This Halloween, challenge yourself to carve a Jack-O-lantern! These simple steps will show you exactly how to make your very own masterpiece. Round up the family and get crafty.
While carving Jack-O-lanterns is a fun activity for the whole family, we recommend only adults carry out the pumpkin carving. Simply choose your pumpkin, gather your supplies, print one of our free pumpkin carving templates and get started.
Before you start pumpkin carving, wipe down all benches with disinfectant spray to ensure you have a clean working space. Next, ensure everyone washes their hands thoroughly with soap.
Step 1: Choose your base
Get your hands on a pumpkin, watermelon or pineapple. Although a pumpkin is a Halloween classic, you can mix things up with a tropical pineapple or watermelon, if you’d like to try something new.
Step 2: Scoop it out
Ensure your bench is flat, free from clutter and dry. Now, it’s time to start pumpkin carving! Cut a hole at the top of your pumpkin, watermelon or pineapple with your pumpkin carving tool kit, then scoop out the inside. Remember to always handle sharp knives and objects with care.
Don’t waste what you’ve just scooped out, instead, if you’re working with a watermelon or pineapple, make a delicious watermelon or pineapple smoothie. If you’re carving up a pumpkin, add it to your compost bin if you have one.
Use it up with our delicious recipe
Step 3: Draw or use a template
There’s multiple stencils available with varying degrees of difficulty, so you can find a stencil right for your skill level. Download and print your free pumpkin carving template.
Once you have selected and printed a template, secure your stencil to the front or your pumpkin or watermelon with tape.
Trace the outline of the stencil by poking holes into the pumpkin, watermelon or pineapple using a skewer. Be sure to make this outline as clear as possible, as this will make carving easier.
Step 4: Start carving
Remove the stencil, then carve along the pattern using a knife or pumpkin carving tool. Remember, be careful when handling knives.
Step 5: Light it up
Finally, the fun part. Insert a tealight candle and light your Jack-O-lantern up.
If you’d rather leave the pumpkin carving to the experts but want to get in the Halloween spirit, consider decorating a pumpkin instead. It’s the perfect opportunity to let children’s creativity run wild with paint and loads of embellishments.
Create a superhero pumpkin, a mummy pumpkin or even a disco pumpkin, the options are endless. Happy Halloween!