I’m bringing back a summer favorite: the pineapple DIY—this time for Halloween. When I posted the pineapple piñata I joked that it was the final pineapple project. Not true. Holidays won’t stop my pineapple obsession. Halloween actually makes a great excuse: in my house we paint pumpkins instead of carving them. I prefer painting, so when I spotted these oblong pumpkins at Trader Joe’s they reminded me of pineapples. Naturally, I turned one into a pineapple pumpkin. Here’s how.
(Yes, those sunglasses are fun—I bought them on impulse before the pumpkin stole them.)
Supplies:
- Oblong pumpkin with a modest stem
- Yellow spray paint
- Green cardstock
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Scissors
Step 1: Cut the leaves. Cut several leaf sizes—about five different sizes works well—with four to eight leaves of each size. The more sizes you include, the more natural the pineapple crown will look.
Step 2: Attach the largest leaves first. Glue the biggest leaves around the pumpkin’s stem so they form the base of the crown.
Step 3: Add the mid-sized leaves. For each mid-size leaf, bend about 1/4″ of the base to create a small tab. Use that tab to hot glue the leaf around the stem, layered over the larger leaves. Work your way around so the crown builds up in natural tiers.
Step 4: Finish with the smallest leaves. Bend the base of the smallest leaves into tabs and glue them in last with the tab tucked inward to hide any visible glue tabs from the larger layers. This makes the crown look tidy and realistic.
Step 5: Shape and curl. Trim any leaves you want to slim down for a cleaner look. Lightly curl the tips of each leaf with your fingernail for a natural finish—this small detail makes a big difference.
Step 6: Paint the pumpkin. Once the crown is secure, spray the pumpkin with yellow paint. Use even coats and allow drying time between layers so the color is smooth and vibrant. Be sure to protect your work surface and follow spray-paint safety instructions.
Optional styling: Add sunglasses or other accessories to give your pineapple pumpkin personality. A pair of shades instantly makes it cooler.
All photos by Studio DIY
This might not be the last pineapple project—there are always more ideas brewing. For now, have fun transforming pumpkins into playful pineapples and delighting anyone who sees them.