The air is getting crisp, the leaves are beginning to turn, and that can only mean one thing Halloween is just around the corner! And what’s the quintessential symbol of this spook-tacular season? A brilliantly carved pumpkin, glowing from within on a dark October night.
But let’s be honest, sometimes we get stuck in a rut of the same triangular eyes and toothy grins. That’s where this guide comes in! Whether you’re a crafting novice looking for a simple idea or a carving virtuoso ready to create a full-blown masterpiece, we’ve got you covered. For Halloween 2025, we’ve rounded up 70 pumpkin carving ideas that range from eerily easy to mind-blowingly intricate. Get ready to find inspiration that will make your porch the envy of the neighborhood and perfectly capture the spirit of the season. Let’s dive in and find your perfect carve!
Pumpkin Carving Ideas For You
Ready to find your perfect pumpkin inspiration? Let’s jump into the list!
1- Use Googly Eyes
Why carve the eyes? Let googly eyes handle the staring! Just sculpt a crazy mouth, stick on the eyes, and watch as your creation eerily tracks your every move.
2- Ghostly Pumpkins
Give your pumpkin a ghostly makeover! Start with a white pumpkin (a quick paint job or a patch find) and carve in a spooky smile. It’s a fresh, fun spin on the classic jack-o’-lantern that’s sure to stand out!
3- Spiders
Turn your pumpkin into the star of the show by giving it eight leggy friends! Carve and peel spooky spider legs right from its base for a clever, contest-winning look, or etch a delicate web on the front for a classic creepy vibe. It’s the perfect way to weave some frightfully fun detail into your Halloween decor.
4- Vampire Fangs
Let your pumpkin embrace its inner night-owl! Carve a dashing Dracula face and add glow-in-the-dark fangs for a vampire that’s charming by day and chillingly cool by night.
5- Spikey Teeth
Give your gourd some gruesome charm! Craft a set of jagged teeth using toothpicks or sticks, and for the ultimate zombie vibe, a slightly rotten pumpkin is your best (and grossest) friend.
6- Pet Portrait
Turn your pumpkin into a tribute to your favorite furry friend! Carve your cat’s mischievous grin or your dog’s happy face for a porch display that’s full of personal purr-sonality. It’s the paw-fect way to celebrate your pet this Halloween.
7- Smiling Pumpkin
Who says pumpkins have to be scary? Gather the family for a fun carving session and create a whole squad of playful personalities! It’s a delightful way to make Halloween memories together. (via Better Homes & Gardens)
8- Pumpkin Family
Ready to create a pumpkin with real panache? Grab a spare top hat and your carving tools! This dapper DIY is a showstopper. Idea source.
9- Frightful Pumpkin Face
Give a classic jack-o’-lantern a seriously shocking new look! Poke black electrical wire straight out of its head and add a large, “crawling” spider nearby to create a perfectly terrified pumpkin expression. You can find the template for the pumpkin face pattern here. (via Lowe’s)
10- Hungry Jack-Lantern
This hungry jack-o’-lantern is about to chomp down on a very startled apple! Create the look by giving it squash-stalk eyes and jagged teeth, then draw a terrified face on an apple and wedge it right into the pumpkin’s gaping mouth. It’s a hilarious and deliciously spooky scene! (idea via Woman’s Day)
11- Spaghetti Jack
Who’s hungry? This hilarious jack-o’-lantern is mid-slurp on a plate of spaghetti! With fork-holding arms and a grin full of shredded squash (or cheese?), it’s the perfect food-pun carving for a party centerpiece that’s full of character.
12- Fat Cat Pumpkin
Turn your pumpkin into the ultimate cozy companion! Sketch a sleepy cat face with a washable marker, then use toothpicks to attach adorable ears and paws carved from a second gourd. Get all the cuddly details at the link!
13- Group a Gaggle of Gourds Together
Why carve one when you can have a whole pumpkin party? Stack a cheerful gang of classically carved jack-o’-lanterns in all sizes on your porch for an instant, glowing display that’s big on impact but light on effort. (idea via creator Dana Dore)
14- Pet-Friendly Pumpkin
Don’t let your furry friend feel left out of the spooky season! Celebrate your best pal with the simplest of tributes: a charmingly carved paw print. It’s a sweet and easy way to say your pet has truly “marked” this Halloween, like Alta’s pet parent, Hiland, did here.
15- Add a Little Design Panache
Give your gourd a major style upgrade! Use colorful paints to copy your favorite pattern, then add small carved details to let the glow shine through for a designer look that’s totally you. Get the full DIY from Jojotastic.
16- Cupcake Pumpkin
If your favorite part of Halloween is the candy, this pumpkin is for you! Skip the spooky and carve a sweet cupcake design instead. With a simple stencil and a few clever cuts, you can create a deliciously cute tribute to the season’s real star—sugar! (from creator Lindsay Ann)
17- Make a Pumpkin Zoo
Turn your pumpkin into a mini big top! Just carve a simple “stage” and let your little ringmasters put their favorite toys on display. It’s an easy, no-carve idea that puts their imagination in the spotlight all season long. (by Amanda Kingloff of Project Kid)
18- Pineapple Pumpkin
Who says pineapples get to have all the summer fun? Give your pumpkin a tropical twist by carving a fun texture and topping it with a real pineapple crown. Light it up with a timer-operated LED candle for a glow that’s sweet day and night. (via Pinterest)
19- Modern Cat Pumpkin
For a purr-fectly subtle glow, grab your power drill! Cover your pumpkin in a constellation of tiny cat-shaped drill holes for a magical, twinkling effect that’s both chic and charming. Get the tutorial from Handmade Charlotte.
20- Tiny Colorful Pumpkins
Give tiny white pumpkins a major pop of color! Soak them in food dye to create a vibrant crew, then carve on classic faces and stack them on a cake stand for an instant, spellbinding centerpiece.Get the tutorial at Family Chic.
21- Thorny Pumpkin
Elevate your Halloween tablescape! Etch an elegant, thorny design into a pumpkin using a linoleum cutter, then light it from within with an LED candle for a ghoulishly glamorous centerpiece that’s perfect for your themed feast. Get the tutorial at Country Living.
22- Polka Dot Pumkin
Give your pumpkin a Tim Burton makeover with a pop-art twist! Carve those signature swirls and wide eyes, then add a cascade of polka dots. For a cleaner cheat, just paint the dots on for a look that’s brilliantly bizarre without the messy fuss. Get the tutorial at WhipperBerry.
23- Winding Vines Pumpkin
Get a jump on the autumn ambiance! These elegant carved designs are perfect for your porch or garden, looking fabulous from the first fall leaf right through to the last. They’re a timeless way to celebrate the entire season.
24- Ice Bucket Pumpkin24
Who says a pumpkin has to be scary? Slice off the side and swap spooks for sips it’s the perfect, most festive ice bucket for chilling your Halloween party wine! Get the tutorial at Everyday Dishes & DIY.
25- Wood Grain Pumpkin
Unlock easier, more creative pumpkin art! Just scrape the surface instead of carving all the way through for stunning shaded designs. For a magical glow, slice off the bottom to hollow it out and pop in an LED candle. Get the tutorial at Country Living.
26- Wigged Out Pumpkin
Keep the classic jack-o’-lantern face but give it a fresh look with a fabulous plant-powered wig! It’s a quick, quirky twist on a Halloween favorite. Get the tutorial at Woman’s Day.
27- Skeleton Hands Pumpkins
Build a bone-chilling skeleton arm! Carve a vertical slot in an oblong pumpkin, trim the stem, and top it with a smaller gourd to create a spooky, bony limb that’s perfect for your Halloween graveyard scene. Get the tutorial at Country Living.
28- The Death Star Pumpkin
Let the Force guide your carving tool! This intricate Star Wars pumpkin is a show-stopping project for advanced crafters and galactic fans ready to create a legendary Halloween display. (idea via Flicker, F. Tronchin)
29- Glowing Alarm Clock Pumpkin
Just don’t count on this little guy to actually wake you up for your morning coffee… he’s more of a “snooze button” enthusiast! Get the tutorial at Built by Kids.
30- Make Your Pumpkin the Mane Attraction
This majestic lion pumpkin is mid-roar and ready to rule your porch! Create the king of the jungle using small gourds for his features and a glorious mane of faux orange flowers for a truly magical (and slightly daring) welcome for trick-or-treaters. (idea by creator Courtney of @Posh.Palmer)
31- One-Eyed Pumpkin Monster
Meet the Pumpkin Beholder! Bring this brilliantly scary one-eyed monster to life by stacking a variety of gourds, then add a large, unblinking eye and a mouthful of jagged teeth. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s monstrously fun to make. (via @Commander_Peanuts / Reddit)
32- Scary Eyed Pumpkin Monster
Create a goofy, family-friendly monster in minutes! Just carve a big, cheerful mouth, scoop out the guts, and pop in some plastic teeth and wiggly eyes for instant Halloween fun. (via @heidisrambles / X)
33- Hungry Anglerfish Pumpkin
This silly shark is ready to make a splash on your front porch! Use mini pumpkins for googly eyes, push pins for gills, and add craft stick teeth with a playful dangler for a fin-tastically fun finish. (via @kiwico_inc / Instagram)
34- Magical Pumpkin House
Turn a pumpkin into a whimsical fairytale cottage! Adorn it with a tiny wooden door, a roof of foraged leaves, and twiggy details, then perch it on a wood slice for a magical welcome at your front door. (via @just.mom.life / Instagram)
35- Fairy House Pumpkin
Let the kids craft their own fairytale! Carve simple windows and a door, then send them on a backyard treasure hunt for leaves, twigs, and moss to decorate their very own magical pumpkin cottage. Source: @2newfs.and.a.bulldog | Instagram
36- Cute Cat
37- Spiders on Pumpkin
Funny and spooky looking pumpkin using garlic and fake spiders.
38- Skull-Kin
Meet Skull-kin! This brilliantly spooky mashup of Frankenstein and a skull is an easy-to-carve design that makes a monstrously cool statement. (source)
39- One Eyed Monster
Bring a Pixar favorite to your porch with this one-eyed wonder! Carve a giant eye with a pupil and zigzag smile, then attach curved horns from extra pumpkin. It’s a kid-friendly mix of spooky and silly that glows with personality all night long!
40- The Gourd That Got Out of Bed on the Wrong Vine
Who says pumpkins have to be nice? This grumpy gourd is all attitude, with a deep scowl, furrowed brows, and clenched teeth that clearly say, “Get off my lawn!” It’s the perfect carve for anyone fed up with holiday creep.
The secret is in the exaggerated, cartoonish details. Sharp angles for the brows and chunky teeth make the mood pop, especially when lit from within for a glow of pure pumpkin rage.
To make your own, grab a precision tool and carve with confidence the grumpier, the better!
41- The Guac-o’-Lantern: A Snack That’s Scary Good!
Serve up the ultimate party showstopper with this pumpkin that’s hilariously losing its lunch all over a bed of nachos! Carve a dazed expression and a wide, angled mouth, then let a glorious stream of guacamole, sour cream, and salsa “vomit” onto the chips.
It’s the perfect gross-out gag that’s also a genius snack station. Your guests will laugh, cringe, and can’t resist coming back for more. Just get ready this deliciously disgusting creation is guaranteed to be the most talked-about (and photographed!) part of your party.
42- Bariny-kin
Meet your new zombie overlord! This pumpkin boasts a sculpted brain peeking out from its skull, complete with jagged teeth and sinister eyes for maximum creep factor.
It’s the ultimate carve for horror fans. Use different blade sizes to master the brain folds and dramatic face. Light it from within for an eerie glow that shows off this genius and genuinely spooky design.
43- Spider Surprise
Let a creepy-crawly plastic spider peek out from the eye socket! It’s a fantastically easy trick that kids can master for an instantly spooky pumpkin. (Eye Spy Pumpkin via Woman’s day)
44- Booooo!
Grab a drill and get ready to glow! This easy, no-carve pumpkin is a showstopper on any porch after dark.
45- Starry Night Pumpkin
Turn your gourd into a celestial wonder by drilling a constellation pattern. When lit, it creates a breathtaking, starry glow that’s totally worth the extra time. Prepare for a galaxy of compliments! (DIY Constellation Pumpkin via Kate’s Creative Space)
46- Skull & Bones Shock!
Carve this classic pirate warning into your pumpkin for a seriously spooky vibe. It’s a guaranteed way to give your guests a playful fright! Skull-and-Crossbones Pumpkin via Better Homes & Gardens
47- A Magical Mouse
Bring some Disney charm to your doorstep with this cheerful Mickey Mouse pumpkin. It’s a happy, classic carve that’s sure to delight every trick-or-treater!
48- Two-Tone Terror!
This vampire pumpkin is frightfully chic! With its dual-color face and bloody fangs, it’s a stunningly spooky addition to your Halloween lineup.
49- Emoji Your Gourd!
Turn your pumpkin into a hilarious emoji! 😜 It’s a super simple, totally customizable carve that lets everyone express their mood this Halloween.
50- Pumpkin Giving Birth
A real fun aspect to consider with pumpkins.
51- Smiling Pumpkins
52- Stabbed Pumpkins
53- Pumpkin On The Porch
54- Chef Dungeons
55- Mad Max Pumkin
Idea via reddit user Nullebullepro
56- The Eye
Idea via reddit user angry_scream
57- Linocut plague doctor
Idea via reddit user mimshady11
58- Wolverine
Idea via reddit user tikifumble
59- The Sloth from Goonies
60- The Warewolf
61- The Simpson
62- The Eye-Gor
63- The Hash-Slinging Slasher
64- Photoshopped Pumpkin Photoshoot
According the creator: “I carved the pumpkins, had them wear them for a photo shoot, then burned the pumpkins and combined the photographs.”
65 – Clown
66- Naruto Pumpkin
67- Creepy Clown
68- The Rattle Snake
69- Pumpkin Home
70- Dino Nest
Final Thoughts
And there you have it a whopping 70 pumpkin carving ideas to make your Halloween 2025 truly unforgettable! From cute and classic to downright terrifying, there’s a design here for every skill level and style.
We hope this list has ignited your creative spark and given you the inspiration you need to create a jack-o’-lantern that’s uniquely yours. Remember, the best part of pumpkin carving is having fun and embracing the festive spirit. So, grab your pumpkin masterpieces, light them up with pride, and get ready for a spooktacularly good time.
Happy carving, and have a wonderfully safe and happy Halloween.
