How to Carve a Pumpkin

Last updated January 14, 2025
No two pumpkin designs have to be alike. Everyone has their favorite pumpkin faces. Choose spooky designs that thrill trick-or-treaters. Or smiling jack-o'-lanterns that light up the night. Once you know how to carve a pumpkin, you can choose any look you like. Read on to learn how to carve a pumpkin using pumpkin carving stencils and a pumpkin carving kit. With a little creativity, you’ll learn how to carve a pumpkin like an expert.
Difficulty:
Beginner
Duration:
Under 2 hours
Table of Contents
Pick a Pumpkin for a Jack-O'-Lantern
Set Up Pumpkin Carving Station
Prepare Pumpkin for Carving
Use Pumpkin Carving Stencils
Carving a Pumpkin
Pumpkin Carving Tips
Pick a Pumpkin for a Jack-O'-Lantern

Consider picking your pumpkin in mid-October to make sure they’ll last as jack-o'-lanterns through Halloween. Pumpkins will typically start to decay within two to three weeks after carving.
- Examine the pumpkin carefully. It should be free of free of nicks, cuts and bruises.
- Make sure it has a sturdy stem and consistent color.
- Choose a flat bottom to easily display your pumpkin design or pumpkin face.
- Pick the right size pumpkin for pumpkin carving. Round, medium-sized pumpkins are best for simple carvings.
- Larger pumpkins are better suited for more elaborate pumpkin designs and pumpkin faces.
Tip: Pumpkins are ready to harvest for pumpkin carving when the rinds turn hard.
Set Up Pumpkin Carving Station

Before you start carving the jack-o’-lantern, prep your pumpkin carving space.
- Gather your pumpkin carving stencils, pumpkin carving kits, markers and any other tools.
- Lay a drop cloth or layers of newspaper over a flat surface such as a kitchen counter. This will help protect the surface and make cleaning up after pumpkin carving easier.
Tip: Carving a pumpkin can be messy. If the weather is nice, take your pumpkin carving outside to a patio or a deck.
Prepare Pumpkin for Carving

You can begin your pumpkin carving by cutting the lid of the pumpkin first. Choose a shape for the lid that complements your design.
- Puncture the pumpkin’s top, roughly two inches from the stem.
- Use the straight-edged blade in your pumpkin carving kit or a serrated kitchen knife.
- Cut or saw around the stem to create the lid. Make the hole large enough to put your hand inside.
- Remove the newly carved lid and take out the pumpkin pulp and seeds.
- Scoop out all the strands and pumpkin seeds by hand.
- Use a large spoon to scrape the walls of the pumpkin.
- Clean the pumpkin as thoroughly as possible so that the candle or artificial light placed inside will be noticeable.
Tip: Removing the pumpkin pulp and seeds will be easier if you cut a hole in the bottom. Because the stems and strands are attached to the bottom this makes cleaning out the inside of the pumpkin simpler.
Use Pumpkin Carving Stencils

Once your pumpkin is cleaned out, you’re ready to draw on your design. The classic jack-o'-lantern design, also known as the smiling jack, is a traditional pumpkin carving style that never grows old.
- Use a pumpkin carving stencil and dry erase marker to trace designs on the pumpkin face.
- Follow the stencil carefully to get the details right.
- Make sure your lines are thick enough to see when you are carving.
If you don’t have a stencil, you can draw your design freehand instead.
Carving a Pumpkin

Once you’ve got your design drawn, it’s time to bring it to life. A pumpkin carving kit has everything you need to create jack-'o-lanterns and other designs. Each kit has specialized knives and other carving tools. Especially great for children, pumpkin carving kits make the process safer and easier.
- Start carving from the center of your design.
- Grip the tool firmly and cut slowly.
- Use smaller tools for detailed areas and larger knives for carving bigger areas.
- As you carve, push any cut pieces into the pumpkin.
Pumpkin Carving Tips

- Before you start carving your pumpkin, put the seeds aside to rinse, dry and roast. Roasted pumpkin seeds are a tasty treat.
- To make your jack-o'-lantern last longer, apply petroleum jelly to carved surfaces and along the cut interior.
- Monitor lit candles and keep them away from flammable materials. Never leave them unsupervised or lit overnight.
- Use LED string lights or battery-operated candles for a fuss-free glow.
- Keep your carved jack-o’-lantern outdoors in the cool air to preserve its good looks.
- Clean and store your pumpkin carving tools until next year.
- Always supervise kids as they work on their pumpkin designs and pumpkin faces.
- Follow the necessary safety precautions while using the tools and product needed for this project.
- Wear work gloves and safety glasses as needed.
Once you learn how to carve a pumpkin, you’ll be able to use round, tall, short or flattened pumpkins as jack-o’-lanterns. Carving a pumpkin is a fun activity the whole family will love. Start by picking a fresh pumpkin in the right size for your project. Be creative with your design and enjoy your art all season. Get everything you need for pumpkin carving and festive fall decor. The Home Depot delivers online orders when and where you need them.