How To Carve A Pumpkin In 8 Easy Steps

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This is Halloween, this is Halloween!  With the spookiest month just weeks away, it’s never too early to start decorating for All Hallow’s Eve.  No front yard would be complete without some hand-carved jack-o-lanterns!  And if you don’t know how to carve a pumpkin, we are here to answer all your questions! Make a trip to the grocery store or to a local pumpkin patch with your kids, and get carving!  Here are 8 steps to carving your best pumpkin ever.

8 Tips On How To Carve A Pumpkin

Get the right tools

Serrated knives are the best for big holes, like the one you’ll make on the top of the pumpkin to get inside of it.  Small, paring knives are handy for carving designs and details.  For gutting purposes, use a large metal spoon or ice cream scooper.  

Pick a good gourd 

The greener the stem, the fresher the pumpkin.  A thicker stem also indicates that the walls of the pumpkin are thick and strong as well.  Also check to see if the bottom of  the pumpkin is flat, so it will not roll away when it is on display!  

Have a plan

Brainstorm what you would like to transform your pumpkin into!  There are plenty of fun templates for free online.  If you want to create your own design, it is smart to free-hand on a sheet of paper before you actually draw on the pumpkin.  

Cut the lid on an angle

Don’t cut the top off straight up-and-down.  This way, when you put the lid back on top, it will not drop inside of the pumpkin!

Scoop smartly

Make sure you get every last bit of pulp out from the inside of the pumpkin.  Leftover “guts” will make your pumpkin rot faster and attract unwanted creatures.  And be sure to save the seeds to roast up a yummy seasonal treat!  

Hold the pumpkin in your lap

It’s easiest to carve features and intricate details when the face is looking up at you.  Unlike the lid, cut with up-and-down slices for a clean look.  

Keep it fresh

There are a couple tricks to keep your pumpkin alive a little bit longer!  For starters, cover cut edges and the interior with petroleum jelly to seal in moisture.  If your happy jack-o-lantern is looking a little sad a few days later, fill a spray bottle with water and a small amount of bleach and spritz your pumpkin daily.  The water keeps it from drying out while the bleach fights mold.  

Sprinkle a little cinnamon

Inside the lid.  When you finally light the candle and bring your creation to life, it will smell like pumpkin pie!

If you were wondering how to carve a pumpkin, hopefully this article answered all your questions! Pumpkin carving is a super fun and autumnal family activity, but be sure to be safe when using dangerous tools!  Happy carving!