Halloween is the perfect excuse to get a little creative with paint! You don’t need a big furniture makeover or a complicated project to make something fun for the season. With a few simple supplies and some leftover paint, you can transform everyday items into Halloween-inspired décor.
These projects are also a great way to get the whole family involved. Many of them are simple enough for kids to enjoy, too, making them a fun activity for a Halloween afternoon or a weekend of crafting together.
From painted pumpkins to spooky signs and tiny works of art, here are a few of our favorite Halloween craft ideas to try this year.
Paint a Pumpkin
Give your pumpkins a painted makeover instead of carving them! You can keep things simple with a solid color or get creative with stripes, patterns, stars, or other Halloween-inspired details.
There’s no rule that says Halloween pumpkins have to be orange. Try Persimmon for a traditional pumpkin look, or go in a completely different direction with Opulence, Envious, or Rocky Mountain.
For a lighter look, Simplicity makes a great base for adding colorful Halloween details.
Before you start painting, make sure your pumpkin is clean and completely dry. Wipe away any dirt or debris and let it dry thoroughly before you begin. This simple step will help your paint adhere properly.
And since there’s no carving involved, painted pumpkins are a great Halloween project for kids, too! Let everyone choose their own color and create their own design.
Give a Birdhouse or Wooden Sign a Halloween Makeover
Who says Halloween decorations have to be pumpkins?
Paint a small wooden birdhouse or sign in a rich, dramatic color like Rocky Mountain or Hurricane. Once the paint is dry, you can leave it simple or add some spooky details.
For an easy finishing touch, use chalk to draw designs or write a Halloween message. Think spider webs, little bats, stars, "Boo!" or anything else you can dream up.
This is a particularly fun project to do with kids because they can add their own chalk drawings once the paint is dry.
Turn a Tree Stump Into a Pumpkin
Have a small piece of a tree stump or a wooden round lying around? Turn it into a rustic pumpkin!
Paint the surface with Persimmon, then add a little stem at the top using Fireworks. You can keep it simple or add a face, stripes, stars, or other Halloween-inspired details.
Want to do something a little unexpected? Try Envious or Daydreamer instead of traditional orange.
No tree stump? A wooden round or scrap piece of wood can work just as well.
Add Spooky Details to Plastic Pumpkins
Have some small plastic pumpkins sitting around? Give them a whole new look with paint and a few simple details.
Start by painting them a solid color, then add designs such as spider webs, stars, dots, or little bats. You can create a traditional Halloween palette with Persimmon and Rocky Mountain, or mix things up with Opulence, Envious, or Hurricane.
This is also a great way to use up smaller amounts of leftover paint—and an easy project for kids who want to create something of their own.
Give Glassware a Colorful Makeover
Have some vintage glassware or thrifted pieces that could use a little Halloween flair? Give them a colorful makeover with paint!
For a painted look on glass, start with Clear Bonding Primer to help give your paint something to grip. Once your primer is dry, add your chosen Country Chic Paint color.
Try Opulence for a rich, dramatic look, Envious for a pop of green, or Daydreamer for a softer take on Halloween décor.
You can keep the design simple with one color or add Halloween-inspired details once your base coat is dry.
Tip: Painted glassware is best treated as decorative rather than something that will go through the dishwasher or be used for food and drinks unless the specific products and application have been tested for that use.
Make a Tiny Painting
You don’t need a big project to make something worth displaying.
Grab a small canvas, piece of wood, or another surface and use up some of your leftover paint to create a tiny Halloween painting. It could be a simple pumpkin, moon, stars, haunted house, or even an abstract design in Halloween colors.
Try combining Simplicity with Opulence, Envious, or Persimmon. Or create something completely different with your favorite Country Chic Paint colors.
This one is perfect for kids, too. There’s no need to worry about making it perfect—just let them experiment with colors and shapes and see what they come up with.
Once it’s dry, pop it into a small frame and you’ve got an easy piece of seasonal art!
There’s No Wrong Way to Get Creative
The best part about seasonal decorating is that it doesn’t have to be complicated. Look around your home for items you already have, pull out those leftover paint colors, and see what you can transform.
A pumpkin can become a piece of art. A thrifted glass can become décor. A scrap of wood can become a sign.
Whether you’re crafting on your own, getting the kids involved, or spending an afternoon creating together, there are plenty of ways to make something fun with a little paint.
So grab your paint, pick your favorite colors, and make something spooky, make something fun, and make something your own!
