Easy & Festive Book Pumpkin Craft Perfect for Autumn Decor
Have you seen a decorative book pumpkin in a cute decor store? This simple pumpkin craft uses an old discarded or broken paperback book and some paint to make the cutest book pumpkin fall decoration that can be used for centerpieces or autumn decor. It is a surprisingly easy fall craft for older kids and adults.
?How to Make a Pumpkin from a Book Craft
Finding really easy fall crafts that turn out with limited skills and are inexpensive to make is sometimes difficult, but this book pumpkin craft ticks all the boxes and turns out so cute. Older kids will be able to craft their own book pumpkins and younger kids can help with several of the crafting steps.
This pumpkin craft used an old paperback book I had around the house that had water damage. If you don’t have worn out, dog-eared paperback books laying around, check recycling bins, thrift stores and dollar stores. They can be any size. The thicker the book, the more full your finished book pumpkin will appear.
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??Supplies Needed
- old paperback book
- orange paint
- paint brush
- water
- scissors/sharp edge cutter
- stick
- rafia
- marker
- glue or paperclip
?Directions to Make a Book Pumpkin
Step 1
Trace 1/2 a pumpkin on the outside of the book with a marker – think 1/2 a heart like you would do for Valentines.
Step 2
Use scissors or a exacto-like knife to cut the book along the traced line. I ended up sectioning the book into several segments (and it doesn’t have to be perfect because you can trim later).
Step 3
Dilute orange paint with water – equal parts paint & water. And paint just the outside edges of the pages.
Step 4
Grab a stick from outside and use it as a pumpkin stem.
Step 5
Glue the book in a fan around the the stick or attach book covers with paperclip.
Step 6
Add raffia.
Tips for Next Time
This is a great craft for older kids. I was surprised at how easy it was to complete. The only modification I would make is to thicken the stick pumpkin stem with several additional stick pieces.
Book Pumpkin
This lovely fall pumpkin decor can be made easily with a few simple supplies and a discarded or tattered paperback book. Making a book pumpkin is simple and fun...and frugal!
Materials
- old paperback book
- orange paint
- water
- stick
- rafia
- glue or paperclip
Tools
- paint brush
- scissors/sharp edge cutter
- marker
Instructions
- Trace 1/2 a pumpkin on the book cover with a marker.
- Using sharp scissors or an exacto knife cut the book through the pages along the drawn line. You can trim later if needed.
- Dilute orange paint with equal parts water and paint the outside edge of the book pages.
- Use a stick or several sticks as the stem of the book and glue in place.
- Fan the book by bending it back so the cover pages meet and glue or paperclip in place.
- Add rafia to the pumpkin stem.
More Pumpkin Crafts & Fun from Kids Activities Blog
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How did your book pumpkin craft turn out? Wasn’t that fun to make?
thank you for the new ideas.
I am looking at doing this at a senior center (not nursing home) and had a few questions. I see you paint it before you open the book into a pumpkin. Don’t the pages stick together as they dry? Is it hard to get it to stay open and round? In experimenting with a book (before painting), it seemed to just stay open 1/2 way. Will it be better after painting?
Sorry for all the questions — I think it’s a cute idea, just wondered if it is something that will work for us.