How to Make a DIY Light-up Wooden Pumpkin

Learn how to make a DIY light-up wooden pumpkin using yardsticks and basic tools. It makes a simple and quick project for fall to add to your home.

Fall is finally here, and that means it’s time to start decorating for the season!

There’s something special about creating your own festive decor, and today, I have a fun project that is not only super easy to make, but also adds the gorgeous glow. Because there is nothing better than adding LED lights to create a little extra oomph in the decor.

This light-up wooden pumpkin is made using simple materials like yardsticks and paint stirrers. It’s an easy project with big impact!

Not only will this pumpkin look great on your porch or mantel, but the LED lights give it that extra fall magic.

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How to make the LED Pumpkin

The yardsticks have printed markings and slight indentations on the back. You could sand them down for a smooth finish, but I tested the paint, and it covered the markings surprisingly well.

The indents are still noticeable, but I think they actually add a fun bit of character to the final project!

Step 1. Cut Yardsticks

• Cut yardsticks in half (at 18″) using a miter saw or miter box and handsaw.

Cutting them with a miter saw is quick and easy as you can cut them all at the same time, but if you don’t have a miter saw you can use a miter box and hand saw. Learn how to use a miter box here.

Step 2. Arrange Yardsticks

• Lay the yardsticks side by side with even spacing between them.

You can use the paint stirrers (paint sticks) to help maintain consistent spacing while arranging the yardsticks. The width of the paint sticks works perfectly to create an even gap between the yardsticks.

Tip: If you’re going for a rustic look, you can leave the gaps uneven, too, but for a more finished look, make sure the yardsticks are evenly spaced.

Step 3. Join Yardsticks

• Place a paint stick in the middle at the top of the yardsticks. The handle of the paint stick makes a great pumpkin stem!
• Place two more paint sticks on both sides of the middle paint stick. These will help secure all the yardsticks together.
• Apply a generous amount of hot glue to the back of the paint sticks and press them down onto the yardsticks to hold everything together. Allow the glue to dry fully before moving on to the next step.

Tip: If you want extra durability, consider using wood glue for a stronger bond, but note that it will take longer to dry than hot glue.

Step 4. Draw a Pumpkin Shape

• Once the glue dries, flip the yardsticks over and draw a pumpkin shape using a pencil. Don’t worry about making it perfect—pumpkins in nature aren’t symmetrical, so your shape should have a little personality!

If freehand drawing isn’t your thing, you can find a pumpkin template online, print it out, and trace it onto the wood.

Step 5. Cut Out the Shape

• Using a jigsaw, carefully cut along the pencil line to shape your pumpkin.

Use a top and bottom cut blade to get a clean cut on both sides of the pumpkin. Learn how to use a jigsaw here.

• Use a sanding block or a piece of sandpaper to smooth the edges and remove any splinters. This step is important to ensure a clean, finished look and to prepare the surface for painting.

Step 6. Paint Your Pumpkin

Now it’s time to add color!

• Paint your pumpkin and stem in the colors of your choice.

I went with traditional orange for the pumpkin and green for the stem, but you can choose any color scheme that matches your decor. Don’t forget to paint the edges of the yardsticks for a polished look!

If you want a more rustic finish, you can use chalk paint and distress the edges to give it a weathered, vintage appearance.

Step 7. Drill Holes for LED Lights

• Decide where you want your LED lights to go. Map out the placement of the holes, keeping in mind the spacing of the lights on your string. Spread the holes out evenly or create a fun, random pattern—it’s entirely up to you!
• To drill the holes, place the pumpkin on two scrap boards to elevate it from your work surface. Use a 1/4″ drill bit to drill the holes where you’ve marked them. Make sure you have enough holes to fit all the lights on your string.

Step 8. Add the LED Lights

• Starting from the middle of the pumpkin, insert the LED lights into the drilled holes.
• Apply a dab of hot glue around each LED light to secure it in place.
• Work your way outwards, filling one side of the pumpkin, then the other, so you end up back in the middle.
• Once all the lights are in place, gather any excess wires and attach the battery pack to the back of the pumpkin. I used packing tape to secure the wires and battery pack, which also makes it easy to remove when you need to change the batteries.

That’s it!

I added a green pipe cleaner to the stem to make it more fun.

The DIY Light-up pumpkin is ready to shine and can be placed on your porch or mantle, or even hung up on the wall (just add some hanging hardware).

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