Simple 3D Paper Pumpkin Craft

Sharing is caring!

Looking for a fall craft activity for preschoolers? This 3D paper pumpkin craft is super simple to make and only requires a few supplies!

I love this kids craft because they make super cute decorations for the fall! Whether you place them on the mantel or use them as a centerpiece at the dinner table, they bring lots of smiles – especially knowing your kids helped make them.

These 3D paper pumpkins take just minutes to make, using paper, glue, and scissors. If you are working with little kids who aren’t quite ready to use scissors, you can cut the pieces for them. Or, if you have a preschooler, this is a great simple activity to practice free-hand cutting with kid scissors.

This project intentionally does not use a template for the shapes so that you can make your 3D pumpkin as large or small as you’d like, and so you can play with the shape, because pumpkins come in many shapes and sizes! You’ll notice in our photos we made one pumpkin that is more rounded and another that is a bit wider.

What you’ll need:

• orange craft paper
• green pipe cleaner
• craft glue and/or hot glue gun
• scissors

If you’re looking for other seasonal activities, try this Kids Pumpkin Painting Activity or this Halloween Scavenger Hunt (Free Printable).

3D Paper Pumpkin Craft

Step 1: Assess your supplies. I used a glue stick to connect the body of the pumpkin and then used a hot glue gun for holding the pipe cleaner in the center. However, a glue stick works as well.

Step 2: Fold your orange paper into quarters. Cut a half moon shape into the folded portion of the paper. When opened, the half moon should be circular, shaped like a pumpkin.

Step 3: Use the half moon as your template to cut the remaining five pieces. You should have six in total. Depending on the size you are cutting, you may need two sheets of orange craft paper.

Step 4: Create your stem. Each portion of this step is pictured below.

Lay your green pipe cleaner alongside one of the pumpkin half moons and fold one end until the bent portion is about an inch longer than the length of the craft paper. This is your stem.

Next, take the longer end of the pipe cleaner and bend it into a leaf shape. After your stem and leaf are created, what’s left of the pipe cleaner should be wrapped around the base which will create a thicker center. Set aside.

Step 5: Take one pumpkin piece and cover one outer half moon with glue. Align a second half over the glue and press until the two pieces are sticking together.

Repeat this process with the remaining four pieces until all six half moons are connected in a stack. Allowing the stack to open freely will create an accordion appearance.

Step 6: Lay the pumpkin flat with the two ends open like a book. Add a line of glue to the center on both sides. I personally used a hot glue gun for this part but your stick or regular craft glue would work too.

Next, place your pipe cleaner in the center.

Step 7: Finally, use your glue stick on one side of the open pumpkin and paste the two ends together to create a sphere/3D paper pumpkin shape!