Fall is here, and that means pumpkins are everywhere! But instead of the traditional (and messy) pumpkin carving, why not try something that’s safer, cleaner, and deeply meaningful? Gratitude pumpkins combine the fun of decorating with the spiritual practice of thankfulness, creating a fall activity that kids will love and parents will actually want to display.
When children paint pumpkins with notes of gratitude or Bible verses they’re creating lasting reminders of God’s goodness that will sit on their family’s table throughout the entire season. Enjoy this fun and festive fall activity for kids ministry!
What You’ll Need
Materials Per Child:
- One pumpkin (real or craft foam—more on this later)
- Acrylic paint
- Paintbrushes in various sizes
- Paint pens or permanent markers (for writing verses and messages)
- Paper plates (for paint palettes)
- Cups of water for rinsing brushes
- Paper towels
Optional Supplies:
- Smocks or old t-shirts to protect clothing
- Newspaper or plastic tablecloths to cover work surfaces
- Mod Podge or clear acrylic sealer (to protect finished designs)
- Stencils (letters, fall shapes, crosses)
- Sponge brushes for base coats
- Glitter, gems, or stickers for extra decoration
- Ribbon or twine for pumpkin stems
Setup Needs:
- Tables with protective covering
- Drying station or area for wet pumpkins
- Sink or water station nearby
- Pre-printed verse ideas or gratitude prompts
Choosing Your Pumpkins
You have several options, each with pros and cons:
Real Pumpkins
Traditional and authentic, real pumpkins work beautifully. Choose smaller pie pumpkins or sugar pumpkins rather than large carving pumpkins—they’re easier for kids to handle and paint. Wipe them clean with a damp cloth before painting. The natural texture adds character to the finished product.
Pros: Affordable (especially in bulk), authentic fall experience, various sizes available
Cons: Will eventually rot, heavier to carry, may have bumpy surfaces
Craft Foam Pumpkins
Available at craft stores, these lightweight pumpkins are perfect for painting and last forever. They come in various sizes and are already smooth and ready to paint.
Pros: Reusable year after year, perfectly smooth surface, lightweight, no rotting
Cons: More expensive upfront, less authentic feeling
White Pumpkins
Real white pumpkins (or painted white real pumpkins) create a beautiful canvas that makes your gratitude messages really pop.
Pros: Stunning visual appeal, colors show beautifully, trendy aesthetic
Cons: Can be harder to find, more expensive than orange pumpkins
Our Recommendation: For most kids ministry settings, small real pumpkins offer the best balance of cost, authenticity, and impact.
Step-by-Step Activity Guide
Preparation (Before Kids Arrive)
Set up your space with covered tables and organized supply stations. Pre-wash all pumpkins if using real ones, and let them dry completely. Prepare example pumpkins showing different design ideas—this helps kids visualize possibilities without feeling overwhelmed.
Create a display of verse suggestions and gratitude prompts where kids can easily see them. Print these on colorful paper or write them on a whiteboard.
Introduction and Devotional (5-10 minutes)
Gather the kids and share a brief message about gratitude. You might read Psalm 107:1 (“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever”) or 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (“Give thanks in all circumstances”).
Explain that pumpkins remind us of harvest time—when farmers gather everything God helped them grow. Just like farmers celebrate the harvest, we celebrate all the good things God has given us.
Show your example pumpkins and explain that today they’ll create pumpkins that remind their families to be thankful.
Painting Process (30-45 minutes)
Step 1: Base Coat (Optional)
Some kids may want to paint their entire pumpkin a base color first—especially if using white pumpkins or wanting to add designs before adding words. This step is optional for orange pumpkins that will stay orange.
Step 2: Design Elements
Kids can add fall-themed designs using paint:
- Fall leaves around the pumpkin
- Sunflowers or flowers
- Polka dots or stripes
- Hand prints or fingerprints
- Rainbow patterns
- Abstract designs
- Crosses or hearts
Let this layer dry for 10-15 minutes if needed before adding words.
Step 3: Gratitude Messages
Using paint pens or permanent markers, kids write what they’re thankful for. Encourage them to think about:
- People they love
- Things that make them happy
- Ways God has helped them
- Blessings in their life
- Answered prayers
Examples: “Thankful for my family,” “I’m grateful for friends,” “Thank you God for our home,” “Blessed by God’s love”
Step 4: Bible Verses
Kids can add a favorite verse or one from your suggested list. For younger children who can’t write much, help them write a short phrase like “God is good” or “Give thanks.”
Popular verses for gratitude pumpkins:
- “Give thanks” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18
- “This is the day the Lord has made” – Psalm 118:24
- “God is love” – 1 John 4:8
- “The Lord is my shepherd” – Psalm 23:1
- “I can do all things through Christ” – Philippians 4:13
- “Be joyful always” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16
Step 5: Final Touches
Add any final decorative elements like glitter, gems, or ribbon around the stem.
Sealing (Optional)
If desired, apply a clear acrylic sealer or Mod Podge over the finished pumpkin to protect the paint and make it weatherproof for outdoor display.
Age-Appropriate Adaptations
Preschool (Ages 3-5)
Keep it simple. Let them paint the pumpkin with fall colors, add handprints, or use dot markers. Adults can write a simple phrase the child dictates, like “I love Jesus” or “Thank you God.”
Elementary (Ages 6-10)
This age can handle the full activity. They can write their own messages and verses with minimal help. Provide stencils for kids who are nervous about freehand lettering.
Preteens (Ages 11-13)
Challenge this age group to go deeper. They might write longer gratitude lists, create more intricate designs, or even paint mini-murals with multiple verses and messages. Consider letting them work on larger pumpkins or doing themed sets.
Design Ideas and Inspiration
Thankful List Pumpkin
Cover the pumpkin with a running list: “Thankful for: family, friends, church, home, food, Jesus, laughter…” Kids can squeeze in as many items as possible.
Scripture Focus Pumpkin
Choose one meaningful verse and make it the centerpiece. Surround it with decorative elements like leaves, vines, or flowers.
Family Hand-Print Pumpkin
Have each family member add a painted handprint in different colors, then write names or “Thankful for family” in the center.
Gratitude Pumpkin Patch
Give each child multiple small pumpkins. Each pumpkin gets one word or phrase: “Family,” “Friends,” “Jesus,” “Home,” “Church.” Display them together as a gratitude collection.
Ombre Effect
Paint the pumpkin in gradient colors (dark to light), then add white or gold lettering for a modern, elegant look.
Glow-in-the-Dark
Use glow-in-the-dark paint for verses or messages. When lights go down at night, the pumpkin glows with reminders of God’s goodness.
Making It a Multi-Week Activity
Don’t feel pressured to complete everything in one session. You can stretch this into a wonderful multi-week fall series:
Week 1: Base Painting and Design
Kids paint backgrounds and add decorative elements. Pumpkins dry during the week.
Week 2: Gratitude Messages
Kids add what they’re thankful for with paint pens or markers.
Week 3: Bible Verses
Kids add Scripture verses and finishing touches.
This approach reduces time pressure, allows proper drying between steps, and gives kids time to think about what they truly want to write.
Spiritual Conversation Starters
As kids work, circulate and engage them with meaningful questions:
- “What’s something that happened this week that you’re thankful for?”
- “Who is someone who helps you, and how can we thank God for them?”
- “What’s your favorite thing about how God made you?”
- “When is a time you saw God answer a prayer?”
- “What Bible story reminds you to be thankful?”
These conversations often lead to beautiful moments of kids sharing their faith and recognizing God’s work in their lives.
The Take-Home Element
Create a small instruction card that goes home with each pumpkin:
“Our Gratitude Pumpkin”
This pumpkin was created at [Church Name] as a reminder to give thanks in all circumstances. Display it somewhere your family will see it every day this fall. At mealtime, take turns reading what’s written on the pumpkin and sharing one more thing you’re grateful for.
“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever” – Psalm 107:1
This helps parents understand the purpose and gives them a simple way to extend the lesson at home.
Tips for Success
Embrace Imperfection
These are kid-made creations, not Pinterest-perfect crafts. Messy handwriting and paint that bleeds are all part of the charm. Celebrate effort and heart over perfection.
Provide Examples, Not Templates
Show variety in your example pumpkins so kids don’t think there’s only one “right” way to do this. Variety encourages creativity.
Have Extra Pumpkins
Some kids will make mistakes or want to start over. Having a few extras on hand eliminates stress and tears.
Take Photos
Capture kids holding their finished pumpkins. These make great social media content (with parent permission) and help parents remember what their child created.
Prep for Left-Handers
Position your supply stations so left-handed kids don’t bump elbows with right-handed neighbors.
Music Matters
Play worship music or fall-themed instrumental music in the background. It sets a peaceful, creative tone.
The Lasting Impact
A gratitude pumpkin sitting on a kitchen counter or front porch does more than just look festive. Every time family members walk past it, they’re reminded: We have so much to be grateful for. God has blessed us. We choose thankfulness.
In a world that constantly pushes us toward wanting more, these simple painted pumpkins make a countercultural statement. They declare that we recognize our blessings, we name them, and we thank the One who gave them.
That’s not just a craft project. That’s formation. That’s discipleship. That’s helping kids develop hearts that overflow with gratitude—a spiritual discipline that will serve them for a lifetime.
So this fall, skip the carving and grab the paintbrushes. Let your kids create something beautiful, meaningful, and lasting. Let them paint pumpkins that proclaim God’s goodness for all to see.
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” – Psalm 100:4-5
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