How to carve a pumpkin
Are you having a Halloween party, or want to set the mood for trick-or-treaters? Follow our four easy steps to carving your own jack-o'-lantern pumpkin.
With Halloween just around the corner, what better way to get into the spooky spirit than with some festive pumpkin carving? It’s a fun activity for all ages. If you need inspiration on what to carve, browse our pumpkin carving templates.
Once you’ve removed the pumpkin seeds, don’t just throw them away. Our helpful guide will show you how to roast pumpkin seeds so every part gets used, or check out our pumpkin seed recipes for sweet and savoury dishes. You can use the flesh of your pumpkin, too – check out our top 20 pumpkin recipes to avoid food waste.
Another great way to get kids into the Halloween spirit is through their stomachs. Create brilliant bakes and shocking savoury snacks with our best Halloween recipes to make with kids. Or, for more autumnal crafts, check out our autumn crafts for kids.
How to carve the perfect pumpkin...
1. Choose a large pumpkin and use a sharp serrated knife to cut off the crown.
2. Using a large serving spoon, scoop out the seeds and fibres and discard. Then remove some of the flesh. Try our roasted pumpkin seeds recipe for a tasty snack.
3. With a marker pen, draw a simple outline of a face on the pumpkin. Use a small serrated knife to cut out the eyes, nose and mouth. Always cut away from you in case the knife slips.
4. Pop a tea light inside the pumpkin, light it and replace the crown.
More pumpkin carving advice:
For more tips on how to carve the perfect pumpkin, watch our cookery team in action:
Read our Top 10 pumpkin carving tips for more advice on making your Jack o'lantern stand out from the crowd.
More pumpkin carving and recipe inspiration...
Pumpkin recipes
How to make pumpkin puree
Healthy Halloween
Pumpkin recipes for kids
Pumpkin dessert recipes
Top 4 health benefits of pumpkin
Leftover pumpkin recipes
Top 6 health benefits of pumpkin seeds
How to use leftover pumpkins
The best pumpkin patches in the UK
What pumpkin designs do you like to carve? Leave a comment below...
