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Pumpkin Carving Patterns: Fun Ideas from 27 Free Stencils

Get ideas, then get carving: Nothing captures the playful spookiness of Halloween more than glowing jack-o'-lanterns. Years of pumpkin projects have taught us that it’s much easier to create a memorable gourd when you start with a stencil. So we tracked down the best pumpkin patterns, from eerie faces to clever emoticons, and turned them into easy-to-use, free carving templates. Print the stencil you like, tape it on your hollowed-out pumpkin, and "trace" the pattern's lines by poking pinholes over them. Then pull the paper off, carve over the pinhole lines, and you’ll have a jack-o'-lantern for the ages.
Ready for more Halloween craftiness? We've got 20 easy ideas for homemade Halloween kids' costumes.

Adapted from: Halloween! Your Best Ever
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Pumpkin Pattern #1: Wink Wink!

Here's an idea your neighbors will LOL over: an emoticon-friendly pumpkin pattern that's simple enough for beginners to make.

Download this stencil >>

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Pumpkin Pattern #2: Who, Me?

Goofy, sure, but this wacky pumpkin face is simple enough for kids to help you carve it.

Download this stencil Â»

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Pumpkin Pattern #3: Cat's Whiskers

This purrfectly cute pumpkin carving stencil isn't hard to create at home. You can skip the whiskers if your knife skills aren't up to the job.

Download this stencil Â»

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Pumpkin Pattern #4: Casper the Friendly Ghost

Not too scary for little ones, this template is mostly curved lines, making it easier for pumpkin carving novices.

Download this stencil Â»

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Pumpkin Pattern #5: Starry Night

You and Van Gogh: This stencil offers a cool, twinkly evening scene that's different than the usual Jack. Feel free to mix up where the stars go, based on where your pumpkin's flattest (easiest to carve).

 Download this stencil >>

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Pumpkin Pattern #6: Hissing Cat

More for an expert hand, this pumpkin carving template requires a steady knife to make sure that the cat's feet and tail don't separate from the base. If you slip, you can always "piece" it back together with toothpicks.

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© iStockphoto/Thinkstock
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Pumpkin Pattern #7: Tombstones

Spooky gravestones are not hard to cut out, but they make a creepy jack o'lantern nonetheless.

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Pumpkin Pattern #8: Lopsided Grin

Watch for the eyes and teeth when you're carving out this pumpkin template: The squares and circles are tricky if your knife is larger. Switch to a smaller blade for the detail work if you need.

Download this stencil >>

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Pumpkin Pattern #9: Devil-May-Care

This pumpkin carving template is more for the pros: Use a sharp, thin knife blade to trim away all the curls.

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Pumpkin Pattern #10: Scary Face

This jack o'lantern's template is a classic: part devilsh grin, part evil genius.

Download this stencil >>

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© iStockphoto/Thinkstock
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Pumpkin Pattern #11: Creepy Owl

Whoo-whoo wants to make a different jack o'lantern this year? You do, with this easy, wide-image stencil.

Download this stencil >>

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Pumpkin Pattern #12: Death's Head

Start with the quirky eyebrows first, then work your way down the face for an easier pumpkin carving experience.

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Pumpkin Pattern #13: Happy Jack

If you're a little rusty in your pumpkin carving skills, try cutting out the entire triangle for eyes and half-circle for the mouth; you can always cut in eyeballs and teeth and spear them in with toothpicks.

Download this stencil >>

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Pumpkin Pattern #14: Flying Witch

Start slowly by lightly tracing the outline of the witch with your knife; then go around again and cut deeper into the pumpkin, to outline the figure in the template.

Download this stencil >>

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© iStockphoto/Thinkstock
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Pumpkin Pattern #15: Haunted House

This silly, almost human house will cast creepy shadows on the wall. If you're unsure of your pumpkin carving skills, you can skip the extra cuts for the roof and simplify the entire template.

Download this stencil >>

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Pumpkin Pattern #16: Boo!

Pumpkin carving pros: Take it to the next level by adding an open-mouth scream to this eerie ghost template.

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© Hemera/Thinkstock
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Pumpkin Pattern #17: Scary Spider

Black widow: Trace the outline of the spider's body with your knife, then use a thinner, sharp knife to really etch out the eight legs.

Download this stencil >>

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© Hemera/Thinkstock
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Pumpkin Pattern #18: Gone Batty

You'll be done with this pumpkin stencil in no time with its easy-to-carve pattern. Great for kids to help, and you can make more than one bat if your surface is large enough.

Download this stencil >>

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© iStockphoto/Thinkstock
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Pumpkin Pattern #19: Skull

Watch for the tiny pieces between the skull top and bottom, and the bridge of the nose; you'll want to carve the pumpkin carefully in those connecting spaces. A smaller paring knife might work well there.

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© Hemera/Thinkstock
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Pumpkin Pattern #20: Sweet Ice Cream

What a treat! A pumpkin carving template that's sure to please any kid; just watch for the spacing between scoops, which can be hard for beginners to get right.

Download this stencil >>

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© Hemera/Thinkstock
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Pumpkin Pattern #21: Spooky Tree

Once you get the base down, you can go free-form with the branches, letting the surface of your pumpkin be your guide to carving it.

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© Hemera/Thinkstock
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Pumpkin Pattern #22: Raven

This creepy bird pattern can also be replicated in multiple times around the pumpkin, making for a very Hitchcock "The Birds" decoration. Amazing when lit.

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© iStockphoto/Thinkstock
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Pumpkin Pattern #23: Candy Corn

Trick or treat! Put this pumpkin out on the porch if yours is the house that's giving out the best candy.

Download this stencil >>

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Pumpkin Pattern #24: Ghastly Ghost

Do we have to spell it out for you? This pumpkin carving template makes for one silly jack o'lantern.

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© iStockphoto/Thinkstock
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Pumpkin Pattern #25: Joy Ride

Got kids who love cars? This pumpkin template ought to drive them over the edge of happiness.

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© Hemera/Thinkstock
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Pumpkin Pattern #26: Acorns

Fall is in the air with this festive pumpkin template, which is easy to knock out in minutes.

Download this stencil >>

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© Hemera/Thinkstock
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Pumpkin Pattern #27: My Lips Are Sealed

We won't tell anyone that you can make this pumpkin carving template using all easy, straight lines.

Download this stencil >>

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Your Comments

  • Blah

    Okay then…… Where are the stencils?!?!?!??!? Sorry it kinda sucks

    • vampirepowerawesomeness

      i have no idea blah XD 

  • Juliegunter76

    next to the picture is the download link in blue

    • Heather Froman

       What picture?

      • Anonymous

        I love you.

  • Reileychat

    …

  • Skycottrell

    need the stencils

  • Mike

    No  wornder Readers digest went Bust

  • T Vandervlies

    Click on “Next” ……

  • T Vandervlies

    Click on “Next” ……

  • Search4u2

    Reader’s Digest IT tech need to reevaluate this website. Each edition offers sites that are interesting but unavailable when you try to go to the second pix or text. The site just does not work when you try to navigate. What a waste of time and space.

  • blah blah

    no stencils

  • eyeguy54

    Thx!   Very easy to do. :>)

  • guest

    This was a fun project for our boys!  We ended up cutting out the eyes, nose and eyebrows, etc… Then we taped them on the pumpkins how we liked, and traced around them with dry erase pens. Then we cut out the shapes.  Thanks for putting this activity on your site!

  • T Vandervlies

    Thanks a lot! We also had a lot of fun this afternoon carving pumpkins!

  • Paulkirk

    Cant believe people complain about free stencils, if you want better i suggest you put your hand in your pocket and actually pay for more unique ones. so stop complaining about freebies.

  • Disapointed

    getting the run around have tried several different ways to try to get to stencils and still come up with nothing.  Feel like a dog chasing it’s tail, this doesn’t kinda suck it does suck in a big way.  Thanks for wasting my time.

  • Lucac

    click print and it shows them so u can print them

  • Gpinto

    Click the print button and the pics will show up.  Don’t get too excited…

  • Uzsake

    Click on Print button under the text :)

  • Christina-davis

    I can’t find the stencils either…..

  • vampirepowerawesomeness

    ugh! trying to find a cool pumpkin with fire eyes and fire mouth! SO HARD! grrr! 

  • vampirepowerawesomeness

    also nice name blah

  • Bexxa

    Am I just old fashioned or is it just kinda silly to put an ice cream cone on a Halloween jack-o-lantern?

  • Adfadfa Asdfoijd

    people need you to baby feed them nowadays…it’s getting sad

  • Brownidgirl

    not many of them hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

  • Brownidgirl

    not many of them hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

  • Brownidgirl

    not many of them hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

  • Griswold Hunter

    i am confused were are the stencils

  • Blah

    These are Terrible

  • Anonymous

    Something borked here… I can’t go beyond the first picture and nothing shows.

  • Orrtracy

    thanks so much for the stencils made my job so easy kids loved them

  • Amrit_b66

    this is the suckiest website on the earth it does not even give stencils so sucky they should take this website off it is no use i will just carve a pumpkin by myself now i will surely lose the pumpkin carving contest for sure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • SantaClaus

    On the upper right hand side there’s the link where it says “next” to see the rest patterns.

    To print, download the stencil on the right as well if anyone noticed.

  • Couch922

    Cant draw lines? Takes a lot of ink when you fill in the pictures black……

  • Meep

    click the white arrow in the pumkin pic to go to the next picture. then hit the link that says “download” =]

  • Michaeldaley45

    where are the stencils

  • http://twitter.com/scoobymack1 DuJuan Green

    Thanks a bunch for the stencils!!!  :) 

  • http://twitter.com/scoobymack1 DuJuan Green

    Thanks a bunch for the stencils!!!  :) 

  • zombiepower

    were are the stencils

  • Chloe Hall

    they are the crappest thing i have ever saw i cant even see the bloody stencils and i should hope they were free

  • MomofThree

    One of the best sites I found today for easy, kid-friendly templates… Thank You!!

  • Marinclark

    This site is useless!! I hate it! This really,truly needs improvement!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Steve

    Lame

  • Pstricker7

    IS THAT IT TOMARROW IS HALLOWEEN THANKS TO YOU I DONT HAVE A PUMPKIN WERE ARE STENCILS WHEN YOU NEED THEM>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>3 XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX33333333333333333333333333333333333333

  • Sirenabeau

    The stencils I believe are next to the pumpkin smiling guy….facing the computer it’s on the right where it says next. there are 28 of them. Hope it helps

  • http://twitter.com/Hugh_Sellmore Hugh Sellmore

    Very interesting pumpkin patterns! I consider #13 to be the best one. I will definitely use it for my next Halloween party.

    Thanks for sharing :)