Fun Pumpkin Carving Ideas For the Whole Family

Halloween is just around the corner, and you know what that means—it's pumpkin carving season! Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a total beginner, pumpkin carving is one of the best ways to get into the spooky spirit. 

But, forget about the traditional jack-o'-lantern faces this year. Let’s take your pumpkin game up a notch with some fresh and fun pumpkin carving ideas that the whole family will enjoy.

Best Pumpkin Carving Ideas

Grab your pumpkin, carve out some time (pun intended), and let’s dive into some creative ideas for pumpkin carving that’ll have your front porch looking festive and fabulous this Halloween. Before you know it, your house may even start to look like it belongs in one of these 15 eerie ghost towns in America.

The Classic with a Twist

Sure, the triangle eyes and jagged smile are classic, but even the classics can get a glow-up. Try adding some details that will make your pumpkin stand out from the crowd. Give it a funky mustache, add a winking eye, or carve a goofy toothy grin.

Family Tip: Let everyone create their own version of a "classic jack-o'-lantern." Put all of them together, and you'll have a family of quirky pumpkins smiling back at trick-or-treaters. You can even assign personalities – maybe one is the sleepy one, another the silly one, and another the family brainiac.

Pumpkin Pets

Kids love animals, so why not bring their favorite creatures to life in pumpkin form? You can carve your pumpkin to look like your dog, cat, or even a magical unicorn. For extra fun, add accessories like painted ears, yarn for whiskers, or a cardboard tail.

Family Tip: This is a perfect family project because each person can choose their favorite animal. Use smaller pumpkins for pets like cats, bunnies, or owls, and let your larger pumpkins take on the form of a majestic lion or a silly puppy.

Glow-in-the-Dark Pumpkins

Want your pumpkin to really stand out when the lights go down? Add some glow-in-the-dark paint to your design. Whether it’s the whole pumpkin or just the eyes and mouth, this effect will give your jack-o'-lantern an eerie glow that looks fabulous at night.

Family Tip: Carve your design as usual, then purchase some glow-in-the-dark paint from your local craft store. You can trace the edges of your carving or get creative with splatters and abstract designs. Leave the pumpkin under bright light during the day, and watch it shine at night.

No-Carve Pumpkins

If carving isn’t your thing, or you’re worried about little ones wielding sharp tools, why not try decorating pumpkins without any carving at all? This takes the danger out of these easy pumpkin carving ideas. Paint, stickers, googly eyes, and markers can turn an ordinary pumpkin into a colorful masterpiece without the mess.

Family Tip: Set up a decorating station with all sorts of art supplies. Let the kiddos go wild with their imaginations. One pumpkin could be a pirate, another a princess, and another a rainbow of glitter and color. The best part is, no one gets stuck scooping out pumpkin guts.

Movie-Inspired Pumpkins

Have a favorite movie or TV character? Bring them to life with your pumpkin. Carve or paint pumpkins to look like characters from Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, or whatever your family loves watching together. Think of carving Olaf from Frozen, or maybe Baby Yoda (Grogu).

Family Tip: Divide the task so each family member carves or decorates their favorite character, then put them together to create a pumpkin version of your favorite film’s cast. You could even do a theme night where you watch the movie while the carving party takes place. 

Super Spooky Scenes

This might be one of the best pumpkin ideas on the list. If you want to lean into the spooky side of Halloween, try carving a whole scene into your pumpkin. Think haunted houses, flying bats, witches on broomsticks, or creepy graveyards. With the right lighting, these intricate designs can cast eerie shadows and add a spooktacular atmosphere to your home.

Family Tip: Use templates or pumpkin carving stencils if you’re unsure how to freehanding. Everyone can pick their own spooky theme, and you can display your pumpkins together in a pumpkin patch like a mini haunted village. Perhaps it'll even start to look like one of these pumpkin-esque places for fall travel.

Mummy Pumpkins

If you’re looking for something simple but effective, try turning your pumpkin into a mummy. All you need is some gauze or white fabric and a few googly eyes. Wrap your pumpkin like you would wrap a mummy, leaving some gaps for the eyes to peek through.

Family Tip: Younger kids will love helping with this one. It’s a great no-carve option, and you can use multiple pumpkins to make a whole family of mummies. Add fun variations like spooky painted eyes or a glowing light inside for a mysterious look.

Pumpkin Planters

Who says pumpkins are just for carving? Get creative by turning them into planters. Hollow out the pumpkin and plant some autumn flowers like mums, or fill them with succulents for a modern twist. Here are the best plants to plant in your fall garden. Each of these are perfect for the front porch and will last longer than a carved pumpkin.

Family Tip: This is a great activity for families that love gardening! Let each person design their planter by carving or painting their pumpkin. Then, head to your local nursery to pick out some seasonal plants to fill your creations.

Emoji Pumpkins

Emoji pumpkins are a fun, modern twist on traditional pumpkin carving. Use your favorite emoji as inspiration and carve or paint it onto your pumpkin. Whether it's a smiley face, heart eyes, or the ghost emoji, this is a fun and easy way to express your pumpkin’s personality.

Family Tip: Let each family member choose their most-used emoji to create their own emoji pumpkin. It’s a fun way to showcase everyone’s personalities, and it’s simple enough that even the youngest family members can get involved with painting.

Pumpkin Face-Off

If your family’s a little more competitive, why not host a pumpkin carving contest? Pick a theme, like monsters or funny faces, and see who can come up with the best design. You can even create different categories, such as the scariest, funniest, or most creative. Display your pumpkins together and let the neighbors and trick-or-treaters vote on their favorites.

Family Tip: Make it a fun event by providing small prizes for the winners, like a Halloween candy stash or a crown made of leaves and twine. The best part is, everyone gets to be part of the Halloween fun in their own, unique way!

Light ‘em Up

Once your pumpkins are all carved and decorated, it’s time to light them up. Instead of traditional candles, try using battery-operated LED lights, tea lights, or even fairy lights for a magical touch. You can change up the colors for different effects, like a spooky green or an eerie blue.

Family Tip: Place your pumpkins around the yard or porch to create a glowing Halloween wonderland. Try lining your walkway with the lit pumpkins to guide trick-or-treaters to your door.

Have Fun and Be Silly

The Spooky Season isn’t all about jumps and scares. Pumpkin carving is one of the most beloved Halloween traditions, and it’s a great way to bring the whole family together for some creative fun. 

We hope these pumpkin carving ideas will jumpstart the creativity and fun. Whether you’re carving a classic jack-o'-lantern, painting a favorite character, or trying out a new technique, the possibilities are endless. Get those pumpkins ready, gather your tools (and imagination), and let your creativity shine this Halloween.

As you prepare for the trick-or-treating madness of Halloween night, keep coming back for more lifestyle tips. And, if you think this might be a nice activity for the other kiddos in the neighborhood, share this out on social media so everyone can join the fun!