31 Free Pumpkin Carving Templates to Take Your Jack-o’-Lantern to the Next Level
There's nothing like a light-filled jack-o'-lantern to put that finishing touch on your homemade Halloween decorations, and it’s much easier to create memorable designs when you start with a template.
Pumpkin Carving Templates
Spooky chevrons
Want to make a serious style statement? This contemporary pumpkin carving template from Remodelando la Casa will earn you the envy of your neighbours!
Sweet stuff
Halloween is all about tricks and treats—with an emphasis on treats. This adorable pumpkin carving pattern (plus a full instructional video) from Lindsay Ann Bakes will add a sweet touch to any porch.
Wink, wink!
Here’s a pumpkin carving stencil your neighbours will LOL over: a friendly winking-face emoji! And best of all? This text-worthy pumpkin pattern is simple enough for beginners to carve.
Download this pumpkin carving stencil.
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The cat’s meow
This purr-fectly cute pumpkin carving stencil is one you can tackle in no time at all. Tip: You can skip the whiskers if your knife skills aren’t up to scratch.
Download this pumpkin carving stencil.
These cat jokes are paws-itively hilarious.
Casper the Friendly Ghost
Although this spooked spectre looks simple, the curving lines can be a challenge for the small set. This Jack-o’-Lantern is best left to the grown-ups!
Starry night
You and Van Gogh: This stencil offers a cool, twinkly evening scene that’s different than the usual Jack-o’-Lantern. Feel free to mix up where the stars go, based on where your pumpkin’s flattest (easiest to carve). Tip: Break out the power drill to make quick work of all of those constellations!
Download this pumpkin carving stencil.
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Hiss!
This reverse-silhouette of a frightened feline looks impressive—and requires an impressive talent with carving tools, to boot. You’ll need a steady hand and a fine knife to make sure that the cat’s feet and tail don’t separate from the base. (Tip: If you slip, you can always reattach the severed pumpkin pieces with toothpicks!)
Download this pumpkin carving stencil.
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Rest in pieces
You won’t be able to achieve the “RIP” lettering, but the silhouette of the tombstone is more than enough to conjure up this ghoulish graveyard vignette.
Download this pumpkin carving stencil.
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Goofy 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 needed.
Download this pumpkin carving stencil.
Try your hand at these fiendishly tricky Halloween riddles!
Very villainous
Between the glaring eyes and devilish grin, this Jack-o’-Lantern looks as though he’s plotting a diabolical scheme!
Owl play
Whoo-whoo wants to make a creative Jack-o’-Lantern this year? You do—with the help of this easy perching owl stencil.
A well-groomed gourd
Arched eyebrows put a quirky twist on a traditional Jack-o’-Lantern design. Start with the eyebrows first, then work your way down.
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 add cubed teeth later, and spear them in place with toothpicks. How’s that for a Halloween hack?
Calling all witches
Conjuring up this wicked Jack-o’-Lantern is a job best done in stages. Start slowly by lightly tracing the outline of the witch with your knife; then go around again and cut deeper into the pumpkin.
Download this pumpkin carving stencil.
Here’s what people used to carve for Halloween before pumpkins.
Ghastly ghost
Pumpkin carving pros are welcome to take this stencil to the next level by adding an open-mouth scream to this startled-looking spectre!
Download this pumpkin carving stencil.
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Creepy crawly
If you suffer from arachnophobia, this pumpkin carving stencil is best avoided! Trace the outline of the spider’s body with your knife, then use a thinner, sharp knife to etch out all eight legs.
Gone batty
Depending on the size of your pumpkin, you can repeat this trio of bats several times over. Encircle the entire pumpkin to create a luminaria effect when lit!
Download this pumpkin carving stencil.
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No bones about it
Watch for the tiny pieces between the skull top and bottom and the bridge of the nose—you’ll want to use a smaller paring knife and carve the pumpkin carefully in those connecting spaces.
Sweet treat
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 pumpkin carving stencil.
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Ominous raven
This creepy bird pattern can also be replicated multiple times around the pumpkin, making for a very spooky decoration à la Hitchcock’s The Birds. (It’s incredibly eerie when lit!)
All the candy
Trick or treat! Whether you love or loathe candy corn, there’s no denying it’s one of the most iconic symbols of Halloween.
Download this pumpkin carving stencil.
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Boo moons
Do we have to spell it out for you? This pumpkin carving template makes for one silly Jack-o’-Lantern.
Download this pumpkin carving stencil.
Need to tickle a skeleton’s funny bone? Try one of these corny Halloween jokes.
Joy ride
Got little ones who love cars? This Jack-o’-Lantern template ought to drive them wild!
Download this pumpkin carving stencil.
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A little nutty
Fall is in the air with this festive pumpkin template, which is easy to knock out in minutes.
Download this pumpkin carving stencil.
Looking for more inspiration? Don’t miss this gallery of creative pumpkin carving ideas!
My lips are sealed
As far as pumpkin carving templates go, this one is probably the simplest. Although the overall effect is impressive, all it takes is a few simple, straight cuts to your pumpkin.
Download this pumpkin carving stencil.
After you’ve printed off your favourite pumpkin carving templates, check out these tricks for the best Jack-o’-Lanterns ever.
