Recycled Halloween Pumpkin Turned Into a Pokémon Ball

Halloween crafting season is always such a fun excuse to pull out the glue, tape, paint, and all those half-forgotten plastic pumpkins hiding in the cupboard. And this clever recycled Halloween pumpkin idea is perfect if you have a little Pokémon fan in the house — or, let’s be honest, a grown-up one too.

Instead of buying a brand-new candy bucket or themed Halloween decoration, Jennifer Chapman gave an ordinary plastic jack-o’-lantern pumpkin a quick makeover and turned it into a bright red-and-white Poké Ball using simple supplies like tape and cardstock. It’s a brilliant recycled craft project because it takes something many of us already have from past Halloweens and gives it a completely new life.

I love this idea because it is simple, budget-friendly, and very forgiving. You don’t need fancy supplies or perfect painting skills to make it work. A plastic pumpkin, some red and white covering, a black band, and a center circle are really all you need to create the look. Kids could help with the decorating, and it would make a fun last-minute Halloween candy bucket, party prop, bedroom decoration, or Pokémon-themed costume accessory.

With Pokémon still being such a popular theme for kids’ parties, trick-or-treating, and handmade costumes, this recycled Poké Ball pumpkin is a great way to combine Halloween crafting with a favorite character-inspired idea. I’m fairly sure I have at least one old plastic pumpkin in the garage that would be perfect for this kind of makeover.

This project is a fun reminder that recycled crafts don’t have to be complicated. Sometimes the best ideas are the ones that take something simple, add a bit of imagination, and turn it into something your kids will instantly recognize and love.

I bet Pokemon will be a big theme this year. Jennifer Chapman posted her quick redo of a Halloween pumpkin into a Pokemon ball with a bit of tape and card stock. I bet I have a plastic pumpkin that will be up for this redo.

Okay, this might be one of the coolest recycled craft ideas I’ve seen in a long time. If you’re into vintage typewriters and also love tinkering with tech, this USB Typewriter project is a brilliant mash-up of both worlds.

Basically, the idea is to take an old manual typewriter—you know, the clunky, charming kind with the click-clack keys—and turn it into a working USB keyboard. Yes, it actually connects to your laptop or tablet, and yes, it totally works. Talk about breathing new life into a piece of the past!

The project involves a special kit that includes a sensor board (to pick up your key presses), a USB interface board (to connect it all to your computer), and some reed switches (those help with the Shift, Space, and Return keys). There’s even a version of the kit that doesn’t require any soldering, so you don’t need to be an electronics wizard to pull it off.

I’d say this falls into that sweet spot of “advanced beginner” when it comes to skill level. If you’re comfortable using basic tools and following clear instructions, you could absolutely tackle this over a weekend. It’s a bit of a commitment, but honestly? The final result is SO worth it.

What I love most is how this blends sustainability with creativity—you’re upcycling a piece of history and turning it into something totally functional for modern life. Whether you use it for writing, coding, or just showing off at your local café, it’s a fun and eco-friendly DIY electronics project that’ll definitely turn heads.

If you’re passionate about recycled crafts or you’ve got an old typewriter gathering dust, this project might just be your next favorite weekend hobby. I’m already on the hunt for my next vintage find to transform! See the full tutorial here.

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