Halloween doesn’t just bring out little ghosts and goblins in search of sweet treats. It also brings out the creativity in people of all ages. Deciding what the pumpkin will look like each year can be as fun as choosing the perfect Halloween costume.

While some folks can’t wait to start scooping out and carving their pumpkins, many ideas for pumpkin decorating are knife and carving-tool free.

No-carve pumpkins aren’t only a great choice for kids too young to wield sharp objects. These projects are fun for adults.

For inspiration for no-carve pumpkins, look no further than local DIY expert, Jade Harrington of Lake Charles. She’s been providing great ideas at her jaderbomb.com blog for the last five years.

“I like to keep it simple,” Harrington said. “It’s just my way of adding more fun and creativity to the world.”

Harrington loves using craft pumpkins because she can box it up, put it in storage and reuse it the next year.

Easy-to-follow instructions for her glow-in-the-dark, spider, gilded, rainbow and glass glitter pumpkins are printed below, along instructions for velvet pumpkins.

Local readers also submitted ideas for how to repurpose objects with pumpkin-esque flair. Another is looking forward to fashioning pumpkins nieces and nephews will enjoy based on characters from the movie, “Frozen.” Another reader submitted a photo of her Cinderella-style pumpkin carriage, complete with Barbie horse to pull it and Barbie Cinderella waiting to be whisked away to the ball.

Three online ideas caught the eye of American Press editors: the Burberry pumpkin, pumpkins outfitted in black stockings and the dryer vent pumpkin.

Need more ideas? Wrap a pumpkin in cheesecloth to create a mummy. Add a hat, glasses and fake mustache to pumpkins and draw on eyes, nose and mouth with marker or use foam shapes to create features. For family fun, have each family member craft a pumpkin that represents them and add an extra pumpkin with the family’s last name and the year stenciled on.

Teens and adults might enjoy painting pumpkins in the colors of fall that can be used all season. Think browns, tans, creams, coppers, russets, golds and olives. Stems can be wrapped in velvety chenille yarn or metallic thread.

Never underestimate the versatility of black. It’s not just a wardrobe staple. Start with a cream-colored craft pumpkin or spray paint pumpkins black Add a stenciled initial in just about any color, including metallics.

Chris Long plans to pursue pumpkin projects inspired by the movie