Halloween Pumpkin Carving Contest Β· Starts October 1st Β· $500 in prizes

67 Hard Pumpkin Carving Patterns

67 printable hard pumpkin carving patterns β€” ready to download, trace, and light up the porch.

  1. 1. Grim Reaper Pumpkin Stencil

    Grim Reaper Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A flowing Grim Reaper figure grips a long scythe at chest height, its hooded skull face glowing with hollow eye sockets as the ragged robe billows outward below. The curved scythe blade arcs dramatically across the top of the composition. Lit from within, the open robe hem, skeletal hands, and skull interior create a layered halo of light around the solid hood shape. Carve the large open robe sections last so the scythe blade, the most slender element, stays braced by the surrounding pumpkin wall while you work.

    See template β†’
  2. 2. Kawaii Mushroom Pumpkin Stencil

    Kawaii Mushroom Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A kawaii-style mushroom character fills this hard pumpkin stencil, with a broad spotted cap, small horns or fins at the sides, and a round face below it showing large anime eyes and a tiny curved mouth. The cap spots are solid orange circles against a pierced cap background, and the face details are fine interior cuts within the solid round head. Carve the small circular spots on the cap before removing the large open cap area, so those circles have firm pumpkin wall behind them while you make the precise cuts.

    See template β†’
  3. 3. Ghost with BOO Balloon Pumpkin Stencil

    Ghost with BOO Balloon Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A small ghost holds a round balloon with the word BOO written on it in this hard ghost pumpkin stencil, the balloon rendered as a thin open circle with letter cutouts and the ghost below it as a rounded blob with oval eyes and a wavy hemline. Both figures are outlined by thin curved lines that remain solid orange, so when lit the design shows glowing ribbons of light tracing the balloon string, the ghost body, and the BOO lettering. The string connecting the balloon to the ghost's hand is a single narrow line that must be cut last to keep the two halves of the stencil from shifting apart mid-carve.

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  4. 4. Jack-o-Lantern Face Pumpkin Stencil

    Jack-o-Lantern Face Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A grinning jack-o-lantern face carved onto a jack-o-lantern makes this a pumpkin-within-a-pumpkin design: a wide ovoid pumpkin shape with a stubby stem has a furious face of angled triangular eyes, heavy brow cuts, and two rows of large zigzag teeth separated by a thick horizontal lip band. All the face features are cut through as open shapes. Carve the inner tooth gaps first, since they sit between two rows that span the widest open area, then release the eye triangles and brow cuts last to keep the upper face stable.

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  5. 5. Snarling Wolf Face Pumpkin Stencil

    Snarling Wolf Face Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A wolf face stares straight forward in this hard pumpkin stencil, its large triangular ears open and pierced, its almond-shaped eyes cut through, and its muzzle parted to reveal a fanged open mouth. The fur around the face is rendered as jagged zigzag edges, and the nose bridge and cheek ruff details are a mix of solid and cut sections that read as fur texture when lit. Carve the two thin lightning-bolt-shaped brow marks above the eyes before removing the larger eye cutouts, as they are the most fragile narrow strips in the design.

    See template β†’
  6. 6. Howling Wolf Moon Pumpkin Stencil

    Howling Wolf Moon Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A wolf howling at a large crescent-shaped moon fills this hard pumpkin stencil, with a trio of jagged pine trees to the left and the wolf's body set as a solid orange silhouette inside the open pierced moon arc. The moon itself is the glowing background that frames the wolf and trees, while the animal and pines remain as uncut pumpkin skin. When carving the pine tree segments, cut each zigzag branch notch one at a time using a small detail blade, since the tight repeated angles along the tree edges are easy to over-cut and merge into a single straight line.

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  7. 7. Rising Zombies Pumpkin Stencil

    Rising Zombies Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    Two zombie figures rising from the ground face inward in this hard pumpkin stencil, their ragged arms reaching upward and their tattered lower bodies emerging from earth at the base of a tall oval negative space. The zombies read as solid orange silhouettes flanking a large central open oval, so the lit jack-o-lantern glows through that oval while the outstretched zombie arms and rotting fingers stand out in relief. Carve the finger details at the top of each arm before cutting the large central oval, as the fingers are the most fragile elements and benefit from the extra pumpkin mass still in place.

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  8. 8. West Virginia Pumpkin Stencil

    West Virginia Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    West Virginia's distinctive outline is one of the most jagged of all state stencils, with the panhandle jutting sharply upward from the north and a second narrow protrusion to the northeast, while the southwestern border follows a highly irregular path of peaks and valleys. The entire shape is pierced as one complex cutout. Because of the two thin panhandle arms, cut those narrow protrusions first with a detail blade while the body is still solid and can absorb any flex, then open the main body from the center outward.

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  9. 9. Rat Pumpkin Stencil

    Rat Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A rat rearing up on its hind legs fills this Halloween pumpkin stencil, its long curved tail sweeping to one side and multiple whiskers fanning from both sides of the snout. The body is largely solid orange pumpkin skin framed by a pierced silhouette, so candlelight outlines the creature's claws and ragged chest fur in warm amber. Cut the whisker lines early while the stencil is anchored: there are three to four per side, so work from the snout outward on each side before opening the larger body area.

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  10. 10. Scarecrow Pumpkin Stencil

    Scarecrow Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A simple, cartoonish scarecrow stands with arms outstretched on this hard pumpkin stencil, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and showing a squiggly grimace for a mouth. The body and hat are solid pumpkin flesh while gaps between the outstretched arms, the ragged tunic slashes, and the stick post below are all cut through. The thin neck post connecting the head to the body is the most fragile element; complete all arm and tunic cuts before touching the area around that connector to keep the head from separating prematurely.

    See template β†’
  11. 11. Snail Pumpkin Stencil

    Snail Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A giant snail is the surprising subject here: a segmented spiral shell packed with dashed arc cutouts occupies most of the design, while the snail's body stretches out to the right and two small eyestalks rise from the head. The shell is built from concentric broken rings that leave thin solid bridges between segments, and the effect when lit is an intricate circular lantern orbited by a slow-moving creature. Cut the outermost arc segments of the shell first and work inward toward the central solid disc so the bridges hold until last.

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  12. 12. UFO Flying Saucer Pumpkin Stencil

    UFO Flying Saucer Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A cartoon flying saucer floats in this hard-difficulty pumpkin stencil, with a domed cockpit at the top showing a simple ghost-like alien face inside. A wide flattened disc body below features a row of oval porthole cutouts around its rim and sweeping curved rings beneath. The alien inside the dome and the porthole ovals are each separate pierced shapes. Cut the dome interior and the alien face details before opening the porthole ovals around the rim, so the dome remains attached and stable while you navigate the narrow disc body.

    See template β†’
  13. 13. Coronavirus Pumpkin Stencil

    Coronavirus Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    This hard-difficulty pumpkin stencil depicts a coronavirus particle rendered as a circular arrangement of spike proteins: round-tipped stalks radiate outward from a central ring of crescent shapes, all cut as individual floating pieces within a large open surround. When lit, the scattered spikes and interior crescents glow as a constellation of shapes against the dark pumpkin. Carve the inner crescent cutouts at the center first, then work spike by spike outward, since removing the outer spikes early can destabilize the central ring.

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  14. 14. Cartoon Dragon Pumpkin Stencil

    Cartoon Dragon Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A small cartoon dragon perches in a rounded frame in this hard pumpkin stencil, showing a round-headed wyvern with stubby wings fanned behind it, a curled foreleg, and a spiky crest along the top of the frame. The body and wing details are a mix of open pierced sections and thin solid bridges, so the lit jack-o-lantern reveals the creature's rounded features glowing warmly inside the frame. Carve the two small oval eye cutouts and the tiny claw details first before removing the larger background areas, to keep the stencil stable during the fiddly work.

    See template β†’
  15. 15. Wisconsin Pumpkin Stencil

    Wisconsin Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    Wisconsin's distinctive outline fills the center of this pumpkin stencil, its jagged northern coastline and small Door Peninsula peninsula cut cleanly away to glow as a single solid state shape when lit. The entire interior of the state boundary is pierced through, casting a bold Wisconsin silhouette in light against the dark pumpkin. Score the sharp indentations along the Lake Superior shoreline slowly, since those tight interior corners are where the blade most easily wanders and widens the cut.

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  16. 16. Winged Heart Pumpkin Stencil

    Winged Heart Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A large heart with feathered wings spread wide anchors this hard pumpkin stencil, with a scrolling banner ribbon below carrying decorative curl accents. The heart is kept solid as pumpkin flesh while the wing feather gaps and banner interior are cut through, creating a tattoo-style composition that glows with intricate layered detail. The individual feather separations along each wing are narrow and numerous; carve them starting at the outermost wingtip and working toward the heart so the wing stays attached to the body of the pumpkin longest.

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  17. 17. Farm Tractor Pumpkin Stencil

    Farm Tractor Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A side-view farm tractor fills this hard-level pumpkin stencil: a large rear wheel with a circular hub and cross-spoke cutouts, a small front wheel with a curved fender, a boxy cab section with cut-out windows, a squared hood, and a vertical exhaust stack. The rear wheel dominates the lower half of the composition and has the most intricate internal detail. Cut the cab windows and exhaust stack openings first while the pumpkin is still fully intact, then work on the large rear wheel spokes last, since removing them will flex the surrounding skin considerably.

    See template β†’
  18. 18. Teddy Bear Pumpkin Stencil

    Teddy Bear Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A seated teddy bear with tattered, drip-edged fur fills this hard-level pumpkin stencil: a round head with small round ears, two circular cheek spots, a nose-and-muzzle cutout, and a tummy split into two glowing panels flanked by small round paws. The ragged fur silhouette along the top of the head and across the body creates dozens of short, jagged points that must stay connected. Work from the center facial features outward, and avoid pressing too hard on the bear's narrow fur-tip points so they do not snap before the larger belly sections are removed.

    See template β†’
  19. 19. Tennessee Pumpkin Stencil

    Tennessee Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    Tennessee's wide, almost rectangular state outline is cut as a single open silhouette in this pumpkin stencil, with the stepped notch on the upper-left edge and the jagged western corner representing the state's distinctive border. When lit, the entire shape glows as one bold window of light. Because the outline follows an irregular path with several sharp interior corners along the southern border, score each angle carefully and complete one full corner before moving to the next to avoid cracking the skin at the tight turns.

    See template β†’
  20. 20. Trump 2024 Pumpkin Stencil

    Trump 2024 Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    Bold military stencil-style lettering spells "TRUMP" on the top row and "2024" flanked by two five-pointed stars on the bottom row of this hard pumpkin stencil. Each letter and numeral is a thick open outline with interior counters preserved as solid pumpkin islands. The two stars at the sides of "2024" are each pierced through as open silhouettes. Cut the enclosed counters of rounded letters and numerals first (the interior of the P, the U loops, and the 0 counter in 2024), then cut each letter and numeral outline, saving the two star shapes for last.

    See template β†’
  21. 21. Mummy Pumpkin Stencil

    Mummy Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A mummy figure wrapped in overlapping bandage strips stands upright in this hard pumpkin stencil: a round hooded head with two crescent eye cutouts and small circle pupils, a neck section, and a torso crisscrossed with diagonal and horizontal bandage-strip cutouts that create an intricate lattice pattern in the lower half of the design. Lit from inside, the bandage lattice glows as a grid of bright lines framed by solid pumpkin strips. Begin with the two eye crescents and pupil circles in the face, then work downward through the lattice section one row at a time to keep the remaining skin stable.

    See template β†’
  22. 22. Texas Pumpkin Stencil

    Texas Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    Texas's iconic state outline is cut as a single open silhouette in this pumpkin stencil: the rectangular panhandle at the upper left, the broad body tapering to the pointed southern tip, the ragged Gulf Coast along the eastern lower edge, and the squared-off western side. Lit from inside, the whole shape glows as an unmistakable Lone Star State window. The most demanding section is the lower Gulf coastline, where repeated small indentations create a saw-tooth edge; make these cuts last and use a narrow blade to follow the fine detail without breaking the points.

    See template β†’
  23. 23. Arched Black Cat Pumpkin Stencil

    Arched Black Cat Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A Halloween black cat with its back dramatically arched and tail curling overhead covers this pumpkin stencil. The body is rendered with bold tribal-style linework: parallel flowing stripes run along the spine and haunches, leaving thin curved bridges of solid pumpkin wall between each cut channel. The face features large round eyes with pointed eyebrows and small whisker marks. Carve the eye circles early while the surrounding face structure is solid, then progress along the stripe channels from front to back so you don't weaken the frame before the detailed head is complete.

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  24. 24. Stegosaurus Pumpkin Stencil

    Stegosaurus Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A cartoon stegosaurus with a round friendly face, four chunky legs, and a row of large diamond-shaped back plates fills this hard pumpkin stencil. The body is carved as a wide open pierce, the back plates are pierced individually above it, and the toes and facial details are fine cut-outs. When lit, the dinosaur glows as a bright segmented shape with the plates hovering above the silhouette. Carve the face details and tiny toe lines before removing the large body section, since the body cut-through will flex the pumpkin wall and make those small details harder to control.

    See template β†’
  25. 25. Gargoyle Pumpkin Stencil

    Gargoyle Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A crouching gargoyle with spread bat wings, a fanged open jaw, and clawed feet fills this hard pumpkin stencil. The wings are rendered as multiple angled blade-like panels, the body and head form a compact central mass, and the whole figure is composed of closely spaced pierce-throughs separated by narrow pumpkin-wall bridges. Lit from within, the gargoyle appears as a fiery orange silhouette. Begin with the head and jaw details before cutting the wing panels, since the narrow bridges connecting the wing sections to the body spine are the most structurally critical lines in this design.

    See template β†’
  26. 26. Coming Soon Baby Pumpkin Stencil

    Coming Soon Baby Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    This pumpkin stencil spells out "COMING SOON" in chunky rounded letters across two rows, with a pair of baby footprints replacing the two O letters in the word SOON, and a small heart dotting the I above. The letters are each bold and thick, with the interiors of rounded letters like C, G, and the zero-like Os cut away while the outlines stay solid. When carved and lit, the baby-announcement message glows warmly across the pumpkin face. Cut the two enclosed letter counters in COMING first before moving to the footprint shapes, which have the most delicate toe-dot details.

    See template β†’
  27. 27. Pirate Pumpkin Stencil

    Pirate Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A grinning pirate face topped by a tricorn hat is the subject of this hard pumpkin stencil: a skull-and-crossbones badge on the hat brim, a round-brimmed hat spreading wide, a leather eye patch over one eye, a weathered face with deep laugh lines, a broad toothy smile, and a pointed goatee at the chin. The lit design reveals a cheerful swashbuckler portrait full of character. Cut the small skull-and-crossbones elements on the hat first while the surrounding skin is firm, then work down through the face, saving the wide hat brim last.

    See template β†’
  28. 28. Male Portrait Pumpkin Stencil

    Male Portrait Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A male portrait rendered in spare, angular linework fills this hard pumpkin stencil: a large angular head shape, a distinctive widow's peak hairline, deep-set eye sockets with small cutout irises, a long straight nose, and a square jaw with a chin dimple. The design uses wide open negative shapes separated by just a few thin structural bridges, so the lit portrait reads as a bold, high-contrast face. The narrow bridge between the nose and the upper lip is the most vulnerable point, so score it lightly before making any cuts on either side of it.

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  29. 29. God Bless the USA Pumpkin Stencil

    God Bless the USA Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    Bold block lettering spells out "GOD BLESS THE U.S.A." across two lines, with small five-pointed stars separating the letters in the lower line. The upper row uses chunky serif-style caps and the lower row uses even larger, slightly decorative capitals. Every letter interior is pierced through so the full phrase blazes when the pumpkin is lit. Keep the thin straps of orange between adjacent tall letters intact as you carve, since they carry the structural load of the entire upper row.

    See template β†’
  30. 30. Semi-Truck Pumpkin Stencil

    Semi-Truck Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A classic eighteen-wheeler semi-truck cab shown in side profile fills this hard pumpkin stencil: a tall exhaust stack, a flat-topped sleeper cab with rectangular window cutouts, a step board, side mirrors, dual front headlights, and two large open wheel wells with small oval lug-nut details. The design reads as a cleanly geometric vehicle silhouette when lit, with the cab windows and wheel openings glowing brightest. Start with the cab window rectangles and the small mirror cutout before opening the large wheel wells, which would flex the lower pumpkin skin if cut first.

    See template β†’
  31. 31. Triceratops Pumpkin Stencil

    Triceratops Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A chubby cartoon triceratops in a walking pose fills this hard pumpkin stencil: a large frilled head with three prominent horns, two small oval nostril dots and a crescent eye below the frill, a round body, four chunky legs with pointed toe claws, and a short upturned tail. The frill at the back of the head is an open silhouette that glows as a scalloped arc. Cut the three horn outlines and the two small nostril dots first before the broader body and leg cutouts, as the nostril dots are isolated and easiest to control while the pumpkin is still intact.

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  32. 32. Skull Face Pumpkin Stencil

    Skull Face Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    Two large angular eyes with curling inner-corner details and cocked brows form the upper half of this skull pumpkin stencil, with a small paired nasal cavity below and a wide clenched-teeth mouth at the bottom, all cuts floating separately on an otherwise solid pumpkin face. When lit, the glowing eyes and jagged teeth give the jack-o-lantern an intensely menacing expression. Cut the thin curling details inside each eye first, while the pumpkin is still rigid, then open the eye sockets, nasal holes, and wide tooth row in that order to keep the face from flexing during fine work.

    See template β†’
  33. 33. Coiled Snake Pumpkin Stencil

    Coiled Snake Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A coiled snake in an S-curve fills this hard pumpkin stencil, its body broken into roughly twenty irregularly shaped scale-pattern segments separated by thin cut lines, with a small triangular head visible at the upper left and the tail tapering to a narrow point at the bottom. When lit, the gaps between scale segments glow white-hot against the orange pumpkin bridges, making the snake's banded pattern pop. Start cutting at the tail tip, where the segments are smallest and most fragile, then work up the body toward the larger mid-coil pieces.

    See template β†’
  34. 34. Vampire Face Pumpkin Stencil

    Vampire Face Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A vampire face shown from the shoulders up dominates this hard pumpkin stencil, featuring a high widow's peak hairline with two swept horns of hair, large pointed ears, a monocle over one eye, a hawkish nose, a thin mustache, and a jagged collar below the chin. Each facial feature is a separate cut-through piece held apart by solid pumpkin lines, so when lit the face reads as a patchwork of glowing angular shapes. The monocle circle is the most isolated piece; carve it first before the eye socket cuts nearby remove the surrounding support.

    See template β†’
  35. 35. Scary Text Pumpkin Stencil

    Scary Text Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    The word "Scary" is rendered in a dripping, horror-movie hand lettering style and set inside a speech bubble outline made of jagged, claw-like strokes in this hard pumpkin stencil. The letter forms themselves are cut through while the speech bubble border stays solid, so candlelight glows through the word while the ragged bubble outline frames it in orange. The thin descenders on the letters, particularly the tail of the "y" and the base of the "S," are the most fragile bridges; cut those last after the letter interiors are already free.

    See template β†’
  36. 36. Little Devil Pumpkin Stencil

    Little Devil Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A small cartoonish devil figure with horn nubs, a pointed tail, and a three-pronged trident stands with a mischievous grin on this devil pumpkin stencil, the body and limbs carved as a tight cluster of connected cutouts. The trident tines and the arrowhead tail tip are the narrowest elements in the design. Carve those thin trident prongs and the pointed tail tip before cutting the larger body void, as opening the chest area too early weakens the wall near those delicate outer points.

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  37. 37. Crouching Werewolf Pumpkin Stencil

    Crouching Werewolf Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A stocky werewolf crouches forward in an aggressive stance in this hard pumpkin stencil, with a spiky mane of fur bristling along its back, a snarling open-mouthed face showing sharp teeth, and thick clawed legs ready to spring. The design uses open cuts for the face interior and the gaps between the leg and body fur tufts, with solid pumpkin ridges defining each tuft shape when lit. Cut the teeth row inside the open mouth before removing the surrounding head-area cuts so the small tooth gaps remain stable.

    See template β†’
  38. 38. Haunted House Moon Pumpkin Stencil

    Haunted House Moon Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A tall haunted mansion with jagged roofline towers, arched windows, and a wide front door fills the center of a large circular moon cutout in this pumpkin stencil. Two bats flank the upper towers, and tufts of grass sprout at the base. The moon circle is the main open cut, while the house is retained as pumpkin wall, glowing orange against the dark void. Carve the rectangular window openings and the door arch before cutting the surrounding moon circle, so the house structure has support while you work the fine edge details.

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  39. 39. Witch Silhouette Pumpkin Stencil

    Witch Silhouette Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A full-length witch silhouette fills this jack-o-lantern pumpkin stencil: pointed hat, flowing robes, and a broomstick are all rendered as pierced cut-through shapes, with the surrounding robe fabric left as solid orange pumpkin wall. On the lit pumpkin the broomstick and cloaked figure read as glowing orange forms against a dark background. The witch's hat brim is a narrow horizontal bridge; cut that piece last and work inward from the wider robe sections to keep it from snapping under tool pressure.

    See template β†’
  40. 40. Witch on Broomstick Moon Pumpkin Stencil

    Witch on Broomstick Moon Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A classic Halloween silhouette of a witch on a broomstick crossing a full moon fills this pumpkin stencil. The large circle is carved out as a single open pierce, leaving the witch and cat riding the broom as raised orange pumpkin forms within the glowing moon. Wisps of hair or cloak stream behind the figure, and a black cat perches at the broom's tip. Because the witch's streaming hair separates into narrow strips, cut those final wisps with a fine detail blade and work from the broom tip toward the figure to avoid breaking them.

    See template β†’
  41. 41. Dracula Pumpkin Stencil

    Dracula Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A cartoonish Dracula figure stands arms raised and cape spread wide in this hard pumpkin stencil, with pointed ears, a brow furrowed in menace, two prominent fangs, and clawed hands at the tips of the outstretched arms. The head, torso, and cape folds are rendered as separate cut-through pieces held together by solid pumpkin outlines, so the finished jack-o-lantern reads as a sharp, angular vampire silhouette when backlit. Cut the claw tips at each arm end first since they are the most isolated and will be hardest to control once the large cape areas are removed.

    See template β†’
  42. 42. Spooky Text Pumpkin Stencil

    Spooky Text Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    The word "Spooky" is carved in bold bubbly lettering with each letter outlined as a cut-through shape on this Halloween pumpkin stencil. The two O's feature skull-like eye holes inside them, and drip lines hang from the letters below. Curling ribbon flourishes arc above and below the text, all pierced through. Lit from inside, the letters glow with dark gaps forming the decorative interior details. Take care to preserve the thin drip connections between letters, as those links keep each letter floating in place on the pumpkin wall.

    See template β†’
  43. 43. Skeleton in Bowler Hat Pumpkin Stencil

    Skeleton in Bowler Hat Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A cartoon skeleton in a bowler hat tips its hat with one bony hand while its round skull grins with simple triangular nose and dot eyes on this Halloween pumpkin stencil. The ribcage, arm bones, and pelvis are each rendered as small separate cut islands surrounded by pumpkin skin. Because the design is built from many floating cutout islands, carve the larger open bone shapes in the torso before tackling the small finger and toe segments, so the pumpkin stays structurally sound while you work the finer extremities.

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  44. 44. Skeleton Ghost Pumpkin Stencil

    Skeleton Ghost Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A skeletal ghost charges forward with clawed hands outstretched, its skull face showing hollow eyes and a jagged open mouth, the lower body dissolving into flowing tattered shroud wisps in this hard pumpkin stencil. The cut pieces include the eye and mouth openings in the skull, the gaps between the outstretched claw fingers, and several large void areas within the billowing shroud body. The thin strips between the claw fingers are fragile; cut each finger gap fully before moving to the large shroud openings below.

    See template β†’
  45. 45. Devil with Trident Pumpkin Stencil

    Devil with Trident Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A cartoon devil character stands full-body, holding a trident in one hand and sporting a curled pointed tail behind it, with two horns curving above its round head, arched eyebrows, stubby fang teeth, and small cloven-hoof feet visible below its tunic. The scattered cut pieces, including the trident tines, horns, and eyebrow slots, are separated by solid pumpkin bridges that outline each body part clearly when the jack-o-lantern is lit. Cut the three narrow trident tines first since they sit away from the body and are easiest to control while the surrounding pumpkin is still rigid.

    See template β†’
  46. 46. Cute Starfish Pumpkin Stencil

    Cute Starfish Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A stylized starfish with five rounded arms and a cute cartoon face, including two large round eyes with small lashes, a button nose, and a gentle smile, sits symmetrically centered in this hard pumpkin stencil. The arm openings and facial features are cut through while the narrow bands between the arm segments stay solid, framing the starfish shape clearly when lit. The thin band between the two eye holes is the most vulnerable bridge; cut the right eye last so you can brace the section from both sides during that final cut.

    See template β†’
  47. 47. Flying Bats Pumpkin Stencil

    Flying Bats Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    Five bats in mid-flight are scattered across the pumpkin face in this hard pumpkin stencil, ranging from a large swooping bat in the upper left down to a small one at the lower right, each drawn with jagged, pointed wing edges and tiny body details. All five bats are cut through as separate open shapes, so candlelight spills through each one individually and the pumpkin reads as a night sky full of swooping shadows. Cut the smallest bottom-right bat first while the pumpkin surface is fully rigid, then work upward to the largest.

    See template β†’
  48. 48. Skeletal Ghost Pumpkin Stencil

    Skeletal Ghost Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A skeletal ghost figure with a domed, skull-like head, jagged mouth slits, and broad swept wings dominates this pumpkin stencil. The design carves as widely spaced curved pierce-through sections that fan across both sides, leaving bold orange bridges to define the creature's torso and face. Lit from inside, the jack-o-lantern reads as a dark specter bursting outward. Cut the inner face details first before tackling the large wing panels so shifting your grip doesn't crack the delicate center column.

    See template β†’
  49. 49. Tribal Black Cat Pumpkin Stencil

    Tribal Black Cat Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    An arched black cat with its back up and tail raised high forms this hard pumpkin stencil, drawn in a tribal-tattoo style with flame-shaped fur tufts along the spine, a narrow elongated face with almond-shaped eyes, and wispy leg strokes that taper at the paws. The many curved, pointed cuts leave thin pumpkin bridges between them that form the cat's body outline when the jack-o-lantern is lit. The wispy tail tip at the very top is the most isolated piece; cut it before removing the large body negative-space below.

    See template β†’
  50. 50. Silly Monster Pumpkin Stencil

    Silly Monster Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A shaggy round monster with a small zigzag hair antenna on top, wide round eyes, a grinning row of rectangular teeth, and two outstretched hands with four or five digits fills this funny pumpkin stencil, with about eight to ten interior pierced slashes representing the fur texture along with the facial features and foot claws. The lit pumpkin reveals the entire creature in warm orange silhouette against a dark background. Cut the large central body void first, then work through each interior fur slash and claw detail, leaving the two floating hand cutouts for last.

    See template β†’
  51. 51. Snarling Rat Pumpkin Stencil

    Snarling Rat Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A detailed rat rearing up on its hind legs fills this hard pumpkin stencil, posed with clawed front paws raised, mouth open in a snarl, and a long curling tail sweeping around the lower body. Unlike the simpler silhouette rat in this collection, this design uses internal cut lines to carve fur texture, claw separations, and an open mouth, leaving thin pumpkin ridges that define the anatomy when lit. Cut the individual claw slots in the front paws first so those delicate tips are still surrounded by solid pumpkin.

    See template β†’
  52. 52. Ghost Reaper Pumpkin Stencil

    Ghost Reaper Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A faceless hooded ghost figure clutching a large scythe stands amid swirling ground-level mist and gnarled branch tendrils in this hard ghost pumpkin stencil, the entire composition built from one connected silhouette with the robe edges and mist tendrils forming narrow cut points. When lit, the reaper-ghost and the curling ground fog glow together as a single haunting shape. Cut the thin mist tendrils at the base and the ragged robe hem first, then work upward to the broader robe body and the diagonal scythe shaft.

    See template β†’
  53. 53. See-No-Evil Monkey Pumpkin Stencil

    See-No-Evil Monkey Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    The see-no-evil monkey emoji is rendered as a wide face with two large hands pressed over the eyes and two banana-shaped ears flaring out, with a broad smile, round nose dots, and small cheek details visible below the hands in this hard pumpkin stencil. The overlapping hand fingers create a dense grid of narrow cut channels across the upper half of the design. Work the individual finger slots from the center outward so each completed cut is braced by uncut pumpkin on at least one side.

    See template β†’
  54. 54. Sea Turtle Pumpkin Stencil

    Sea Turtle Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A sea turtle viewed from above fills this pumpkin stencil, with four swept-back flippers and a dome-shaped shell covered in roughly twenty interlocking polygonal plates, each plate a separate cut piece separated by thin lines of uncut pumpkin. The resulting jack-o-lantern glows through every shell segment individually, mapping out the turtle's scute pattern in orange-framed light. Cut the smallest outer-edge shell plates first since they have the least surrounding support, then work inward toward the larger central scutes.

    See template β†’
  55. 55. RIP Graveyard Pumpkin Stencil

    RIP Graveyard Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A moonlit graveyard scene arches across this pumpkin stencil, with a large cracked tombstone bearing the letters RIP at center, flanked by two cross-topped stones and tufts of grave grass below, all framed inside a curved arch at the top. The composition is pierced so the entire scene cuts away from the pumpkin wall and glows as one large backlit picture. Cut the letter shapes inside RIP first with a detail blade, then work outward through the tombstone cracks, cross details, and grass tufts before removing the large arch framing area last.

    See template β†’
  56. 56. Its a Girl Pumpkin Stencil

    Its a Girl Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    The phrase "it's a girl" in chunky lowercase lettering fills this pumpkin stencil, with a small heart shape tucked below the word "girl" to complete the baby announcement message. Each letter and the heart are cut-out shapes, many with enclosed counters that require careful handling. The interior dot of the letter i in "girl" is the trickiest floating island: cut around it last and keep the skin disc in place using a toothpick or small skewer pressed through the back of the pumpkin wall to hold it.

    See template β†’
  57. 57. Rose Bloom Pumpkin Stencil

    Rose Bloom Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A fully open rose bloom fills this pumpkin stencil, rendered as a set of curved, teardrop-shaped petals radiating from a tight spiral center. The cut-out segments are separated by thin pumpkin-flesh bridges that hold the design together, so when lit the candle glow traces the swirling petal arrangement. Carve the smallest center pieces first to avoid cracking the surrounding petals, and keep a damp cloth nearby to prevent the thin bridges from drying out mid-session.

    See template β†’
  58. 58. Funny Monster Pumpkin Stencil

    Funny Monster Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A round-bodied cartoon monster with an oversized fuzzy head, two large circular eyes, a wide fanged grin, spiky hair tufts, stubby arms raised to the sides, skinny stick legs, and round feet fills this pumpkin stencil. The creature's oval eye circles and the spaces between the arms and body are cut through, while the chunky body silhouette stays as solid orange skin. Carve the two circular eye openings and the small round nose dot at the top before cutting the body perimeter, so you can brace the knife against solid material.

    See template β†’
  59. 59. Mummy Face Pumpkin Stencil

    Mummy Face Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A mummy face fills this pumpkin stencil, built from horizontal overlapping bandage strips that cross the forehead, bridge over hollow oval eye sockets, and wrap beneath a grimacing mouth with small exposed teeth. The bandage layers are the solid orange pumpkin wall while the gaps between them are pierced through, so candlelight reads as stripes of light across a dark face. Cut the eye socket ovals first, then work upward through the bandage gaps from the chin to the crown, keeping each horizontal bridge intact until the cut on either side of it is complete.

    See template β†’
  60. 60. Zombie Hands Pumpkin Stencil

    Zombie Hands Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    Two zombie arms thrust upward side by side on this zombie pumpkin stencil, each one emerging from a ragged torn sleeve at the base, with elongated bony fingers splayed wide and dripping flesh hanging from the wrists. The arms are the solid orange wall while the space around them is pierced away, so the pair of grasping hands glows against a dark background. The skinny finger tips are the most vulnerable pieces, so keep a finger pressed gently on each tip from the outside as you cut around it to prevent the thin point from breaking off.

    See template β†’
  61. 61. Police Badge Pumpkin Stencil

    Police Badge Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A five-pointed star with a horizontal banner across its center spelling out POLICE in block capital letters makes up this pumpkin stencil, styled after a classic law-enforcement badge. The interior of the star points and the letter counters are cut through, while the banner background and star outline remain as solid skin. The enclosed center of the letter O is the trickiest piece: slice around it last and press a toothpick through the back of the pumpkin wall to pin the small oval disc in place.

    See template β†’
  62. 62. Jolly Roger Pumpkin Stencil

    Jolly Roger Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A classic Jolly Roger design fills this pumpkin stencil: a grinning skull topped by a pirate hat bearing a tiny skull-and-crossbones badge sits above two crossed cutlass swords with curled hand-guards. The eye sockets, the hat badge, the small triangular nose cavity, and the gaps between the sword blades are all pierced through. Cut the miniature hat badge first since it is the most delicate isolated element, then the eye sockets and sword gaps, before finishing with the outer hat and blade silhouette.

    See template β†’
  63. 63. Rose Pumpkin Stencil

    Rose Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A full rose with a spiraling center bud, layered outer petals, and a thin stem with two small leaves is the subject of this flower pumpkin stencil. The petals are rendered as irregular organic cut sections that radiate from the tight center spiral outward to ragged outer edges, while the stem and leaves below are smaller separate pieces. Lit from inside, the solid pumpkin between cuts reads as petal ridges framing windows of light. Cut the innermost spiral bud sections first so the outer petals remain attached and sturdy while you navigate the tightest curves.

    See template β†’
  64. 64. Rainbow and Clouds Pumpkin Stencil

    Rainbow and Clouds Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    This pumpkin stencil features a rainbow of four concentric arcs rising above two puffy clouds, with scattered stars and small circles floating around the composition. The clouds and stars are separate pierced cutouts, and the arc bands are cut through with thin solid bridges between them, creating a whimsical scene that glows warmly from a candle or LED inside. Cut the small stars and round circles first while the wall is firm, then remove the cloud shapes, and finish with the long sweeping arc cuts so the composition stays supported throughout.

    See template β†’
  65. 65. Raising Hands Emoji Pumpkin Stencil

    Raising Hands Emoji Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    Two open hands with spread fingers are raised side by side on this emoji pumpkin stencil, each palm facing forward with small rectangular cuff shapes below the wrists. Four small triangular sparkle shapes are arranged above the hands in a row. All elements are pierced through so the lit jack-o-lantern shows a bright raising-hands celebration scene. Cut the four small triangles at the top first while the wall is thickest, then remove the cuff rectangles, and finish by cutting around the finger contours of each hand last.

    See template β†’
  66. 66. T-Rex Pumpkin Stencil

    T-Rex Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A fleshed-out T-rex stands upright in this dinosaur pumpkin stencil, with a large skull showing serrated teeth, tiny forelimbs with claw tips, a muscular body, and thick hind legs with three-toed feet rendered as solid orange pumpkin wall. The spaces between and around the figure are cut through, so the lit jack-o-lantern silhouettes the dinosaur in warm orange against a glowing background. Cut the narrow gaps between the forelimb claws and the small toe gaps first before opening any of the large surrounding sections, as those tight details are easier to control while the wall is fully rigid.

    See template β†’
  67. 67. Soccer Ball Pumpkin Stencil

    Soccer Ball Pumpkin Stencil pumpkin carving stencil

    A soccer ball rendered as a flat stencil pattern takes up the full face of this pumpkin carving design, with a central pentagon surrounded by curved hexagonal panels that radiate outward to the edges. The pentagon and several panel sections are cut through, while the curved connecting lines between panels remain as solid orange bridges, recreating the look of a classic black-and-white ball when lit. Carve the central pentagon first, then cut each surrounding hexagonal section in a clockwise order to keep even tension on the skin bridges.

    See template β†’

Pick one, print it, carve it. 67 hard pumpkin carving patterns should be enough for any porch.

Browse all pumpkin carving patterns β†’
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