ESP32-Powered Talking Smoke Pumpkin for Halloween

Hi and welcome to this spooky Halloween tutorial!

The protagonist is this creepy talking pumpkin that spits fog and speaks with a monstrous voice. I made it using papier-mâché, combined with anESP32, a DFPlayer Mini, an ultrasonic sensor, LEDs, and of course... a smoke machine!

WS2812B Neopixel LED:https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DBCWGlx

Esp32 NodeMCU 30pin CP2102:https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DFV1lCR

2-Channel Relay Module:https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DEtuJRt

DFPlayer Mini:https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DDf3qWb

LED:https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DnrTM2b

Ultrasonic Sensor:https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DdA5cZp

Dupont Cables:https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DD9WMyn

Resistors:https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DnE8mVv

Smoke Machine:https://amzn.to/3XcIHzG

Smoke Machine Fluid:https://amzn.to/3ALu7pO

5V 3A Power Supply:https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_De611wR

RCA Connectors:https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_oEs25Bj

5.5mm Jack Female Socket:https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DD3XZaf

➡️Papier-mâché Pumpkin Tutorial

➡️Documentation

➡️Voice changer

Everything is wired and controlled via the ESP32. The DFPlayer plays audio through connected speakers, lights create atmosphere, and relaystrigger the fog machine remotely.

The pumpkin is made of papier-mâché. I followed a great video tutorial from a channel that makes only Halloween props (➡️link).

Blow up a beach ball and start layering strips of newspaper soaked in a homemade glue made with water, PVA glue, and flour. Apply at least sixlayers to make it sturdy.

Once dry, sketch the pumpkin face and texture lines. Then, cover it with paper pulp—just small chunks glued on patiently. Sculpt the eyes, nose,teeth, and stem. When dry, paint it to your liking.

Open the RCA jack. Inside, the small pin is positive and the outer ring is negative. Solder two Dupont cables to them.

Then open the smoke machine remote. Locate the ON/OFF buttons and test continuity with a multimeter. Solder wires on the back of each buttonto simulate a press via the relay module. Connect these to the relay module (COM + NO contacts).

Download the Arduino Sketch from the following links:

Italian version

English version

Important – before uploading the code to the ESP32, make sure all libraries are installed.

The code is fully commented (link in description). It’s based on these steps:

1. Detect object within 30cm using HCSR04.
2. Play thunder SFX with DFPlayer.
3. Turn on white LEDs and red LED strip.
4. After 9 seconds (SFX duration), turn off white LEDs.
5. After 15 seconds (dialogue), activate relay 1 (smoke on).
6. After 3 seconds, activate relay 2 (smoke off).

Go to VoiceChanger.io and either record directly or upload a file. Choose your favorite creepy effect, download the MP3, and put it on the SD card for the DFPlayer.

Place everything inside the pumpkin: fog machine at the bottom, ultrasonic sensor at the top, LEDs, ESP32, speaker wires. Power it up and trytriggering it with your hand...

"Who dares disturb the cursed pumpkin…?"

Success! It lights up, speaks, and covers your guests in a thick fog of doom.

And that’s it! Hope you enjoyed this spooky DIY. If you liked it, give it a ❤️ and feel free to share your own haunted creations. Happy Halloweenand... beware the fog!