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How to Make DIY Concrete Pumpkins

Want to add concrete pumpkins to your fall or halloween decor this year? Here is an easy step by step guide on how to make diy concrete pumpkins!

It’s getting very close to Halloween and we are having so much fun decorating and celebrating! Since learning some basic concrete pouring techniques, we have been trying to do a few projects to really get the hang of it.

Spooky Halloween Porch Decor via Charleston Crafted

When we spotted these plastic pumpkins at Walmart (for $1 each!) we were struck with the idea of using them to make concrete pumpkins.

We made 5 regular pumpkins and one concrete pumpkin bowl – which is the perfect candle holder or candy bowl and make a wonderful gift!

I love concrete pumpkins because they are a neutral, chic option. You can use jack o lantern style pumpkins like we did, or plain pumpkins for more of a fall/autumn look.

We turn ours around after Halloween and let them be plain pumpkins until Thanksgiving!

Here’s how to make your own DIY Concrete Pumpkins.

Pumpkin concrete mold ideas

We used plastic candy pails for our pumpkin concrete molds. But, here are some other ideas for DIY pumpkin concrete molds!

DIY Concrete Pumpkins – Concrete Pumpkin Tutorial

How to Make DIY Concrete Pumpkins via Charleston Crafted

What you need to make DIY cement pumpkins:

  • Concrete mix
  • Water
  • Bucket to mix concrete in
  • Stir stick
  • Pumpkin candy bowl mold or a pumpkin concrete mold
  • Small jar or cup the size of the bowl within the pumpkin

Wear a dust mask when working with concrete for safety.

Here’s a bunch of options for concrete pumpkin molds!

Spooky Halloween Porch Decor via Charleston Crafted

See our whole spooky porch fall decor setup here!

How to make concrete pumpkins – concrete pumpkin tutorial:

STEP 1

Mix your concrete according to the package directions. We were able to get 4 pumpkins out of a standard sized bag of Quickrete concrete mix.

STEP 2

Add the concrete to the pumpkin mold.

STEP 3

Shake the mold to help eliminate bubbles and help the concrete settle into the bottom of the pumpkin.

How to Make DIY Concrete Pumpkins via Charleston Crafted

OPTIONAL

Spray a cup or jar  with cooking non-stick spray and insert into your mold to create the bowl.

*Note – we created 5 regular, solid pumpkins for decor and one candle holder/bowl pumpkin for our boo kit. This step is optional*

To make a pumpkin into a candle holder, you will want to spray a jar with cooking spray and insert that into the pumpkin.

STEP 4

Add some concrete first, then add your jar, then fill it the rest of the way up. If the jar touches the bottom, the hole will go all the way through the pumpkin!

You can see in the image below we put our jar in a ziplock bag. DON’T do that. It was very hard to get out. Use cooking spray instead.

How to Make DIY Concrete Pumpkins via Charleston Crafted

STEP 5

Allow to cure – we let ours dry for one week.

You can leave them outside in the sun to help them dry quicker!

How to Make DIY Concrete Pumpkins via Charleston Crafted

STEP 6

Use a utility knife to carefully cut the plastic mold away from the concrete.

This mold is unfortunately not reusable after this since you have to cut it up into bits.

How to Make DIY Concrete Pumpkins via Charleston Crafted

Get spooky because your concrete pumpkin is ready to go!

I suggest letting your pumpkin dry without being handled too much just over night or so. Sometimes it can be slightly damp as you can see the one above still was.

They dry pretty light in color.

Love this? Check out our DIY plastic pumpkin porch decor and pumpkin topiaries!

How do you make homemade concrete pumpkins?

You make DIY concrete pumpkins by pouring concrete into a pumpkin mold, letting it dry, and then removing the concrete from the mold.

How to Make DIY Concrete Pumpkins via Charleston Crafted

What kind of concrete is used for pumpkins?

We used Quikrete concrete to make our pumpkins. Pay attention to the color of the concrete when purchasing it. You can also add dye to color the concrete as you pour it, but I like the gray color!

How do you make a jack o lantern out of concrete?

You can use paint to paint a friendly – or scary – jack o’lantern face on your concrete pumpkins!

How to you make a DIY concrete pumpkin with moss?

Cool idea! I’d make a moss milkshake and add that to the top or crevices. Here’s how to grow moss!

how to make concrete pumpkins

When you aren’t using the pumpkin as a candle holder, it makes a fantastic candy bowl.

How to Make DIY Concrete Pumpkins via Charleston Crafted

Any questions about how to make cement pumpkins?

Spooky Halloween Porch Decor via Charleston Crafted
Yield: 1 concrete pumpkin

How to make concrete pumpkins

Active Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

Check out this super simple tutorial for how to make concrete pumpkin Halloween decor!

Materials

  • Concrete mix
  • Water
  • Pumpkin candy bowl mold

Tools

  • Bucket to mix concrete in
  • Stir stick

Instructions

  1. Mix concrete and water according to instructions on the bag. We like to go for the consistency of wet peanut butter.
  2. Pour concrete into your pumpkin candy bowl.
  3. Allow to fully cure for several days.
  4. Carefully cut the plastic bowl away from the mold.
  5. Enjoy!

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Did you make this project?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Pinterest

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Janelle Spies

Friday 16th of October 2020

Exactly what kind of type of concrete did you use. I have used a couple of different kinds and they don't turn out as smooth as yours?

Morgan

Saturday 17th of October 2020

This was Quikrete's countertop mix. No stones because counters have to be super smooth.

Halloween 2020: Over 500 Games, Snacks, and Fun Ideas! | Life Between the Dishes

Tuesday 6th of October 2020

[…] 2. Concrete Pumpkins: Use plastic pumpkins as a mold to make concrete pumpkins. Use these for decorations or create a hole in the center for an awesome candy bowl.  Be on the lookout after Halloween.  These buckets can be found for as little as a penny a piece! […]

Ivory

Thursday 1st of October 2020

Absolutely fabulous. Will be making this diy project this weekend. Thanks for sharing

Ivory

Thursday 1st of October 2020

This looks like a simple, cute, fun diy, and I will be making this over this weekend. Thank you for sharing. Stay safe.

Debra Pipkin

Monday 14th of September 2020

Love this idea, am thinking about using black and orange spray paint on the finished product!

Morgan

Monday 14th of September 2020

That's fun! They also sell concrete dyes!

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