Leftover Pumpkin Ideas: 15 Smart Things to Do With Pumpkins After Halloween

Leftover pumpkin ideas are suddenly big news, and for a good reason. Every year, millions of pumpkins end up in the trash the day after Halloween. This week, news stories from home sites, men’s magazines, local TV stations and People all carried the same message: do not just throw your pumpkins away. Many of those pumpkins never even got carved, and they still have weeks of life left. With a little imagination, they can become Thanksgiving decor, a treat for backyard birds, food for your garden or a fun craft with the kids. Below are 15 smart and simple ideas for the pumpkins on your porch right now. One quick rule before you start: only fresh, uncarved and unpainted pumpkins should go to birds, compost or farms. Moldy or painted ones belong in the trash. Ready to give your pumpkins a second life..

Leftover Pumpkin Ideas for the Day After Halloween

Picture your porch the week after Halloween. Instead of a sad pile headed for the curb, there is a pumpkin full of mums, a calm white centerpiece, a sunny seed mosaic, little pumpkins holding place cards and a pumpkin vase of sunflowers. That is the idea behind these leftover pumpkin ideas. Halloween ends, but fall keeps going, and your pumpkins can keep working too. Start by sorting what you have. Which of your pumpkins still look fresh and firm..

You will need: your leftover pumpkins, a dry spot like a garage or porch, a bin for any moldy ones.

How to make it: 1. Check each pumpkin for soft spots or mold. 2. Set fresh, uncarved ones aside for decor, birds or compost. 3. Put moldy or painted ones in the trash.

A Pumpkin Planter Full of Mums

A big round pumpkin makes a perfect natural pot for fall mums. Cut off the top, scoop out the seeds and tuck a potted mum inside. It instantly turns a Halloween porch into a Thanksgiving welcome, and it is one of the prettiest leftover pumpkin ideas. When the pumpkin starts to soften, you can plant the whole thing in the garden. Would you choose yellow or orange mums?

You will need: a fresh pumpkin, a sharp knife (adult use), a large spoon, a potted mum, a few drainage holes.

How to make it: 1. An adult cuts a wide opening around the stem. 2. Scoop out the seeds and save them for later. 3. Set the potted mum inside and place it on the steps.

A Pumpkin Shell Bird Feeder

Birds love a snack as the weather turns cold. Half of a fresh, unpainted pumpkin makes a pretty feeder when you fill it with birdseed and hang it from a branch. Only use pumpkins that were never carved or painted, and toss it once it starts to soften. Kids love watching who comes to visit, which makes this one of the best leftover pumpkin ideas for families. Which birds live near you?

You will need: half of a fresh uncarved pumpkin, birdseed, twine, a skewer, an adult helper.

How to make it: 1. An adult cuts the pumpkin in half and scoops it clean. 2. Poke four holes near the rim and thread twine through them. 3. Fill it with birdseed and hang it from a sturdy branch.

Compost Your Pumpkins for Garden Beds

Pumpkins are mostly water, and they break down fast in a compost pile. They feed the soil and help next year’s garden grow. Break them into chunks, remove any stickers or decorations, and mix them with dry leaves. This is one of the most useful leftover pumpkin ideas for anyone with a yard. Does your town have a compost drop off?

You will need: fresh unpainted pumpkins, a compost bin or pile, dry leaves, a garden fork, gloves.

How to make it: 1. Remove stickers, wax and any decorations. 2. Break the pumpkins into small chunks. 3. Mix them into the pile with dry leaves and turn it every week or two.

Save and Dry Seeds for Next Year

Every pumpkin holds the start of next year’s patch. Rinse the seeds, pick the biggest ones and let them dry for about a week. Store them in a paper envelope in a cool, dry place. In spring you can plant them and grow your own pumpkins. Label the envelopes so you remember which pumpkin they came from. Would you like to grow your own pumpkins next fall?

You will need: pumpkin seeds, a colander, paper towels, a baking sheet, small paper envelopes, a pen.

How to make it: 1. Rinse the seeds and pull off the strings. 2. Spread them on paper towels and dry them for a week. 3. Put them in labeled envelopes and keep them somewhere cool and dry.

Leftover Pumpkin Ideas for a Thanksgiving Centerpiece

Orange pumpkins scream Halloween, but a coat of white or cream paint makes them feel calm and ready for Thanksgiving. Group a few in different sizes on a runner and add eucalyptus and small gourds. It is a quick swap that saves you buying new decor, and leftover pumpkin ideas like this keep your budget happy. Remember that painted pumpkins cannot be composted, so they go in the trash when they soften. Would you go all white or mix in some soft green?

You will need: leftover pumpkins, white or cream acrylic paint, a sponge brush, eucalyptus, small gourds, a table runner.

How to make it: 1. Wipe the pumpkins clean and dry. 2. Paint them with two coats and let them dry. 3. Group them on the runner and tuck greenery around them.

Mini Pumpkins as Place Card Holders

Tiny pumpkins from your Halloween display make sweet place card holders for Thanksgiving dinner. Write each guest’s name on a small card and tuck it into the stem, or cut a small slit with a knife. Guests can even take their pumpkin home. This is one of those leftover pumpkin ideas that costs nothing at all. How many guests will be at your table?

You will need: mini pumpkins, small kraft paper cards, a pen, a small knife (adult use).

How to make it: 1. Write a name on each card. 2. Tuck the card into the stem or into a small slit an adult cuts in the top. 3. Set one at each plate.

Leftover Pumpkin Ideas for Seed Mosaic Art

Dried pumpkin seeds are perfect little tiles for mosaic art. Glue them on cardboard in the shape of a sun, a leaf or a turkey. Paint some of the seeds gold or orange for extra color. It is a great rainy day craft for kids, and it uses up every last part of the pumpkin. What shape would your family make?

You will need: dried pumpkin seeds, a piece of sturdy cardboard, white glue, a pencil, acrylic paint, small brushes.

How to make it: 1. Draw a simple shape on the cardboard. 2. Spread glue on a small area and press the seeds in rows. 3. Paint a few seeds and let everything dry flat.

Pumpkin Stems as Rustic Gift Toppers

The curly stems of pumpkins are too pretty to toss. Snap or cut them off, let them dry and use them as natural toppers for gifts wrapped in brown paper. Tie them on with twine for a rustic look. They are perfect for fall hostess gifts and Thanksgiving thank yous. Which pumpkin in your pile has the best stem?

You will need: pumpkin stems, a small saw or knife (adult use), brown kraft paper, twine.

How to make it: 1. An adult cuts the stems off with a little pumpkin attached. 2. Let them dry in a sunny window for a week. 3. Tie one onto each wrapped gift with twine.

Leftover Pumpkin Ideas for a Pumpkin Vase

A hollowed pumpkin makes a beautiful vase for fall flowers. Put a jar of water inside so the pumpkin lasts longer, then fill it with sunflowers, roses and greenery. It looks lovely on a table or a kitchen island. For more pumpkin decorating that needs no carving at all, see our no carve pumpkin ideas. What flowers would you put in yours?

You will need: a fresh pumpkin, a knife and spoon (adult use), a glass jar that fits inside, fresh flowers.

How to make it: 1. An adult cuts off the top and scoops out the inside. 2. Set the jar inside and fill it with water. 3. Arrange the flowers in the jar.

Sliced Pumpkin Stamp Prints for Kids

A pumpkin cut in half makes a fun stamp with a lovely pattern. Dip the cut side in paint and press it onto paper to make prints. Kids can make wrapping paper, cards or table runners for Thanksgiving. It is messy in the best way, so cover the table first. Of all the leftover pumpkin ideas for kids, this one gets the biggest smiles. Which colors would your kids choose?

You will need: a small pumpkin, a knife (adult use), washable paint, paper plates, kraft paper, a paper tablecloth.

How to make it: 1. An adult cuts the pumpkin in half and pats the cut side dry. 2. Pour paint on a paper plate and dip the pumpkin in it. 3. Press it on the paper and lift straight up.

Dried and Painted Gourd Ornaments

Small gourds dry well and can last for years. Once they are dry and light, paint simple stripes and dots on them and hang them with twine. They make sweet ornaments for a fall branch or even the Christmas tree. Drying takes a few weeks, so start now. Which colors would you paint?

You will need: small gourds, a dry and airy spot, a cloth, acrylic paint, small brushes, twine, a hand drill (adult use).

How to make it: 1. Wipe the gourds clean and let them dry in an airy spot for several weeks. 2. Paint simple patterns and let them dry. 3. An adult drills a tiny hole at the top for the twine.

Decoupage Leaf Pumpkins for November

Give painted or faux pumpkins a November makeover with paper leaves. Cut leaf shapes from patterned napkins or printed paper and glue them on with decoupage medium. The leaves look painted on and feel very fall. Line them up on a mantel or a shelf. Remember, any pumpkin you paint or glue goes in the trash later, not the compost. Which leaf colors would you use?

You will need: white painted or faux pumpkins, paper napkins or printed leaves, decoupage medium, a soft brush, scissors.

How to make it: 1. Cut out the paper leaves. 2. Brush decoupage medium on the pumpkin and lay a leaf on top. 3. Brush another thin coat over the leaf and let it dry.

A Pumpkin Tower Topiary for the Porch

Stacking pumpkins from biggest to smallest makes a tall, cheerful topiary for the porch. It is a fun way to use pumpkins of different sizes from your Halloween display. Cut a little off the stems so they sit flat, or use a dowel through the middle to keep the tower steady. Add a bow or some greenery for Thanksgiving. Leftover pumpkin ideas like this one let the porch stay festive all month. How tall could you make yours?

You will need: three pumpkins in different sizes, a long wooden dowel, a knife (adult use), a ribbon or greenery.

How to make it: 1. An adult trims the stems on the two bigger pumpkins. 2. Stack them from big to small, pushing a dowel through the center if needed. 3. Add a ribbon or a bit of greenery on top.

Leftover Pumpkin Ideas That Help Your Community

Many farms, animal sanctuaries and community gardens welcome fresh, uncarved pumpkins after Halloween. Some feed them to farm animals, and others add them to big community compost piles. Call ahead to ask what they accept. Never give painted, moldy or carved pumpkins, and do not feed pumpkins to pets. It is the kindest of all leftover pumpkin ideas. Is there a farm or garden near you that might take them?

You will need: fresh, uncarved and unpainted pumpkins, a crate or wagon, a phone to call ahead.

How to make it: 1. Search for local farms, sanctuaries or community compost programs. 2. Call to ask what they accept and when. 3. Load your clean, fresh pumpkins and drop them off.