If you want to keep the kids busy, try this easy and fun Paper Pumpkin Craft.

We’re gearing up for Thanksgiving in our house. And you know what that means… it means a Thanksgiving craft.

Oh sure, it’s a pumpkin, you say. And yes, it’s perfect for fall. And yes, it’s perfect for a light-hearted Halloween decoration. But we enjoy fall pumpkins right through Thanksgiving.

There are two decorated pumpkins sitting on my family’s dinner table right now!

Be sure to check out our other fun kid activities and crafts!

Supplies for Paper Pumpkin:

1 paper pumpkin craft for kids supplies pic

2 sheets of orange and 1 green construction paper
empty toilet paper tube
scissors
glue

Directions for DIY Pumpkin with Paper:

Step 1: Use a ruler or folds in the paper to measure strips at least 1 inch wide.

Measure them along the shorter side length of the construction paper.

You will want approximately 12 strips for each pumpkin.

Step 2: Cut your strips of paper.

3 cut your strips paper and a green stem for the pumpkin

Step 3: Cut a stem of any size or shape from the green construction paper.

You will want the base of the stem to not exceed 2 inches so that it fits into the top of the tube.

4 cover your toilet paper roll with orange paper

Step 4: Lay the toilet paper roll on the orange paper and measure where to cut so that you cover/wrap the tube.

5 one strip at a time put glue on the ends of the strips of paper and press to the inside of the roll

Step 5: Cut the orange paper and use glue to apply it to the outside of the roll.

6 adding the strips of paper to the tube will look like this

Step 6: For each strip of paper, apply glue to the very ends and press inside each end of the paper roll.

Repeat this process adding strips around the entire tube.

7 pumpkin will look something like this when finished

Step 7: Apply glue to one side of the bottom of the stem and press it into the top of the roll.

8. add the stem! final horizontal photo of finished paper pumpkin craft

Find even more Fall Family Fun and Thanksgiving-Inspired Activities on Mommy Evolution.