Every October starts the same way for us — Lindy and I spread an old blanket right on the porch and pick which pumpkin each of us will “adopt.” She always chooses the big, perfectly round one — “for the classic look,” as she says. I pick the crooked one, the one with spots and personality.
Over the years, we’ve tried dozens of pumpkin carving ideas. And you know what? Not a single pumpkin ever looked the same. That’s probably the real magic of Halloween creativity — you’re not just carving a pumpkin; you’re creating a mood.
In this roundup, you’ll find 10 easy pumpkin carving ideas that work for everyone — whether it’s your first time carving or you just want to bring some cozy joy into your October evenings.
1. Smiling Ghost Pumpkin
This idea is one of the simplest! Just a pumpkin and a little imagination. It’s perfect if you want something cute and friendly, without scary faces or complicated details.
The charm of a Smiling Ghost Pumpkin is in its simplicity. All you need is:
What you’ll need:
- Medium round pumpkin (about 8–10 lb / 3.5–4.5 kg)
- Sharp knife or pumpkin carving kit (this is the Pumpkin Carving Kit I use every year on Amazon)
- Small knife for details
- Spoon for scooping out pulp
- Marker or soft pencil
- Small candle or LED light
How I do it:
- Preparation. Cut off the top carefully, at an angle, so the lid doesn’t fall inside. Scoop out the pulp with a spoon until the inside is smooth. The walls should be about 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick — strong enough to hold, thin enough for light to shine through.
- Marking. Draw a soft wavy outline of a ghost with a marker. Tilt it slightly so it looks like it’s floating. Add round eyes and a wide, friendly smile — think of a cartoon ghost rather than a scary one.
- Checking symmetry. Take a few steps back and look at the pumpkin from a distance. If one eye looks off, adjust it. Tip: don’t make the holes too small — the light won’t spread evenly.
- Carving. Use a small knife or saw from the carving kit. Start with the large shapes (the ghost’s outline), then move to smaller ones like the eyes and mouth. Work slowly and gently — rushing is how pumpkins crack.
- Final touches. Wipe the surface with a paper towel to remove any leftover pulp or marker. Lightly coat the cut edges with petroleum jelly to keep your pumpkin fresh longer.
- Lighting. Place a candle or LED light inside. I like using warm yellow light — it makes the ghost’s smile look almost alive.
If you want to upgrade the idea, carve a few small stars or a moon on the back — the warm glow will softly shine through, casting patterns on the wall. Or, try brushing the pumpkin lightly with white acrylic paint to make your ghost glow even more under cool LED light.
When the candle flickers inside, the effect isn’t scary — it’s cozy, nostalgic, like something out of an old Halloween movie.
In the end, it’s not just a pumpkin. It’s a small symbol of a kind Halloween — no fear, no monsters, just warm light and a smile.
2. Classic Jack-O’-Lantern with a Twist
This one’s for those who don’t want to carve the same old angry face every single year.
It’s still the classic Jack-O’-Lantern, but with character — the kind that looks like it’s lived through a dozen Halloweens and now smirks at the chaos around it.
What you’ll need:
- Large pumpkin (10–14 lb / 4.5–6.5 kg) — the bigger it is, the more expressive the result.
- Sharp knife or Professional Pumpkin Carving Kit
- Spoon or scraper.
- Marker or masking tape for marking.
- Candle or LED light.
- (Optional) Black acrylic paint or marker.
How I do it:
- Preparing the pumpkin. Cut off the top and scoop out all the seeds and pulp. The inner walls should be about 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick — this helps the light glow evenly without overheating the surface.
- Marking the face. Here’s where the “twist” begins. A classic Jack usually has triangle eyes and a toothy grin. But I like to add a bit of asymmetry — one eye slightly smaller, the mouth a little crooked. It makes him look alive.
For a “friendly old man” vibe, carve soft wrinkles or raise the mouth corners slightly. For a more sarcastic Jack, add arched brows that look surprised. - Carving. Use a fine saw for curves and a knife for straight lines. Start with large features (eyes, mouth), then move to details — teeth, wrinkles, or expression lines.
To create a 3D glowing effect, gently shave off the pumpkin’s outer skin in some spots without cutting all the way through. This gives the illusion of depth and a warm, sculpted light. - Light test. Before finishing, place a candle inside and check how the light spreads in the dark. If shadows look too harsh, widen the cuts or thin the inner wall slightly.
- Final touch. Outline the eyes and mouth with black paint or marker — it makes the design pop even in daylight. Sometimes I even add a little hat — just a piece of cloth or felt — for personality.
Little trick. To make your Jack last longer, rub the cut edges with petroleum jelly or coconut oil. It slows down drying. Or use a vegetable protector spray (you’ll find it in most kitchen care sections).
3. Cute Cat Face Design
Looking at our little orange kitten one year, we got the idea to carve a pumpkin with a cat face — and that was it, decision made.
Our Cute Cat Face Pumpkin isn’t scary or cliché — it’s just plain adorable. Especially when you place it by the front door: in the dark, those glowing “cat eyes” catch more attention than any store-bought decoration.
What you’ll need:
- Medium pumpkin (about 8–10 lb / 3.5–4.5 kg) — ideally oval-shaped so the face looks a bit elongated.
- Sharp knife or Professional Pumpkin Carving Kit.
- Spoon for cleaning.
- Fine-tip marker or pencil.
- A few toothpicks or skewers.
- Black acrylic paint (optional).
- Small candles or LED lights (warm yellow or orange).
How I do it:
- Prepare the base. Cut off the top, scoop out the pulp and seeds, and leave the walls about 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick. Make sure the bottom is stable — trim it slightly if needed so the pumpkin stands flat.
- Mark the face. Draw two almond-shaped eyes — large enough for light to shine through nicely. Between them, sketch a small triangle for the nose. Below that, add a soft smile that curves upward, like a cat perfectly content with its life.
For the ears, use the pumpkin’s own skin: draw two triangles on top and cut them at an angle so they lift slightly outward, creating a 3D look. - Carve the features. Start with the main elements — eyes, nose, and mouth. You can make the eyes semi-transparent by scraping just the surface of the skin instead of cutting through completely.
For a more expressive cat gaze, carve narrow vertical pupils — just two slim ovals in the middle of each eye. - Add the details. Don’t skip the whiskers — without them, it’s just a round face! I use toothpicks or thin skewers, three on each side of the mouth. You can even darken them with a marker for contrast.
- Final touch. Outline the eyes or ears with black acrylic paint to make them stand out, or glue a small bow or hat on top for fun. It adds instant personality and looks great on photos.
Tip. If you’re carving more than one pumpkin, place this cat next to the Smiling Ghost Pumpkin — they look perfect together.
And if you’re worried about keeping them fresh, try battery-powered LED candles — they don’t heat up, melt the flesh, or attract pets. I’ve been using these Homemory Flickering LED Candles for three seasons now — they still work like new.
4. Starry Night Carving
A Starry Night Carving pumpkin doesn’t try to scare or amuse — it simply glows, like a tiny universe. And when we made this pumpkin for the first time, the night really was full of stars.
What you’ll need:
- Medium or large pumpkin (10–12 lb / 4.5–5.5 kg) — choose one with a smooth surface so the pattern looks neat.
- Drill with a set of thin and medium bits (or a carving tool).
- Spoon and knife.
- Marker or chalk.
- Small candle or warm LED light.
- (Optional) Gold or silver acrylic paint.
- For a true “galaxy effect,” try Fairy String Lights on batteries.
How I do it:
- Preparation. Cut off the top, scoop out the seeds and pulp. To make the glow softer, leave the walls about ¾ inch (2 cm) thick.
- Marking. I take chalk or a white pencil and place dots all over the pumpkin — randomly, like stars scattered across the night sky. A few bigger ones for “bright stars,” and smaller ones for depth.
If you want to make it more meaningful, carve a few constellations — like the Big Dipper or Orion. - Drilling. The most satisfying part! Use a drill or a carving tool to make holes along your marks. Use thicker bits for large stars and thinner ones for small ones.
If you don’t want to deal with a drill, a simple awl or skewer will do — it just takes longer and looks less even. - Add the moon and clouds. I usually carve a thin crescent moon on one side — not all the way through, just scrape off the outer skin with a knife. It will glow softer than the stars and look more natural.
Around it, gently scrape the skin in patches to imitate drifting clouds. - Lighting. For this design, micro string lights work best — just tuck them inside and let them shimmer. Or go with a single LED candle for a calm, steady glow.
- Decoration. Sometimes I run my finger over the outer edges with a touch of gold paint, softly blending it in. In the dark, it creates a glowing halo — as if the stars are gently pulsing.
Tip. To create a full display, place a small white pumpkin or candleholder next to it. One year, we made three of these “galaxy pumpkins” in different sizes and lined them along the walkway. At night, they looked like a tiny field of stars.
And honestly, this design is my favorite. It doesn’t demand perfect lines or precision. It simply pairs beautifully with silence, the October air, and that deep feeling of calm.
5. Moon and Bats Pattern
All our previous pumpkins were cute, funny, or purely decorative. But the Moon and Bats Pumpkin is something else — a perfect mix of mystery and comfort, where everything depends on the light.
What you’ll need:
- Medium or large pumpkin (around 10–12 lb / 4.5–5.5 kg) — flatter pumpkins work best so the design fits nicely.
- Sharp knife or Pumpkin Carving Kit with stencils.
- Fine-tip marker.
- Spoon for cleaning.
- Small drill or awl.
- LED light or candle.
- (Optional) Silver or pearlescent paint for the moon.
How I do it:
- Preparation. As always, cut the top at an angle and scoop out all the pulp. Leave the walls about ¾–1 inch (2–2.5 cm) thick. The smoother the surface, the easier it will be to carve the moon’s arc later.
- Drawing the moon. I use a cup or small plate to trace a circle. Then, on one side, I scrape off the skin — not all the way through — to create a soft, glowing disc.
If you want a full moon, carve the circle completely. For a crescent moon, leave a curved section untouched for that gentle lunar shape. - Adding the bats. This is the fun part!
- Draw 3–5 bat silhouettes in different sizes.
- Make two of them larger — like they’re closer — and a few smaller for depth.
- Position one so it overlaps the moon’s edge — it gives the illusion of movement.
Use a thin knife or fine blade for the wings. If you prefer an easier option, just scrape the skin instead of cutting through — the light will scatter softly, like in an old illustration.
- Draw 3–5 bat silhouettes in different sizes.
- Light test. Always check your pumpkin in the dark to see how the light shines through the moon and bat shapes. If it looks too dim, add a second LED candle or a small string light inside.
I often use Homemory LED Candles — their glow is warm and natural, not that harsh plastic kind. - Final touch. Gently rub a bit of silver paint along the moon’s edges with your fingertip to add shimmer. Sometimes I tuck a small lavender sprig inside — when it warms up, the scent fills the air and makes the whole scene feel calm and cozy (but not overdone).
Tip. To make it even more striking, place a smaller pumpkin beside it with tiny drilled “stars.” Together, they create a full moonlit scene. One year, we set them along the walkway, and it looked like a flock of bats flying right out of the ground.
6. Simple Heart-Eyes Pumpkin
A Simple Heart-Eyes Pumpkin takes minimum time but delivers maximum charm. When it lights up in the evening, it looks like it’s smiling right back at the whole world.
What you’ll need:
- Small or medium pumpkin (6–8 lb / 2.5–3.5 kg) — pick a smooth, round one without surface defects.
- Sharp knife or Pumpkin Carving Kit with mini saws (perfect for small, clean cuts).
- Marker or soft pencil.
- Spoon for cleaning.
- LED candle or regular candle.
- (Optional) A bit of red or pink acrylic paint.
How I do it:
- Prepare the pumpkin. Cut off the top and scoop everything out with a spoon until the walls are about ¾ inch (2 cm) thick. Always make sure the bottom is flat so the pumpkin stands steady — especially if you’re using a real candle.
- Mark the face. The fun part — drawing the expression. I start with two heart-shaped eyes, slightly tilted to give them life. Between them, draw an oval or soft smiling mouth.
Sometimes I add “cheeks” by scraping off a bit of skin on each side (without cutting through). At night, they glow softly — like the pumpkin is actually blushing. - Carve carefully. Start with the eyes — cut out the hearts first, then the mouth. Don’t stress over perfect lines — real emotions are never perfectly symmetrical. Just make sure the openings are wide enough for the light to shine through.
When you’re done, wipe the edges with a dry towel so the light doesn’t reflect off leftover moisture. - Add a touch of color (optional). If you want a softer look, brush a bit of pink paint around the hearts for a rosy glow. Or go bold and outline the features with black marker so they stand out during the day.
- Lighting. I like using a warm LED candle inside. For a playful touch, add a second one with a flickering effect — it makes the smile look almost alive.
Tip. If you’re making a few pumpkins, place this one in the center — it adds “emotion” to the whole setup, like the others are her friends. One year, we made a whole pumpkin family: grumpy Jack, thoughtful owl, and this one — the lovestruck one. And honestly, it stole the show.
7. Peek-a-Boo Ghost Outline
This is one of those designs that everyone seems to love. When we made our first Peek-a-Boo Ghost, our neighbors thought we had bought it from a store — it looked that clean and charming. But in reality, it’s just a simple outline, a bit of light, and a touch of patience.
What you’ll need:
- Medium pumpkin (8–10 lb / 3.5–4.5 kg) — bright orange works best so the outline stands out.
- Sharp knife and spoon.
- Fine engraving tool (or just a small detail knife).
- Marker or pencil.
- LED light (ideally with adjustable brightness, like Homemory Dimmable LED Candles).
- (Optional) White acrylic paint or spray paint.
How I do it:
- Preparation. Start as usual: cut off the top, clean out all the pulp and seeds. Leave the walls a bit thicker than normal — about 1 inch (2.5 cm). This keeps the outline sturdy and prevents chipping.
- Draw the design. The secret of this design is that it looks more complicated than it really is. Draw a simple ghost shape — like it’s peeking out from one side. Round head, wavy bottom edge, and of course, two big eyes.
For the best “peek-a-boo” effect, place the ghost off-center, like it’s sneaking into view. - Outline instead of cutting through. Here’s where the magic happens. Instead of carving all the way through, gently scrape the skin along the outline, about ⅛ inch (3 mm) deep.
Important: don’t press too hard! You’re not cutting — you’re drawing with your knife. When the light turns on, the outline will glow softly, like a candle behind fabric. - Add the eyes. The eyes are the only part I carve all the way through — two round holes, slightly different in size. The inner light contrasts beautifully with the softer glowing outline. Sometimes I add a small oval mouth, like it’s whispering “boo.”
- Painting (optional). If you want your ghost to stand out more during the day, lightly coat the scraped surface with white acrylic paint. Just a thin layer — the light should still shine through it.
- Lighting. This design looks best with soft, even light — no flicker. I usually place two LED candles inside at different heights to create a layered, dimensional glow.
Tip. If you’ve got a few smaller pumpkins, make a series of peek-a-boo ghosts — each one peeking from a different direction. It’ll look like they’re arguing over who gets to scare the guests first.
8. Easy Owl Stencil
This design looks complicated, but it’s actually so simple and satisfying that it’s become an annual tradition for us — fall just feels wrong without an owl on the porch.
What you’ll need:
- Medium pumpkin (8–10 lb / 3.5–4.5 kg).
- Printed owl stencil (any simple one works — even a kid’s coloring page will do).
- Painter’s tape.
- Sharp knife, Pumpkin Carving Kit with Templates, or a fine-blade cutter
- Spoon for cleaning.
- Pin or awl.
- Candle or LED light.
How I do it:
- Prepare the pumpkin. Cut off the top, scoop out the seeds and pulp. For an owl design, a slightly taller pumpkin works better — it keeps the proportions right so the owl doesn’t look squished. Leave the walls about ¾ inch (2 cm) thick.
- Transfer the stencil. Tape the stencil onto the pumpkin with painter’s tape. Then use a pin or awl to poke along the outline, creating a dotted path.
Once you remove the paper, those dots will form a guide — your carving roadmap. - Carve the design. Start with the large elements: eyes, wings, and body outline. Take your time! For the feathers, I don’t carve all the way through — I just scrape the skin lightly in curved lines. It adds texture, and the inner light gives it natural depth.
- Add the “tree.” To complete the scene, carve a horizontal branch beneath the owl with a few short offshoots. It doesn’t have to be perfect — even a rough shape anchors the design nicely.
- Lighting. The owl looks best with soft, steady light. I usually place two LED candles inside — one at the base and another a bit higher. This way, the eyes glow brighter, while the wings stay gently illuminated.
Tip. Cover the carved area with a thin layer of gold or copper paint. In warm light, the owl almost looks alive.
And if you have several pumpkins, make a family — mom owl, dad, and baby. Real guardians of the garden!
9. Minimalist Leaf Pattern
A Minimalist Leaf Pattern pumpkin has no faces, no spooky details — just pure, natural beauty that even a beginner can easily recreate.
What you’ll need:
- Small or medium pumpkin (6–10 lb / 2.5–4.5 kg), preferably with a smooth surface.
- Several real leaves of different shapes and sizes (maple, oak, chestnut — any will do).
- Painter’s tape.
- Thin knife or engraving tool.
- Spoon for cleaning.
- LED candle or string fairy lights (like Fairy Lights for Pumpkins).
- (Optional) Acrylic paint in bronze or gold.
How I do it:
- Preparation. Cut off the top, scoop out the pulp and seeds, leaving the walls about ¾ inch (2 cm) thick. That’s the perfect balance: the light shines softly without overheating the pumpkin.
- Choose the leaves. Pick 3–5 beautiful leaves. The simpler the shape, the easier they’ll be to carve. Avoid dry ones — they break too easily. Use freshly collected leaves instead.
- Create the stencil. Tape a leaf onto the pumpkin using painter’s tape. Then trace its outline with a thin marker, or start scraping the skin directly along the veins.
You can fully cut out one leaf and just engrave the outline of another — combining both techniques looks especially elegant. - Add texture. I like adding subtle leaf veins by running the knife’s tip from the center outward. Don’t press too hard — you’re carving the surface, not cutting through.
If you make a few leaves at different heights, the pumpkin looks like it’s in motion — as if an autumn breeze just passed over it. - Lighting. This design shines best with soft golden light. I place a small battery-powered fairy light string inside — it fills the pumpkin with a warm, flowing glow that seeps through the carved lines.
- Decorating (optional). Sometimes I lightly brush the leaf edges with gold paint, just with my fingertip — it adds a gentle shimmer during the day and a soft reflection at night.
One year, we even painted the whole pumpkin matte white, and the leaves glowed like shadows — almost like porcelain.
Tip. To create a stunning setup, place a few of these leaf-pattern pumpkins of different sizes next to each other — with maple, oak, and aspen leaves. You’ll get a calm, refined corner of fall beauty right on your porch.
10. Playful Pumpkin Emoji Face
The Playful Pumpkin Emoji Face is perfect for anyone who doesn’t take Halloween too seriously. Sometimes all it takes is a smile — and suddenly, you’ve got the happiest pumpkin on the block sitting right on your porch.
What you’ll need:
- Small or medium pumpkin (6–9 lb / 2.5–4 kg).
- Sharp knife or carving tool set.
- Marker.
- Spoon for cleaning.
- LED candle or string lights with warm glow.
- (Optional) Acrylic paint: white, black, and yellow.
How I do it:
- Prepare the base. Cut off the top, scoop out the pulp and seeds, and leave the walls about ¾ inch (2 cm) thick. That’s thick enough to hold the shape but easy to carve through.
- Pick your expression. Choose from the classics — a winking face, a “heart-eyes” emoji, one with its tongue out, or even a “laughing with tears” look.
We went with the classic wink — one eye squinted, the other open, and a wide, happy grin. - Sketch the outlines. Draw the eyes, mouth, and eyebrows with a marker. If you’re adding a tongue, include a small oval shape below the mouth so it “sticks out.”
Don’t worry about making it perfect — a little unevenness gives it more personality. - Carve the details. Start with the eyes and mouth. For the winking eye, carve just a line — not a full circle.
Shape the mouth as a wide oval or curved line that stretches slightly to one side. If you’re adding a tongue, carve it separately and scrape the skin so it glows softer than the rest of the face when lit. - Add color (optional). I sometimes paint the tongue red and highlight the eyes with white — it looks fun even during the day when the light’s off.
- Lighting. A warm LED candle works best — it gives the pumpkin that glowing smile effect.
For extra fun, try color-changing LED tea lights — the shifting hues make the face look even more alive.
Tip. Place your emoji pumpkin among more traditional designs — it instantly stands out.
The Playful Pumpkin Emoji Face is a reminder that even among witches and ghosts, fall should still have room for simple, cheerful fun.
Living Pumpkins
Now you have a whole collection of simple, proven ideas. All these designs are easy to recreate, even for someone holding a knife for the first time: the shapes are simple, the tools are accessible, and the result is excellent.
A good tip — start with one pumpkin, but make it carefully. Clean the walls thoroughly, check how the light falls, and make sure it stands steadily. Then you can add more — a family of three or four different designs always looks more impressive than a lonely Jack by the door.
Don’t be afraid to experiment: combine techniques, add paint, use string lights for illumination. If you decide to try one of these designs, write in the comments which one you chose. I always enjoy reading how everyone’s pumpkins come to life and which ones become the favorites.
