6 DIY Wood Pumpkins Fall Crafts for Autumn Decor

So, it’s officially that time of year again. The time when the temperature drops just enough to justify wearing oversized sweaters, and my sudden, intense craving for anything pumpkin-spice-flavored kicks into high gear. You too? Thought so. 🙂

But while I’m all for the seasonal lattes, nothing screams “autumn” quite like transforming my home into a cozy harvest haven. And this year, I decided to ditch the generic, store-bought plastic stuff and go for something with a little more… soul. Wood.

There’s something about the natural texture of wood that just fits the fall aesthetic perfectly. It’s warm, rustic, and incredibly versatile. Whether your style is modern farmhouse or quirky grandma-chic (that’s my vibe, FYI), these DIY wood pumpkins are the perfect project. They’re fun, relatively easy, and way cheaper than buying expensive decor.

I’ve rounded up six of my favorite wood pumpkin crafts that I’ve tried (or am dying to try) to share with you. Grab your hot glue gun and let’s get making!

1. The Classic Stacked Slice Pumpkin

This is probably the most recognizable wood pumpkin craft out there, and for good reason. It’s simple, looks fantastic, and you can customize it a million different ways. I made a bunch of these last year, and they’re still the stars of my mantle.

What You’ll Need

• A variety of wood slices in graduating sizes. You can buy these pre-cut on Amazon or Etsy, or if you’re feeling ambitious (and own a saw), you can cut them yourself from a branch.
• A hot glue gun with plenty of glue sticks.
• A small twig or cinnamon stick for the stem.
• Sandpaper (optional, for smoothing edges).
• Paint, stain, or markers for decorating.

Let’s Stack ‘Em Up!

First, play around with your slices. Find a sequence that looks pleasing to your eye—usually three to five slices that go from largest at the bottom to smallest at the top. Ever notice how that gradual stack just feels right? It’s all about that visual balance.

Once you’re happy with your stack, start gluing. Apply a generous amount of hot glue between each slice. You want it to be secure, so don’t be shy with the glue. Hold each piece in place for about 15-20 seconds to let it set.

Now for the stem. Break off a piece of your twig or cinnamon stick about an inch long. Put a big glob of glue on the top of your smallest wood slice and press the “stem” into it. Pro tip: If you use a cinnamon stick, your pumpkin will smell amazing. IMO, this is a non-negotiable upgrade. 🙂

Finishing Touches

This is where you can make it your own. I left a few of mine natural and just gave them a coat of clear matte sealer. For others, I used a wood burner to write “Give Thanks” on the largest slice. You could also:

• Paint the edges of the slices in a contrasting fall color.
• Use chalk paint for a distressed, vintage look.
• Glue some fake moss or a little leaf around the base of the stem.

2. Rustic Painted Wood Slice Pumpkins

Okay, this is the craft for my fellow perfectionists who are also a little bit lazy (no judgment, I’m the president of that club). These are similar to the stacked version, but they’re flat and meant to be displayed on shelves or hung on the wall. They come together in about ten minutes flat.

The “No-Stack” Stack

For this project, you just need single, larger wood slices. Think of them as your blank canvas. The goal is to transform a simple round slice into a pumpkin silhouette using nothing but paint.

I grabbed a few slices that were about four to five inches in diameter. Then, I lightly sketched a simple pumpkin shape onto the wood with a pencil. We’re not aiming for photorealism here. Think simple, slightly curved lines on the sides to give it that gourd-like shape.

Bring on the Color

This is the fun part. Using some inexpensive craft paint in oranges, creams, and even a dusty blue (trust me on this one), I painted right over my pencil lines. You might need two coats for a solid color, but I actually love the look when the wood grain shows through a little. It adds to the rustic charm.

After the paint dried, I added a stem. You have a few options here:

• Paint a stem on: The easiest method. Just a simple brown rectangle at the top.
• Glue a real stem: If you saved any stems from your gourds last year, this is their moment.
• Use a small acorn cap: This adds an adorable, whimsical touch.

3. Modern Geometric Wood Pumpkins

If your style leans more toward mid-century modern than rustic farmhouse, this one’s for you. These geometric pumpkins look incredibly chic and high-end, but they’re secretly just a bunch of wood craft sticks and a little patience. I was shocked at how easy they were.

Gathering Your Materials

• Wood craft sticks: You can use popsicle sticks or the wider craft sticks you find at any craft store.
• Wood stain or paint: In various shades.
• Hot glue gun.
• Pruning shears or a sharp scissors: To cut the craft sticks.
• A small wood bead or a piece of twig: For the stem.

The Assembly Process

Start by deciding how many colors you want. I made one with a cool ombre effect, staining sticks from dark walnut at the bottom to a natural, unstained look at the top.

Now, here’s the simple trick: you’re basically building a little log cabin.

1. Lay two sticks parallel to each other, about an inch apart.
2. Glue two sticks perpendicularly on top of them at the ends, creating a square frame.
3. Continue this pattern, filling in the inside of the frame with cut-to-size sticks, until your stack is as tall as you want it.

Once the glue is dry, take your shears and carefully trim the sides to create a slight curve, mimicking the shape of a pumpkin. It doesn’t have to be perfect—the imperfect curve is part of its charm! Glue your wood bead or twig stem on top, and you’ve got yourself a piece of modern art that just happens to be a pumpkin.

4. Easy Pallet Wood Pumpkins

Who doesn’t love a good pallet wood project? It’s free, it’s rustic, and it makes you feel incredibly resourceful. This design is super simple and graphic. You’ve probably seen a version of this scrolling through Pinterest. I finally caved and made one last weekend, and I’m kicking myself for not doing it sooner.

Breaking Down the Pallet

First, you need to deconstruct a pallet. This can be the hardest part of the whole project. If you don’t have one lying around, you can buy “pallet wood” at craft stores now, which is basically just pre-distressed wood, but where’s the fun in that? 🙂

Once you have your boards, cut them to length. You’re essentially making a pumpkin-shaped sign. I cut five pieces of wood, each about eight inches long. The width of your boards will determine the size of your pumpkin.

Assembling the Shape

Lay your cut boards out side-by-side, with the best-looking sides facing down. Cut two smaller pieces of wood to act as battens and glue or nail them horizontally across the back of all the boards. This holds your “pumpkin” together.

Flip it over. Now you have a blank, rectangular canvas made of five boards. Time to make it pumpkin-shaped!

• On the front, lightly draw a simple pumpkin outline with a pencil. You want a nice, rounded shape on the sides and maybe a little indent at the top.
• Take your saw and carefully cut along your pencil line. A jigsaw is perfect for this.

The Final Look

Sand the cut edges smooth. Now you can paint the whole thing orange, or you can do what I did and just paint the cut edges orange and leave the face of the wood natural. It creates a really cool, defined shape. Add a wood stem to the top center board, and you’re done. This thing looks amazing leaning against a wall or on a front porch.

5. Chunky Wood Block Pumpkins

Sometimes, you just need a project that’s immediate. No intricate cutting, no precise painting. Just instant gratification. That’s where these chunky wood block pumpkins come in. They’re my go-to for a quick crafting fix when I need to feel productive but don’t want to clean up a huge mess.

Finding Your “Pumpkin”

The key here is the wood itself. You need a piece of lumber that has a nice, thick, square profile. Think a 4×4 post or a thick branch. I found a scrap piece of 4×4 in my garage that was just begging to be something more.

You’ll cut your 4×4 into blocks of varying heights. A taller, skinnier block looks like an heirloom pumpkin, while a shorter, wider block looks like a classic jack-o-lantern shape.

The Carving… Sort Of

This is the part that feels like magic. Instead of carving the wood, you’re going to carve the pumpkin with paint!

1. Pick your base color and paint the entire block. I used a creamy off-white for one and a terracotta orange for another.
2. Once dry, use a pencil to draw simple pumpkin ridges on the sides of the block. Just a few vertical lines.
3. Here’s the trick: paint a slightly darker shade of your base color inside the lines you just drew. Don’t paint the lines themselves; paint the sections between them. This creates the illusion of depth and shape.
4. For the stem, simply paint a section at the top of one side brown. Or, you can drill a hole and glue in a real stick.

6. Wood Burned Pumpkin Decor

Alright, this one requires a special tool, but if you’ve been looking for an excuse to buy a wood-burning kit, this is it. Wood burning adds an incredible, handmade touch that you just can’t get with paint. I got a cheap kit a few years ago, and it’s been a game-changer for adding details to my projects.

Tools of the Trade

• A flat wood slice or a small, unfinished wooden box in the shape of a pumpkin (you can find these at craft stores).
• A wood-burning tool with a fine point tip.
• A pencil for sketching your design.
• Sandpaper.

Creating Your Design

Start by lightly sketching your design onto the wood with a pencil. Because you can’t erase mistakes easily with a burner, this step is crucial. What should you draw? The options are endless!

• Simple lines: Just burn in the natural ridges of a pumpkin.
• A face: A classic jack-o-lantern face is always a winner.
• Words and phrases: “Hello Fall,” “Harvest,” or “Spooky” look beautiful burned into the wood.
• Vines and leaves: An intricate pattern of curling vines.

I decided to burn a simple “Blessed” onto a flat wood slice. I used the wood burner like a pencil, carefully tracing over my pencil lines. The key is to go slow and steady. Let the tool do the work. Don’t press too hard, or you’ll create deep, dark grooves.

The Finished Piece

Once you’re done burning, you can leave it as is or add a little color. I lightly sanded the edges of my slice to distress it and then added a coat of mineral oil to really make the grain (and my burning) pop. It looks so professional, and it’s a great personalized gift for a hostess or a family member.

So there you have it—six fantastic ways to bring the cozy, rustic feel of autumn into your home with just a little bit of wood and a lot of creativity. Which one are you going to try first? I’m kind of leaning towards making another batch of those geometric ones, but that pallet wood pumpkin is calling my name. Happy crafting, friends! 🍂