3-D Paper Pumpkin

Supplies

Orange construction paper
Green pipe cleaner
Glue stick
White glue
Scissors

Instructions

Print out these pumpkin patterns or make your own by folding any sheet of paper in the middle and drawing an arc along the paper's folded edge.

While keeping the paper folded, cut out your pumpkin pattern.

Our printable pumpkin patterns come in 2 sizes - a small and a medium-sized pumpkin. Choose the size that you like and cut out the pattern along its outline.

Trace the pumpkin pattern at least ten times on orange construction paper.

Cut out the pumpkin shapes.

Fold each pumpkin shape in the middle.

Without unfolding a pumpkin shape, apply glue on one of its outer faces.

We recommend using glue stick instead of white glue or any liquid-type glue to prevent the paper from wrinkling or warping.

Glue a second folded pumpkin shape on top of the first one, keeping both pumpkin shapes aligned at the edges.

Press on the pair of pumpkin shapes to glue them together. Right photo shows how the pair would look when opened up.

Continue gluing the pumpkin shapes one on top of the other, making sure they are aligned along the edges.

After you have positioned the last pumpkin shape in place, cut a length of green pipe cleaner to make the pumpkin's stem. Use white glue to attach it along the straight edge of the pumpkin shapes.

Glue the first and last pumpkin shapes together, sandwiching the pipe cleaner in the middle. You may need to apply more white glue along the pipe cleaner to make sure that it stays in place. Press on the glued area, especially along the section of the pipe cleaner stem.

Once the stem has been secured in place, carefully open up each of the paper flaps to transform your project into a three-dimensional paper pumpkin. When you're happy with how you positioned and spaced the flaps, allow the glue on your paper pumpkin to dry completely. You will discover that once the glue has set, the flaps will be more rigid and your paper pumpkin a lot sturdier.

Trim off any excess length on the pipe cleaner stem. You may slightly curve it or shape it into a hooked handle.

Make these paper pumpkins to decorate your home or classroom for Halloween or autumn. You can put them on tables, hang them or string smaller paper pumpkins together into a Halloween garland.

This project is reprinted courtesy of FirstPalette.com where you will find lots more kid friendly Halloween projects.