12 mini pumpkins, roughly golf-ball to tennis-ball size
Chalk paint in dusty rose, marigold, coral, and cream, 1 small pot of each
Foam brush, 2.5 cm wide
Card stock, 200 gsm, in pink, peach, and pale yellow, 3 sheets
Small pom-poms, 1 cm diameter, in mixed pastel colours, 12
24 googly eyes, 12 mm diameter
Black fine-tip permanent marker
Hot glue gun and glue sticks (adult step)
Bamboo skewer
Baker's twine, red and white twist, 3 m
Step by Step
Paint each pumpkin with two coats of chalk paint, letting the first coat dry for 30 minutes before adding the second. The surface should look slightly powdery and opaque when it is ready.
While the pumpkins dry, cut each card-stock sheet into four equal rectangles (roughly 7 cm x 10 cm). An adult should do this with scissors or a craft knife. Roll each rectangle into a cone about 5 cm tall, tape the seam, and trim the base flat so it sits level.
Hot glue (adult step) one pom-pom to the tip of each cone.
Use the bamboo skewer to poke a small pilot hole through the top of each pumpkin stem, or through the pumpkin itself if the stem is missing. Thread one end of the baker's twine through each hole, tie a double knot on the underside to anchor it, and space the pumpkins about 15 cm apart along the twine.
Hot glue (adult step) two googly eyes onto the front of each pumpkin. Draw a small curved smile with the permanent marker just below the eyes.
Hot glue (adult step) one cone hat onto the top of each pumpkin at a slightly jaunty angle.
Hang by looping the ends of the twine over two hooks or nails.
Good to Know
Suits ages 8 and up with an adult handling the skewer and hot glue.