78 Creative Pumpkin Carving Ideas Even Beginners Can DIY

Carving out scalloped edges for pumpkins creates a unique display you can stack on any table, mantel or desk. Cut a round opening from the bottom and scoop out the insides using a spoon or measuring cup. Keep carving the opening until you've created your desired bowl shape. Cut out V-shaped slivers and widen them until you have your scalloped edges. For this idea, you can add a tealight inside or place another pumpkin on top.

It's a party for all the swamp creatures. Use a melon baller or circle cutter to cut round holes of different sizes into your pumpkin. Then it's all a matter of decorating preference — add toy frogs and colorful bugs coming in and out of the holes. Style with tall grass, moss or branches to really set the scene.

Use this season's gourds in a whole new way and make these adorable mushrooms. Pick out a variety of smaller, flatter pumpkins and stack them on top of taller, bigger pumpkins to create the mushroom shape. Then, carve small circles on the top pumpkin or gourd to construct a toadstool lantern. Pop a flameless tea candle inside the top for a cool effect come nighttime.

Get inspired by the beauty of space by carving a group of stars into pumpkins of varied sizes. Start by painting your pumpkins black, then carve careful lines, followed by small holes to serve as the stars.

Get the tutorial at The Merrythought »

Create a creepy display for your front porch! First, carve different size holes around your pumpkin, then stick plastic mice as though they're emerging and entering each hole.

Get the tutorial at Tatertots and Jello »

Here's a pro trick for nailing this glowing 3D effect: Use a lemon zester, clay loop, or linoleum cutter to carve into — but not through — the top layer of pumpkin skin.

Turn tall squashes into funky candlestick designs. Use a carving knife to cut a round opening from the bottom of your pumpkin, then scoop out the insides. Download our candlestick template and trace the shape onto the pumpkin using a pencil or washable chalk marker. Cut along the template. When you're happy with the shape, put string lights into the bottom to create a stunning glow.

Celebrate your fur baby by carving a simple paw print into a small pumpkin. Keep in mind: While pumpkin is healthy for dogs, don't let them munch on the skin as it could be a choking hazard.

Deck out your pumpkin's carved face with Halloween candy. Start by outlining your features with Twizzler's Pull 'N 'Peel. Outline the eyes with candy corns and jelly beans, then use Chiclet gum to form a toothy smile.

Spiders are a spooky symbol of Halloween, but we're loving this friendly face. Be sure to sketch out your design with a pencil before carving.

This spooky spider pumpkin will look great on your front porch or anywhere in your house! Carve out a circle on the face of the pumpkin, spray paint it (inside and outside) black, and poke 12-13 holes along the edge where you carved it. Then, thread a needle with a metallic string and tie a knot on the end.

Start from the inside and pull the thread through the first hole, then through another hole directly across the pumpkin (poking the pumpkin from the outside) and tying it off inside. Repeat this step until you have all your holes filled. Take a length of string and start by tying it to one of the crisscrossed strings you just created about one inch from the outside of the hole.

Continue making a spiral by knotting as you hit the crisscross that is already there, while continuing in a circular swirl. For the final touch, add a spider to your web!

Draw inspiration from an old cemetery headstone with this spooky design. Trace and carve our headstone template onto a tall pumpkin, preferably painted a moody color of your choice. After adding the lights, place your new headstone on the front porch or lawn as a creepy welcome for guests.

Make something inspired by your feline friend, instead. Once you cut off the top and scrape out the pumpkin guts, you'll just need to make a few geometric cuts to create this adorable cat face. Carve out two triangles for the ears, two diamonds for the eyes and a few more triangles for the nose and whiskers.

From reindeer moss, twigs and succulent stems to mini headstones, set a dramatic scene inside your carved pumpkin. For a pop of color, paint a small pumpkin red and make it center stage. Complete the over-the-top design with a full moon (a Ping-Pong ball that you can easily hang from a thin string).

SHOP REINDEER MOSS

For this fun hideout, carve a large hole in the front of your favorite warty pumpkin and hot glue together thick sticks or wood pieces to create a roof and house shape. Place near a tree or right on your porch for all your neighbors to admire. Now all you need is a fake frog (or two!) for added effect.

These striking flame pumpkins will illuminate your fireplace mantel — without any real flame. First, choose an assortment of orange pumpkins in various sizes, so they're easy to stack and arrange. Download, trace and carve out this flame template. Cut the pumpkin's opening out from the bottom for LED tealights and you're all set.

Opt for something artsy with our feather template, which even beginners can trace using washable chalk markers. Use Lino Cut tools to carefully carve the surface skin of the pumpkin, all while leaving the flesh exposed. A mix of long and short carving strokes will create texture on the pumpkin. For a brighter glow from the string lights inside, thin the flesh of the pumpkin by scraping away more of the inside flesh with a spoon.

Tip: Spray vinegar on the carved areas so they last longer before adding the string lights.

This silly face is a breeze to make. Carve the mouth and eyes, leaving some shaved down pumpkin for the irises. Glue on black buttons for the pupils, then use a zipper and wide black ribbon to create the mouth.

Would you believe this spooky display of heirloom pumpkins and gourds is made possible with cookie cutters? After prepping and cleaning the pumpkins, push sturdy metal cookie cutters into them (think bats, skeletons, ghosts and vampires).

Use a rubber mallet to hammer the cookie cutters through their flesh and save the cutouts. Cut out smaller details with a round hole cutter, before spraying vinegar on the carved areas so they last longer. Mix and match the punched cutouts to create a colorful pumpkin pattern.

SHOP COOKIE CUTTERS

These seasonal designs require surface carving, so try not to carve them all the way through your pumpkins. You'll need our templates (leaves, flowers and acorns), washable chalk markers for tracing and Lino Cut tools for the carving. Since these designs are more fall-themed and not just specific to Halloween, spray vinegar on the pumpkins to help them last as long as possible throughout the season.