Since Clara is still too young to use a knife, each year we look for toddler-friendly ways to include her in pumpkin decorating. When she was five months old we traced her tiny hand to inspire a hand-shaped jack-o’-lantern; it felt like a charming, baby-friendly twist on a classic carved pumpkin.
Last year, now that she had better control of her fingers, we let her finger-paint pumpkins. We taped off sections in advance so she could add color without getting too messy, and the results were colorful and kid-approved.
This year we built on that idea with a slightly different approach: tissue paper “sticker” pumpkins. It was simple, safe, and perfect for a toddler who is absolutely obsessed with stickers.
Because Clara loves stickers so much, we wanted to give her something similar that we could customize ourselves. We cut colorful tissue paper into circles to act like stickers and used Mod Podge to adhere them. It kept the activity familiar but added a creative, crafty twist.
Sherry used leftover tissue paper from a previous celebration and cut a variety of circles. She traced the outside and inside of a roll of tape to get different sizes — a practical, make-do approach that worked perfectly. You can use whatever round objects you have around the house to trace and create shapes.
I brushed a thin coat of Mod Podge over each pumpkin, and Clara placed the tissue circles wherever she wanted. That was basically the extent of the project: apply glue, press on colorful dots, and repeat. It was fast, low-stress, and ideal for a short toddler attention span.
We chose lighter-toned pumpkins so the tissue colors would stand out. They looked almost white with a faint tint of orange-pink, which created a nice backdrop for the bright tissue dots. We also appreciated that part of the purchase supported a breast cancer research initiative—an added bonus that made the project feel meaningful.
The tissue paper did crinkle a bit as it adhered — toddler fingerprints plus a bumpy pumpkin surface rarely produce a perfectly smooth finish — but we didn’t mind. The slight texture added character, and I dabbed extra Mod Podge over a few edges to help them stay in place. That trick worked well without changing the look much.
Most importantly, Clara loved the whole process. She was intensely focused while working, which is why she doesn’t look overly enthusiastic in the photos; she was concentrating. She asked to do it again that very night, and she kept playing with the extra tissue dots—sorting them, lining them up, and even putting a few on her head.
We made two pumpkins, and after Clara went to bed Sherry sealed them with a full coat of Mod Podge to make sure all the edges were secure. That final layer also left a smooth, glossy finish that made the colors pop and helped protect the tissue paper from peeling.
Cleanup was easier than expected. We covered the table with craft paper and limited the mess, and because Mod Podge is water-based it washed off skin and clothes with warm water. I may have ended up with more glue on me than Clara did, but everything came clean without trouble.
This project felt rewarding because we used items we already had at home and created something that satisfied our little sticker fan. Tissue paper is inexpensive, the process is quick, and the results are festive and kid-friendly—perfect for a weekend craft that involves young children.
I tried to snap a sweet photo of Clara sitting beside her decorated pumpkins, but she didn’t want to sit still. She was happy enough to sing to them and then move on to sweeping with a nearby broom—because when a toddler decides to sweep, nothing else matters for long.
If you’re looking for another simple pumpkin-related activity, there are printable pumpkin outlines available that work well for paper crafts and are suitable for a range of ages. For us, the tissue sticker pumpkins were a big hit and a great way to include a toddler in seasonal decorating without using sharp tools or making a huge mess.
Psst — Sherry mentioned she’s attempting some DIY costume elements for Clara and Burger this year, so we’ll share pictures when those are finished, likely around Halloween.