Written By Todd Maurer
By Todd Maurer | Updated: October 20, 2024
No Halloween is complete without some fun pumpkin carvings and jack-o’-lanterns ready to greet trick-or-treaters and party guests. From glamorous witches and spooky Medusas to beaded globes and tin men, there is always an idea to put you in the Halloween spirit. We went to Instagram and compiled a list of the best Halloween pumpkin carving ideas. The best part is that you don’t need to be an expert, and the result can still impress whoever sees it.
1: Hungry Pumpkin
2: Not so Spooky “Spooky” Pumpkin
3: Pikachu Pumpkin
4: Baby Yoda Pumpkin
5: Who is Inside the Pumpkin?
6: Stack Up! And Pretend We Are Tall
7: Mickey Mouse Pumpkin
8: “This Is fine” meme Pumpkin
9: The Adorable “boo!”
10: Hitch A Free Ride
11: “A Weird Family” Pumpkin
12: “Trick or Treat” Pumpkins
13: The Angry Mike Wazowski from Monsters University
14: A Tough Smoker
15: The Heart Rate Chart Pumpkin
16: The Batman
17: Go for a road trip
18: U.S. President Election in 2020
19: The Climbing Enthusiasts
20: Cinderella’s Pumpkin Carriage
22: 2020 Is On Fire
23: COVID-19 Inspired Pumpkins
24: A new species: Pumpkin Palm
25: Apple or Pumpkin?
26: A Late-night Visitor/Eater
27: A Pumpkin of Yourself
28: “I Love Warm Hugs” Olaf Pumpkin
29: Infernape Pokémon
30: A Smiley Cat Pumpkin
31: The Hash Slinging Slasher from SpongeBob
32: A Nerdy Pumpkin
33: Toy Story 4 Sporky, oh no, Forky
34: Big Eye Pumpkin
35: Among Us Pumpkin
36: Home SPA Pumpkin
37: Drunk, Vomiting Pumpkin
38: The Cat
39: Cabin in the Woods
40: The Classic Jack-o’-Lantern
41: Adorable Ghost Paint Pumpkin
42: Polka dots Pumpkin
43: Pumpkin with a Scary Stare
44: Chef Bon Appetit Pumpkin
45: A Ferocious Carrot Lover
46: Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland
47: Boo!
48: Angler Fish Pumpkin
49: A Man-Eating Pumpkin
50: A Murderer Pumpkin
51: Shut You Up!
52: An Alien Pumpkin
53: The Old Hags
54: Who’s Underneath!?
55: Scary Teeth Pumpkin
56: the Cat with Stitches
57: The Infected Pumpkin
58: The Beautician, with many eyeballs
59: Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas
60: Ouch!
61: The Ghost Gang
62: Another Axeman’s victim
63: Evil Witch Pumpkin. What’s Under Her Hat?
64: A Zombie Pumpkin
65: A Venom Pumpkin
66: A Hungry Pumpkin Spider
67: Beh! Stick the Tongue Out
68: Melting Face
69: What’s Under the Pumpkin Face
70: The Pumpkin Man is on the Loose!
71: Prince Charming Carrousel
72: Flower Pattern Pumpkin
73: Again! Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland
74: Rapunzel & Eugene from Disney’s Tangled
75: Jack Skellington from The Nightmare Before Christmas
76: Charizard Pokémon Pumpkin
77: Ariel, the little mermaid
78: Dumbo, the flying elephant
79: Mexican Death Mask
80: Happy Halloween!
81: Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch
82: Tinker Bell & Her Pixie Dust
83: Harry Potter Pumpkin
84: The Little Mermaid Pumpkin, A Simpler Version
85: Minions from Despicable Me
Alright, that’s all the awesome pumpkin carving ideas we gathered after spending hours scrolling through the #pumpkincarvings feed on Instagram. Many thanks to these creative and talented artists and Halloween enthusiasts! If you have other great ideas that should be on this list, leave a comment below. First time carving a pumpkin? Below are some tips to help you get started.
Tips for Carving a Pumpkin for Halloween
Pick a Perfect Pumpkin
Before we start carving our Halloween gourds, let’s talk about how to pick the best pumpkin for carving. Look for one that’s bright orange, firm, and solid, without any soft spots, cuts, or other damage. Depending on your design, you might also consider mini-pumpkins, white or teal pumpkins, or those with unique bumps and shapes for some added character.
Gather Supplies and Pumpkin Carvers
Once you’ve found the perfect pumpkin, you’ll need then is a bowl, water, paper towels, a scraper or spoon for cleaning the inside of the pumpkin, some tiny saws, and an awl. You can find kid-friendly carving kits on Amazon for just a few dollars, and they come with everything you need. If you want to get creative and make a colorful or elaborate design, consider grabbing some spray paint, linoleum cutters, and drill bits as well.
Choose a Pumpkin Design
Once you have your tools and pumpkin ready, it’s time to choose a design. Think of a character or theme you want to portray, and then select a pumpkin shape that works to your advantage. A well-matched design and pumpkin shape can really make a difference to your final creation.
Start With the Bottom or Top
When it comes to making the first cut, you can choose to start at the top or bottom of the pumpkin, depending on your design. However, we recommend cutting a lid from the bottom. This not only helps to hide the cut but also makes it easier to add and position the candles later.
Create a Chimney
If you choose to cut the lid from the top, consider creating a small smoke hole. This hole acts as a draft, allowing air to flow in when you light the candle, which helps it burn brighter and more consistently.
Cut out the Pulp and Seeds
Next comes the fun part — cleaning the pumpkin inside and out. Since preparation is 90% of pumpkin carving, it’s really important to do a thorough job. We recommend using a measuring cup, which is our favorite tool for efficiently scooping out the pumpkin’s insides.
Draw Your Design on the Pumpkin
You can draw your design directly onto the pumpkin or print or sketch it on a piece of paper first, then cut it out and attach it to the pumpkin using duct tape. There are also free pumpkin carving stencils and templates online to help you easily transfer the artwork onto your pumpkins.
Start Making Some Tough Cuts
Once the design is attached to the pumpkin, take a drawing pushpin and begin outlining your artwork. Carefully follow the edge of each line in your drawing and put a series of holes into the meat of the pumpkin.
Use Your Scraps Creatively
Don’t throw away the pumpkin shells you just cut off. Make a tongue, pipe, or hair accessories and use toothpicks to add them to your pumpkin.
Light up Your Carved Pumpkin
The final step is to light up your carved pumpkin! While candles create a classic glow, they can be messy, so battery-powered lights are a great option to mimic the flickering flame. You can also use tea lights, flashlights, or even Christmas lights to add a festive touch. Lastly, save the pumpkin seeds you scooped out and roast them into a classic fall snack.
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Todd Maurer
I am Todd Maurer, founder of The Exploreist. I graduated from Stanford University with a bachelor’s degree in computer science and from Columbia University with a master’s degree in digital marketing. My work has been featured on Yahoo, Digital Journal, HubSpot, The World and Then Some, Elle Decor Magazine, Bucket List Journey, and more. I have been working as a writer and editor for over 8 years, since I started in 2016, focusing on travel and entertainment topics.
