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What you need
8 Plastic orange bags
Newspaper
1 paper towel tube
Supplies
Green paint
Tools
Glue gun
Paint brush
Scissors
Instructions
Turn bright orange plastic grocery bags into lightweight, puffy pumpkins for Halloween or fall decorating. The colour is already built into the bags, so there is no need to paint the pumpkin body or wait for it to dry.
Folded newspaper strips form the rounded ribs, while a cardboard paper-towel tube holds everything together and becomes the pumpkin stem. It is an inexpensive recycled craft with plenty of shiny, crinkled texture.
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the cardboard tube
Measure and cut the cardboard paper-towel tube to approximately 5 inches long.
The tube forms the centre of the pumpkin. The plastic bags and newspaper ribs will be attached around the lower section, leaving approximately 3 inches visible at the top during assembly.
The final exposed section will be shortened and shaped into the pumpkin stem.
Step 2: Make the newspaper ribs
Take approximately three layers of newspaper and fold them lengthwise until you have a firm strip measuring about 2 inches wide.
Glue the loose edge to prevent the folded layers from opening.
Repeat until you have approximately six folded newspaper strips.
These strips will sit beneath the orange bags and create the rounded ribs and recessed grooves of the pumpkin.
Step 3: Prepare the orange bags
Flatten the orange plastic bags and remove any rubbish, receipts or loose labels.
Do not cut off the handles.
Hold the centre of the bottom seam of the first bag and pull it through your fingers to make a narrow gathered point. This gathered section will be attached to the cardboard tube.
Repeat with the remaining bags.
Step 4: Attach the bags to the tube
Place a small amount of low-temperature glue approximately 3 inches below the top of the cardboard tube.
Press the gathered centre of the first bag onto the glue with its handles pointing upward.
Continue attaching the remaining bags beside one another around the tube. Space them as evenly as possible.
When all the bags are attached, they should fan outward around the tube like a large plastic pompom.
Use only a small amount of glue at each attachment point. Excessively hot glue may melt or weaken thin plastic.
Step 5: Add the newspaper ribs
Position the folded newspaper strips around the tube, beginning at approximately the same height as the attached bags.
Space the strips evenly between the plastic bags. Curve each newspaper strip outward to establish the pumpkin’s rounded shape before bringing it back towards the lower section of the tube.
Glue the strips securely as you work.
If a newspaper strip is too short, glue another folded strip to its end. Keep the joins smooth so they do not create sharp bumps beneath the plastic.
Check the shape from above and adjust the newspaper ribs until they are distributed evenly around the tube.
Step 6: Pull the bags over the ribs
Take the first orange bag and pull it downward over one of the newspaper ribs.
Arrange the plastic so it forms a full, rounded pumpkin section. The newspaper beneath the bag should help the section hold its curved shape.
Bring the bag handles underneath the pumpkin and tuck them into the open bottom of the cardboard tube.
Use the end of a capped pen, wooden spoon handle or another blunt tool to gently push the handles farther inside the tube.
Do not use scissors or another sharp object because it may puncture the plastic.
Step 7: Form the remaining sections
Repeat the process with every orange bag.
Pull each bag down over a newspaper rib, arrange the plastic into a puffy section and tuck its handles into the bottom of the tube.
Work your way around the pumpkin, adjusting the fullness as you go.
The newspaper ribs should create recessed grooves between the orange plastic sections. Rearrange any loose or uneven plastic until the pumpkin looks rounded and balanced.
Step 8: Secure the bottom
Check that all the bag handles are tucked securely inside the cardboard tube.
If any handles continue to slip out, place a small amount of low-temperature glue inside the tube before carefully pushing them back into position.
Avoid filling the tube with glue. A few small attachment points should be enough to hold the handles.
Set the pumpkin upright and make any final adjustments to its shape.
Step 9: Shape the stem
Pinch and fold the exposed cardboard tube at the top to create an irregular pumpkin stem.
Gently compress the sides so the stem narrows slightly towards the top. Trim the tube if the stem looks too long in proportion to the pumpkin.
The stem does not need to be perfectly smooth or symmetrical.
Step 10: Paint the stem
Paint the cardboard stem green.
For a more natural appearance, dilute a small amount of green paint with water and brush it unevenly over the cardboard. Allow some of the brown cardboard to show through.
You can also add a small amount of brown or dark green paint around the folds and base of the stem.
Allow the stem to dry completely. The orange plastic pumpkin body does not need to be painted.
Optional Finishing Ideas
Tie a short piece of raffia or twine around the stem.
Add leaves cut from green felt, craft foam or recycled green plastic.
Make several pumpkins using different sizes and numbers of orange bags.
Use lighter and darker shades of orange bags to create a mixed pumpkin display.
Add a curled green pipe cleaner beside the stem to resemble a pumpkin vine.
Displaying Your Pumpkins
Arrange the finished pumpkins on a shelf, party table or covered porch.
Because the pumpkins are lightweight, keep them away from strong wind or secure them inside a basket, crate or sheltered display.
Do not place heavy decorations on top of them because the plastic sections and newspaper ribs may collapse.
Safety Information
An adult should operate the glue gun and cut the cardboard tube.
Use a low-temperature glue gun whenever possible. Standard hot glue may melt thin plastic and can cause serious burns.
Plastic bags present a suffocation hazard. Keep unused bags and finished pumpkins away from babies, toddlers and pets.
Keep the pumpkins away from candles, fireplaces, heaters, hot light bulbs and other heat sources.
These pumpkins are intended for decorative use only. They are not weatherproof and should not be left outdoors in rain or strong wind.
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