Hi Moms! If you’re like me, you love getting the house all cute and cozy for Halloween. There’s nothing better than seeing your little one’s face light up when they see something magical YOU made just for them.
Want to make your porch glow like a fall fairy tale (or a spooky haunted house)? I got you! Let’s make some super fun pumpkin lanterns to light up your porch this season. Whether you want cozy, cute, or creepy, these ideas are easy peasy!
So let’s talk about lighting up your porch with some adorable (and easy!) pumpkin lanterns because if there’s one thing my 10-year-old loves, it’s glowing pumpkins greeting him at the door!
What You’ll Need (a.k.a. Stuff You Probably Already Have):
- Real or fake pumpkins (big, small, even mini ones!)
- Battery-powered tea lights or fairy lights (no fire hazards for our little helpers!)
- Paint, tissue paper, or glitter (for extra fun!)
- Black paper or markers
- Mason jars, paper bags, or anything that glows
- Scissors, glue, tape and maybe a snack to keep your helper busy while glue dries
Mom & Child Pumpkin Projects We Love:
1. Painted Pumpkin Lanterns (No Carving!)
Perfect for younger kids who really want to help but shouldn’t be using sharp things yet.
- Pick a pumpkin and paint it together! Orange is classic, but we’ve done purple, pink, even rainbow.
- Cut out silly or spooky eyes and mouths from black paper and stick them on.
- Pop an LED light inside and watch the glow. SO cute on your porch steps!
Tip: My son named his pumpkins. One was “Mr. Spooks” and the other was “Glowzilla.”
2. Paper Bag Pumpkin Lanterns
- Easy, mess-free, and perfect for after-school crafting!
- Take an orange paper bag or color a plain one.
- Draw or glue on a jack-o’-lantern face.
- Drop in a tea light (battery one please!)
- Line them up outside your door—it’s like a pumpkin path to candy land!
3. Mason Jar Pumpkin Lights
These are just too cute and make your porch look like a little fairy pumpkin village.
- Cover a mason jar with orange tissue paper using glue or Mod Podge.
- Stick on a fun face!
- Pop a tea light inside and screw on the lid (loosely).
- We like to make 3 or 4 and set them on the steps with a little hay and leaves around them.
4. Classic Jack-o’-Lanterns (With Supervision!)
If your kiddo’s old enough, this is a fun bonding moment!
- Carve out the pumpkin guts together (expect giggles and “ewwws!”).
- Let your child design the face on paper first, then help trace and carve.
- Add a light and admire your masterpiece together! Proud mom moment incoming.
Final Touches (Optional But So Fun):
- Throw in a few fake spiders or cobwebs—just enough spooky to thrill but not scare!
- Add a “Pumpkin Patch This Way” sign that your kiddo helps paint.
- We sometimes leave a bowl of candy by the pumpkins so the decorations are “guarding the treasure.” 🧙♀️🍬
🧡 From Our Home to Yours
Halloween isn’t just about the candy—it’s about the memories. These little glowing pumpkins may be simple, but the smiles they bring (especially to your kiddo’s face) are everything.
So go ahead, light up that porch with pumpkin magic! And if your child gives one of them a silly name, don’t forget to write it down, it’ll make you laugh every year.
