These Unique Pumpkin Carving Ideas Are Perfect for Your Next Weekend Project (2025)

Table of Contents
Carving Tip Classic Smiling Jack-o-Lantern Luminary Pumpkins Pumpkin Seed Owl Pumpkin Frida Kahlo Pumpkin Skeleton Pumpkin Pineapple Pumpkin Pumpkin Eating a Pumpkin House Number Pumpkins Fairy Garden Carved Pumpkin Hanging Pumpkin Planter Haunted House Pumpkin Dog Face Pumpkin Mickey Mouse Pumpkin Halloween Phrase Pumpkin Flower Vase Pumpkin Moon Shaped Pumpkin Guacamole-Filled Pumpkin Batty Pumpkin Miss Piggy Pumpkin Witch Carved Pumpkin Musical Instrument Pumpkin Green Witch Pumpkin Pumpkin House Last Name Pumpkin Scary Face Pumpkin Dinosaur Pumpkin Home State Pumpkin Yawning Pumpkin Critter House Pumpkin Scary Cat Pumpkin Rolling Stone Pumpkin Mixed Pumpkin Designs Carved Owl Pumpkin Be Kind Pumpkin Trick or Treat Pumpkin Heart Shaped Pumpkin Fang Mouth Pumpkin Boo Pumpkin Jail Cell Pumpkin Halloween Cat Pumpkin Tombstone Shaped Pumpkin Fire Pit Pumpkin Wart Pumpkin Vase Sunflower Seed Owl Pumpkin Gold Dipped Pumpkin Mini Bat Pumpkin Heirloom Succulent Pot Carved Pumpkins Metallic Pumpkin Lanterns Leaf Pumpkin Magical Carriage Pumpkin Geometric Shape Pumpkin Floral Filagree Pumpkin Realistic Floral Pumpkin Turtle Pumpkin Ghost Pumpkin Night Sky Pumpkin Lightly Carved Name Pumpkin Sunflower Pumpkin Cat Pumpkin with Pipe Cleaner Whiskers Elmo Pumpkin Crystal Ball Pumpkin Braces Wearing Pumpkin Pumpkin with Ghost Attached Pumpkin Houses with Nature Decor Pumpkin with Witch's Hat Pumpkin Getting Eaten Pumpkin Spitting out Pumpkin Seeds Pumpkin Housing Pumpkin Soup Paw Print Pumpkin Money Symbol Pumpkins Four-Eyed Pumpkin Goofy Pumpkin Toothy Pumpkin Leafy Pumpkin Upside Down Bat Pumpkin Candy Filled Pumpkin Crow Pumpkin Our Best Tips for Carving Pumpkins Choosing Designs Matching Your Pumpkin to Your Home Selecting Carving Tools When Should You Carve Your Pumpkin? Tip What Should You Do With the Pumpkin Guts? References

Celebrations

Fall Holidays

By

Sarah Lyon

These Unique Pumpkin Carving Ideas Are Perfect for Your Next Weekend Project (1)

Sarah Lyon

Sarah Lyon is a freelance writer and home decor enthusiast, who enjoys sharing good finds on home items. Since 2018, she has contributed to a variety of lifestyle publications, including Apartment Therapy and Architectural Digest.

Learn more about The Spruce'sEditorial Process

Published on 09/28/24

These Unique Pumpkin Carving Ideas Are Perfect for Your Next Weekend Project (2)

Each fall, many people enjoy spending some time carving pumpkins to then display on their front stoop or porch in honor of Halloween.

There are so many unique ways to customize a pumpkin depending on your skill set and interests. Young ones will appreciate being able to carve a classic jack-o-lantern, while older adults will enjoy experimenting with extra intricate and eye-catching designs.

Below, we're sharing 77 majorly inspiring carved pumpkins featuring an array of designs ranging from classic jack-o-lanterns to monster faces, animals, fall motifs, witches, and so much more.

Feeling inspired? Grab your carving knife and get ready to have the most festive Halloween yet.

Carving Tip

Don't throw away your pumpkin seeds as you carve—some of these designs actually weave seeds into the final product for some cool-looking results.

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    Classic Smiling Jack-o-Lantern

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    It wouldn't be Halloween time without a classic jack-o-lantern. This carving style is one of the most popular for a reason—it's easy to replicate and adds a cheerful, friendly touch anywhere. This classic smiling face is a popular choice, but you could also design your jack-o-lantern to feature a surprised, scared, or creepy expression.

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    Luminary Pumpkins

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    As the days get shorter, lighting your front stoop only becomes even more important. Drill holes in your pumpkins to create your very own luminaries that will line your walkway and provide both beauty and function on dark nights. The patterns you can choose from are endless!

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    Pumpkin Seed Owl Pumpkin

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    If you love owls, this pumpkin carving concept is for you. As you hallow out your pumpkin, be sure to hold onto the seeds, which you can then glue around the owl's eye area for a feather-like effect. This project is a great way to really make use of an entire pumpkin and not waste materials.

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    Frida Kahlo Pumpkin

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    How gorgeous is this pumpkin that's been designed to look like beloved artist Frida Kahlo? We love the idea of paying homage to a famous figure in your pumpkin carving—here, the stick on eyebrows and florals really add to Frida's signature look. Of course, you could choose another famous figure or celeb to emulate, too.

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    Skeleton Pumpkin

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    This skeleton-looking pumpkin also doubles as a flower vase! We like the idea of filling a hallowed out pumpkin with florals or seasonal blooms and then using it as a centerpiece to really take a seasonal tablescape to the next level.

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    Pineapple Pumpkin

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    Looking to switch things up a bit? Carve a pineapple rather than a pumpkin for an unexpected twist on Halloween decor. This is an especially perfect choice if you live in a tropical or warm weather environment where it doesn't really feel like fall. Its prickly skin does look sort of scary!

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    Pumpkin Eating a Pumpkin

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    Eek—this pumpkin appears to be eating another one! For a fun take on your classic scary pumpkin, place a small gourd inside of its "mouth" to really get the neighbors talking.

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    House Number Pumpkins

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    Light the way to your front door with carved pumpkins that spell out your address. Place a candle inside each so that guests will be able to spot which driveway to pull into from the street. We love an idea like this one that is equal parts creative and functional.

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    Fairy Garden Carved Pumpkin

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    The imaginative kids (and adults) in your life will appreciate making up stories about these pumpkins turned fairy gardens. Outfit them with small plastic creatures to make them appear even more convincing.

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    Hanging Pumpkin Planter

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    Why settle for a regular planter when you can create one out of a pumpkin? This is a great way to give a plain plant some new life for the fall season (you could place faux greenery in there, too, if you prefer). You can also put seasonal blooms inside, such as colorful mums.

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    Haunted House Pumpkin

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    Why choose between a carved pumpkin and a haunted house when you can enjoy both of these Halloween staples at once? Use a marker to draw the outline of a house and then carve out individual windows for effect. Then, paint or color in the remainder of the house for the result seen here.

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    Dog Face Pumpkin

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    Dog lovers, this one is for you! Using a photo fo your pet for inspo, carve out a dog's face on your jack-o-lantern to show everyone just how much you love your pup (yes, you can do this for cats as well!). You could also carve out a favorite celebrity who your trick-or-treaters will instantly recognize—think: Taylor Swift!

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    Mickey Mouse Pumpkin

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    Even if you can't get yourself to Disney this Halloween, you can bring the magic of the parks to you via your autumnal decor. Disney lovers will go wild for this Mickey Mouse pumpkin that will add instant cheer to any stoop.

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    Halloween Phrase Pumpkin

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    Take one of your favorite fall or Halloween phrases and carve it into your pumpkin to send a message to the trick-or-treaters who visit you. Shorter phrases with larger letters are of course easiest for beginners. Even spelling out your name is a neat idea.

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    Flower Vase Pumpkin

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    Here's another example of a pumpkin vase that also features beautiful drilled detailing. Note that if you don't want to fill a vase like this with fresh flowers, you can place dried stems inside without having to worry about any water. You could also place a cup filled with water inside of the pumpkin (it'll be hidden from view) and use that to ensure that your fresh stems stay nice and hydrated.

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    Moon Shaped Pumpkin

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    How sweet is this small moon pumpkin? It's an easy shape to carve and will have special meaning if you love all things astrology and space-related.

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    Guacamole-Filled Pumpkin

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    Get ready for the laughs to roll in when you show up to the Halloween potluck with this guacamole display—seriously, could it be any more creative? Kids and adults alike will get a kick out of the fake "vomit" streaming out of your pumpkin's mouth. Just keep in mind that the guacamole may have a bit of a pumpkin-flavored tang to it as a result of this setup.

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    Batty Pumpkin

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    Feeling batty? So is this pumpkin! The design allows for a floating effect that looks super sophisticated.

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    Miss Piggy Pumpkin

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    Who can resist Miss Piggy? Give this famous Muppets character some attention by carving her into a pumpkin—be sure to add on her signature eyelashes so that it's clear this isn't your ordinary pig.

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    Witch Carved Pumpkin

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    This witch carving is similar in style to the bat shown above—it's expertly crafted so that it, rather than the actual pumpkin, becomes the main focus. While this is certainly a more advanced project, it's one that will surely wow everyone who sees it.

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    Musical Instrument Pumpkin

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    If you're a music lover, show off your passion by carving your favorite instrument into a pumpkin. With the help of permanent marker, you can really bring anything to life. You could also use this technique to showcase another hobby—carve a tennis racquet or hockey stick, for example.

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    Green Witch Pumpkin

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    Here's another way to turn your pumpkin into a witch. Whether you start with a green pumpkin or simply paint yours, you'll be able achieve the look of a witch's creepy skin.

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    Pumpkin House

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    Here's an additional pumpkin house that couldn't be cuter. Shop your backyard as you decorate. Use moss, pinecones, acorns, and more to bring this darling abode to life.

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    Last Name Pumpkin

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    Carve your family's last name into a pumpkin for a custom look. This is an excellent way to easily let everyone know which house is yours when you're hosting a get together.

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    Scary Face Pumpkin

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    This pumpkin may just make trick-or-treaters scream. If you don't mind giving everyone else a fright, a face like this one is ideal for those who love all things scary.

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    Dinosaur Pumpkin

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    If you have a child who absolutely loves dinosaurs, make all of their Halloween dreams come true by carving a dino of your own into a pumpkin. You can make him look as intricate or simple as you'd like.

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    Home State Pumpkin

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    Celebrate your home base (or favorite college football team) by carving an outline of your state into a pumpkin. Some, like Michigan, are a bit easier to carve than others! To make the process a bit easier, print out an outline of your state shape that you can then cut out and trace onto the pumpkin.

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    Yawning Pumpkin

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    Tired of Halloween already? So is this pumpkin. Its yawning face sure is cute, and it'll make the perfect piece of decor for your child's holiday slumber party.

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    Critter House Pumpkin

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    Here's another example of how you can get creative with acorns and other backyard trimmings to design a fairy house that is simply too pretty to leave outside for actual critters.

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    Scary Cat Pumpkin

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    Don't be a scaredy cat! This sinister looking feline is ready to make your trick-or-treaters do a double take.

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    Rolling Stone Pumpkin

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    Celebrate your love for a favorite musician or band by carving their logo into a pumpkin. You could also choose a favorite song lyric to carve that only fellow fans will understand.

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    Mixed Pumpkin Designs

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    Have fun experimenting with a whole range of designs as you carve a group of pumpkins to display on the porch. A mismatched look is always welcome, and be sure to alternate between goofy and scary, as shown here.

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    Carved Owl Pumpkin

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    This own pumpkin couldn't be cuter. The small triangles are easy to carve even if you're a beginner, and they'll really allow flickering candlelight to shine through.

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    Be Kind Pumpkin

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    It's never a bad idea to remind others to be kind! Carve out an inspirational message like this one to encourage everyone who passes by your home to be a little bit more courteous.

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    Trick or Treat Pumpkin

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    The season's most-used catch phrase made its way onto this carved pumpkin, which also boasts a couple of ghosts for extra festivity.

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    Heart Shaped Pumpkin

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    There's something so simple and sweet about a pumpkin with a heart carved into it. Go on and spread the love!

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    Fang Mouth Pumpkin

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    Give your pumpkin some major fangs like these by carving large slits into its face for an extra menacing look.

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    Boo Pumpkin

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    This pumpkin is a simple stunner with the word "boo!" carved in an artful font. What more could you want?

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    Jail Cell Pumpkin

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    "Help, let me out," the pumpkin housed inside of this pumpkin seems to be saying. We love the idea of placing a smaller carved pumpkin inside of a larger one for a jail cell effect.

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    Halloween Cat Pumpkin

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    This Halloween cat is accompanied by the phrase "boo," and is super intricate, featuring whiskers, expressive eyes, and more.

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    Tombstone Shaped Pumpkin

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    Decorative tombstones make for popular yard decor during the Halloween season, but there's no need to go the cardboard route when you can design your own using a carved pumpkin.

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    Fire Pit Pumpkin

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    How cool is this pumpkin that doubles as a fire pit? Roasting s'mores in the backyard has never been more festive.

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    Wart Pumpkin Vase

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    If you're unsure how to carve a pumpkin with warts on the front, you can take this approach and turn it into a planter or vase instead. The warts then add eye-catching texture that will enhance the final product.

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    Sunflower Seed Owl Pumpkin

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    When decorating your owl pumpkin with sunflower seeds, don't forget to make some little feet and ears for an adorable finishing touch! This duo couldn't be cuter.

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    Gold Dipped Pumpkin

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    After dipping your pumpkin in gold paint for a two-tone effect, cut a leaf shape into the front and then place a small tea light inside. These make for beautiful centerpieces on the dining room table, as shown here, but they'll of course look fantastic on the front porch as well.

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    Mini Bat Pumpkin

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    The more bats, the merrier! Carve a few minis into your pumpkin to make it seem as they're flying around all together.

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    Heirloom Succulent Pot Carved Pumpkins

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    Just because it's pumpkin season doesn't mean that you have to put away your usual greenery. Pop succulents into carved pumpkin "planters" for a gorgeous final product that is full of color and texture.

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    Metallic Pumpkin Lanterns

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    Drill holes in your pumpkins to create lanterns after coating each in metallic paint for a chic, contemporary look.

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    Leaf Pumpkin

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    Celebrate classic fall motifs by carving an intricate looking leaf into your pumpkin to mirror what you're seeing in your very own backyard.

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    Magical Carriage Pumpkin

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    If you can't get enough of Bridgerton, you're not going to want to miss out on this prime pumpkin carving opportunity to create a magical carriage.

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    Geometric Shape Pumpkin

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    Go geometric with this fun and funky design that is ideal for those who can't resist adding eclectic style into their home.

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    Floral Filagree Pumpkin

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    While this technique is definitely for the advanced set and is sure to take an extensive amount of time to complete, it couldn't be more mesmerizing. Carve various floral shapes into your pumpkin, weaving in leaves, branches, and more, for a filagree-inspired look.

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    Realistic Floral Pumpkin

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    These florals look pretty realistic, don't you think? Create your own mini garden by carving flower shapes into your pumpkin. You can go as complex as you'd like with the various designs and petals.

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    Turtle Pumpkin

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    Turtles may not be thought of as a fall-like animal, but that doesn't mean you can't carve one into your pumpkin if you're wild about this type of reptile! The turtle's arms and shell feature lots of beautiful detailing, but you could skip those intricacies for a simpler take on this project.

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    Ghost Pumpkin

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    Say hello to this little ghost pumpkin, who proves that not all ghosts have to be super creepy. It will charm even the youngest of trick-or-treaters.

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    Night Sky Pumpkin

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    Even if you can't fully see the stars where you live, you can still draw inspiration from the constellations with this night sky themed pumpkin, perfect for astrology lovers.

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    Lightly Carved Name Pumpkin

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    Rather than fully carving your pumpkin, you can lightly etch your last name into the front of it as seen here. Since the pumpkin isn't carved out, it will last a bit longer, making this a project that you can certainly choose to take on earlier in the fall season.

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    Sunflower Pumpkin

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    Missing your gorgeous summer garden? You can still add a floral element to your home by carving a pumpkin featuring stunning sunflower like the one seen here. It's almost as good as the real thing!

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    Cat Pumpkin with Pipe Cleaner Whiskers

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    Take your cat pumpkin to the next level by giving it some whiskers—made out of pipe cleaners, that is! These are easy to attach with just a bit of glue.

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    Elmo Pumpkin

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    Little kids who love Elmo will be pleasantly surprised to stumble upon a pumpkin featuring ones of the most recognizable Sesame Street characters.

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    Crystal Ball Pumpkin

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    Halloween is the time of year to lean into all things mythical and this crystal ball pumpkin will help you to embrace your fortune teller side. It would make for a great piece of decor to display at a themed party.

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    Braces Wearing Pumpkin

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    Does someone in your home wear braces? Or maybe you're a dentist and are all about maintaining proper tooth care? Either way, this braces-wearing pumpkin is sure to make others smile.

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    Pumpkin with Ghost Attached

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    This pumpkin seems to have a little ghost friend attached to it! This BFF duo will add plenty of personality to your stoop.

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    Pumpkin Houses with Nature Decor

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    Adorn your pumpkin fairy houses with real life accents like fallen leaves and small twigs. There's no need to hit the craft store for decorating supplies when you can take advantage of all of the lovely natural touches surrounding you.

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    Pumpkin with Witch's Hat

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    If you're looking for an easy way to take a basic jack-o-lantern to the next level, simply add a witch's hat! Shop your costume bin in search of other accessories that will make your carved pumpkins really shine.

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    Pumpkin Getting Eaten

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    Wondering what to do with that mini pumpkin you couldn't resist bringing home with you? "Feed" it to your larger pumpkin for an entertaining display (bons points for carving a freaked out expression onto your little guy!).

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    Pumpkin Spitting out Pumpkin Seeds

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    Before you toss those pumpkin seeds you just carved out, consider working them into your finished product as seen here for a comical design. You can still roast and enjoy them later on!

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    Pumpkin Housing Pumpkin Soup

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    Take your fall dinner party to the next level by serving homemade pumpkin soup out of an actual carved pumpkin. The display is extra festive, photo-worthy, and practical—you already have pumpkin as a main ingredient anyway, so you won't have to worry about this type of vessel altering the taste of your food.

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    Paw Print Pumpkin

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    While we've seen lots of cat themed pumpkins, there haven't been as many dog-related ones that have come our way, but this paw print carving is extra easy to make in honor of Fido.

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    Money Symbol Pumpkins

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    Whether you work with numbers or just love to shop, these money symbol pumpkins will add a witty touch to your stoop. The designs here feature the euro, pound, and dollar as eyes with a traditional jack-o-lantern mouth.

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    Four-Eyed Pumpkin

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    Why stop at just two eyeballs when carving your pumpkin? For an extra sinister look, carve a number of different eyes looking in a variety of directions.

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    Goofy Pumpkin

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    Who can resist a pumpkin with a goofy face? This one is a nice alternative to a classic jack-o-lantern if you're looking for a design that offers a bit of extra charisma. The large eyes will allow plenty of light to flicker through when you place a candle inside.

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    Toothy Pumpkin

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    This pumpkin sure knows how to smile with its teeth! Carving some pearly whites (err, oranges) will differentiate your pumpkin from the others and make it appear a bit more animated and lifelike. You could even go back and paint the teeth in the color of your choosing.

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    Leafy Pumpkin

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    Dress up your jack-o-lantern by weaving some leaves around its stem. You can opt for actual leaves from the yard or cut off part of a plastic leafy garland to achieve this look.

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    Upside Down Bat Pumpkin

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    To make your bat pumpkin look super authentic, you will want to carve it so that it looks like your bat is hanging upside down, as shown here.

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    Candy Filled Pumpkin

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    Fill your carved pumpkin with candy and set it out on the coffee table while you entertain. Guests will enjoy being able to help themselves to some of their favorite autumnal treats. Keep in mind that while candy corn looks cute here, wrapped treats are likely your best bet—otherwise, they will absorb some of the pumpkin's flavor!

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    Crow Pumpkin

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    Crows are a Halloween staple, so don't forget to weave them into your Halloween decor, too, in addition to your cats and bats.

Our Best Tips for Carving Pumpkins

Choosing Designs

There are so many different options to consider as you carve your pumpkin. When it comes to designs, you will first want to determine whether you're looking to carve something classic, humorous, scary, and so on.

Many people will also carve a pumpkin to have it reflect their interests or hobbies. For example, the carved pumpkins shown above illustrate that many people like to showcase musical instruments, favorite animals or pets, band logos, and more.

Matching Your Pumpkin to Your Home

You also want your pumpkin to reflect your design style, specifically if you are choosing to display it indoors as opposed to outside on the stoop.

  • If your home leans traditional, you cannot go wrong with a classic jack-o-lantern.
  • If you love contemporary or eclectic style, consider one of the geometric carving designs shown above.
  • If you appreciate boho style, one of the floral pumpkin carving ideas showcased above will fit right into your space.

Selecting Carving Tools

To carve a pumpkin at home, you will need a sharp knife and a spoon to scoop out seeds in order to hollow out your pumpkin before carving into it. Some people will use an ice cream scoop rather than a spoon for efficiency.

While these simple materials will work just fine, many retailers also offer pumpkin carving tool sets designed to make the process a bit more seamless. These tend to include an array of special saws, drills, and knives that will come in handy for those looking to create more intricate designs.

A permanent marker will come in handy as you map out exactly where you would like to cut your pumpkin.

When Should You Carve Your Pumpkin?

Generally, carved pumpkins will only last for three days to a week before beginning to rot. If you want to be sure your stoop is perfectly decorated in time for Halloween, you will therefore only want to do your carving a couple of days before the holiday.

While it may be tempting to carve your pumpkins as soon as you start to feel a chill in the air, it is important to keep in mind that once it is hollowed out, its lifespan will begin to rapidly decrease.

Tip

Keeping a pumpkin's top on will help it to stay fresh for longer, as will waiting to light a candle inside of it until the big night.

What Should You Do With the Pumpkin Guts?

While carving your pumpkin, you will of course be hollowing out all of the pumpkin "guts" as well as plenty of pumpkin seeds. Rather than tossing the seeds into the trash, you may wish to consider one of the many ways to repurpose them.

  • The first and most common technique is to roast and then eat pumpkin seeds.
  • You can also incorporate the pumpkin seeds into your final carved pumpkin design. You can easily adhere them to the outside of your pumpkin using a glue gun, where they will add texture and help to bring your design to life.
  • Finally, you can plant pumpkin seeds in your yard with the hope of starting your own patch.
  • You can also compost the guts in your yard, where they can help to fertilize your garden.

FAQ

  • What is the easiest way to carve a pumpkin?

    The easiest way to carve a pumpkin is to create a classic jack-o-lantern featuring two triangle-shaped eyes, a triangle shaped nose, and an open mouth.

  • What is the best tool to use for carving pumpkins?

    Many people will use a sharp kitchen knife to carve a pumpkin, but there are also many specialized pumpkin carving kits on the market. To scoop the seeds and insides out of a pumpkin, you will need a large metal spoon.

These Unique Pumpkin Carving Ideas Are Perfect for Your Next Weekend Project (2025)

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