This adorable beaded pipe cleaner pumpkin craft is an awesome addition to your autumn fun with kids. It’s the perfect mix of easy prep, colorful fun, and hands-on creativity that works for a wide range of ages.
My boys and I used it as part of our homeschool fall fun activities. You can also use it for a quiet afternoon activity, simple classroom project, or adding a festive touch to your library craft table. I think this project is a smart pick because you can enjoy it from the start of fall all the way through Thanksgiving. Your kids will get to practice fine motor skills while threading the beads and assembling their easy pumpkin craft.
I’ll walk you through how to make these beaded pipe cleaner pumpkins, share my favorite tips for success, and give you fun ideas for using them in your fall celebrations. Get ready for a whole pumpkin patch of crafty fun!
3D Pumpkin Craft Your Kids Will Love
Looking for a creative way to boost your fall fun with kids? Want a budget-friendly project that keeps little hands busy? Or maybe you’re preparing for a seasonal or holiday party and need a cool craft station idea?
Well, this pipe cleaner pumpkin craft with pony beads is sure to be a hit for all of those things and more!
As my boys got older, I started looking for activities that were just a bit more challenging but still packed with fun. Pipe cleaner + pony bead crafts quickly became a favorite in our home. These projects are wonderful for fine motor skills plus they result in the cutest creations (like our beaded pipe cleaner flowers and dragonflies).
When autumn rolled around, I knew a pumpkin-themed pipe cleaner craft would be an amazing addition to our fall fun. This craftivity was a hit!
My older boys jumped right in to help their younger brothers create traditional orange pumpkins. Then, they got creative making their own funky versions with a variety of colors and patterns. I loved that it was budget-friendly and doubled as DIY decorations that we could enjoy throughout the season.
Make this easy pumpkin playdough for simple sensory fun + more!
What You’ll Need for Beaded Pipe Cleaner Pumpkins
You only need a few simple supplies (which you probably have in your home or classroom) to make your own adorable beaded pumpkins. You can also find these supplies at your local craft store or dollar store:
- 5 orange pipe cleaners (for the pumpkin shape)
- 1 green pipe cleaner (for the leaf and vine)
- Orange pony beads (or mix it up with fun colors and patterns!)
- Scissors (for trimming pipe cleaners, if needed)
That’s it! Easy-peasy and easy on your wallet – now that’s my kind of craft!
How to Make This Pipe Cleaner Pumpkin Craft with Beads
Prepare pipe cleaners and add beads.
Take four orange pipe cleaners and twist them together at the center using a fifth pipe cleaner to hold them tightly in place. Trim off excess from the fifth pipe cleaner. You should now have eight arms coming out from the center. Thread orange pony beads onto each pipe cleaner, leaving about half an inch at the end.
Form pumpkin base and add green pipe cleaner to top.
Once all arms are beaded, bend each one into a curved shape to form a round pumpkin. Twist the ends of the pipe cleaners together to secure the shape. Take a green pipe cleaner and wrap it around the top center where the arms meet.
Form leaf and curly vines.
Twist one end of the green pipe cleaner into a leaf shape. Use the other end to make curly vine shapes by wrapping it around your finger or a pencil. Adjust the shape as needed and your beaded pumpkin is complete.
Creative Ideas for Using Your Cute Pumpkin Projects
These little homemade pumpkins are super cute and can be enjoyed in so many ways. Here are a few ideas:
- DIY Fall Decorations: Show off your pumpkins on a mantle, windowsill, or bookshelf. You can also add these cuties to a wreath or string along yarn or ribbon for a neat garland.
- Table Centerpieces: Place in the middle of your table for Halloween parties or Thanksgiving dinner.
- Gift Toppers: Tie them onto a gift bag or package for a sweet seasonal touch.
- Outside the Box Thinking: If you have extra time and supplies, encourage your students to create pumpkins in a variety of patterns and colors.
- Do you like celebrating fun days like we do? Use as part of your National Pumpkin Day celebration on October 26!
Have fun with the life cycle of a pumpkin with this foldable activity + learning tool!
Frequently Asked Questions About This Pipe Cleaner + Beads Craft
This craft works well for ages 5 and up. Younger kids may need help twisting pipe cleaners and threading beads. Older kids can usually do it on their own and even add their own unique twist.
Absolutely! Traditional orange pumpkins are adorable. Rainbow pumpkins, metallic pumpkins, or even spooky black-and-purple ones are also a bunch of fun to make.
Well, that really depends on your child’s skill level. Most pumpkins can be made in about 10–20 minutes.
We kept our homemade pumpkins in small sandwich bags. I used a black permanent marker to write the boys’ names (and date) on each bag, too.
Have Fun Crafting Your Own Beaded Pumpkins
Oh, I’m so excited that you’ll be making these beaded pipe cleaner pumpkins! They’re such a fun mix of frugal and festive. I love how they’re sweet ways to add handmade touches to your fall celebrations.
Please let me know if you have any questions about making your pipe cleaner pumpkin craft. And please come back when you have a second and let me know how your experience went!
