DIY Constellation/Galaxy and Unicorn Pumpkins

Perfect for a literary pumpkin patch, a special activity with the kids or to indulge your own crafty needs, these painted pumpkins re all the cute with none of the pumpkin guts or carving.

Supplies:

  • Hollow craft pumpkin (black and white are perfect, if only orange is available you can paint them the base color!)
  • Acrylic craft paint – black, purple, pink, blue, white, gold
  • Paintbrush
  • Newspaper, parchment paper, etc. to cover your workspace
  • For galaxy pumpkin, if adding light:
    • hammer and nail
    • battery-powered tealight or flashlight
    • exacto knife
  • For unicorn pumpkin:
    • faux flowers
    • glitter cardstock
    • low-temperature hot glue gun
    • glitter
    • mod-podge or spray adhesive glue

Instructions:

For galaxy pumpkin:

  1. If it’s not black, start by painting your pumpkin black. Using a wadded-up paper towel like a paintbrush, “sponge” on pink, purple, and blues to create the galaxies on your pumpkin. A little goes a long way. If you feel like you may have put too much color on your pumpkin, sponge on some black over it.
  2. Decide what constellation you will draw on your pumpkin. Use gold paint to be the constellation “points” – or main stars that make the shape, and white paint to connect them.
  3. Add additional stars around the pumpkin. For an extra touch, use your paintbrush to flick gold and white splatters of paint on all sides.
  4. Once dry, cut out a circle on the bottom of the pumpkin large enough to fit your flashlight or tea light into.
  5. Add additional holes using your hammer and nail around the pumpkin to let the light shine through.

 

For unicorn pumpkin:

  1. If it isn’t already, start by painting your pumpkin white. Use a paper towel like a sponge to add hues of pink and purple in the cheek area.
  2. Use a paintbrush to paint on eyes and eyelashes.
  3. Near the stem for “hair”, apply spray adhesive glue or Mod Podge to secure glitter to the pumpkin. Let dry thoroughly before adding th flowers in step 5.
  4. Cut a unicorn horn out of glittered cardstock. To get the horn symmetrical, start with a sketch of a long triangle, then go back and add the “bumps” of the horn. Attach the horn to the stem with hot glue or create a slit in the stem and slide the horn into the slit.
  5. Attach the faux flowers with hot glue around the “crown” of the pumpkin/unicorn.
Amanda
A fifth-generation San Antonionian - who happened to spend her formative years in Austin - Amanda loves the SAT from the confetti in her hair to the bluebonnets under her feet. Never one to miss a reason to host a party or decorate for a theme, Amanda revels in the 'mas Fiesta' attitude of the city. She's mom to Vivi (2012) aka #HurricaneVivi, Mac (2020) and wife to Francois, whom she met at Texas A&M (FTAC '05). She has a Masters in Early Childhood Education and a Doctorate in Making it Up As She Goes - which means she's a sometimes-fun-mom. You can find her on Instagram . She loves confetti, croissants, and a cold Ranch Water. Favorite Restaurant: Piatti's Favorite Landmark: Johnson Street footbridge in King William Favorite San Antonio Tradition: Fiesta Medals