DIY Dollar Store Halloween Decorations: 37 + Foam Pumpkin Makeovers
It’s that time of year again.. the Dollar Tree carvable pumpkins are about to hit the shelves! Are you ready grab as many as you can to make some DIY fall decor and Halloween decor? I know I am!
Last year I had so much fun decorating the Dollar Tree pumpkins with my class that I can’t wait to start another fun project with faux pumpkins to kick off the fall season. But Dollar Tree Halloween decorations don't stop at just foam pumpkin carving - there are so many easy DIY dollar store Halloween decorations you can make!
Need some inspiration for some easy Halloween decorations this year? You’ve come to the right place! In this post, I’ll share 37 simple Dollar Tree carvable pumpkin makeover ideas plus and even more cute Halloween decorations, so you can have fun adding some homemade pieces to you home decor this fall.
Spooky Season at the Dollar Store
When it comes to preparing for the spooky season, there’s no need to spend a lot of money to create awesome Halloween decorations. Your local dollar store is a great place to find budget-friendly items that can easily be transformed into creepy and cute Halloween decorations with just a little creativity.
Start by picking up a few plastic skulls, which are perfect for making a skull candle holder or adding a spooky touch to your outdoor spaces.
For an eye-catching dollar store Halloween wreath, grab some creepy cloth, glue sticks, and a couple of items like shower curtain rings and magnetic spiders. With your trusty hot glue gun in hand, you can assemble a spooky Halloween wreath that will make your front door the talk of the neighborhood.
To add an eerie glow to your decor, don’t forget to pick up some glow sticks and red candles—they’re perfect for making creepy candles or a spooky centerpiece for your Halloween party.
Another fun diy halloween decoration idea involves using mason jars, black spray paint, and plastic spiders to create spooky spider web candle holders. Fill the jars with a white candle or a skull candle, then place them around your home or on your porch for some seriously creepy vibes.
With a little imagination and some dollar store finds, you can craft a range of dollar store Halloween decoration ideas that will make your Halloween decor stand out without breaking the bank.
Why I Love Using Dollar Tree Carvable Foam Pumpkins
My absolute favorite DIY fall decorations to make use the Dollar Tree Carvable Foam Pumpkins. There's so many ways to turn these faux pumpkins into cheap Halloween decorations, but you can also make DIY decor that can be used for the entire Holiday season!
Pumpkin Showdown: Real Pumpkin Carving vs. Fake Pumpkins!
I’m all for taking a trip to the pumpkin patch and crafting a good old fashioned jack-o-lantern, but this traditional Halloween craft only lasts for so long. You can’t use real pumpkins as part of your fall decor for the entire season. That’s why I love using dollar store pumpkins!
There are so many creative ways you can decorate the dollar tree foam pumpkins that you can do this activity year after year and it will never get old! Plus, plastic pumpkins don’t rot so you can break them out for your Halloween decor or fall decor next year too!
The best part is these inexpensive pumpkins only cost $1, so this craft won’t break the bank. Swing by your local Dollar Tree, grab some fake foam pumpkins and other Dollar Tree supplies, and you’re ready to start.
Important Questions About Dollar Tree Carvable Pumpkins
Before we get to the list of 37 Dollar Tree pumpkin ideas, here’s everything you need to know about faux pumpkins:
What Are Carvable Pumpkins Made Of?
The Dollar Tree pumpkins are made of foam. This makes them very light and easy to cut, if necessary. Most of the crafts on this list don’t require much cutting or carving, except for removing the pumpkin stem.
You can also find carvable pumpkins at another craft store like Hobby Lobby, but nothing beats Dollar Tree prices!
Are All Pumpkins Carvable?
No – the Dollar Tree also sells the plastic trick-or-treat pumpkins, which aren’t carvable. You could use both types of pumpkins for most of the crafts on this list, but the foam pumpkins have a more realistic look.
How Do You Stick Things To a Pumpkin?
You can use Elmer’s glue, hot glue, tacky glue, decoupage, or really any other adhesive.
Can You Put a Real Candle in Foam Pumpkins?
No - you definitely don't want to use open flames with a faux pumpkin. If you want to illuminate your carvable pumpkin, electronic tea lights are a much safer bet.
What Craft Supplies Do I Need to Decorate Faux Pumpkins?
Affiliate disclaimer: Although I stand by all of the products I use, I can receive a small commission from any products purchased via my affiliate links.
You’ll find a detailed tutorial for each Dollar Tree pumpkin craft, but here are some general craft supplies you might want to have on hand for your DIY pumpkins:
Carvable Foam Pumpkin
Paint
Lace Strips
Fake Leaves
Faux Flowers
Burlap
Velvet Ribbon
Hot Glue
Glitter
Sequins
Craft Paper
Decorative Napkins
Washi Tape
Acrylic Paint
Paint Brushes
White Chalk Paint
Spray Paint
X-Acto Knife
37 Creative Ways to Decorate Your Dollar Store Foam Pumpkin
Halloween Inspired Faux Pumpkins
Mummy Pumpkins
How do you wrap a pumpkin like a mummy? All you need is a faux pumpkin, white strips of fabric, and some glue or glue dots to make these easy decorations. This is another one of my favorite Dollar Tree crafts to do with my students every year!
Trick-or-Treat Pumpkin Topiary
Want to make outdoor Halloween decorations? A little paint, vinyl, and floral moss can turn three foam pumpkins into a beautiful topiary. Make this your own foam pumpkin project by changing up the paint color. You could even do a white pumpkin on top of a black pumpkin to make a fun pattern.
Sharpie Pumpkins
These hand sketched sharpie pumpkins are another great idea for kids and teens because it’s so easy! A white pumpkin works best for this, so spray paint your faux pumpkin white, let it dry, then draw a fun design using black sharpie. This is one of those Halloween crafts your kids will beg you to do each year.
Glow in the Dark Pumpkin
Put a fun spin on your Halloween crafts this year with another pumpkin topiary! Simply glue the bottom of the pumpkin to the top of the pumpkin with a feathered boa in between. The end result is such a spunky piece of Halloween decor with an erasable chalk surface
Googley Eye Pumpkin
Another great idea for making DIY Halloween decor with kids – this googley eye pumpkin is so easy and fun! It doesn't get easier than this Dollar Store Halloween decoration idea.
Day of the Dead Pumpkin
Don’t worry, you don’t have to paint those sugar skulls! Make your own pumpkins for Day of the Dead with napkins and Modge Podge!
Fall Inspired Faux Pumpkins
Decoupage Pumpkins
One of my favorite ways to spruce up Dollar Tree pumpkins is with decoupage! You can make elegant pumpkins using beverage napkins and Modge Podge like this tutorial from An Organized Season or stick with your favorite printed craft paper or even tissue paper.
DIY Faux Pumpkin Vase
Cut the stem off the top of the pumpkin, add some faux fall florals, and you have a beautiful piece of DIY fall decor to display in your dining room, on your coffee table, or even your porch. This would work with various colors of paint if the bright orange color of a realistic pumpkin doesn’t match your aesthetic. Check out the full tutorial here.
Rae Dunn Inspired Chalk Board Pumpkins
With a little black paint and chalk paste, these Rae Dunn inspired pumpkins will be your new favorite fall decor!
Washi Tape Pumpkins
All it takes is a little white chalk paint to make the fall centerpiece of your dreams. Check out this tutorial from Home and Hallow for all the pumpkin painting tips and tricks!
Daisy Pumpkin
Don’t feel like breaking out your paint brush? Try this Dollar Store daisy pumpkin instead! All you need for this easy fall craft is a glue gun and some faux florals to transform a faux pumpkin into fall decor.
Copper Pumpkin Centerpiece
This tutorial from Up to Date Interiors uses pumpkins from Amazon, but you could totally do this with dollar tree pumpkins too!
Mop Yarn Pumpkins
This easy tutorial from The Crazy Craft Lady uses a dollar tree mop head instead of yarn to transform these little pumpkins into neutral fall decor. With a little white paint and hot glue, this is a great center piece idea for your dining room table!
Crackled Pumpkins
One of the easiest, mess-free ways to transform those bright orange styrofoam pumpkins into trendy fall decor is this burlap pumpkin craft. All you need for this simple project is burlap, twine, buttons, and hot glue.
Sweater Pumpkins
One of the most simple and mess-free ways to makeover a dollar tree carvable pumpkin. (Hint: don’t skip the first step of painting the entire pumpkin first so the orange doesn’t show through)
Thrifty Antiqued Pumpkins
Another super easy Dollar Tree carvable foam pumpkin makeover that doesn’t involve multiple coats of paint. If you already have fabric tape, this one doesn’t have any extra cost!
Buffalo Check Pumpkins
This tutorial uses the Dollar Tree trick or treat pumpkins, but you could totally use the carvable foam pumpkins too!
Bandana Pumpkins
All you need is some rafia and hot glue to make these farmhouse inspired foam pumpkins!
GLAM Faux Pumpkins
Push Pins
I love making push pin art on canvas, so I thought – why not try it out on the Dollar Tree foam pumpkins? You would never guess these gilded pumpkins are made from thumbtacks! This is one my favorite ways to celebrate fall with my students. Want more thumbtack crafts? Check out this post.
Star Sequin Pumpkin
This star sequin pumpkin is always a crowd pleaser with my students! All you need are some star sequins (or any other sequins) and some Beacon spray adhesive to make this fun & glamorous pumpkin!
Mercury Glass Pumpkin
The secret to these glitter pumpkins is applying a base coat of metallic spray paint before adding the glitter. This really makes them sparkle and is easy to do even with a larger pumpkin!
Ombre Glitter Pumpkins
Another way to glam up those Dollar Store pumpkins with some glitter. My personal favorite are the ombre glitter pumpkins!
Mirrored Pumpkin
This glam dollar store craft uses a plastic tray for the mirrored effect. How creative is that?! If you love the look of this mirrored pumpkin, try out this fun mirrored jewelry holder tutorial!
Pearl Pumpkins
These gorgeous pearl pumpkins give off major princess vibes! You’d never guess they’re part of these dollar tree crafts. This tutorial uses a pumpkin from Michael’s because the bottom of the pumpkin is more flat, but it would work with dollar store pumpkins too!
Velvet Pumpkins
Velvet is having a moment right now… so why not add it to your Dollar Tree foam pumpkins! Grab some velvet ribbon, replace the green stem with a vintage knob, and you’ve got some trendy fall decor.
Hydrodipped Pumpkins
Do this fun painted faux pumpkin craft for less than $5! An easy way to make this your own is to change the color of the base coat or use something different for the pumpkin stem! If you love hydrodipping, check out this post on how to make some unique sneakers.
Modern & Unique Faux Pumpkins
Tie-Dye Pumpkins
Give your faux pumpkins a complete new look with this tie-dye pumpkin craft! This is a fun way to get your teens involved in making DIY pumpkins. Learn how to make these colorful mini pumpkins here.
Faux Concrete Pumpkins
A modern concrete finish is super popular right now – so why not bring that to your fall decor with your own DIY faux concrete foam pumpkins? This tutorial from Do Dodson Designs teaches you how to get the concrete effect at home using paint and flower.
Tattoo Pumpkin
Did you know you can print on your own tattoo paper at home? This quick and easy technique is a great way to transfer more complicated patters to your dollar store foam pumpkin.
Dollar Tree Pumpkins Succulent Planter
Bring a little green to your fall decor with this DIY succulent planter. The best part – you can find all of these supplies at the Dollar Tree!
Porcelain Pumpkins
You would never know this gorgeous DIY faux pumpkin decor only takes about 10 minutes!
Have Fun with a DIY Dollar Tree Carvable Pumpkin Makeover!
Whether you’re making some DIY Halloween decor, a farmhouse inspired Thanksgiving centerpiece, or a fun fall craft with your kids, I hope you found some inspiration for your DIY faux pumpkin project. Have fun & happy crafting!
Looking for some more DIY projects for fall? Check out these easy and fun no-sew sock turkeys!
