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Crafts Holidays

How to Make Paper Pumpkins for Fall

Paper Craft Tutorial: How to Make Paper Pumpkins for Fall

These little pumpkins are so much fun to make. It’s a fun Fall craft you can do with your kids or a great adult craft to spruce up your mantel or table decor. You can try it with different colored papers in different patterns as well. Here’s my step by step tutorial for how to make paper pumpkins for fall.

Thanksgiving Table Paper Pumpkins

Here’s What You Need

Materials:

  • Colored or patterned paper of choice
  • Paper Cutter
  • Double Sided Tape
  • Hot Glue and Glue Gun
  • Sticks
  • Twine
  • Scissors

I chose these colorful Astrobrights papers. For each pumpkin you need two 8.5”X11 sheets.

Paper Pumpkins

Instructions

Cut each piece of paper vertically into five 1.5” wide strips.

Paper Pumpkins from Scrap Paper

 

Then cut each strip into one 7”, two 9”, and keep the remaining two at 11”. Important: Remember, you need two sets for one pumpkin. So each pumpkin is two pieces of paper – two 7”, four 9”, and four 11” strips.

Tutorial for DIY Paper Pumpkins

 

Fold each piece into accordion strips. Pictured here is one sheet of paper.

Accordion Paper Fall Craft

 

Next tape the TWO SETS at same lengths together with double sided tape and form a circle.

Paper Medallions for Pumpkins

 

You will end up with one circle from the 7” strips, two circles from the 9” strips, and two circles from the 11” strips.

Paper pumpkin tutorial

 

Create the 7” medallion by gluing with a hot glue gun. Just place a small dab in the center and hold a few seconds until it is dry.

Paper Pumpkins from Paper Medallions

 

Next, glue each medallion together respectively starting with the 7” on top, then 9”, then 11”, then 11”, then 9” on the bottom.

Paper Pumpkins Tutorial

 

Hot glue a stick, paper leaves, and twine on the top of your pumpkin.

Mini Paper Pumpkin How To

 

Here are a few AFTER photos!

Paper Pumpkins for Fall DIY Inspired

Paper Craft Pumpkins for Fall

How to Make Paper Pumpkins

 

Use them to decorate for Halloween or Thanksgiving.  You can play around with the sizes, colors, and patterns.  Group a few together at a kid’s table, adult’s dinner table, or on your fireplace mantel.

Update: After some feedback, I made a new tutorial for a similar project for Christmas. This tutorial may help with more detailed explanation using the same technique: How to Make Paper Christmas Ornaments

 

You May Also Like

Here is another fun paper craft on how to make hyacinth paper flowers. You can see the full tutorial here: Curled Hyacinth Paper Flowers

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Comments

  1. Alison Palmer says

    August 26, 2015 at 9:42 am

    These will be perfect for my Halloween party!

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      August 26, 2015 at 12:15 pm

      So glad you like them, Alison! I DID realize however that I shaped the pumpkin leaf incorrectly. I should have googled it first so they looks less like oranges! Ha!

      Reply
      • brian says

        October 16, 2019 at 4:48 pm

        this did not work when you glue them together how do you make like a circle

        Reply
        • Dinah Wulf says

          October 18, 2019 at 3:22 pm

          Hi Brian! Did you make two of each strip?

          Reply
  2. Haeley @ Design Improvised says

    August 27, 2015 at 4:20 am

    These are so cute! Pinning!

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      August 27, 2015 at 7:57 am

      Thank you SO much, Haeley!!

      Reply
  3. Suzannes says

    August 29, 2015 at 10:10 am

    SO FUN THANK YOU!

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      August 29, 2015 at 11:23 am

      Thank you, Suzanne! You’re welcome!!

      Reply
  4. Jen V says

    August 30, 2015 at 6:11 am

    These are so cute! I have a die for my die cut machine that makes those rosettes. I am going to have to try to make some of these this fall. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      August 30, 2015 at 10:10 am

      What a great idea!! I didn’t even think about that. Thanks, Jen!

      Reply
  5. Melinda says

    August 31, 2015 at 5:34 pm

    So fun, and easy!
    Here from Inspire Me Monday.

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      August 31, 2015 at 7:56 pm

      Thank you, Melinda!

      Reply
  6. Laurie says

    September 1, 2015 at 9:13 am

    So adorable! Love them! Pinning.
    Thank you for sharing with us at the Brag About It Link Party!
    ~Laurie

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      September 1, 2015 at 9:37 am

      Thanks for having me again, Laurie!! So fun!

      Reply
  7. Valerie says

    September 2, 2015 at 9:31 am

    Love these so cute and easy!

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      September 2, 2015 at 11:15 am

      Thank you, Valerie!

      Reply
  8. Ruth Anne says

    September 3, 2015 at 9:05 am

    What a darling idea! I can’t wait to make a bunch of these–they are too, too cute!

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      September 3, 2015 at 9:10 am

      Thank you so much, Ruth Anne! They are addicting to make!

      Reply
  9. Cyndee says

    September 3, 2015 at 4:21 pm

    Very cute!! Thanks for sharing these on Idea Box!!

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      September 3, 2015 at 5:02 pm

      Thanks for having me again, Cyndee!!

      Reply
  10. Jennie @ The Diary of a Real Housewife says

    September 3, 2015 at 7:27 pm

    These are adorable! They look pretty simple, I may have to try and make them for fall! I would love if you stopped by and shared on my Friday Favorites Link up!

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      September 4, 2015 at 11:02 am

      Thanks, Jennie! I’ll be sure to check it out!

      Reply
  11. Alayna @AlaynasCreations says

    September 4, 2015 at 6:54 am

    Oh those are great! Easy enough for kids to do, but classy and unique enough that it doesn’t look like a total preschool craft 😉
    Thanks for sharing us at the #HomeMattersParty link party

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      September 4, 2015 at 11:02 am

      So sweet, Alayna! Thank you!!

      Reply
  12. Donna Marie says

    September 25, 2015 at 6:23 am

    Cute and a way to use up your orange craft papers!!!

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      September 25, 2015 at 6:45 am

      Thank you, Donna!

      Reply
  13. Lisa Murphy says

    September 28, 2015 at 5:51 pm

    So cute but I do wonder – did you glue each circle into a medallion before assembling? Thanks.

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      September 28, 2015 at 6:27 pm

      Hi Lisa! I put a spot of glue in the center to hold the medallion in place, then stacked and glued the medallions together. Is that what you mean?

      Reply
      • Lisa Murphy says

        September 29, 2015 at 9:58 am

        Yes, thank you!

        Reply
  14. Kimberly @ Stuffed Suitcase says

    October 2, 2015 at 3:12 pm

    These are so adorable and clever Dinah – pinning now! Looking forward to meeting you in San Diego!

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      October 2, 2015 at 4:06 pm

      Thank you, Kimberly for stopping by. I’ll see you soon!!

      Reply
  15. Debi says

    October 7, 2015 at 6:37 pm

    Can you please show me a video of you making these as we have been trying for two hours and the shorter strips are not going together. We needed them for Saturday for girl scouts. Thank you

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      October 8, 2015 at 3:49 pm

      Hi Debi, are you using two of each strip? The photo with the measurements should be times 2. Let me know if that works!

      Reply
      • Debi says

        October 8, 2015 at 7:12 pm

        Hi. Yes the 11 inch worked fine but when we folded the 9’s and 7 we couldn’t get them in a circle

        Reply
      • Debi says

        October 8, 2015 at 7:14 pm

        Hi. Yes the 11 inch worked fine but when we folded the 9’s and 7 we couldn’t get them in a circle. They gave us construction paper could this be the problem?

        Reply
      • Debi says

        October 8, 2015 at 7:21 pm

        Hi again. I just read the instructions above again. I don’t know why but on the instructions I had I didn’t remember seeing that you have to tape two 7inch strips together. I will pass this on to the leader

        Reply
        • Dinah Wulf says

          October 8, 2015 at 9:36 pm

          Hi Debi, OK, I hope it works out! Let me know. I’d love to see pictures.

          Reply
  16. Vanessa Mc. says

    October 12, 2015 at 2:34 pm

    hi there. ive been trying this for table decorations at our thanksgiving feast amd the inch part s really getting to me! it is so hard for me haha
    anyways if theres any tips that would be awesome! thanks a bunch-vanessa

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      October 12, 2015 at 2:41 pm

      Hi Vanessa! Make sure you double the the chart, so make two of each strip and tape them together.

      Reply
  17. Joann says

    September 17, 2016 at 2:48 pm

    Such a cute idea!!

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      September 19, 2016 at 7:23 am

      Thank you, Joann!! XOXO

      Reply
  18. Paula says

    September 30, 2016 at 8:05 am

    This is such a cute craft! I just tested it out and found the whole “medallion” step quite confusing. A video or more explicit instructions on that part would be very helpful!

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      September 30, 2016 at 8:20 am

      Hi Paula, thank you! Once you have the two pieces of paper together, you now have a circle. Gently bring the center together by pushing down (it doesn’t matter which side you push). It will naturally form the medallion. With one hand hold the medallion together. With the other hand, dab hot glue in the center. Place the hot glue gun down and hold the medallion together with both hands for a few seconds until the hot glue dries. Viola! You have a medallion. I hope this helps!

      Reply
      • Paula says

        October 3, 2016 at 9:53 am

        Thanks for your clarification, Dinah! I figured out that I was making my accordian folds too large so the paper wasn’t wanting to naturally go into the medallion. Once I made the folds about 1 cm wide, everything came together much easier.

        Some recommendations I have for other teachers or group leaders planning to do this activity with children: 1. a second set of adult hands would really be helpful; 2. the hot glue takes a lot longer to dry than my students have patience to wait. I will have to glue AND hold the medallions until they dry. My students just don’t have the fine motor skills for this.

        Therefore, I’m going to do this activity over three days with my class. On Day 1, we will fold and tape all of the strips. After school, I will hot glue all of the medallions. On Day 2, we will assemble all of the pieces together into the pumpkins. I will apply the hot glue and the students can hold the pieces together until they dry. On Day 3, we will add stems and leaves, which I will glue and let the students hold together until dry. I’m very excited to do this cute craft with my class. I know they are going to love it!

        Reply
        • Dinah Wulf says

          October 3, 2016 at 8:19 pm

          Awesome! Great modifications. I’m so glad you like it and I’m very humbled and honored that you are doing it in class!! Thanks again, Paula!

          Reply
  19. Brooke Feldhouse says

    October 20, 2016 at 6:03 am

    This is missing lots of information to make these. The size that you suggest for cutting the strips doesn’t not lend its self to being pushed down to form the medallion. You should make a video so that I am convinced that this can be done…because hot glue gun burns latter and I have a big mess…..no pumpkins. Make a video!!! Please

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      October 20, 2016 at 6:34 am

      Hi Brooke! So sorry you are having trouble. I’ve made many of these and the instructions should work. Maybe you can explain in detail what trouble you are having and I can try to help? Let me know!

      Reply
  20. Adri Wilford says

    June 17, 2017 at 6:05 am

    Super cute dinah! I have to get ready for fall, so your tutorial found me at the right time! I wonder if i could get my kids involved…. – maybe they could draw on the paper before using it? What do you think!

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      June 19, 2017 at 7:58 am

      Hi Adri! Awesome! Depending on the age of your kids, I think they would be able to make their own! Drawing or coloring the paper would be fun too!

      Reply
  21. Amy says

    September 16, 2017 at 10:35 am

    what size are you making the accordian score lines? ie distance between valley and fold?

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      September 17, 2017 at 8:28 am

      Hi Amy, I didn’t measure but I would guess about 7/8 inch.

      Reply
  22. Erica says

    October 4, 2017 at 7:42 pm

    Seriously terrible instructions

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      October 4, 2017 at 8:20 pm

      Hey Erica, Thanks for the feedback. I encourage both positive and negative so that I can make sure this post is clear and easy to do. What are you having problems with? Maybe I can help. Let me know.

      Reply
  23. Nikki says

    September 22, 2018 at 1:14 pm

    My layers are all pretty much the same size…thoughts?

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      September 24, 2018 at 8:15 am

      Hi Nikki! Did you tape the two lengths together? That part is easily missed sometimes.

      Reply
    • Becky says

      November 14, 2018 at 1:46 pm

      Mine are too, Nikki. I find that the medallions don’t stack well, and the final product looks more like a pineapple.

      Reply
      • Dinah Wulf says

        November 15, 2018 at 7:13 am

        Hi Becky! I ended up making better directions in the Christmas version. People were getting confused because of the photo instructions. Here is a better tutorial: https://diyinspired.com/diy-paper-christmas-ornaments/ I hope this helps!

        Reply
  24. Jodie says

    September 24, 2018 at 4:37 am

    Hi Dinah. Thanks for sharing your lovely paper pumpkins tutorial. Our readers will enjoy it. I’ve included your post in our Top 10 Halloween Crafts roundup. https://craftylikegranny.com/halloween-crafts/ Cheers Jodie 🙂

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      September 24, 2018 at 8:13 am

      Thanks, Jodie!

      Reply
  25. Carrie says

    November 10, 2018 at 8:47 am

    I cut all my strips to the measurements you gave. I was unable to make the 9″ and 7″ strips into the medallion forms. My tape either broke away or I was unable to flatten. Looks more like a teepee. I followed all instructions. Just wondering what I was missing.

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      November 15, 2018 at 7:13 am

      Hi Carrie! Did you make 2 strips of the 7 and 9? I ended up making better directions in the Christmas version. People were getting confused because of the photo instructions. Here is a better tutorial: https://diyinspired.com/diy-paper-christmas-ornaments/ I hope this helps!

      Reply
  26. Ginger says

    November 16, 2018 at 3:34 pm

    This was not an easy project. The medallion instructions are not clear. My granddaughter & I gave up. I’m glad we used scrap paper. They are cute like you have them but just didn’t come together like your instructions–maybe a video would have been better. Thank you though.

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      November 16, 2018 at 7:31 pm

      Hi Ginger! So sorry you and your granddaughter had a tough time. I ended up writing better instructions in this Christmas version. Maybe try these: https://diyinspired.com/diy-paper-christmas-ornaments/

      Reply
  27. Marielle says

    September 10, 2019 at 4:53 pm

    These are so cute. I included a link in my post about Autumn Activities for Kids. My kiddos will love making them for their bedrooms and around the house. Thank you!

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      September 11, 2019 at 11:58 am

      Thank you so much, Marielle!

      Reply
  28. Katie says

    October 11, 2019 at 10:40 am

    These are cute, but I had some similar problems to other commenters. Mine ended up looking more like apples or pineapples as the different length circles didn’t result in different widths once turned into medallions. On my third one I decided to cut the 7 inch strips into only about an inch width, and the 9 inch strips into only about 1.25 inch width. That helped make it have a slightly more pumpkin-y shape, but then I didn’t push the layers together enough and it still looks too tall, ha. Love this idea, but maybe I need more craft practice. I’m also very impressed and envious of your hot glue skills – you can definitely see all of my hot glue drops 😉 Maybe it’s because my hot glue gun is from the dollar store? Or maybe it’s just me! Anyway, thanks for the craft idea!

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      October 18, 2019 at 3:23 pm

      I’m sorry it didn’t work out. I’m honored that you tried it! Thanks so much, Katie.

      Reply
  29. Sue says

    November 11, 2019 at 11:05 am

    When I accordion fold, the folds seem to go off to one side, not lining up by the end of the strip. I’m trying to do them as evenly as possible.

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      November 11, 2019 at 2:44 pm

      Hi Sue! It’s OK if it is not even. It will still work.

      Reply
  30. Shirley says

    September 24, 2020 at 6:54 pm

    It is impossible to push the 7×1.5 strip into an a medallion
    I trimmed a bit off and it worked but still looks too small on top.
    I’ll try an 8×1.25” strip

    Reply
  31. Amanda says

    October 19, 2020 at 1:34 pm

    thank you sooo much for sharing these cute pumpkins, they turned out so well !!!

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      October 20, 2020 at 11:05 am

      Great!!! So happy it worked well for you!

      Reply
  32. Angela says

    October 29, 2020 at 6:16 am

    Easy to follow directions! Thank you 4 taking the time to share these paper pumpkins. I tweaked the measurements a little bit so i have about 3 different sizes. They came out so adorable! My 4 yr old wants me to make enough for a paper pumpkin patch! We numbered the bottom of each pumpkin 1 – 10 ( 2 times so you have 20 all together) now we have a match/ memory game, who ever has the most pairs wins candy! This entertained my daughter 4 the entire day/ eve she couldnt wait 2 show her Daddy. We had Lots of fun! Again THANK YOU 4 SHARING!

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      October 29, 2020 at 7:21 am

      Wow!!! That’s fantastic!! I love it. Thanks for taking the time to share that with me. So glad you liked the tutorial.

      Reply
  33. distributor boiler says

    November 18, 2020 at 6:10 am

    thank you sooo much for sharing these cute pumpkins, they turned out so wel

    Reply
    • Dinah Wulf says

      November 18, 2020 at 9:30 am

      Wonderful!!! have a great Thanksgiving and Happy holidays!

      Reply

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