Pumpkins and Halloween go hand-in-hand – for many families, the tradition of buying a pumpkin is one of the most memorable and hilarious parts of the season. But, not everyone enjoys carving their pumpkin – or the mess that comes with it. If you’re looking for genius no carve pumpkin ideas, we’ve got a great mix of fun, spooky and elegant options that will really stand out!

While we absolutely LOVE roasting the pumpkin seeds that are the reward for carving out the pumpkin, sometimes the style we’re going for means that the pumpkin stays whole. From cool patterns and designs to favourite characters, there’s a lot of scope for creativity with these no carve pumpkin ideas.

There’s also a safety issue – if you have young children, carving the pumpkin and then having a tea light candle in it is undoubtedly a risk. Getting out the arts and craft supplies is not only safer, but often quicker too which really helps with shorter attention spans.

Image: The Swell Designer

This fun crayon scribble pumpkin from The Swell Designer doesn’t require anything other than a pack of crayons and a good ol’ pumpkin! That’s it. No messy or sharp tools for the kids and they get to leave their own creative mark.

Image: Young House Love

Aren’t these tissue paper collage pumpkins from Young House Love so fun?! Use various size circles of different colour tissue paper and some craft glue to create a collage effect on your pumpkin.

Image: Hands On As We Grow

These pumpkin mummies from Hands On As We Grow are a super cute craft for Halloween that even the preschoolers can do. Choose a range of sizes and you could recreate your family as mummies!

Image: A Pumpkin and a Princess

Disney fans will go mad for this Frozen Elsa pumpkin from A Pumpkin and a Princess!

Image: A Pumpkin and a Princess

…and while we’re on a Frozen theme, are you an Olaf fan? This stacked DIY Olaf pumpkin from A Pumpkin and a Princess is sure to wow all your trick-or-treaters!

Image: Design Dazzle

Design Dazzle created these eye-catching Sharpie art pumpkins for mantel decor – and the best bit is that they can be two-sided, with fall on one side and Halloween on the other!

Doesn’t this look brilliant? Craft Klatch gives step-by-step instructions to create this wicked witch pumpkin idea, inspired by The Wizard of Oz.

Image: A Kailo Chic Life

Pumpkins are such a symbolic colour of the season, but these painted pumpkins from A Kailo Chic Life celebrate ALL the colours! Add some gold paint splatter and details, and the look is complete.

Image: Cutefetti

Show off your favourite emojis this Halloween with bright, funny little faces! Cutefetti shows just how to create these iconic emoji pumpkins.

Image: Simple As That

These woodland creature no-carve pumpkins from Simple As That are the perfect way to dress up your pumpkins this fall. Use the templates for a fox, owl or raccoon and get creating!

Image: DIY Joy

To make this crayon melt pumpkin from DIY Joy, you just need a box of crayons, a hair dryer or heat gun and a pumpkin.

There is something so uplifting about the colours, and it is certainly a different spin on your typical Halloween pumpkins!

Image: Happiness is Homemade

Bring your favourite gaming characters to life this Halloween with these cute painted Pokemon pumpkins with Pikachu and Pokeball designs from Happiness is Homemade – quick, easy, and TONS of fun!

Image: Easy Peasy and Fun

Toddlers and preschoolers will enjoy creating their own little no-carve bat pumpkin, especially when it’s as cute as this one from Easy Peasy and Fun!

Image: Theresa’s Mixed Nuts

This no-carve Jack Skellington pumpkin looks cool during the day, but even better after dark when it glows! Theresa’s Mixed Nuts gives step-by-step instruction for how to create your own glow in the dark pumpkin.

Image: Crafty Morning

Bring Bob, Kevin and Stuart to life and create your own little minion army with these minion pumpkins from Crafty Morning. You can also switch it up with some purple paint to create evil minions.

Image: Confettidea

Possibly the cutest Halloween decor ever! While the instructions are in French, you can create your own unicorn pumpkins with step-by-step photos and instructions from Confettidea.

Image: The Keeper of the Cheerios

Paint and tulle will totally transform your pumpkins into all your favourite Trolls characters. The Keeper of the Cheerios has step-by-step instructions to help you embellish your Trolls pumpkins from start to finish.

Image: Woman’s Day

Kitchen twine and few plastic spiders transform pumpkins from bright and cheery to creepy-crawly spider web pumpkins, like these ones from Woman’s Day, in a matter of minutes.

Image: Crafty Morning

Michelangelo, Leonardo, Donatello and Raphael can stand guard at your front door this Halloween. These ninja turtle pumpkins from Crafty Morning use some fabric masks to really make the faces pop!

Image: Chica Circle

Use white paint to give your pumpkins an eyeball makeover, like this idea from Chica Circle. It definitely brings the spooky factor to the front steps!

Eyes and a mouth are the usual features when it comes to pumpkins, but what about adding some crazy hair?! Paint some funny faces on your pumpkins and use colourful wool to give them a really unique look.