Glowing Pumpkins: The Fall Art Lesson Your October Bulletin Board Deserves

Looking for the perfect elementary fall art project that feels seasonal without being too Halloween-y?

Try making these Glowing Pattern Pumpkins!

While it’s worth it for the October bulletin board display alone, this pumpkin art lesson is low prep, uses simple materials, and will keep your students focused as the honeymoon phase of the school year starts to fade.

In this project, your class will review line direction and line types, draw bold patterns, and layer crayon color to create a magical glow. The results are stunning.

Process AND product. Yes, you can have both.

Elementary art display of glowing pumpkins with unique patterns and glowing crayon colors.

What Students Will Learn

  • The difference between line direction (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) and line type (straight, curvy, zig-zag, broken, spiral, looped, dotted).

  • How to design patterns that fill space with intention (who doesn’t love a Zentangle opportunity?).

  • How to create a gradient (smooth transition of color) and a glowing effect using layered crayons and pressure control.

Fine motor and craftsmanship skills: start simple, build slow. Practice makes progress.

Hands working on a glowing pumpkin art project, coloring patterns with layered crayon techniques.

Why This Lesson Works

This project hits the sweet spot: high visual payoff, clear skill-building, and a growth-mindset message kids can feel.

Let’s look deeper:

  • This pumpkin art lesson is seasonal without being too Halloween-y, which makes it inclusive for all students (some don’t celebrate Halloween).

  • Students learn that simple art materials like crayons (so often underrated!) can make artwork look rich and refined. Bonus: many kids have crayons at home, so they can practice and recreate outside of the art room.

  • Students see firsthand how practice (patient line work + careful blending) produces eye-catching results.

Student holding a finished glowing pumpkin drawing with patterns and layered orange, red, and yellow crayons.

Why You’ll Love This Lesson

On a basic level:

  • Low prep: pencils, permanent markers, and crayons — that’s it!

  • Packed with elements and principles of design. Students review line (direction + type) and pattern, and you can extend into variety, balance, and value.

  • Built-in assessment opportunities: evaluate fine motor and dexterity, executive function, and social-emotional skills.

On a deeper level:

  • Setting students up for success through creative challenges motivates them for future lessons.

  • You’re building a foundation of trust that will matter when you introduce more complex art techniques.

  • If they can create glowing pumpkins with just crayons and markers, they’ll believe they can tackle bigger challenges — because your teaching (coaching) and guidance are the constant.

So, save your Jack-O’-Lantern drawing as an early-finisher activity, and give this glowing pumpkin lesson the spotlight.

Close-up of glowing pumpkin art display showing bold patterns and layered crayon blending.

Ready to Teach This?

Grab the Glowing Pattern Pumpkins – Elementary Art Lesson Plan and enjoy:

  • Step-by-step photos

  • Detailed instructional notes

  • A short instructional video

  • And more!

Want a free student-facing tutorial? Watch the video here.

Need a quick add-on? Try this simple set-up Jack-O-Lantern drawing with your early finishers.

Caitlyn Thompson