DIY Mummy Pumpkins: A Fun & Easy Halloween Craft
When I ask my kids about their favorite Halloween projects of all time, they often reference the mummy pumpkin project. What makes this craft so much fun is that its one of the more simple crafts yet it is so unbelievably adorable. You know I love those Dollar Tree carvable pumpkins, and this project does not disappoint!
While carving jack-o’-lanterns is a timeless tradition, sometimes it’s nice to skip the mess and try something new. Enter the DIY mummy pumpkin - a fun, no-carve project that’s equal parts spooky AND adorable. Wrapped up in gauze or cheesecloth, these pumpkins transform into charming little mummies that are perfect for porches, mantels, or party tables.
This project is budget-friendly, kid-friendly, and flexible enough to let your creativity shine. Ready to get wrapped up in the fun? Let’s dive in!
Supplies You’ll Need
You don’t need many supplies to create mummy pumpkins. Most of these items you probably already have at home, or you can find them inexpensively at a dollar store or craft shop.
Pumpkins: Any size works, but medium or small pumpkins are easiest to handle. I always buy my fake pumpkins from the dollar store because they last forever. I buy my smaller pumpkins at the art supply/craft store.
White gauze, cheesecloth, or medical bandages: These create the mummy “wraps.”
Googly eyes or craft eyes: Large googly eyes make your mummy a little cuter!
Hot glue gun or craft glue: To secure the eyes and ends of the wrap.
Scissors: For trimming cloth or bandages.
Optional extras: Black felt, spider stickers, glow-in-the-dark paint, or glitter for added personality. I also like to add white tape to the mix and various textures of yarn.
Step 1: Prep Your Pumpkins
If you’re using a real pumpkin, you will want to make sure it is smooth and not too bumpy. Make sure the pumpkin is clean and free of any dirt or debris. If you use a store bought pumpkin, a great way to clean the work surface is by using some soap and water. They should be pretty clean from the store. This is also not a necessary step, but since the wrap gauze and materials are white, you do not want to have dirt on the white material. If you are using a dollar tree pumpkin, this is a non-issue.
Step 2: Wrap Your Pumpkins
Cut strips of gauze, tape, cheesecloth and/or yarn. The world is your oyster here! Get creative and have FUN! If you have excess gauze laying around the house, you will want to make sure it is a roll of gauze and not a pad of gauze to really achieve the authentic mummy look.
Step 3: Add the Mummy’s Eyes
Once you've done enough wrapping so that the "body" of the pumpkin is covered, you can start making your pumpkin mummy even cuter by adding googly eyes. If you do not have googly eyes, you can always print or cut out cute eyes to add. Once you've decided on the best placement, glue them into place.
Step 4: Personalize Your Mummy
You can have loads of fun and get into the halloween spirit by adding your own special touch to your pumpkin. I've had kids make an entire family of pumpkins, create hippie pumpkins or sports-loving mummified pumpkins by adding a baseball cap or beret to the top of the pumpkin - the options are endless. Remember, this is your project and you decided how you want it to go! YOU are the artist. I know I say it a lot, but its because I mean it! If you look at my photos, you will see that one of the mummies has a bow on top of her head. Too cute!
Step 5: Display Your Creation
Once your mummy pumpkin is complete, you can display them. If you have a heavy, larger pumpkin, you can create a display on your front porch. If you are using plastic pumpkins, you might want to keep your mummy pumpkins inside.
Why You’ll Love Mummy Pumpkins
Kid-Friendly: Kids love this project because it is easy, fun to create, and adorable. Parents love it because it is low mess and lasts forever. It requires very little adult supervision.
Budget-Friendly: Most supplies cost only a few dollars, and you can make multiple pumpkins with one roll of gauze. I get almost all of the supplies at the dollar tree for under $5.
Quick & Easy: Each pumpkin takes about 10–15 minutes to make, so you can whip up a whole family in an afternoon.
Reusable: If you use faux pumpkins, you can store them and bring them out every Halloween.
Final Thoughts
As always, if you end up making these mummy pumpkins, be sure to tag me at @artbeat_box. This is the perfect activity to kick off spooky season!
Want more pumpkin craft ideas?
Check out my list of 37+ Dollar Tree Pumpkin Makeover ideas and don’t miss our new Pressed Flower Pumpkin tutorial - you’ll love the way these look on your holiday table!
