Transform your Halloween decorations with a range of whimsical and spooky pumpkin carving ideas. From hilarious to horrifying, these simple designs will add a festive touch to your home.
Beyond the traditional jack-o-lantern, there’s a world of creative pumpkin carving possibilities. Unleash your imagination with adorable monsters, friendly phantoms, eerie arachnids, or sinister vampires to enhance your Halloween ambiance.
Whether you’re a novice carver or a seasoned crafting enthusiast, there’s a perfect pumpkin pattern for you. Discover a variety of humorous pumpkin designs, such as robots, scarecrows, and the playful peekaboo pumpkin, which features a smaller pumpkin nestled inside a larger one.
Once you’ve selected your favorite design from our list, gather your pumpkin carving supplies – X-Acto knives, cookie cutters, tea lights, and washable chalk markers – to bring your vision to life.
If you prefer a less messy approach, explore our collection of no-carve and painted pumpkin decorating ideas for additional Halloween inspiration.
THE MERRYTHOUGHT
1
Constellation Pumpkin
Steal from the beauty of space by carving a group of stars into pumpkins of varied sizes. Start by painting your pumpkins black, then carve careful lines, followed by small holes to serve as the stars.
Get the tutorial at The Merrythought »
TATERTOTS & JELLO
2
Mice Pumpkins
Create a creepy display for your front porch! First, carve different size holes around your pumpkin, then stick plastic mice as though they’re emerging and entering each hole.
Get the tutorial at Tatertots and Jello »
MIKE GARTEN
3
Candle Pumpkins
Turn tall squashes into funky candlestick designs. Use a carving knife to cut a round opening from the bottom of your pumpkin, then scoop out the insides. Download our candlestick template and trace the shape onto the pumpkin using a pencil or washable chalk marker. Cut along the template. When you’re happy with the shape, put string lights into the bottom to create a stunning glow.
SOLSTOCK//GETTY IMAGES
4
Puppy Paw Pumpkin
Celebrate your fur baby by carving a simple paw print into a small pumpkin. Keep in mind: While pumpkin is healthy for dogs, don’t let them munch on the skin as it could be a choking hazard.
PETER DAZELEY
5
Friendly Kitten Pumpkin
Make something inspired by your feline friend, instead. Once you cut off the top and scrape out the pumpkin guts, you’ll just need to make a few geometric cuts to create this adorable cat face. Carve out two triangles for the ears, two diamonds for the eyes and a few more triangles for the nose and whiskers.
MIKE GARTEN
6
Feather Pumpkin
Opt for something artsy with our feather template, which even beginners can trace using washable chalk markers. Use Lino Cut tools to carefully carve the surface skin of the pumpkin, all while leaving the flesh exposed. A mix of long and short carving strokes will create texture on the pumpkin. For a brighter glow from the string lights inside, thin the flesh of the pumpkin by scraping away more of the inside flesh with a spoon.
Tip: Spray vinegar on the carved areas so they last longer before adding the string lights.
ROMULO YANES
7
Candy Coated Pumpkin
Deck out your pumpkin’s carved face with Halloween candy. Start by outlining your features with Twizzler’s Pull ‘N ‘Peel. Outline the eyes with candy corns and jelly beans, then use Chiclet gum to form a toothy smile.
HARMANPREET KAUR / 500PX//GETTY IMAGES
8
Spider Pumpkin
Spiders are a spooky symbol of Halloween, but we’re loving this friendly face. Be sure to sketch out your design with a pencil before carving.
MIKE GARTEN
9
Headstone Pumpkins
Draw inspiration from an old cemetery headstone with this spooky design. Trace and carve our headstone template onto a tall pumpkin, preferably painted a moody color of your choice. After adding the lights, place your new headstone on the front porch or lawn as a creepy welcome for guests.
MIKE GARTEN
10
Pumpkin Diorama
From reindeer moss, twigs and succulent stems to mini headstones, set a dramatic scene inside your carved pumpkin. For a pop of color, paint a small pumpkin red and make it center stage. Complete the over-the-top design with a full moon (a Ping-Pong ball that you can easily hang from a thin string).
MIKE GARTEN
11
Flame Pumpkins
These striking flame pumpkins will illuminate your fireplace mantel — without any real flame. First, choose an assortment of orange pumpkins in various sizes, so they’re easy to stack and arrange. Download, trace and carve out this flame template. Cut the pumpkin’s opening out from the bottom for LED tealights and you’re all set.
ANTONIS ACHILLEOS FOR WOMAN’S DAY
12
Zipper Mouth Pumpkin
This silly face is a breeze to make. Carve the mouth and eyes, leaving some shaved down pumpkin for the irises. Glue on black buttons for the pupils, then use a zipper and wide black ribbon to create the mouth.
MIKE GARTEN
13
Punched Pumpkins
Would you believe this spooky display of heirloom pumpkins and gourds is made possible with cookie cutters? After prepping and cleaning the pumpkins, push sturdy metal cookie cutters into them (think bats, skeletons, ghosts and vampires).
Use a rubber mallet to hammer the cookie cutters through their flesh and save the cutouts. Cut out smaller details with a round hole cutter, before spraying vinegar on the carved areas so they last longer. Mix and match the punched cutouts to create a colorful pumpkin pattern.
MIKE GARTEN
14
Fall-Inspired Pumpkins
These seasonal designs require surface carving, so try not to carve them all the way through your pumpkins. You’ll need our templates (leaves, flowers and acorns), washable chalk markers for tracing and Lino Cut tools for the carving. Since these designs are more fall-themed and not just specific to Halloween, spray vinegar on the pumpkins to help them last as long as possible throughout the season.
A BEAUTIFUL MESS
15
Mini Playhouse Pumpkin
Use a combination of painting and carving to build these adorable houses. Cut out windows and doors for candle light to shine through, then paint a beautiful exterior.
Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess »
JOHN KERNICK
16
Spots and Dots Pumpkin
It may look elaborate, but this polka-dot pattern is fairly simple. Sketch your pattern with a marker, leaving enough space between dots so holes won’t overlap. Punch it out with a power drill and various bits. Finish it off by placing LED string lights inside to bask in your handiwork’s glow.
ANTONIS ACHILLEOS FOR WOMAN’S DAY
17
Melon Ball Pumpkin
Even though summer’s over, you can still put your melon baller to work: Carve out perfect circles with your trusty kitchen gadget for an abstract design, or to look like a dozen floating eyeballs.
PERSIA LOU
18
Monster Candy Bowl Pumpkin
Kids will love seeing this monster candy bowl instead of the typical dish of treats. Make sure to give it a toothless grin, googly eyes and a trick-or-treat sign so everyone knows to grab some sweets.
Get the tutorial at Persia Lou »
CRAFTS BY AMANDA
19
Black Cat Pumpkin
This idea doesn’t require as much carving as the others. Cut out almond-shaped eyes, spray paint your pumpkins and add cat ears that you can DIY using toothpicks.
Get the tutorial at Crafts by Amanda »
MIKE GARTEN
20
Scalloped Edge Pumpkins
Carving out scalloped edges for pumpkins creates a unique display you can stack on any table, mantel or desk. Cut a round opening from the bottom and scoop out the insides using a spoon or measuring cup. Keep carving the opening until you’ve created your desired bowl shape. Cut out V-shaped slivers and widen them until you have your scalloped edges. For this idea, you can add a tealight inside or place another pumpkin on top.
Note: All of your “pumpkin goo” can be composted in these handy bags!
21
Retro Carved Pumpkin
Use a round template (like a bottle cap or tape roll) to trace rows of connecting circles onto a pumpkin. Trace a larger circle onto the bottom of the pumpkin. Cut along the interior lines with a pumpkin carving knife. Cut out the bottom circle. Paint the pumpkin with two coats of white craft paint or spray paint before placing LED candle lights in the bottom to light it up!
For the pumpkin vase, use a knife to cut a round hole on the top of the pumpkin. Remove the top and clean out the insides. Place a vine plant inside the pumpkin (still in its small pot), and place a small vase inside with water. Arrange a few flowers in the vase while mixing it with the vines.
MIKE GARTEN
22
Spider Pumpkin
This spooky spider pumpkin will look great on your front porch or anywhere in your house! Carve out a circle on the face of the pumpkin, spray paint it (inside and outside) black, and poke 12-13 holes along the edge where you carved it. Then, thread a needle with a metallic string and tie a knot on the end.
Start from the inside and pull the thread through the first hole, then through another hole directly across the pumpkin (poking the pumpkin from the outside) and tying it off inside. Repeat this step until you have all your holes filled. Take a length of string and start by tying it to one of the crisscrossed strings you just created about one inch from the outside of the hole. Continue making a spiral by knotting as you hit the crisscross that is already there, while continuing in a circular swirl. For the final touch, add a spider to your web!
MIKE GARTEN
23
Crow Pumpkin
Pick out a fresh pumpkin, wipe away the dirt and clean it with a water and vinegar spray mixture. Using a good pumpkin carving knife, keyhole saw or sturdy serrated kitchen knife, cut a round opening from the bottom of the pumpkin (this makes it easier to add lights).
Scoop out the inside pulp and seeds and trace this crow template onto the pumpkin using washable chalk markers. Use a craft knife set to cut along the template’s lines before placing the carved pumpkin over string lights or a LED votive.
ANTONIS ACHILLEOS FOR WOMAN’S DAY
24
Sweet Scarecrow Pumpkin
This candy-filled scarecrow is way too sweet to scare away any trick-or-treaters. Follow a classic pumpkin face design, and then make its features pop with candy corn in assorted shapes and sizes.
ROMULO YANES/WOMAN’S DAY
25
Robot Pumpkin
We can’t stop smiling at this little robot. Minimal carving is needed, which is a plus if you want to make more than one. Hint: A melon baller will make creating all those little “buttons” so much easier.
26
Fancy Vampire Pumpkin
This one is super simple! Cut a hole in the center of your pumpkin, then cut plastic vampire teeth in half and hot glue them in place. Fold a black doily in quarters, and cut along one line to the center. Accordion-fold the doily all the way around and hot glue it to the bottom of the pumpkin.
COURTESY OF ERIN CESTERO
27
Tree and Moon Pumpkin
Stack three pumpkins on top of each other and try your best at painting a tree. Poke out holes to represent stars and carve out a crescent moon at the top.
DANA GALLAGHER FOR COUNTRY LIVING
28
Lamp Jack-o’-Lantern Pumpkin
After gathering your best three pumpkins, turn them into glowing silhouettes of vintage lamps. Don’t worry, you don’t have to be the best painter to make these look good.
ANTONIS ACHILLEOS FOR WOMAN’S DAY
29
Wicked Witch Pumpkin
Grab your craft knife and start carving the wickedest witch these kids will ever see — at least in pumpkin form. A crooked hat will complete the look.
MIKE GARTEN
30
Kitten Pumpkin
If you want to do less carving but still have a show-stopping pumpkin, then this kitten pumpkin is pur-fect!
Mini Kitten Pumpkins: Take mini pumpkins and spray paint them black with two coats of paint. Add rhinestones for the eyes, thread for the whiskers and pom-pom noses with a hot glue gun. For the ears, you can cut out triangles from velour paper, attach toothpicks to them with a hot glue gun, and stick the ears into the tops of the pumpkin.
Main Pumpkin: Begin by carving a circle on the top of your pumpkin and taking out all the seeds. Fill the pumpkin with crumbled newspaper and nestle the kitten pumpkins on top. Take water tubes and fill them with water for the fresh flowers and place them inside the pumpkin.
MIKE GARTEN
31
Candy Holder Pumpkin
Craft a unique — and useful — front porch display with a large real or faux pumpkin. First, mark a hole on the top half of the pumpkin and carefully cut along the line with a pumpkin carving set. If you opted for a fake pumpkin, sand down any rough edges. Paint the entire pumpkin with black chalk paint and let it dry. Before the festivities begin, fill it with candy and write a message with chalk.
MIKE GARTEN FOR WOMAN’S DAY
32
Goofy Grin Pumpkin
Make your own funny-faced pumpkin by tracing a face design with a marker before carving it out. Use discarded pumpkin circles for the eyeballs and add a tea light for a nighttime glow.
Get the tutorial at Woman’s Day »
THE HOUSE THAT LARS BUILT
33
Pumpkin Succulent Family
Try this unique way to display your favorite succulents. DIY one for each member of your family and have them help you turn ordinary pumpkins into planters.
Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built »
MIKE GARTEN
34
Starry Fright Pumpkin
Go glam this Halloween! After painting your pumpkin gold, use a rubber mallet or a dishcloth-covered hammer to gently pound a cookie cutter into a hollowed pumpkin. Remove the cut-out pieces and repeat as desired.
ANTONIS ACHILLEOS/WOMAN’S DAY
35
Peekaboo Pumpkin
Double the pumpkins, double the fun: Place a smaller gourd — white works best if you want it to mimic a skull — inside a big orange pumpkin for a pleasant surprise.
MIKE GARTEN
36
Drilled Pattern Pumpkin
Decorate your house with simple, yet elegant pumpkin designs. Start by carving a hole in the bottom of your pumpkin. Then, you can use a piece of paper to draw a pattern that you like or print a design template to lay on the pumpkin. Use a toothpick or awl to poke holes as a guide to where you need to drill. Finally, use whatever drill bits you’d like and get drilling! You can even add a candle inside if you want the pumpkin to glow.
MIKE GARTEN
37
Flower Moon Pumpkin
If your pumpkin carving skills could use some work, rely on fake flowers and paint to disguise any mistakes. First, paint a real or faux pumpkin black and use chalk to draw an outline of a crescent moon. Then, use an awl punch to punch a series of holes within the moon shape, keeping the holes a minimum of 1/2″ apart. Wipe away the chalk outline, then poke faux flower stems into the holes.
ANTONIS ACHILLEOS FOR WOMAN’S DAY
38
Scarface Pumpkin
Draw out the eyes, mouth and scar before carving them out. Cover the scar with Q-tips and use olives for the monster pumpkin’s eyeballs.
39
Flower Power Pumpkin
This idea is perfect for the family who wants to make a big statement without spending a ton of time creating their design. All you have to do is paint a pumpkin bright pink (or any color you’d like). Then, just make holes for the eyes and mouth, and pop in some giant faux flowers and scary fake teeth!
A BEAUTIFUL MESS
40
Glass Bead Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkin
Use a power drill to poke holes into pumpkins before filling them with glass beads. Placing a light on the inside will make the beads shine.
Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess »
ANTONIS ACHILLEOS FOR WOMAN’S DAY
41
Hungry Jack Pumpkin
Fill your carved out eyes with squash and place a sad-faced apple in your pumpkin’s mouth. As the saying goes, an apple a day keeps the doctors away — bogeymen and ghosts included.
JOHN KERNICK
42
Twisting Vines Pumpkin
Here’s a pro trick for nailing this glowing 3D effect: Use a lemon zester, clay loop, or linoleum cutter to carve into — but not through — the top layer of pumpkin skin.
MIKE GARTEN
43
Pumpkin Flower Vase
Flowers have never looked so good. After covering a pumpkin with metallic spray paint, carve a deep hole in the top, then slide in a plastic cup. Fill the cup with water and a medley of bright blooms.
WOMAN’S DAY
44
Skeleton Pumpkin
When all else fails, go for an oh-so-scary monster look with white paint, a zipper mouth and a forehead scar.
MICHAEL PARTENIO
45
Carved Pumpkin Bowl
Cut a large pumpkin in half and scoop the insides out of the bottom portion. Fill with ice and decorate it with faux spiders, and you’ve got the spookiest drink display on the block.
DEBORAH ORY
46
Smiling Pumpkins
Keep it simple — but still fun — by having each family member carve out their best Halloween face on pumpkins of different sizes.
COUNTRY LIVING
47
Zombie Skeleton Pumpkins
The walking dead are rising up — in your lawn, that is. Carve life-size bony limbs into stacked pumpkins to really make a statement (especially if you place them around a faux gravestone).
48
Wood-Burning Stove Pumpkins
Warm up your front porch with this adorable wood-burning stove idea. It’s pretty easy to create, and Country Living even has a stencil for you to use!
MIKE GARTEN/WOMAN’S DAY
49
Candy Land Pumpkin
Open up a few of your candy bags early and steal a couple of pieces to create this adorable house outfitted with gumdrops, peppermints, candy corn and more.
Get the tutorial at Woman’s Day »
ANTONIS ACHILLEOS/WOMAN’S DAY
50
Ghost Pumpkin Topiary
Carve out doors on three pumpkins and have happy (or scary) ghosts pop out. You can even fill the pumpkins with fluff to look like smoke.
BRIAN WOODCOCK FOR COUNTRY LIVING
51
Honeycomb Pumpkin
Go for a naturally sweet design by carving a large honeycomb pattern across the pumpkin’s front. Leave a few honeycombs intact and paint them yellow to look like the real thing.
STEVE GIRALT FOR WOMAN’S DAY
52
Medusa Pumpkin
Nothing’s creepier than hair made of snakes, whether they’re real or rubber. Although it’s a more light-hearted take on Greek mythology, this version of Medusa carries the same consequences: If you gaze into her eyes, you might turn into stone.
BRIAN WOODCOCK FOR COUNTRY LIVING
53
Pumpkin Rope Candy Dispenser
This homemade beauty beats out any store-bought candy bowl. Just trace the bottom of a glass bowl or storage container to ensure that it’ll fit inside. That way, you can safely store candy without covering it in the pumpkin’s natural goop.
STEVE GIRALT FOR WOMAN’S DAY
54
Faux Blossom Witch Pumpkin
If you can’t get your hands on a green heirloom pumpkin, paint a regular orange one in a muted green hue for a similar look. Then dress it up with parsnip nose, hair made out of twigs and a witch’s hat. Now, it’s up for you to decide: Is it more of a Glinda or Elphaba?
STEVE GIRALT FOR WOMAN’S DAY
55
Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Speak No Evil Pumpkin Trio
Nobody — not even this pumpkin trio — will shame your candy intake on Halloween. Since there’s three pumpkins to carve, divide the carving duties up between family members to save time and let’s face it, stress.
ANTONIS ACHILLEOS FOR WOMAN’S DAY
56
Friendly Ghost Pumpkin
Instead of going to the pumpkin patch, take a trip to the grocery store and stock up on butternut squash to make this friendly bunch. Depending on how much time you have, carve a single Casper or add a few friends to keep him company.
BRIAN WOODCOCK FOR COUNTRY LIVING
57
Hen and Chicks Pumpkin
Even if you haven’t made your farm dreams come true (yet), you can play pretend with these pumpkins decked out with hen and chick designs. Fill the cut-outs with chicken wire to match your home’s rustic aesthetic.
ANTONIS ACHILLEOS FOR WOMAN’S DAY
58
Lion Pumpkin
No cowardly lions here: To get a fluffy lion’s mane, stick faux chrysanthemums in shades of orange and yellow around its carved face.
STEVE GIRALT FOR WOMAN’S DAY
59
Stacked Witch Pumpkin
Greet neighbors and trick-or-treaters with this bewitching pumpkin trio. Unlike the other witch pumpkin ideas, disguise the pumpkin stack with a black fabric cloak, finished off with a complementary ribbon.
ANTONIS ACHILLEOS FOR WOMAN’S DAY
60
Eyeball Pumpkin
Opt for a creepy statement by placing white pumpkins inside bigger orange pumpkins to resemble eyeballs. Stick two pumpkin creations side by side for extra impact.
Get the tutorial at Woman’s Day »
JENNIFER CAUSEY
61
Mason Jar Pumpkin
To complement your farmhouse chic decor, take the time to carve out a classic mason jar on your pumpkin. Instead of the iconic Ball logo, go with something more festive. It doesn’t get any better than “Boo!”
JENNIFER CAUSEY
62
Drilled Shape Pumpkin
Use an erasable wax pencil to mark off a pattern on your pumpkin, then use a medium drill bit to punch out the image. The hardest part? Deciding what kind of design you want to go for — spooky, classic, funny or all of the above.
ANTONIS ACHILLEOS
63
Lollipop Pumpkin
Enjoy this pumpkin weeks after Halloween by indulging in these sweet lollipops (er, suckers). Carve out your pumpkin’s face and drill holes at the top for the treats.
ROMULA YANES
64
Squash Pumpkin Family
Is anyone else getting major Veggie Tales flashbacks? Your kids certainly will certainly remember Jimmy Gourd once you show them this carved creation.
BRIAN WOODCOCK
65
Sunflower Pumpkins
Sunflower season may be long gone, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have these beauties blooming on your front stoop during the fall months. Create stacks in varying heights to resemble a real flower field.
ROMULO YANES
66
Owl City Pumpkins
This family of birds is a literal hoot. Carve out their cute expressions, then attach hand-painted nuts for tiny ears and feet.
WOMAN’S DAY
67
Passel of Rascals Pumpkin
For a picture-perfect look, cover a basic black hat in white masking tape and colorful branches.
BRIAN WOODCOCK
68
Bean Bag Toss Pumpkins
No, these pumpkins aren’t screaming, they’re just getting ready to join in on the Halloween festivities. Stack two on top of each other, give them a big enough mouth and you’ve got the perfect bean bag toss game.
GEMMA COMAS
69
Creepy Crawler Pumpkins
Light up the party with a spooky trail of spiders. Bent pipe cleaners bring to mind hairy tarantula legs when attached to mini pumpkins.
ANTONIS ACHILLEOS FOR WOMAN’S DAY
70
Hairy Pumpkin
Top your pumpkin with its very own plant toupee. Carve out the top of the gourd and tuck in a pot of grass or ivy for a truly awesome hairdo.
JOHN KERNICK
71
Happy-Go-Quirky Pumpkin
Here’s the foolproof way to carve out ghoulish features: Tape transfer paper to a pumpkin, draw on your design, remove the paper and follow the outline with your carving tools. Sounds easy enough, right?
ROMULO YANES
72
Dracula Face Pumpkin
No bloodthirsty monsters here. Yes, he’s got a set of fangs, but what’s not to love about this adorable Dracula face? Exactly.
GOOD HOUSEKEEPING
73
Spooky Monster Pumpkin Group
Go the extra mile and give your pumpkin head an accompanying torso. A second squash also provides extra decorating opportunities, like this adorable bow tie.
MICHAEL PARTENIO
74
Leafy Pumpkin
Mimic the fall foliage outside with our easy pumpkin carving template. Plop the glowing lanterns atop a pair of planters to welcome trick-or-treaters.
JOHN KERNICK
75
Halloween Town Pumpkins
Set up a flickering town square by cutting away windows and doors from silhouetted buildings. Then fill ’em with battery-operated candles or string lights to cast a subtle glow.