This Fall and Halloween Season will be all about the tricks instead of the treats! Ok maybe some treats, no trick or treating for us though. Instead I’ll be hosting a spooky soiree for Halloween due to circumstances. Let’s not get off track, this blog is about these adorable DIY Concrete Jack-O-Lanterns.
I was searching Pinterest (follow me over there) for easy DIY pumpkin projects. So many cute DIY concrete pumpkins kept popping up, so I decided it to try these.
I’m so glad I did because they turned out fabulous. The best part about these Jack O Lanterns / Pumpkins is that I can continue using them through out Thanksgiving. I’ll just turn them around to hide their goofy face’s (wink)
Here is how we did it!
Lets Begin!
DIY Jack O Lantern Supplies List
- Quikrete 5000 (HomeDepot $4.44)
- Plastic Candy Jack O Lantern (Walmart $1.24)
- Bucket for mixing
- Water (according to cement directions)
- Hand trowel or something for mixing cement and water
- Utility knife or box cutter
- Small bucket or cup ( if you want to use the pumpkin as a planter )
- Joint pliers
- Disposable gloves
- Prep area and gather materials
- Cut off the handle from the pumpkin pail
- Mix concrete in the bucket ( follow mixing directions )
- Mix thoroughly and quickly I used a hand trowel.
- Pour the wet concrete mix into the plastic Jack O Lantern
- Fill it to the top if you are using it as a stand
- Fill it just above the eyes if you are using it as a planter
- Insert disposable small bucket or cup into the center of the wet concrete mix
- Push the container down until the concrete mix is leveled with the top of the Jack O Lantern
- Place an object on top or inside the small bucket, I used rocks to weight down the container
- Work the air bubbles out of the concrete by carefully taping the filled Jack O Lanterns on all sides ( the longer you tap the less air bubbles you’ll end up with in the end )
- Set aside and allow concrete to set ( I let mine set for close to 24 hours )
- If using as a planter you can carefully drill a hole at the bottom after letting it set the 24 hours
- If you will be painting or staining your Jack O Lantern I suggest waiting 4 to 5 days to give the cement time to cure thoroughly
Next Day
- Cut and remove the plastic Jack O Lantern using a utility knife or box cutter.
- After making the slits on the plastic Jack O Lantern I found it much easier to remove the plastic with the joint pliers instead of my hands
- If you made a planter you can remove the plastic container ( HINT: I removed the container as soon as the concrete hardened, it took 6 to 7 hours for mine to harden. I found it much easier to remove at this time. I allowed the rest of the concrete to sit in the Jack O Lantern till the next day.
- Allow the pumpkins to completely dry out another day or two before adding a plant or decorations.
Voila!
Enjoy Your Goofy Concrete Jack O Lantern.
Next DIY Blog will be on how I made this wooden riser. Stay Tuned!
Look at How Cute They Turned Out!
This was such a simple and affordable project! Let me know if you do it, I would love to see your creativity.