24 Creative Jack-O'-Lantern Ideas to Up Your Pumpkin Carving Game

Lindsay Lowe
·4 min read

Creative pumpkin for Halloween

Every season, picking pumpkins is the thing to do. And while the pumpkin patches across the U.S. are a fall-must-do, what's next? Brainstorming jack-o'-lantern ideas, of course! If you're looking to go beyond the classic toothy-smile-and-triangle-eyes design, here are 24 easy and unique pumpkin carving ideas to inspire you.

If you need a little more creative inspiration, check out Pumpkin Masters' easy-to-use templates that work perfectly when carving a jack-o'-lantern. The No. 1 selling pumpkin carving kit has more templates, plus safe and sturdy tools perfect for any skill level. They're perfect for your pumpkin carving game this year so you'll have the spookiest jack-o'-lantern idea on the street!

We've got plenty of scary, fun and intricate jack-o'-lantern ideas. 

Related: 50 Pumpkin Patch Instagram Captions To Spice Up Your Feed

24 Creative Jack-O'-Lantern Ideas

<p>@Mllexlo</p><p>This mouse design on this jack-o'-lantern is a great one to carve with kids since it's a more straightforward design idea!<br><br><strong>Related: <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/30-best-pumpkin-faces-carve-160000199.html" data-ylk="slk:30 Best Pumpkin Faces To Carve for Halloween and Add Some Spooky Fun to Your Decor;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link yahoo-link">30 Best Pumpkin Faces To Carve for Halloween and Add Some Spooky Fun to Your Decor</a></strong></p>
<p>@villafanestudios</p><p>Wow—talk about a pumpkin to remember. You'll need some jack-o'-lantern carving skills to make this idea a reality, but it will be a show-stopper once you're done!</p>

@villafanestudios

Wow—talk about a pumpkin to remember. You'll need some jack-o'-lantern carving skills to make this idea a reality, but it will be a show-stopper once you're done!

<p>@witwickscandles</p><p>Have a scary good time with this jack-o'-lantern design!</p>

@witwickscandles

Have a scary good time with this jack-o'-lantern design!

<p>@sarahmariekuhn</p><p>Knock knock, who's there? This haunted house design is spook-tacular and makes for a fun, nontraditional jack-o'-lantern design idea.</p><p><strong>Related: 15 <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/weve-got-chills-15-classic-160000130.html" data-ylk="slk:Classic Halloween Monsters and Where They Come From;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;" class="link yahoo-link">Classic Halloween Monsters and Where They Come From</a></strong></p>
<p>@jessica0575</p><p>This jack-o'-lantern has a daily reminder just for you!</p>

@jessica0575

This jack-o'-lantern has a daily reminder just for you!

<p>@geromeqbanks</p><p>The entire neighborhood will be talking about these epic designs.</p>

@geromeqbanks

The entire neighborhood will be talking about these epic designs.

<p>@noosadesignblogger</p><p>This pumpkin design would be pretty for your mantle or as your table centerpiece!</p>

@noosadesignblogger

This pumpkin design would be pretty for your mantle or as your table centerpiece!

<p>@thrasher30019</p><p>Walt Disney would definitely approve of these amazing designs of <em>Fantasia</em>'s Chernabog and Walt with Mickey!</p><p><strong>Related: <a href="http://parade.com/512453/lindsaylowe/33-cute-halloween-costumes-for-babies-pigs-bumblebees-mermaids-and-more/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:33 Adorable Halloween Costumes for Babies;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">33 Adorable Halloween Costumes for Babies</a></strong></p>
<p>@yogabisch</p><p>Spread a little pixie dust and carve out Tink!</p>

@yogabisch

Spread a little pixie dust and carve out Tink!

<p>@lee_moonchild</p><p>Boo! Scare the neighbors with this boo-tiful cat design.</p>

@lee_moonchild

Boo! Scare the neighbors with this boo-tiful cat design.

<p>@bonnie026</p><p>If you're looking for the perfect Thanksgiving table decor, you found it!</p>

@bonnie026

If you're looking for the perfect Thanksgiving table decor, you found it!

<p>@the.lady.gator</p><p>Potterheads will get a kick out of this jack-o'-lantern idea!</p>

@the.lady.gator

Potterheads will get a kick out of this jack-o'-lantern idea!

<p>@zahnarzt_croy</p><p>Yep, even pumpkins wear braces!</p>

@zahnarzt_croy

Yep, even pumpkins wear braces!

<p>@vmtocloud</p><p>May the Force be with you this Halloween with this neat Death Star carving (definitely not for beginners, but we believe in you). </p>

@vmtocloud

May the Force be with you this Halloween with this neat Death Star carving (definitely not for beginners, but we believe in you).

<p>@MikePattinson</p><p>This funny pumpkin idea will give every teenager or adult taking out their trick-or-treaters a good chuckle.</p>

@MikePattinson

This funny pumpkin idea will give every teenager or adult taking out their trick-or-treaters a good chuckle.

<p>@foodiewinoSF</p><p>This one's kind of creepy but also kind of great. It's also not a beginner project, but it's also not impossible. Doable and scary? Perfect for Halloween. </p>

@foodiewinoSF

This one's kind of creepy but also kind of great. It's also not a beginner project, but it's also not impossible. Doable and scary? Perfect for Halloween.

<p>@SeveringFayth </p><p>How cute is this kitty cat jack-o'-lantern? It's adorable and creative. Plus, the usage of pieces you carved out to make more 3D shapes for your design? So unique. </p>

@SeveringFayth

How cute is this kitty cat jack-o'-lantern? It's adorable and creative. Plus, the usage of pieces you carved out to make more 3D shapes for your design? So unique.

<p>@lillybobilly </p><p>If you thought that cat was cute, wait till you see this baby pumpkin idea. Taking one of those tiny pumpkins and making it a home with a larger one is truly adorable. And its face! </p>

@lillybobilly

If you thought that cat was cute, wait till you see this baby pumpkin idea. Taking one of those tiny pumpkins and making it a home with a larger one is truly adorable. And its face!

<p>Rohan Reddy/Unsplash</p><p>From the beloved <em>Nightmare Before Christmas</em> movie, make a life-size head of Jack Skellington with this pretty easy (but unique) pumpkin carving idea. </p>

Rohan Reddy/Unsplash

From the beloved Nightmare Before Christmas movie, make a life-size head of Jack Skellington with this pretty easy (but unique) pumpkin carving idea.

<p>Zach Lezniewicz/Unsplash</p><p>Whether you cut out a hole on the bottom to wear as a real mask, or you just make a terrifying jack-o'-lantern face, this type of pumpkin carving is a classic for a reason. </p>

Zach Lezniewicz/Unsplash

Whether you cut out a hole on the bottom to wear as a real mask, or you just make a terrifying jack-o'-lantern face, this type of pumpkin carving is a classic for a reason.

<p>Gene Gallin/Unsplash</p><p>Another <em>Nightmare Before Christmas</em> character, Oogie Boogie (who is 10 times more terrifying than Jack anyway) makes for a great pumpkin carving idea. </p>

Gene Gallin/Unsplash

Another Nightmare Before Christmas character, Oogie Boogie (who is 10 times more terrifying than Jack anyway) makes for a great pumpkin carving idea.

<p>Hansjörg Keller/Unsplash</p><p>This sweet-looking owl pumpkin carving is sure to get compliments on Halloween. </p>

Hansjörg Keller/Unsplash

This sweet-looking owl pumpkin carving is sure to get compliments on Halloween.

<p>Bianca Ackermann/Unsplash</p><p>This is such a cute pumpkin carving idea; look at its face! But they're horrified, all the same. It is Halloween, after all. </p>

Bianca Ackermann/Unsplash

This is such a cute pumpkin carving idea; look at its face! But they're horrified, all the same. It is Halloween, after all.

<p>Yan Liu/Unsplash</p><p>This pumpkin idea involves the cuteness of a cat and the <em>even cuter</em> aspect of teeny, tiny pumpkins. This would look great on your table for an epic Halloween party. </p>

Yan Liu/Unsplash

This pumpkin idea involves the cuteness of a cat and the even cuter aspect of teeny, tiny pumpkins. This would look great on your table for an epic Halloween party.

And find some Halloween costume inspiration here:

Pumpkin Decorating Ideas
17 Creative DIY Halloween Costumes for Women
23 Cute, Easy Halloween Costumes for Kids