Simple Pumpkin Solar Lights in Under 5 Minutes

Written byMichelle Dickson Updated

Learn how to turn inexpensive plastic pumpkin buckets into fun pumpkin solar lights quickly and no power tools are required!

Steph and I have been having so much fun taking inexpensive plastic pumpkin trick-or-treat buckets and giving them a creative twist for fall and Halloween.

We’ve tried a few different ideas, but I think we may have come up with our easiest project yet!

These pumpkin solar lights are a fun way to add a little Halloween glow to your outdoor space, and they’re perfect for lighting the path to your front door on Halloween night.

Best of all, you can make one in less than 5 minutes—without a single power tool! Score!

Keep scrolling to see how easy these are to make, you’re going to want to try this one!

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Supplies Needed

For this project, you only need a couple of inexpensive supplies!

We found our plastic pumpkin buckets at Walmart for less than $2 each.

Ours are the 8-inch buckets, but you can also use a smaller 4–5-inch bucket and simply pair it with a smaller solar light.

You can really use almost any size solar light you like.

I chose a light that’s about 6 inches wide across the top because I wanted it to sit on top of the pumpkin like a little hat.

But if you prefer, you can use a smaller solar light and place it right inside the bucket instead.

You’ll just want to make sure the solar panel can get enough sunlight.

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Pinterest image, jack-o-lantern Pumpkin Bucket Solar light glowing along a pathway at night.

What Kind of Solar Lights Can I Use in Plastic Pumpkins?

The great thing about this project is that you have plenty of options when it comes to the solar light!

You can use just about any size or style, depending on the size of your plastic pumpkin and the look you want.

A smaller solar light can fit right inside the bucket, while a larger light can sit on top like a little hat.

Just make sure the solar panel is positioned where it can get plenty of sunlight during the day so your pumpkin will glow when the sun goes down.

I chose a pretty and durable solar light that I can use in my yard year-round, even after Halloween is over.

It’s a win-win for me!

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How to Make Pumpkin Solar Lights

Start by removing the handle from your plastic pumpkin bucket.

Orange plastic jack-o-lantern pumpkin trick or treat bucket.

Then turn the pumpkin upside down and find the center of the bottom.

You can measure across the bucket from two directions and mark the center, or you can do what I did and simply eyeball it.

I made five of these, and they all turned out great!

Cut the Opening

A woman uses a utility knife to cut a "X" in the bottom of an orange plastic pumpkin bucket.

Using a sharp utility knife, carefully score an X in the center of the bottom of the pumpkin.

Make each cut about the same width as the pipe on your solar light.

And X is cut into the bottom of an orange plastic trick or treat bucket.

My pipe is about 1 inch in diameter, so my X was about 1 inch in length.

You want the opening to be snug around the pipe rather than too large.

Be careful when using a utility knife, and always cut away from yourself while keeping your fingers clear of the blade.

Tip: I found it easier to not have my slits on the bucket seam.

Add the Solar Light

The stake of a solar light is pushed through the cut X in the bottom of an orange plastic pumpkin trick or treat bucket.

From inside the pumpkin, push the pipe of your solar light through the X you just made.

If it’s too tight, simply make your X a little larger until the pipe slides through.

Once the pipe is in place, attach the solar light to the top.

A pumpkin solar light is placed in the garden.

Finally, place the stake portion of the solar light wherever you want it in your yard and insert the pumpkin’s light pipe onto the stake.

That’s it!

In the evening glowing pumpkin solar lights in a front yard walkway.

You now have a fun, glowing pumpkin solar light—and the whole thing takes just a few minutes to make.

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Where to Place Your Pumpkin Solar Lights

Now comes the fun part, deciding where to put your pumpkin solar lights!

They’re perfect for lining a walkway or leading guests up to your front door, but don’t stop there.

Try tucking them into garden beds, placing them around your porch or patio, or lining them along outdoor steps.

I love that they add a little Halloween fun during the day, then light up after dark to create a warm, welcoming path for trick-or-treaters.

And since they’re solar powered, you can put them just about anywhere they’ll get plenty of sunshine during the day!

A Few Tips for the Best Glow

For the best glow, give your solar panels as much sunlight as possible during the day.

Mine are on the north side of my house, so they get some sunshine, but not quite enough to keep them glowing for a full 8 hours.

Once my flowers die back in a few weeks, I’ll move them to a spot where they’ll get a little more sun.

It’s just something to keep in mind when you’re choosing the perfect spot for your pumpkin solar lights!

Frequently Asked Questions

Do the solar lights need direct sunlight? They don’t necessarily need direct sunlight all day, but the more sunshine your solar panel gets, the longer and brighter your pumpkin solar lights will glow at night. Direct sunlight gives the fastest charge and maximum energy, and generally, 6–8 hours of direct sun can provide enough power for a light to glow for many hours after dark. But don’t worry if you don’t have a spot with full sun! Overcast skies, cloudy days, and even bright shade can still provide enough light to charge the battery, although it may not hold a charge for as long.

Can these pumpkin solar lights stay outside? Yes! That’s one of the things I love about these pumpkin solar lights. Since they’re made with outdoor solar lights and inexpensive plastic pumpkin buckets, they’re designed to be enjoyed outside. Just keep in mind that the durability will depend on the particular solar light you choose and the weather where you live. I’d also check the light’s weather-resistance rating before leaving it outside for an extended period, especially during heavy rain, snow, or freezing temperatures.

Can I use any plastic pumpkin bucket? For the most part, yes! You can use just about any plastic pumpkin bucket for this DIY. Just choose a size that works with the solar light you have. Smaller pumpkins pair well with smaller solar lights, while larger buckets work well with larger solar lights. The plastic doesn’t need to be fancy—inexpensive trick-or-treat buckets work perfectly, which is one of the reasons I love this project so much!

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More Halloween Decor DIY’s

Ready to Make Your Own?

I have to say, these pumpkin solar lights might be one of my favorite Halloween DIYs yet!

I love that such an inexpensive little plastic pumpkin can be transformed into something that adds a little magic to the yard after dark.

And because the solar light is something I can continue using in my yard year-round, it feels like an even better find.

If you have a few plastic pumpkin buckets sitting around or spot some inexpensive ones while you’re out shopping, grab them!

In less than 5 minutes, you can turn them into fun glowing decorations without any power tools or complicated steps.

Give this easy DIY a try, then come back and tell us where you placed your pumpkin solar lights!

Please share your tips and ideas with us.

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Pinterest image, jack-o-lantern Pumpkin Bucket Solar light glowing along a pathway at night.

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Michelle Dickson

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What’s New . . .

I have always had a passion for transforming spaces and creating organized, functional homes. Even as a child, I loved rearranging furniture and decorating my childhood home. In fact my dad would comment he was afraid to come home from work and sit, for fear the furniture would be rearranged. I enjoy the challenge of turning ordinary items into extraordinary pieces, whether it’s a piece of furniture or an entire room. My creativity and attention to detail drive me to find unique ways to breathe new life into any space.

As a wife (to a supportive and patient husband, Steve), mother of three, and grandmother of five, I balance my love for home improvement with family life. I enjoy spending time outdoors, hiking, and exploring nature. I also frequent yard sales, thrift stores, and vintage markets, always on the lookout for my next project.

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