18 Pumpkin Carving Ideas to Try This Halloween

When Halloween rolls around, there’s nothing quite like carving pumpkins to set the spooky season mood. Over the years, I’ve tried my hand at all kinds of designs from classic faces to elaborate patterns and each one holds its own charm.

Whether you’re carving with friends, kids, or just on your own, there’s something magical about turning an ordinary pumpkin into a glowing masterpiece. Here are 18 pumpkin carving ideas I’ve personally enjoyed (or plan to try soon!) this Halloween.

Table of Contents

1. Classic Jack-O’-Lantern

There’s something timeless about carving a wide, toothy grin on a pumpkin. One year, I stuck with the basics, using a big, round pumpkin and simple triangle eyes and nose design. It reminded me of my childhood, sitting around the kitchen table with my siblings, laughing as we scooped out the slimy insides. The glow of a candle inside the finished jack-o’-lantern never fails to make me smile.

2. Cat Silhouette Pumpkin

Being a cat lover, I couldn’t resist creating a sleek cat silhouette on my pumpkin last year. I drew a simple outline of a cat stretching its tail high and carefully cut it out. The trickiest part was making sure the tail didn’t snap, but it turned out so elegant! My cat seemed to approve, staring at the glowing pumpkin like it was her royal portrait.

3. Haunted House Scene

This one required a bit more patience, but it was totally worth it. I carved a spooky haunted house with tiny windows and a crooked roof. I even added a crescent moon and bats flying overhead. It was like creating my own mini Halloween village! I recommend using a stencil for this one to get all the intricate details just right.

4. Emoji-Inspired Pumpkin

One year, I went modern and carved a pumpkin with the laughing emoji face. It was such a hit with my friends! The design was super easy and brought a fun twist to traditional carving. Plus, who doesn’t love a good laugh when they see a pumpkin “laughing” on your porch?

5. Starry Night Pumpkin

For a more artistic vibe, I punched small star shapes all over my pumpkin to create a celestial look. It didn’t require much carving skill—just a steady hand and a cookie cutter for the shapes. When I placed a light inside, the stars twinkled beautifully. It was like having a piece of the night sky right on my porch.

6. Spiderweb Pumpkin

Spooky yet simple, this design involved carving a web pattern across the pumpkin. I used a thin knife to trace out the lines, and I even added a small plastic spider for extra effect. It gave my porch that “creepy crawly” vibe without being too scary for the neighborhood kids.

7. Day of the Dead Pumpkin

This one was inspired by sugar skulls, and it turned out to be a vibrant addition to my Halloween decor. I carved floral patterns and added colorful paint to give it a festive look. It was so different from my usual designs, and everyone who saw it couldn’t stop admiring the intricate details.

8. Peek-A-Boo Pumpkin

This playful design features a smaller pumpkin inside a larger one. I carved a big opening in the front of the outer pumpkin, making it look like the smaller pumpkin was peeking out. It added a fun, 3D element to my display that kids in the neighborhood loved.

9. Ghostly Faces

I carved a trio of pumpkins with simple ghost faces—some smiling, some looking surprised. Grouped together, they looked like a ghostly family hanging out on my doorstep. It was easy to do and created a charming, spooky effect.

10. Monogrammed Pumpkin

For a classy touch, I carved my initials into a pumpkin. It was surprisingly easy, and the clean lines made it look almost professional. It was perfect for a more elegant Halloween vibe. If you’re hosting a party, this design doubles as a personalized decoration.

11. Owl in the Night

I love owls, so carving one perched on a branch felt perfect for Halloween. I added a full moon in the background for a magical touch. The design wasn’t overly complicated, but the end result looked impressive when lit up.

12. Mummy Pumpkin

Wrapping a pumpkin in gauze and adding carved eyes underneath created a cute mummy effect. It’s more about decorating than carving, so it’s great if you want to skip the mess but still get creative.

13. Frankenstein’s Monster

This design was a mix of carving and decorating. I carved a rectangular “forehead” and used bolts on the sides of the pumpkin to mimic Frankenstein’s monster. Green paint brought the whole look together. It was a huge hit at my Halloween party!

14. The Nightmare Before Christmas Pumpkin

Being a fan of the movie, I carved Jack Skellington’s face into my pumpkin. It’s a relatively simple design with big round eyes, a stitched mouth, and that signature spooky smile. It looked amazing glowing on my porch, and it’s a must-try for fans of the film.

15. Geometric Patterns

For a modern twist, I carved angular, geometric shapes all around my pumpkin. It gave it a chic, contemporary look that stood out from traditional designs. I used a mix of triangles, diamonds, and circles to keep it interesting.

16. Witch’s Brew Pumpkin

This design involved carving a bubbling cauldron on my pumpkin. I added steam swirls and even painted the “bubbles” green for a pop of color. It felt like I was creating a scene straight out of a magical Halloween tale.

17. Pumpkin Within a Pumpkin

Carving a pumpkin that looks like it’s “eating” a smaller pumpkin is both funny and a little spooky. I carved big jagged teeth into a large pumpkin and placed a smaller one inside, giving it the look of a pumpkin monster mid-snack. It was a crowd-pleaser for sure!

18. Bat Colony Pumpkin

For this design, I carved out multiple bat silhouettes flying around the pumpkin. It wasn’t too difficult, but the effect was dramatic when lit. The bats seemed to come alive, casting shadows that danced on the walls.

Halloween is the perfect time to let your creativity shine. Whether you try one of these ideas or dream up your own, the joy of pumpkin carving lies in making something uniquely yours. Happy carving!