15 Creative Pumpkin Carving Stencils for an Elevated Halloween Display

Download our pumpkin carving stencils that go beyond the simple, toothy grin.

Pumpkin Carving Stencils
Photo:

Zachary Zavislak, Ngoc Minh Ngo, Lucas Allen

Halloween is on our doorsteps, and so is everything we love about it: frightening decorations, trick-or-treating, and spooky jack-o'-lanterns. Whether you're a pro at carving pumpkins or just starting out, it's almost always easier to have a stencil for your design instead of free-handing your carving. We rounded up our favorite pumpkin carving stencils that range from delightfully magical to downright scary to get you started on your pumpkin carving projects this year.

01 of 15

The Fox and the Hare

etched woodland animal pumpkins fox rabbit halloween decorations
Ngoc Minh Ngo

Not all pumpkin carvings need to be scary—some can be whimsical, like these fox and hare pumpkins.

02 of 15

Fairy House

fairy house pumpkin
Ngoc Minh Ngo

If your Halloween decor tends to skew more magical and mysterious than eerie, this Fairy House pumpkin carving stencil adds just the right touch of fairy magic to your Halloween porch display.

03 of 15

Glowing Moth

glowing moth pumpkin
Ted Cavanaugh

This glowing moth pumpkin carving is enchanting, giving your carved pumpkin a more elevated Halloween look.

04 of 15

Starry Night Constellation

constellations carved on pumpkin
Ted Cavanaugh

Look to the stars for inspiration for your next pumpkin carving. This starry night constellation gives your Halloween decor a celestial feel.

05 of 15

Snakes and Frogs

mld104635_1009_carving.jpg
Lucas Allen

Slimy snakes and frogs take center stage with this woodland-themed carved pumpkin set.

06 of 15

Haunted Houses

haunted houses carved on tall and short pumpkins
Lucas Allen

A haunted house high up on a hill is the spookiest in the neighborhood. For the most dramatic effect, use tall pumpkins for this project.

07 of 15

Scaredy Cat

ml105470_1010_cat255_pumpkin.jpg

This scaredy cat pumpkin carving hisses at passerby who dare to disturb it. Turn your pumpkin on its side for more space to carve the full cat.

08 of 15

Happy Witches

mld105376_1010_witch12.jpg
Johnny Miller

Not all witches are frightening, like these happy witch pumpkin carvings with jolly smiles. Paint your pumpkins black before carving for a dramatically witchy effect.

09 of 15

The Devil

devil pumpkin
ZACHARY ZAVISLAK

What would Halloween be without a devilish grin? This devil pumpkin carving will spook any goblin or ghoul that dares to cross your threshold.

10 of 15

Wicked Witch

witch pumpkin
ZACHARY ZAVISLAK

A wicked witch flying off into the Halloween night makes for an appropriately chilling pumpkin display.

11 of 15

Jumping Goblin

goblin pumpkin
ZACHARY ZAVISLAK

Jumping goblins and mushrooms offer a mischievous twist on traditional Halloween pumpkin carvings.

12 of 15

Giant Troll

troll pumpkin
ZACHARY ZAVISLAK

Straight out of a fairy tale, this giant troll guards the front door with a menacing look.

13 of 15

Glowing Vampire

vampire pumpkin
ZACHARY ZAVISLAK

Perfectly ominous and downright frightening, carve your pumpkin into the likeness of this glowing vampire.

14 of 15

The Headless Horseman

headless horseman pumpkin
ZACHARY ZAVISLAK

The Headless Horseman rides through the night in this depiction of folklore's spookiest midnight rider.

15 of 15

Frightening Ghosts

d110957-pumpkins-d140015x.jpg
ZACHARY ZAVISLAK

Boo! Scary ghosts bound to cause a fright grace these carved pumpkins.

Was this page helpful?

Related Articles