Halloween Pumpkin: It’s the perfect Halloween activity for showing off your creativity and getting a little messy (plus, you can whip up some delicious pepita recipes). Probably tired of the triangle nose and toothy grin by now. Luckily, there are many creative options to inspire your creativity. There is bound to be a jack-o-lantern on this list that speaks to you, whether it’s one that looks like it’s eating another pumpkin or a design inspired by your favorite movies like Harry Potter and Star Wars. If carving seems too complicated for your knife skills, try one of these painted pumpkin ideas instead. Happy Halloween!
Including pet Halloween costumes and Echo Dot stands, Baby Yoda has been a popular inspiration for a number of items, so why not dress your pumpkin up in his likeness? Or you could purchase this foam one on Etsy if you’re not up for DIYing.
When you’ve got themed dishes to match, a spiky jack-o’-lantern can make a great centerpiece or party platter accent.
Get the tutorial at Country Living.
Instead of carving this intricate evil tree trunk design, all you have to do is place a printout of it over a giant oval carved into your pumpkin. Light it up with a battery-powered candle inside, and you’ll be set.
Mini pumpkins dyed with food coloring are adorable when arranged on a cake plate.
Get the tutorial at Family Chic.
Carve a spooky scene by making a topsy-turvy haunted house surrounded by an eerie tree, flying bats, and a mini graveyard.
Not interested in displaying a super spooky pumpkin this year? Make the cutest, magical one by carving Tinker Bell and her pixie dust.
Take a cue from The Crafted Life to create a chic pumpkin centerpiece. You don’t have to stick to classic Halloween kitsch to carve a pumpkin that still feels festive! Choose an unconventional color for a fun surprise.
Why not mash two classic Halloween symbols–a pumpkin and witch hat–with this fairly simple design? FYI, you can buy a printable PDF to help you out if you don’t want to freehand it.
This two-in-one pumpkin is scary, creative, and funny all at once—the Halloween trifecta. The tricky part (you know, beyond having A+ carving skills) is cutting the mouth just the right size to fit a smaller gourd. You can help hold it in place with toothpicks.
Young House Love created this elaborate pumpkin by printing out an intricate damask pattern and then tracing it. Stencils will help you make those touch precision cuts. Talk about impressive.
Use your words! But this crafty pumpkin requires some scary good skills, so don’t say we didn’t warn you. Again, a stencil will definitely come in handy.
That’s no moon! In a galaxy far, far away, there are some seriously cool pumpkins. This one is perfect for advanced pumpkin carvers and Star Wars fans.
Channel Tim Burton while giving a pop-art edge to your typical orange gourd. You could also just paint on the polka dots if you don’t want to get your hands too dirty.
Get the tutorial at WhipperBerry.
Flying bat designs are basic, so use this stencil on Etsy to carve out an unexpected hanging bat scene. Even bats need naps!
Grab your Eggos, Stranger Things pumpkins are happening.
Go for a super basic ghost design inspired by the emoji. It’s ideal for pumpkin carving novices and anyone who is in a rush to decorate.
Because you need a drink to go with all of the scares.
Get the tutorial at Everyday Dishes & DIY.
You’re never too old to be a Disney fan, and we’re downright obsessed with this Frozen take on Halloween.
The secret to this triple-decker gourd: toothpicks and colored beads.
Instead of one large jack-o’-lantern, craft a giant skull from a bunch of mini ones. It’s a tedious task but worth the time and effort!
Harry Potter fans need to consider making a pumpkin of their favorite character. Add a corresponding scarf made of paint (or a real one!) to take it to the next level.
Artists will take a liking to this Game of Thrones pumpkin carving design featuring Tyrion Lannister and one of his famous quotes.
As creatures of the night go, cats and bats tend to dominate the conversation. Why not go the unexpected route with a Halloween pumpkin carving dedicated to raccoons? This one puts on a mean face that’ll spook any passerby.
Just don’t light a black flame candle inside this one, and you’re good.
Sure, you can pile plain pumpkins in the hearth, but candlelit “flames” look so much better.
Get the tutorial at Country Living.
This pumpkin is what happens when two holidays collide.
To recreate this soft glow, use a lemon zester, clay loop, or linoleum cutter to peel away the top layer without puncturing the rind.
Get the tutorial at Good Housekeeping.
These carved-out designs can work on your porch well after October 31st.
PSA: The unicorn trend is still alive and well.
Place a scared little pumpkin inside of your jack-o’-lantern, and you’ll quickly set a spooky scene.
Suspend a hollowed-out pumpkin, stuffed with straw and candles, from a sturdy rope for a lantern effect.
Get the tutorial at The Poolhouse.
Carve out your pumpkin and stick mini skeletons in it. Add some “jail bars” for a creative (and totally hilarious) Halloween display.
Decorate your jack-o’-lantern with an old-school lamp. Your pumpkins will be both pretty and practical when it comes to lighting up the front porch.
Get the tutorial at Country Living.
Showcase your love of tacos, and specifically Taco Bell, with this pumpkin carving design.
Summer may be over, but you can still catch lightning bugs. Etch out a Mason jar and attach LED lights inside and out. Even better, use the blinking variety, and they’ll look like the real thing.
Get the tutorial at Country Living.
The classic decor design looks just as fun on a pumpkin.
Get the tutorial at Wit & Whistle.
This play on Cyndi Lauper’s iconic “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” song makes for thrilling yet light-hearted seasonal decor.
Take a cue from your favorite home decor and mimic your wallpaper (or tablecloth, table runner, or napkin) pattern.
Get the tutorial at Country Living.
Just don’t trust this to actually wake you up in the morning and you’ll be good.
Get the tutorial at Built by Kids.
You can never go wrong with a leaf and pumpkin combo for Halloween or fall!
Get the tutorial at Country Living.
Trim the stem on an oblong-shaped pumpkin after carving out a vertical arm, then place a smaller one on top to complete the skeleton’s spooky arm.
Get the tutorial at Country Living.
Scraping off just the surface saves a ton of time when carving a pumpkin. It also allows you to get more creative with your designs without risking ruining the whole thing.
Get the tutorial at Country Living.
Despicable Me fans need to consider making a minion pumpkin.
With a Lite-Brite (remember those?) as his inspiration, designer Paul Lowe punched holes in his pumpkin to create a crescent shape.
Get the tutorial at Country Living.
We know it’s fake, but we’re still spooked by this pumpkin design.
See more at Good Housekeeping.
Using white pumpkins is the super-easy way to up your jack-o-lantern game.
Get the tutorial at Woman’s Day.
Gourd-and-berry window boxes are the perfect touch to this charming pumpkin home.
See more at Good Housekeeping.
Tim Burton would surely approve of this detailed pumpkin design.
Give your pumpkin an eaten apple makeover for an unexpected look.
See more at Good Housekeeping.
With four minis as feet and a stem as a trunk, transforming pumpkins into a friendly porch elephant is a breeze thanks to skewers and toothpicks.
Get the tutorial at Woman’s Day.
Try out this much more sophisticated (and seasonal) take on the traditional elementary school project.
Get the tutorial at Country Living.
A gourd’s twisted stem works perfectly as a crooked nose. Plus, this project skips the messy step of scooping out the inside.
Get the tutorial at Woman’s Day.
A little bit of chicken wire turns a pumpkin into a mama hen—a baby pumpkin works perfectly for your “mama” pumpkin’s chick.
Get the tutorial at Country Living.
If you’re a stickler for a traditional face, give your pumpkin a new ‘do with a cheeky plant toupee
