Local Inspiration for Pumpkin Decorating

As the crisp air of autumn settles in, it’s the perfect time for families to gather and embrace the spirit of the season with pumpkin decorating! This delightful activity not only sparks creativity but also creates cherished memories together. Whether painting whimsical designs, carving intricate patterns, or crafting colorful displays, pumpkin decorating is a fantastic way to celebrate fall. In this blog, we’ll explore child-friendly ideas that allow you to express your love for our community, showcasing some of our best assets through vibrant and imaginative pumpkin designs. Get ready to transform your pumpkins into heartfelt symbols of local pride.

Painting a Train Silhouette

1. Train Shape: Draw a simple train engine silhouette. The engine can be a rectangle for the body with a square or rectangle on top for the cabin. Add a small triangle towards the front for a chimney.
2. Wheels: Draw two or three circles at the bottom of the engine for wheels.
3. Smoke: Add a few puffs of smoke coming out of the chimney, using simple curved shapes.
4. Details: Keep the details minimal, like a rectangle for the windows.

Painting Tips:

• Outline First: Lightly outline your design with a pencil to help guide your painting.
• Use Darker Colors: Don’t be afraid to use dark shades of color to make the train stand out!
• Get Creative: If you want, you can add some train tracks, or the Golden Spike Monument to the background.

Painting a Colorful Portion of the Historic 100 Block

1. Choosing a Scene: Pick a simple building or a landmark from the Historic 100 Block. You might choose a classic storefront or the facade of your favorite restaurant.
2. Sketching the Design:
   • Lightly sketch the outline of the building with a pencil.
   • Keep the shapes simple, like rectangles for the building and triangles for roofs.
3. Adding Details:
   • Draw simple windows and doors using squares and rectangles.
   • You can add fun details like awnings or signs but keep it easy!
4. Painting the Background:
   • Start by painting the background with a vibrant color, like blue for the sky or a bright yellow for sunshine.
5. Painting the Building:
   • Use different vibrant colors for the building itself.
   • For example, paint the walls in red or green, and use a contrasting color for the roof.
6. Adding Details:
   • Use a smaller brush to add details like window frames in white or black and paint the door in a fun color.
7. Finishing Touches:
   • Allow the paint to dry.
   • You can add little touches like flowers or trees in front of the building using bright colors.

Painting Tips:

• Outline First: Lightly outline your design with a pencil to help guide your painting.
• Use Bright Colors: Don’t be afraid to use lots of different colors to make your scene pop!
• Get Creative: If you want, you can add some clouds or a sun in the sky for extra flair.

Painting Tree Leaf Silhouettes

1. Leaf Shape: Choose a simple leaf shape to draw. You can pick from a maple, oak, or even a simple rounded leaf.
2. Drawing the Leaf:
   • Lightly sketch the outline of the leaf on the pumpkin with a pencil.
   • For a maple leaf, draw the pointed edges and the central vein. For an oak leaf, create rounded lobes.
3. Adding More Leaves: You can draw a few more leaves around the first one to create a lovely pattern. Vary the sizes for a natural look.
4. Details: Keep the details minimal. For instance, draw a few lines to indicate the leaf veins.
5. Painting the Silhouette:
   • Use black paint for the leaf silhouettes.
   • Fill in the leaf shapes carefully, making sure to stay within the lines.
6. Finishing Touches:
   • Allow the paint to dry.
   • You can add a bit of glitter or a light coat of clear sealant for extra shine if you’d like!

Painting Tips:

• Outline First: Lightly outline your designs with a pencil before painting to help guide you.
• Use a Small Brush: A small brush will help you paint the details more precisely.
• Experiment with Colors: If you want to get creative, you can use different colors for the leaves instead of black!

Painting a Vocal Music Artist Silhouette on a Star

1. Star Shape: Lightly sketch a big star in the center of the pumpkin. You can use five points for a classic star shape. The point on top will not be featured.
2. Drawing the Artist:
   • Draw a simple silhouette of a singer on top of the star, where the fifth point would normally be represented.
   • Use a small circle for the head, and for the body, draw a rectangle for the torso and two lines for the arms, holding a microphone.
3. Adding Details:
   • Keep details minimal; you can just add a simple curve for hair and a small rectangle for the microphone.
   • Make sure the silhouette is easily recognizable.
4. Painting the Silhouette:
   • Use black paint to fill in the star and the artist’s silhouette.
   • Carefully paint inside the lines you’ve drawn.
5. Finishing Touches:
   • Allow the paint to dry.
   • You can add sparkles or a little glitter around the star for a fun effect or use vibrant colors to celebrate your favorite music genre.

Painting Tips:

• Outline First: Lightly outline your designs with a pencil to help guide your painting.
• Use a Small Brush: A small brush helps with painting fine details.
• Get Creative: If you want, you can add colorful musical notes around the star!

We hope these local inspirations spark your creativity and encourage you to celebrate our community's unique charm. Whether you depict a beloved landmark, a favorite local event, or a cherished neighborhood spot, each pumpkin can be a beautiful tribute to the places that make our town special. Remember, these suggestions are just the beginning—there are countless locations and attractions that can inspire your designs. We can't wait to see how you bring your community pride to life through your pumpkins this fall! If you’re sharing your masterpiece on social media, be sure to use #UNleashCB.

MORE FAMILY FUN THIS FALL!

Fall is a great season for family fun in Pottawattamie County! Learn about our pumpkin patches and orchards, our festive fall events and attractions, and numerous ways to spend time outdoors. 

For a complete list of attractions, visit our play page!

For a complete list of places to eat, browse our restaurant listings!