DIY Wooden Pumpkins Using 2×4’s

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Fall crafts are my favorite, and these DIY wooden pumpkins craft made with 2x4s is at the top of the list.  I always look for easy, cute fall or primitive Halloween pumpkin decor. 

Since they are so cheap to make, they fit any budget.  They can be made without a pattern using pieces of scrap 2×4 wood and a few decorative materials.  And they are a great fall craft for kids and adults.

If you love making fall crafts as much as I do, then you will definitely love these!

• Fall Primitive Pumpkin Pokes on a Stick
• Rustic Pumpkin Decor Bowl Fillers

How To Make DIY Wooden Pumpkins with 2x4s

They are super cute and easy to make!  This is the best craft to make with the kids or with a bunch of your best friends on an early September afternoon. Or even make them as a family craft night. 

Pumpkin crafts make a great fall decor, whether farmhouse, rustic or even primitive. And can they can be used from September right up until Thanksgiving? 

They are perfect for use as a Halloween decoration on the front porch, on a shelf, or even on the kitchen counter. Goodness, they would look great in a wooden bowl as a fall centerpiece. So the possibilities are endless!

I have also seen them as a reversible fall craft, with a pumpkin on the front and a scarecrow face on the back. Of course, this style would look better from only one side. So you would use them on a side table in the entryway or on the nightstand. 

Supplies:

• – 2×4  scraps in various sizes 
• – craft paint in orange, cream, or white, and green or brown (for the stems)
• – painters tape or masking tape
• – dark wood stain (I used Minwax – Dark Walnut)
• – soft cloth – preferably lint-free
• – sandpaper (We use the DeWalt Cordless Hand Sander)
• – decorative items – rusty wire, raffia, 
• – ½ wooden dowel
• – sponge brush or chip brush

Helpful Tools:

• – miter saw (We use the DeWalt 12″ Miter Saw)
• – tape measure
• – wire cutters
• – needle nose pliers
• – scissors
• – ½ drill bit
• – cordless drill (We use the Porter Cable Cordless Drill)
• – glue gun and glue sticks

Directions:

Cut 2×4 scraps to any size you prefer. I used sizes 6″, 4.5″ and 3.5.”

Cut dowel rod into 2-inch pieces. 

Drill a ½ hole into the top center of each piece about ½ deep. (I marked 1/2″ on the bit with blue masking tape for depth).

TIP: To find the CENTER of the 2×4, place a straight edge from corner to corner and mark it. Where they cross is the CENTER.

Use sandpaper to remove splinters and rough edges left from the saw blade. 

How to Paint Wooden Fall Pumpkins

Paint the front and side edges of each 2×4 wooden piece with a light coat of color choice paint (orange or cream).  Be careful around the edges making sure it’s not too thick. 

You will need to be able to sand them and see the wood grain in them. This will make for a more rustic fall pumpkin.  Let them dry.

Time to Decorate!

This is the fun part!  With the 2nd paint color, you can easily make lines or dots as accents.  For mine, I made one of each!

Here’s How to Make The-Dots

Take the end of the sponge brush, and dip it into your color accent. Next, just dot the pumpkin with it.  You will want to dip the brush handle for each dot to make them bold.

Just use your imagination and randomly place dots on all sides of the painted wood pumpkin block. Set it aside to dry.

How To Make Stripes on a Wooden Pumpkin

Using masking or blue painter’s tape, tape the area you DO NOT want to cover to keep your base color.   Use accent color and paint over areas that are left exposed. 

TIP:  To prevent color bleed, always paint strokes away from the tape, not toward it. This will keep the accent color from bleeding “under” the taped edge. 

Once the accent color is completed, immediately remove the tape.  No need to wait for it to dry.  Allow the pumpkin to dry completely. 

How to Distress DIY Wood Block Pumpkins for a Rustic Look

Lightly sand the edges with sandpaper to expose more of the wood grain. Pay close attention to the corners in particular and do a light, easy sanding over the whole pumpkin. Be sure to remove all the dust with a damp cloth or dry brush.

Next, with a soft, lint-free cloth, wipe a light coat of dark stain over the whole wooden block and then wipe it back off before it has time to dry.  I use Minwax stain in Dark Walnut on all my craft projects. It’s my favorite go-to for aging, antiquing, and distressing primitive crafts of any sort. 

I prefer stain over dark wax.  Wax is very thick, like a paste, and just seems harder to work with – for me. And wax can very easily be “over-done” and not look antiqued.  

Stains can be wiped on and wiped off. And it’s perfect every time.

Painting and Attaching Pumpkin Stem

Paint each of the 2-inch dowel pieces with green paint. Let them dry completely.  

With a glue gun, glue dowels into ½ holes you drilled in the top.

Decorating Your 2×4 Wooden Pumpkin Craft

Embellishing is the best part. This step is where your primitive pumpkin craft comes to life.

There are many things you can garnish them with.  Rusty wire, raffia, fall leaves, jute, homespun fabric, or even a pretty fall ribbon.  It’s totally up to you. I used an old wire and some raffia. Another set I made for a gift was tied with fall homespun fabric.

Simply tie or glue your embellishments around the stem, and you are done! Don’t you just love this DIY fall craft idea? 

And as a side note – why not make some of these to be used as gifts for the upcoming holiday season? 

Loving Crafting? Here are some you will love!!

More Fun Crafts To Make

• Homespun Christmas Stocking Ornament
• 13 Fall Porch Decor Ideas
• Snowman Clothes Pin Ornament
• 19 DIY Fall Wreaths for Your Front Door

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