Pumpkin Paper Squishy Template

Round orange pumpkin with ridges, a green stem and a spooky grinning face with jagged teeth

A pumpkin to carve, but with no knife and no mess: that's the paper pumpkin. It's just right for fall, Halloween and harvest time, and it can come back every year.

✂️ What’s in the Template

The PDF has the pumpkin in orange with ridges, a stem and a grinning face, in color front and back. You also get a coloring version and mini pumpkins on page 3. Finished, it's about 4.5 inches wide and nicely round.

At a Glance

Group
Holidays & Seasons
Size
about 4–5.5 in
Pages
3 × A4
Craft time
20–30 minutes
🧺 What You Need
  • Printer and regular printer paper (US Letter or A4)
  • Scissors
  • Wide clear packing tape (or laminating sheets)
  • Stuffing: cotton balls, yarn or paper scraps
  • Crayons or markers for the coloring version

📝 Step-by-Step Instructions

1
Print at 100% (turn off “fit to page”). Color the B/W version first.
2
Cut out the front and back along the outer line – the white border is the tape edge.
3
Cover both pieces with wide clear tape, overlapping the strips slightly, and smooth them out.
4
Place the front and back together exactly (colored sides out).
5
Tape all around the edge, leaving about 1 inch open where it says “leave open here”.
6
Stuff with cotton, yarn or paper scraps – not too full – and tape the opening shut. Done!

💡 Tips

  • The stem on top is small, so cut it with the scissor tips and reinforce it with tape.
  • Stuff the pumpkin evenly all around so the ridges stay visible.
  • A strip of yellow paper behind the eyes makes the face glow.
  • Protect the teeth when squeezing by grabbing from the sides.

🎨 Color Ideas

Classic orange
Light and dark orange make the ridges look three-dimensional.
White pumpkin
A white or cream pumpkin looks fancy and still gives a shiver.
Colorful spooky night
Purple, green or blue turn the pumpkin into a haunting creature.

🔄 Variations

Pumpkin patch
Make one big and several mini pumpkins and set them up as a pumpkin field.
Table decor
Use pumpkins as place cards with names for a fall party.
Face contest
Everyone draws a different face, from a grin to a scare.

Safety: Stuffing and tape are not for children under 3. Never use real food or scented oils as stuffing.

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Why families love PureSketchy:

  • Completely free: Every squishy template with no sign-up, no newsletter, no subscription.
  • Color and B/W: Each template comes ready in color and as a coloring version – plus minis.
  • Kid-tested: Printed, cut out, taped shut and stuffed with yarn – it works.
  • Regular printer paper: No cardstock, no special paper, no laminator needed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is the pumpkin scary?
It has a cheeky grin but comes across as funny rather than spooky.

Can I draw a friendly pumpkin?
Sure, on the coloring page you can change the face and draw a smile version.

Does the pumpkin work for Thanksgiving?
Yes, without the spooky face it becomes a fall pumpkin for decorating.

Is the download free?
Yes, all templates on PureSketchy are 100% free for personal, preschool and classroom use – no sign-up needed.

Is there a German version?
Yes! You can find the German version here: Kürbis-Squishy.