How to Carve a Pumpkin

Carving pumpkins is a fun tradition during the Halloween season. Pumpkins don’t stay good for long once they’ve been cut, so plan to do the carving a week or two before Halloween so the pumpkins are on display for the special night. This a great activity to do with friends or with children, but it can also be messy. It’s best to put down a tarp or trash bag that can be thrown out after the carving is complete.

The first step is to pick a pumpkin that is the right size for whatever design you want to carve. It’s good to have the design already picked out to know exactly what size pumpkin you’ll need.

After purchasing the pumpkin, it’s time to start cutting. Using a sharp knife, cut off the crown by cutting around the pumpkin in a circle shape. This will open up the pumpkin to scoop out the insides. For scooping out the insides, I always use my own hands, but, for those that want less of a mess, you can use a large spoon and scoop out the seeds and extra flesh.

With a marker, draw the design on the outside of the pumpkin. The design can be more than a regular jack-‘o-lantern. There are many stencils people use to help them get the perfect pumpkin. Use a knife to cut out the shapes. Be careful and stay within the lines. After you cut out the design, put a light inside the pumpkin and place the crown back on top.