12+ Halloween Pumpkin ideas

Halloween pumpkin season either brings a light to your eyes or makes you cringe inside. Some people love carving a pumpkin, while some of us just do not like pumpkin guts. I know the seeds are delicious, but I still don’t like touching them when they come out all wet and slimy!

Whether you are a full throttle crafty type or a “let’s phone it in and check the box” type, chances are your kid has at least asked to decorate or carve a pumpkin this year. Don’t worry, you’ve got options- sweet or scary, elaborate or quick and easy, you can do a pumpkin craft to suit your family. (And if you really, really, really love short cuts, hit up your local craft store for a foam pumpkin. They can be carved or painted pretty much like the real thing, and next year, instead of carving/painting/decorating, you can have a Bring Out The Pumpkin ceremony. Plus, no pulp. Too bad my kids aren’t totally sold!)

FREE Pumpkin carving templates:

Sweet Happy Life (this is where I found Hoot.)
Martha Stewart (Predictably and deliciously over the top.)
Reader’s Digest
Stoneykins
Pumpkin Masters
Disney Carving Stencils
Baby Savers

Mickey Pumpkin Stencil — The show dates are from 2013, but Mickey’s face is timeless! Click for full size, printable version.

Psst- my favorite tip… use cold lights in the pumpkin instead of a candle. I keep a stock of cold lights in our emergency kit, and I re-stock it around Halloween every year. We use the old ones to light up our jack o lanterns and to improve safety while trick or treating.