DIY Unicorn Pumpkin

How to make a DIY unicorn pumpkin for Halloween or birthday parties!

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my full disclosure policy for details.

Without a doubt, one of the best parts of Halloween is carving pumpkins! However, since my daughter prefers everything to be unicorn-related right now, I knew I would need a different approach to our pumpkin decorations this year. 

Instead of carving fresh pumpkins, we decided to make some DIY Unicorn Pumpkins with craft pumpkins and art supplies! Making a unicorn pumpkin is actually a very simple process, and is an excellent kid’s activity for a more creative and unique Halloween experience. These craft pumpkins are also a great way to celebrate in a less spooky style if that’s not your thing.

Of course, you can use a fresh pumpkin from the grocery store, but I’ve found that it is much easier to work with a craft pumpkin. Plus you don’t have to worry about it rotting and can keep it to reuse every year! I’ve even used our magical themed pumpkins as adorable birthday party decor for my daughter’s parties!

Since this crafty process involves paint and clay, it will take a few days to complete the whole process due to dry time. I recommend starting this activity early in the season. My daughter and I actually like to make ours in August, right before school starts! This family project is perfect to end the summer vacation with and an exciting way to get started on decorating for Halloween and the Fall season! 

These craft pumpkins can be found at Michael’s, and other craft stores, around the end of July. Plus, they can be found in many colors, so you have endless possibilities for what you can do with them! Here’s how to make DIY Unicorn Pumpkins!

DIY Unicorn Pumpkin Materials

First, let’s talk about the craft equipment and materials you’ll need for this fun family Halloween project! You won’t need a ton of supplies here, but you can swap out the pumpkin decorations however you want to. Here are the supplies and materials I used for my DIY unicorn pumpkins:

• Large White Foam Pumpkin
• White, Black, and Pink Acrylic Paint
• Hot glue gun 
• Modeling clay
• Wood skewer sticks
• Silk Flowers
• Gold acrylic paint
• Wire Clippers
• Sharpie
• Paint Brushes & Pallets
• Optional: Kids Painting Aprons

How to Make a DIY Unicorn Pumpkin

Now let’s make some Halloween magic happen! This whole pumpkin craft process is super fun and easy to do so it’s the perfect family activity for wholesome Halloween fun with the kids! Here’s how to make DIY unicorn pumpkins:

1. First, use the paint brushes to paint the foam pumpkin with the white paint and let it dry for at least 24 hours.
   1. If you can find a pumpkin that is already perfectly white then you can skip this step.
2. Next, use the modeling clay to make the unicorn ears and horns. Set them aside to dry for 72 hours.
   1. To make the horns, I rolled out two strips of clay, then braided them together to create a twisted horn effect. Then, I inserted a wood skewer stick into each horn right after I finished shaping them.
   2. For the ears, I just modeled the clay with my hands until I made cute-looking unicorn ears.
3. After drying, paint the clay unicorn features whatever color you want. My daughter and I chose a metallic gold paint for the horn, and pink or gold for the ears. Let the paint dry completely.
4. Then, using the end of the horn skewer sticks, poke a hole and insert a unicorn horn into each pumpkin. Use a hot glue gun to firmly secure the unicorn horn and ears to each of the pumpkins.
5. Next, since the silk flowers have metal wires inside of them, you’ll have to cut the stem off using a pair of wire clippers. After cutting the flowers, hot glue them onto the pumpkin in whatever kind of arrangement you want.
6. Finally, after everything is completely dry, it’s time to paint the face of your unicorn. Use a black sharpie, or black paint with a fine brush, to draw the unicorn eyelashes. I also used pink paint to add blushing cheeks to ours, but you can add whatever features you desire!
   1. If you use black paint for the facial details, this will take a bit more time to dry.

More Halloween Treats and DIY Crafts

Looking for more magical ways to celebrate Halloween or more DIY’s to keep the kids active throughout the whole year? Then check out some of my enchanting Halloween recipes and more of my kid-friendly DIY projects:

More Spooktacular Halloween Fun:

• Skull Halloween Sugar Cookies
• Halloween Party Table Decoration Ideas
• Black Caramel Apples
• Red Caramel Apples
• Orange Caramel Apples

Kid-Friendly DIY Crafts:

• DIY Mermaid Pumpkin
• DIY Toilet Paper Bugs Craft
• DIY Unicorn Party Favor Bags
• DIY Unicorn Birthday Party Favors
• DIY Father’s Day Rocket Card
• DIY Father’s Day French Fries Card
• DIY Gold Painted Easter Eggs

A complete list of my photography equipment