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Halloween is next weekend, which means your decorating deadline is quickly approaching. And while your costume might be sorted and your party backdrop planned, it’s time to carve those pumpkins. Let’s be honest: is it really Halloween if you don't put out at least one jack-o'-lantern? Getting inspired for the perfect pumpkin carving idea can be tricky. There are a lot of Halloween clichés, and while many of them, like witches, black cats, and bats, are timeless, sometimes you want to try something new. Luckily, we’re here to help with 105 new and unique pumpkin carving design ideas.
The pumpkin carving ideas below span a range of experience levels. There are more simple, classic ideas that most kids could do (with adult supervision, of course), to more complex and elaborate designs that any museum would be happy to take in for the season. Whether you plan a trip to a local pumpkin patch (and snap some photos while you're there) or take a shortcut to your local grocery store or farmer's market to select a gourd, half the fun is in coming up with how you're going to carve your creation (though you're always welcome to skip the sharp objects and decorate it instead).
Some planning is involved, so start by preparing a pumpkin carving station with serrated knives and a layer of newspaper or plastic sheeting on your table to manage the inevitable mess and protect your dining room table. Traditionally, you begin by cutting a hole in the top of your pumpkin and removing the pulp and seeds until you have a hollow gourd ready for carving. Don't forget to save the seeds for roasting as a little reward once you've finished your masterpiece and are relaxing with a good Halloween book!
Finally, all that's left is to choose a chilling creation. Below, we're rounding up 105 creative pumpkin carving ideas to try this year. From ghoulish grins to scary skeletons, these designs are sure to elicit screams—of delight, that is.
Additional copy by Meghan Shouse, Kate McGregor, Melanie Yates, and Kelly Allen.
More Halloween inspiration:
- 72 Halloween Decorating Ideas That Are So Sophisticated, It's Scary
- The Best Halloween Centerpieces to Set the Right Mood
- 28 Halloween Wreaths That Bring the Party to Your Front Door
For more Halloween fun, subscribe to our haunted house podcast Dark House on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere you listen.
1
Gourd Skulls
Opt for elongated and differently shaped pumpkins for a carved collection of skulls. The natural curves of the gourds mimic the shape of a human head for a cartoon-like take on Halloween faces.
2
Pumpkin Behind Bars
For a pair of pumpkins that are drastically different sizes, transform the larger one into a jail cell for the little pumpkin. Keep full cuts to a minimum and use a smaller knife to carve wider lines closer together to avoid just having a gaping hole if the “jail bars” are too far apart.
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3
"The Raven" Pumpkin
Take Inspiration from the king of horror stories, Edgar Allen Poe, with a pumpkin carved in the shape of a raven. This creepy bird silhouette is sure to stand out from the slew of witches and goblins.
4
Diffused Dots
If spooky or scary isn’t your cup of tea, utilize your pumpkin as more of a decorative tealight candle holder instead. A symmetrical pattern on different-sized dots help light shine through in a very aesthetically pleasing way.
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5
Cyclops Pumpkin
Halloween is a time to embrace the monsters and ghouls of pop culture. A one-eyed monster, aka a cyclops, is a clever way to simplify your pumpkin’s face design. For little ones, transform the character into Mike Wazowski from the fan-favorite movie, Disney’s Monsters Inc..
6
Cat and Fishbowl
The majority of cat parents are completely infatuated with their felines, so if you fall into that stereotype, it only makes sense to carve your jack-o’-lantern in the likeness of your kitty. However, we dare you to take it a step further and add another pumpkin into the mix, this one carved up like a fishbowl for your pumpkin cat to play with.
Related Story: 16 Stylish Pet Accessories You Won't Have to Hide When Guests Come Over
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7
Pugnacious Pumpkins
In the case of jack-o’-lanterns, two is better than one, and a fun pumpkin carving idea is making them look as if they’re interacting with each other. Rather than simply giving them ghoulish features, make them angry too—like they’re arguing with each other about who ate whose candy.
8
Hypnotized Pumpkin
Challenge your pumpkin carving skills this year by choosing a design that requires a lot of curves and doesn’t allow much room for mistakes by making your jack-o’-lantern look stuck in a trance. Whoever’s hypnotizing him, hopefully, they’re asking for treats and not tricks!
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9
Toupée Pumpkin
Use every part of your pumpkin—guts and all—this Halloween, and give him some hair. Or make him look like a zombie with his brains spilling out.
10
Creepy Crawly Pumpkin
Opt for a spider jack-o’-lantern rather than one with a face. It can still be just as creepy, and it’ll be a true test as to whether or not you’re a pumpkin carving expert.
Related Story: How to Safely Remove Poisonous Black Widow Spiders From Your Home
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11
Double Trouble
You don't have to lug home the biggest pumpkin in the patch to impress your equally Halloween-obsessed neighbors. To execute this pumpkin carving idea, choose two medium-sized gourds, scoop out the insides, and give them sharp-toothed smiles that appear to be cackling diabolically.
12
Brace Yourself
More funny than frightful, this pumpkin carving idea is an ode to our awkward teen years. Punch out the eyes and nose as you normally would, then carefully use a peeler and a Dremel tool to shave down the outer layer of the pumpkin without puncturing it. Then, once you've outlined the silhouette of the teeth, use a knife to carve the mouth open and then add definition to each tooth. Snip small pieces of craft wire, insert them into each tooth, then take a longer piece of wire and string it through for the braces look.
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13
Ghoulish Gourd
How many pumpkin carving ideas involve meticulous linework and careful cutting? With this one, you can make an expressive face without much work at all! The blobby shapes take just minutes to make.
14
Sinister Grimace
Pumpkin faces definitely don't have to be symmetrical—in fact, the more off-kilter they are, the scarier the effect! This sinister face features a sneaky side-eye and a jagged grin.
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15
Unsettling Stare
This pumpkin carving idea features extra-wide eyes and a closed-mouth smirk. With a candle placed inside, the thin line will glow eerily in the dark.
16
Owl Pumpkin
Is there anything spookier than the call of an owl on a dark fall night? Choose a round, stout pumpkin to kick off this pumpkin carving idea, then carve tiny triangles for the feathers, finishing with an eerie set of eyes.
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17
Vampire Pumpkin
Pay tribute to one of the spookiest characters of the season with a carved vampire pumpkin, complete with long fangs and a spiky lid that resembles hair.
18
Four Eyes Pumpkin
All eyes are on you with this creepy four-eyed pumpkin—and we're not talking about glasses. To create this toothy ghoulish grin, make sure to cut teeth that are jagged and irregular, which is the key to extra shivers.
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19
Evil Eyebrows Pumpkin
They often say the eyes are the window to the soul—and if that's true, then the eyebrows definitely set the mood. For a pumpkin that looks menacing and mean, carve angular eyebrows in the shape of a V.
20
Hungry Pumpkin
Ever wonder what you could use those cute little gourds in the grocery store for? Well, here's your answer. With a mouth carved into a big "chomp"—just the size for a petite pumpkin—this hungry dude looks ready to munch on any lingering trick-or-treaters.
Alyssa Longobucco
Contributing Writer
Alyssa Longobucco is a freelance writer, editor, and stylist with a background in interior and lifestyle content. Her work helps readers digest design trends and provides actionable expert advice for creating a home they love. She has over a decade of experience in the media industry, and her work has appeared in Real Simple, Good Housekeeping, SELF, Apartment Therapy, The Knot, Domino, HGTV Magazine, Country Living, and more. Alyssa holds a BA in Journalism and Public Relations from Marist College and interior design certifications from NYIAD and RIDQC.