DIY Painted Wood Slice Pumpkin Decoration

Nothing is more iconic in the fall season than pumpkins.  This painted wood slice pumpkin is a fantastic dollar store craft idea that is ideal for all of your fall decor needs.  Whether you make it for Halloween or Thanksgiving won’t matter, pumpkins are versatile and easy to use inside and outside for adding a bit of fall festive looks to your home. 

Painted Wood Slice Pumpkin

I am mildly obsessed with how much fun these wood slices are to use in crafting.  This year I knew I wanted to make a little pumpkin patch with something, and this was a great easy way to do it.  A bit of paint and a pipe cleaner or two and you have a rustic pumpkin you can use both inside and outside your home for decor. 

If you want more of the rustic look for your fall decor, you might like this easy tree bark lantern idea or this simple rustic fall wreath made with natural elements.  Both really fit that theme of nature being the real decor. 

How do I Get My Wood Slice Flat on One Side?

For this to stand up on a counter or surface, you need the bottom to be flat.  Obviously, a slice of wood like this is going to be round.  The easiest way to do this is to cut with a saw.  There are a number of different options that work including a simple hand saw or as heavy-duty as a professional miter saw.

However, if you aren’t comfortable with that or do not have access to a saw option, you can create your own flat bottom by gluing or attaching a flat piece of wood to the bottom to create a stand.  There are also a number of plate stands that could work for this if you desire something easy and reusable for another decoration after this season. 

What Paint is Best for Wood? 

One of the best things about wood crafts is how easy they are to paint.  You can use pretty much any paint from a can of spray paint to house paint, but I typically reach for my regular crafting paint.  A nice acrylic craft paint is probably already in your craft supplies, and if not is readily available for just a few dollars or less at your local craft store. 

Can I Add Glitter to My Pumpkin? 

Of course!  You can add glitter over the paint, around the edges, or just over the bark to create a different look.  Glitter makes everything sparkle, so if you want that look on your pumpkin, go for it! 

How Else Can I Customize My Pumpkin? 

This is simply a template of what you might do to create a wood slice pumpkin.  While I love this simple look, it’s perfectly fine to update with more sparkle or added colors.  Below are some ways that you can update your pumpkin to make it more unique for you and your decor needs. 

• Use different colors of paint in shades of red, orange, brown, and yellow.
• Turn it into a jack o lantern and paint or glue black eyes and crooked mouths onto the pumpkin. 
• Attach several in various sizes to a 2×4 piece of wood and paint a “pumpkin patch” label on the front. 
• Use green floral wire twisted into spirals to create longer vines on top of your pumpkin.
• Paint with glitter paint instead of basic colors. 
• Glue beads or sequins to the wood instead of paint to create a shimmery pumpkin look.

Can I Hang My Wood Slice Pumpkin? 

Absolutely!  If you want to hang this from the wall instead of sitting on a table or mantle, you just need to add a hook onto the back.  Since this is a heavier craft, I recommend screwing a frame hook set onto the back of the wood.  While some projects a bit of hot glue on twine works, the weight of this would likely make that fall off.  With a hook screwed into the wood you can hang it using twine, rope, ribbon, fishing line, or similar items from anywhere with no fear of it falling. 

Supplies Needed

How to Make a Wood Slice Pumpkin

Using a handsaw or miter saw, trim one edge of the wood slice so it is flat. Leave the bark on the rest of the outer edge of the wood slice. 

Using craft paint, add 1 to 2 layers of paint (orange or desired color) to one side of the wooden slice. 

Let the paint dry for a few minutes before using red craft paint to draw a few curved lines onto the pumpkin.  This gives it a natural pumpkin look.  

If you are planning to paint both sides, then set it aside to dry fully before painting the second side.  If not, just let the front side dry before moving to the next step.

Cut a 1″ piece of twig or branch and set it aside.  Can use wood, a cork, twig, branch, or small pinecone for this if you prefer. 

Once the paint on your pumpkin has dried completely, attach a spring of wire to the top of the wood slice. 

Next, glue the “root” made out of the twig to the top alongside or on top of the wire piece. 

Once the glue has dried, your pumpkin is ready to display. 

More Pumpkin Craft Ideas

Pumpkins are everywhere in every form from August to November.  Join the crowd with one or all of these great pumpkin decorations.  There are simple crafts, complex crafts, decor, and party items.  Have fun making these and make sure to bookmark, pin, or print the ideas to make them later!

Finished Project Gallery

Paint several wood slices into pumpkins to create a cute little pumpkin patch. 

Spray with glitter for a sparkling pumpkin decoration!