20 Pumpkin Carving Ideas to Inspire You for Halloween 2022 (2024)

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20 Pumpkin Carving Ideas to Inspire You for Halloween 2022 (1)Alexa EricksonUpdated: Oct. 31, 2023

    Get out those power tools and carving kits! It's time to create your best Halloween pumpkin ever.

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    Lara Radda/Shutterstock

    Man Smoking a Pipe

    This is one impressive carved pumpkin. We absolutely love how realistic the lips, eyes, cheeks and chin look, and we’re equally impressed with the idea to carve the stem of another pumpkin into a creepy hand, while another small fruit is used as the pipe. This realistic carving would look perfect in a haunted house.

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    Lijuan Guo/Shutterstock

    Use the Stem in Your Pumpkin Design

    Here’s another pumpkin with carving that doesn’t go all the way through. And this one incorporates the pumpkin’s stem into the carving design. Flip the pumpkin on its side and work around the stem to carve a face, with the stem serving as a large, crazy nose of a funny-looking monster!

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    Floral Pumpkin Carving Ideas

    Is this not the most beautiful pumpkin carving you’ve ever seen? Skip the scary stuff and choose a more romantic route by carving your pumpkin into a beautiful display of flowers.Or go for an easier option and paint your pumpkin with a floral pattern.

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    Elena Belskaya/Shutterstock

    Enchanted Fairy Pumpkin House

    For the family that prefers something sweet over scary, this is a great addition to your pumpkin carving ideas! Transform a pumpkin into a quaint abode fit for a fairy. You could even glue some fall leaves to your pumpkin for a festive fall look!

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    Realistic Pumpkin Carving

    While it’s common practice to cut completely through the pumpkin to create a design, we love this unique technique, which could be your favorite new pumpkin carving idea. The carver removed just the skin to create a 3-D Jack-o-Lantern facethat’s scary and impressive!

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    VW Volkswagen Pumpkin

    Who says you have to carve a creature? We love the creativity of this Halloween pumpkin carving idea. Add some glitter to really make this pumpkin shine, and save the seeds. You can either plant them or use them in your decor.

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    Carved Out Pumpkin Costume

    If you have a small child, this pumpkin carving idea might be perfect for you this year. Find yourself a big enough pumpkin to comfortably place your little one in and carve out holes near the bottom for their legs. Then, take lots of pictures!

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    Pumpkin Carving Ideas with Multiple Pumpkins

    At first glance, each of these pumpkins offers a simple design. But together, they create a fun scene! We love that a tiny pumpkin was turned into monster food.Use a pumpkin stencil or create your own clever design.

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    Ribboned Pumpkin

    How beautiful is this ribboned design? It’s a unique pumpkin carving idea, and we’re all about the floral look. Set it next to a fall wreath for a gorgeous floral theme.

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    SerdyukPhotography/Shutterstock

    Minion Pumpkin Carving

    Minions are an adorable addition to your pumpkin carving ideas. This one is simple enough for the kids to do. Fall pumpkins are fun for the whole family, so work with your little ones to create a fun Halloween pumpkin scene.

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    Welcome Pumpkin

    Keep it simple by welcoming guests with a festive flickering welcome sign. You can be as friendly or scary as you want with your lettering. Just make sure to pick a fresh pumpkin so that the sign lasts well into the season.

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    Jail Cell Pumpkin

    We love that mini carved pumpkins were incorporated to make the scene of a person inside a jail cell, with parts of the larger pumpkin carved to appear like the person is holding onto the bars! While this pumpkin itself isn’t too scary, it will still fit in with your other truly creepy Halloween decorations.

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    Michael T Hartman/Shutterstock

    Owl Pumpkin Carving

    Celebrate autumn — when wildlife like owls hoot the loudest — by trying your hand at a pumpkin carved to look like an owl! You can make it as simple or detailed as you wish.

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    Michael T Hartman/Shutterstock

    Night Sky Pumpkin

    Considering your pumpkins will be lit up in the evening, why not create a night sky carving like this one? We love how the crescent was gently carved out of the top layer of the pumpkin’s skin, while the stars were cut all the way through, in different sizes.

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    Pumpkin Sunflower Field

    Light up the night with a sunflower field made of lit-up carved pumpkins! You can create the entirety of a sunflower, carving the design of a stem with its leaves on the bottom two, and finding a perfectly round Jack-O’-Lantern to top it all off to carve out the head.

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    Pumpkin Carving Phrase Ideas

    Who says pumpkins have to be super detailed or super scary? We love this trio that offers a positive approach to Halloween.Experienced carvers, novice crafters and those in between can all enjoy some Jack-o’-lantern inspiration.

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    Oleksandr Lytvynenko/Shutterstock

    Carriage Pumpkin

    Recreate one of the most iconic Disney movies by staging a doll horse and a doll Cinderella alongside this carriage pumpkin. This is a cute and recognizable way to decorate your yard for Halloween, especially if you have kids who are a little too young to enjoy the scary decorations.

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    Star Wars Carving

    If you’re a Star Wars fan, then this pumpkin carving idea is for you. May the force be with you! If you’re feeling ambitious, have a party and carve pumpkins into the whole cast!

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    Jen duMoulin/Shutterstock

    Cat and Crescent Pumpkin

    You can’t go wrong with a black cat on Halloween and the crescent moon makes it super-spooky. If your cat will tolerate a Halloween costume, try to get some photos of the cat and the pumpkin together.

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    Baby Vampire Pumpkin Carving Idea

    If you’ve only got little pumpkins, you can still make them scary. All you need are some fangs and you’ll have a yard full of vampire pumpkins!

    Originally Published: September 30, 2019

    20 Pumpkin Carving Ideas to Inspire You for Halloween 2022 (22)

    Alexa Erickson

    Alexa is an experienced lifestyle and news writer, currently working with Reader's Digest, Shape Magazine and various other publications. She loves writing about her travels, health, wellness, home decor, food and drink, fashion, beauty and scientific news. Follow her traveling adventures on Instagram: @living_by_lex, send her a message: [emailprotected] and check out her website: livingbylex.com

    20 Pumpkin Carving Ideas to Inspire You for Halloween 2022 (2024)

    FAQs

    What is the reason for carving pumpkins on Halloween? â€ș

    Unbeknownst to the ancient Celts, their fall tradition of Samhain and of keeping evil spirits at bay would evolve throughout the centuries. Samhain morphed into Halloween, and the myth of Stingy Jack and the use of jack-o'-lanterns to scare off his evil spirit arose.

    What do children learn from pumpkin carving? â€ș

    Paying attention during pumpkin carving helps kids practice skills such as observation, investigation, and communication, which support the development of scientific literacy.

    Why is the pumpkin a symbol of Halloween people? â€ș

    In addition to its origins in folklore, pumpkins were also believed to ward off evil spirits. Carved pumpkins with lit candles inside were placed on doorsteps to protect homes from wandering spirits on All Hallows' Eve, creating a tradition that persists to this day.

    What is the story behind the pumpkin in Halloween? â€ș

    In Ireland, people started to carve demonic faces out of turnips to frighten away Jack's wandering soul. When Irish immigrants moved to the U.S., they began carving jack-o'-lanterns from pumpkins, as these were native to the region.

    What does the pumpkin stand for Halloween? â€ș

    In America, the Irish immigrants discovered a new vegetable, the pumpkin, which is harvested in the fall, and began using it to scare the evil spirits. It was also probably easier to carve a face on a pumpkin than on a turnip! With time, it became one of the most important symbol of Halloween.

    What is the meaning of Halloween 🎃? â€ș

    Halloween is a holiday that marks the day before the Western Christian feast of All Saints, or All Hallows, and initiates the season of Allhallowtide. In much of Europe and North America, celebration of Halloween is largely nonreligious.

    What does the Halloween pumpkin emoji mean? â€ș

    The Jack-O'-Lantern emoji 🎃 depicts a carved pumpkin with the green stem and classic jagged smile. Sometimes the emoji is used with spooky things in general, regardless of the time of year, and can stand in for pumpkin as food or a term of endearment.

    Why do people love pumpkins? â€ș

    For many, pumpkins signify the ushering in of a new season. The orange fruits are placed on doorsteps and throughout homes across the country during the fall season.

    What makes a good carving pumpkin? â€ș

    How to Pick a Pumpkin for Carving. Successful pumpkin projects start in the patch. Search for pumpkins that are smooth, symmetrical, and firm. Design dictates shape: If you know what design you want to make, pick a pumpkin accordingly.

    What to do first when carving a pumpkin? â€ș

    1. Step 1: Cut Out the Top. The first step is to cut out the top. ...
    2. Step 2: Clean Up the Inside. Pull the cap off and start removing the insides by scooping and scraping with a spoon. ...
    3. Step 3: Basic Carving Tips & Tricks. And now we can start carving. ...
    4. Step 4: More Advanced Designs. ...
    5. Step 5: Disinfect Your Pumpkin.

    What is the best time to carve pumpkins? â€ș

    "Carve no more than three days before Halloween," Evan recommends. If you plan to celebrate on the weekend before or after Halloween, pick a pumpkin carving date a few days before the celebration. Carve too early, and your pumpkin will scare off trick-or-treaters with its rotten teeth!

    When did the tradition of carving pumpkins start? â€ș

    The history of pumpkin carving, or carving Jack-O-Lanterns around Halloween, dates back to the 18th century in Ireland. Its roots are rooted in a myth about Stingy Jack, a blacksmith by trade. According to the myth, Jack made a deal with the devil and tricked him into not taking his soul upon death.

    What is the story behind the Jack O lantern? â€ș

    To fend off evil spirits, people used to cut turnips and stick candles inside. “jack-o-lanterns.” are what people termed these carved turnips. The name originates from the Irish folktale of Stingy Jack, a man destined to wander the earth with only a carved-out turnip to light his way after tricking the devil.

    What was the original purpose of the pumpkin? â€ș

    History of the Pumpkin

    For centuries the pumpkin was consumed and used in many ways by Native Americans. They would cook the flesh of the pumpkin by roasting, baking, boiling and drying it. They also ate the seeds of the pumpkin and sometimes used them as medicine.

    Why do pumpkins represent fall? â€ș

    So, the pumpkin, the hearty vegetable that was once eaten out of necessity, became celebrated as it connected urbanized Americans to the agrarian lifestyle they wanted to hold onto.

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