Last year’s Halloween wasn’t even finished and I was already planning for this year’s spooky season. I kept seeing floating pumpkins all over the internet, and I knew I wanted to make my own.
After Halloween wrapped up, I found craft pumpkins and LED lights heavily discounted. I grabbed a bunch with one plan in mind: creating floating pumpkins for Halloween.
If you’re a fan of the Harry Potter books and movies, then you know the exact scene I’m talking about. In The Sorcerer’s Stone, on Halloween night (the same night of the troll break-in), the Great Hall is filled with glowing, floating jack-o’-lanterns. That was my inspiration. I wanted to create floating pumpkins in a similar style, which of course meant more research—aka a full rewatch of the Harry Potter films.
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How to craft these floating pumpkins
Making these floating jack-o-lanterns was a lot of fun, and a lot of work. Make the faces any way you want. I went for the Harry Potter inspired faces.
Step 1: Choose Carvable Craft Pumpkins
Not all craft pumpkins are made for carving, so check before you buy. I used carvable craft pumpkins and sketched out different jack-o’-lantern faces inspired by the Great Hall scene. With pumpkin carving tools, I carefully cut out the designs, making sure the eyes and mouths were large enough to fit lights inside.
Step 2: Add Bright Floating Pumpkin Lights
To bring the pumpkins to life, I used remote-controlled LED lights I found on Amazon. They’re super bright, color-changing, and you can switch them on and off from across the room. My kids love playing with the remote, which has turned into its own 20-minute activity before dinner.
These floating pumpkins give off the same magical glow that made me fall in love with the Great Hall scene.
Step 3: Hang the Floating Pumpkins
For the hanging setup, I poked a hole in each pumpkin stem and threaded fishing line through. Since fishing line doesn’t knot easily, I reinforced it with hot glue. Weeks later, they’re still hanging strong.
I used heavy-duty command hooks on the ceiling. They aren’t invisible, but they’re sturdy—and that’s what matters most when you’re suspending glowing pumpkins over your living room.
The Finished Look
And that’s it! You’ve got DIY floating jack-o’-lanterns that look like they floated right out of Hogwarts. The effect is magical, fun for kids, and a perfect way to add a Harry Potter vibe to your Halloween decorations.
Between these pumpkins and my DIY floating candles, our home basically transforms into the Great Hall every October. It’s become a favorite family tradition, and the kids can’t wait to light them up every night.
Happy Halloween, friends! If you’re looking for more Harry Potter inspired DIYs, don’t miss my floating candles tutorial.
Floating Pumpkins FAQ
How do you make pumpkins float for Halloween?
To make floating pumpkins, use lightweight carvable craft pumpkins, thread fishing line through the stems, and secure them to the ceiling with strong adhesive hooks. Add LED lights inside for a glowing effect.
What kind of pumpkins work best for floating jack-o’-lanterns?
Choose foam or plastic craft pumpkins labeled as “carvable.” Real pumpkins are too heavy and will not hold up safely when suspended from the ceiling.
What lights should I use inside floating pumpkins?
Remote-controlled LED puck lights or battery-operated tea lights work best. They’re safe, lightweight, and easy to switch on and off without taking down the pumpkins.
How do you hang floating pumpkins from the ceiling?
Use clear fishing line looped through the pumpkin stems, then secure them to the ceiling with heavy-duty command hooks. Add a dot of hot glue to reinforce the knots.
Is this a Harry Potter inspired DIY?
Yes! These floating pumpkins are inspired by the iconic Great Hall scene in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, where glowing jack-o’-lanterns hover over the Halloween feast.