Pumpkin carving has been a quintessential part of Halloween since Irish immigrants brought the tradition to the U.S. in the late 19th century and early 20th century. These days, nothing welcomes trick-or-treaters on Halloween night more than a glowing jack-o'-lantern grinning from the front porch.

Below, we offer a step-by-step guide to create your own masterpiece, including how to choose the right pumpkin, carving tips and techniques from the experts, what tools you'll need and more. Whether you want to carve a classic jack-o'-lantern, silly pumpkin faces or get even more creative with one of the many pumpkin carving ideas out there, we've got you covered.

Looking for more family-friendly Halloween activities after you're done carving? Check out our favorite Halloween decoration ideas, homemade costumes and spooky crafts.


Step 1. Begin with the right pumpkin.

Choose one that's fresh, with a sturdy stem, no bruises and a flat bottom so it won't roll while you carve.

pumpkin carving, hand pulling the lid off a pumpkin

Step 2. Start cutting from the bottom, not the top.

Michael Natiello, pumpkin carving pro and creative director for The Great Jack-o'-Lantern Blaze, says cutting your "lid" from the bottom of the pumpkin helps prevent the sides from caving in later.

Step 3. If you do carve from the top, cut out the lid on an angle.

This way, it won't drop inside the pumpkin when you put it back on top, like it would with a straight up-and-down cut. A boning knife should work well for this.

Step 4. Scoop out all the pulp (and then some).

pumpkin carving man creating a pumpkin for halloween
OSORIOartist//Getty Images

You can buy a special "claw" for pumpkin gutting, but an ice cream scoop will do just fine. Thin the inner wall of the "face" area to be 1ΒΌ-inch thick, so it will be easier to pierce the shell.

Step 5. Sketch out your design on paper first.

If you draw your jack-o'-lantern face to size, Natiello says you can use it as a pattern: Just tape it to the front of your pumpkin and use a fork or pencil to poke holes along the lines you want to carve. Or, use a pumpkin carving kit, complete with a marker, scraper, cutting tools and pre-made patterns.

Step 6. Hold the pumpkin in your lap.

It's easier to create features when the face is gazing up at you. Natiello suggests using a serrated kitchen knife or an X-Acto knife for carving, but to make intricate designs, you could try a small saw. Just don't cut on a slant β€” clean up-and-down slices look best.

pumpkin carving, hand holding a knife while carving a pumpkin

Step 7. Start with simple rough cuts.

If you get the big pieces of pumpkin out of the way first, you can go back and clean up the edges of your design later.

Step 8. Use your scraps creatively.

Make a tongue, pipe or hair accessories out of a discarded piece of pumpkin shell, for example.

pumpkin carving tips carved face

Step 9. Keep your pumpkin fresh.

Natiello recommends spreading petroleum jelly on the cut edges to seal in moisture, which helps make your carved pumpkin last. If your pumpkin still shrivels a few days later, you can revive it with a facedown soak in cold water for up to eight hours.

Step 10. Light it up.

Place your candle (or candles) into your pumpkin before lighting. If you don't want to use votives, try Christmas lights, especially those that blink for a spooky appearance. Or, save yourself the stress and go with battery-operated votives instead.

pumpkin carving, illuminated pumpkin
Sergey Peterman//Getty Images

Step 11. Create a chimney.

First, leave the lid on for a few minutes while the candle burns. Then make a small hole where the lid has blackened.

Step 12. Sprinkle cinnamon inside the lid.

That way, when you light the candle, your jack-o'-lantern will smell like a pumpkin pie. Yum.


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