1Prepare the paper plates.

If you want to make a two-sided pumpkin, prepare two paper plates, otherwise you just need one.

2Draw lines.

Position the paper plates bottom side up. Use red or orange crayon to draw curved lines from the top to the bottom of the plate, similar to the lines on a basketball. Make the strokes as heavy as you can.

3Create a face.

If you wish to make your pumpkin into a Jack-o'-lantern, draw a face with black crayon. Color inside the eyes, nose and mouth.

4Prepare the paint.

Place some orange tempera or poster paint on your palette. Add enough water to to achieve a watery consistency. Mix well.

5Paint the paper plate.

Paint the bottom side of your paper plate orange. Don't worry about painting over the crayon lines since the wax from the crayon will resist the watered-down paint.

6Let the paint dry.

You can dab a paper towel or tissue on the eyes, nose and mouth to wipe off any paint. Let the painted paper plates dry completely.

7Create a stem.

Cut a rectangular stem out of green paper or felt. Glue this at the back of your paper plate pumpkin, positioning it at the top of the plate.

8Add a string.

Cut a piece of string. Mine is about 8 inches long. Bring the ends of the string together and tape them near the base of the stem.

9Glue the two plates together.

If you are making a two-sided pumpkin, glue the two paper plates together along the edges.

10Fold a pipe cleaner in half.

Next, take a green pipe cleaner and fold it in half.

11Attach the pipe cleaner.

Twist the middle of the pipe cleaner around the base of the string.

12Bend the pipe cleaner.

Flip the pumpkin so that the front is facing up. Bend the pipe cleaner on several points to create the pumpkin's tendrils.

Besides a pipe cleaner, other materials you can use to make tendrils include green curly ribbons, green feathers, or green paper twine.

13Use your paper plate pumpkin.

Once the glue dries, find a place to hang your paper plate pumpkin for a cute fall or Halloween décor.

You can hang several two-sided paper plate pumpkins from the ceiling where they can rotate freely.