OK, so we might have gone a little pumpkin crazy. But once you start looking at all of the amazing jack o’ lantern ideas out there, you just can’t stop! Here we’ve collected 23 of our very favourite inspirations for turning your plain pumpkin into a work of Halloween art. We hope they help and inspire — after all, Halloween will be here before we know it!
* * *
1. Skeleton Pumpkins
Someone’s reaching out to you … but who?? Try this two-part pumpkin carving idea for maximum scare value.
Photo courtesy of Country Living
[How-to at Country Living]
* * *
2. Sparkly Pumpkins
Who says New Year’s Eve should be the holiday with all the glitz? Try making these pumpkins sparkle to add a bit of glam to this year’s ghoulish gala.
Photo courtesy of The Farmer’s Daughter
[How-to at The Farmer’s Daughter]
* * *
3. Constellation Pumpkins
A little chalkboard spray paint and a string of fairy lights are the secrets behind this night sky-themed jack o’ lantern. Find out all the steps here (slide 28).
Image courtesy of Country Living
[How-to at Country Living]
* * *
4. Mummy Pumpkins
They just might be the cutest mummies ever. These googly-eyed pumpkins are fun and easy to whip up with the little ones, too.
Photo courtesy of Hands On As We Grow
[How-to at Hands On As We Grow]
* * *
5. Black Cat Pumpkins
Cat o’ lanterns, anyone? The bonus here is that there’s no need to hollow out the body of the pumpkin. Clean hands–aaah!–and sleek felines guarding your door.
Photo courtesy of Sunset magazine
[How-to at Sunset]
* * *
6. Painted Pumpkins
Blogger Alisa Burke shares her tricks for making these painted suzani-inspired pumpkins.
Photo courtesy of Alisa Burke
[How-to at Alisa Burke]
* * *
7. Sketched Pumpkins
Alisa Burke shares her love of sketching, here, with yet another way to create a non-traditional jack o’ lantern from a pumpkin or gourd.
Photo courtesy of Alisa Burke
[How-to at Alisa Burke]
* * *
8. Office Supply Pumpkins
Pressed for time? A handful of thumbtacks, pushpins or ‘brads’ (those paper fasteners that open and separate once pressed through the paper) might be all you need to create shapes, a message, or a random confetti pattern. Here’s how.
Photo courtesy of A Subtle Revelry
[How-to at A Subtle Revelry]
* * *
9. Cross-Stitched Pumpkins
This one’s for the cross-stitchers (or for anyone who wants to be one). Full instructions here (slide x).
Photo courtesy of Country Living
[How-to at Country Living]
* * *
10. Glitter Pumpkins
More glitz! More glam! A little glue and some confetti or sequins is all you need.
Photo courtesy of Made in a Day
[How-to at Made in a Day]
* * *
11. Address Pumpkins
Whether you want the kids to remember your address (YOU’VE got the good treats!) or just to create a seasonal decoration for your porch, you’ll want to get the hot knife ready for this jack o’ lantern.
Photo courtesy of In My Own Style
[How-to at In My Own Style]
* * *
12. Ombre Spiderweb Pumpkins
These ombre jack o’ lanterns add a touch of mystery to your porch, as it feels the fog is rolling in. Just in time for trick or treating.
Photo courtesy of Plaid Online
[How-to at Plaid Online]
* * *
13. Crayola Pumpkins
A vibrant splash of colour makes this pumpkin pop. And because it’s made from melted crayons, it’ll be messy fun for you and the family!
Photo courtesy of The Nerd’s Wife
[How-to at The Nerd’s Wife]
* * *
14. Literary Pumpkins
A few stick-on letters and a dark line or two from your favourite poem or book (“Once upon a midnight dreary…”) might give your trick or treaters pause for thought.
Photo courtesy of Country Living
[How-to at Country Living]
* * *
15. Button Pumpkins
Crafters, get to work! A few buttons and bows will help create this pretty pumpkin with a spooky message.
Photo courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens
[How-to at Better Homes and Gardens]
* * *
16. Toothy Pumpkins
Put those used vampire teeth to work again this season to craft these cute but feisty little jack o’ lanterns for your table or front porch.
Photo courtesy of Martha Stewart
[How-to at Martha Stewart]
* * *
17. Ice Bucket Pumpkins
An old or new pumpkin doubles as a cooler a treat for when your wee trick or treaters finally hit the hay.
Photo courtesy of Everyday Dishes
[How-to at Everyday Dishes]
* * *
18. Abstract Pumpkins
Inspire some serious pumpkin envy with this touch of artistry. The more abstract, the better!
Photo courtesy of HGTV
[How-to at HGTV]
* * *
19. Emoji Pumpkins
Because, emojis!
Photo courtesy of PopSugar
[How-to at Popsugar]
* * *
20. Drilled Pumpkins
Forget the knife, and haul out your trusty drill to create shapes and messages that become lit from within with a tealight.
Photo courtesy of Country Living
[How-to at Country Living]
* * *
21. Confetti Pumpkin
A more colourful twist on the office supply pumpkins, shown earlier, these jack o’ lanterns use colourful pushpins and a neutral coat of paint for tiny bursts of colour.
Photo courtesy of A Subtle Revelry
[How-to at A Subtle Revelry]
* * *
22. Candy Corn Pumpkins
Whether you love or hate candy corn, you know and remember it well. Best part: this jack o’ lantern requires no carving!
Photo courtesy of Midwest Living
[How-to at Midwest Living]
* * *
23. The Classic
Plan ahead with a bit of pencil sketching, or dive right in with your pumpkin carving tools of choice. You really can’t go wrong! Just don’t forget to light up your jack o’ lanterns on Halloween night so all the little ghosts and goblins know you’ve got treats to spare. Happy Halloween!
Photo courtesy of Flickr user William Warby
[No How-to Necessary, right?]
