Tips to Make Your Pumpkins Last Longer

An uncarved pumpkin can last for weeks — sometimes months — if you treat it right. Here’s what works best:

• Pick pumpkins with no soft spots, cracks, or bruises.
• Carry pumpkins from the bottom, not by the stem — a broken stem lets rot in sooner.
• Keep them dry and out of direct, hot afternoon sun when possible.
• Bring them inside or cover them on frosty nights.
• Wipe the outside with a damp cloth before decorating so paint and stickers stick better.

Carving a jack-o’-lantern anyway? Here’s how to preserve a carved pumpkin so it lasts until Halloween night instead of turning mushy in a few days.

Frequently Asked Questions About Things to Do With Pumpkins

What can you do with pumpkins besides carving them?

You can paint or decorate pumpkins, use them as vases or centerpieces, make DIY face masks and air fresheners, cook with them, play fall games, or compost them when the season is over.

How long do uncarved pumpkins last?

Uncarved pumpkins kept dry and cool can last 8 to 12 weeks or more. Carved pumpkins usually last only a few days to a week before they start to soften and mold, unless you preserve your carved pumpkin with a bleach soak.

Can you eat a decorative pumpkin?

Fresh, uncarved pumpkins can be cooked, but large carving pumpkins tend to be stringy and bland. Pie or sugar pumpkins are better for cooking. Never eat a pumpkin that has been carved and left sitting outside.

Can you paint pumpkins instead of carving them?

Yes! Acrylic paint, paint pens, and permanent markers all work well on pumpkins. Painted pumpkins are kid-friendly and last much longer than carved ones.

What is the best way to get rid of old pumpkins?

Composting is the best option. Remove any candles, wax, or paint, break the pumpkin into pieces, and add it to your compost pile or bury it in your garden.

More Fall DIY Ideas You’ll Love

• 10 Must-Do Fall Family Activities
• 10 Easy No-Sew Costume Ideas
• Best Halloween Games and Activities
• DIY Pumpkin Pie Spice
• How to Preserve a Carved Pumpkin

Final Thoughts

Pumpkins are so much more than a once-a-year jack-o’-lantern. Whether you’re making a face mask, filling your kitchen with pumpkin spice, or setting up a game of pumpkin checkers with the kids, these ideas help you get every bit of value (and fun!) out of the pumpkins you bring home this fall.

Have a favorite way to use pumpkins that isn’t on this list? Tell us in the comments — we love hearing your ideas and tips! ❤️

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