Funny Pumpkin-Carving Ideas

Pumpkins with Personality
Don't be spooked by these clever creations—they come together in minutes with just a few pantry basics. Click through for our favorite funny pumpkins and easy instructions for recreating them.

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Antonis Achilleos; Craft styling by Matthew Gleason

Adorable Turtles

Materials

• 3 variegated acorn squash
• Craft knife
• Spoon
• Washable marker
• Damp paper towel
• 3 small yellow ornamental gourds or summer squash (look for options with curved tips)
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• 6 peppercorns
• 6 very small yellow gourds
• Toothpicks

Directions

1. Using the craft knife, carve the top off the first acorn squash and hollow it out, removing any extra flesh and seeds with the spoon. Repeat for the remaining acorn squashes. These will be the turtle shells.

2. Turn each squash over and choose the spot for the head. With the washable marker, draw a rounded notch opening. Carve with the craft knife and wipe away any excess marker with the damp paper towel.

3. Choose a small yellow gourd or summer squash and position it so the curved stem end is pointing up. These will be the turtle bodies. Use a dot of hot glue to affix two peppercorns as eyes. Repeat for the other turtles.

4. Choose two very small yellow gourds and slice in half lengthwise with the craft knife. Repeat with remaining gourds to create the feet. Turn them cut-side down and affix four each to the bottom of each shell by pressing into toothpicks.

5. To assemble, pick up the first turtle shell and place on top of a turtle body, making sure the neck is curved upwards. Repeat for the remaining two turtles.

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Antonis Achilleos; Craft styling by Matthew Gleason

Playful Porcupine

Materials

• Small orange gourd
• Craft knife
• Oval-shaped orange squash or gourd with a pronounced stem
• Toothpicks ($4.19 for pack of 1,000, Amazon.com)
• Acorns
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks

Directions

1. Using the craft knife, cut two rounded feet from the small gourd. Position the oval squash (this is the porcupine body) with the stem centered as a nose. Choose where the feet should sit and press toothpicks into the gourd; press the feet into these toothpicks. This should anchor the porcupine body and stop it from rolling around.

2. To create quills, frame the face by pressing toothpicks into the rind, leaving enough space for eyes. (Tip: Try pushing them in at a slight angle to make it easier). Continue until the body is covered, as shown.

3. Remove two small acorn caps and use hot glue to affix the caps to the face as eyes. Choose a larger acorn, remove the cap and glue it over the stem tip to create a snout nose.

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Antonis Achilleos; Craft styling by Matthew Gleason

Fantastic Fox

Materials

• Tall, oval-shaped variegated squash
• Long, bell-shaped orange gourd
• Teardrop-shaped orange pumpkin with a pronounced stem
• Bamboo skewers ($4.98 for 75, Amazon.com)
• Craft knife
• Acorns
• Small orange pumpkin
• Hot glue gun and glue sticks
• Spoon

Directions

1. Stand the variegated squash straight up and choose the side you want to face forward. Break five skewers in half and stick them into the back of the squash where the tail should sit, leaving 2” exposed.

2. Press the bell-shaped orange gourd into the skewers at the back of the squash to secure as the tail. (Tip: If the skewers sink into the squash too much as you attach the gourd, simply pinch each with two fingers to hold in place while the gourd slides onto the individual skewer.)

3. Break four skewers in half and press them into the top of the squash body, leaving 2” exposed. Position the pumpkin so the stem is centered where the nose should sit and push down on the skewers to secure.

4. With the tip of the craft knife, etch out a thin smile by scraping away just the top layer of rind.

5. To create eye sockets, etch slightly deeper holes. Remove the caps of two large acorns. Flip each cap curved-side out and press into the sockets.

6. Remove the caps of slightly smaller acorns. Apply a dot of hot glue to each acorn and affix to the eye socket caps as pupils.

7. Using the craft knife, cut the small pumpkin into quarters (slice in half horizontally, then in half vertically), scraping away any excess flesh with the spoon. Rinse and clean a handful of seeds. Pat dry and set aside.

8. Cut pointy ears from two of the pumpkin quarters and press into the pumpkin head with a skewer (break, as needed), allowing the fleshy side to face forward.

9. Turn the remaining pumpkin quarters face down and use the hot glue to affix three pumpkin seeds to each to resemble claws. Secure to the body with skewers (break, as needed).

Curious Raccoon (Left)

Materials

• Large, oval-shaped green squash (try asking for a Hopi Pale Grey)
• 2 small piles of books (for keeping the squash in place)
• Bamboo skewers ($4.98 for 75, Amazon.com)
• Large, curved green zucchini
• Medium round green pumpkin
• Small round green pumpkin
• Craft knife
• Permanent marker
• Hot glue gun and glue
• 2 acorns

Directions

1. Roll the oval green squash onto its side and hold it in place by resting it between the piles of books. This will be the raccoon body.

2. Break three skewers into 8” lengths. Locate the area where the tail should attach, and press the skewers into the squash ¼” apart from each other in a triangle, pushing them deep enough in that only 1.5” are sticking out.

3. Arrange the zucchini so the longer, wider part curves around the side of the squash, moving a stack of books away, if necessary. Anchor the stem end into the skewers by pressing firmly until the skewers are completely hidden by the zucchini. Once attached, move away the second stack of books, allowing the zucchini to hold the squash in place.

4. Choose the spot on the zucchini where the head should sit and press 5 skewers into the flesh in a circle, pushing them in deep enough so that only 3” are sticking out. Position the medium pumpkin so the stem is centered where the nose should sit, and press it onto the skewers until the skewers are completely covered. (Tip: If the skewers sink into the squash too much as you attach the pumpkin, simply pinch each with two fingers to hold in place while the pumpkin slides onto the individual skewer.)

5. Using the permanent marker, draw two raccoon eyes onto the pumpkin (as shown). With the tip of the craft knife, carve a small hole for each eyeball. Remove the caps from the acorns and, using the hot glue, secure the acorns inside the eye sockets as pupils.

6. With a craft knife, carve two flat-bottomed feet with rounded tops and two slightly smaller ears of the same shape. Using the tips of skewers, secure the feet underneath the body and the ears on top of the head.

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Antonis Achilleos; Craft styling by Matthew Gleason

Wicked Witch

Materials

• Large round pumpkin with a pointy twisted stem
• Washable marker
• Craft knife
• Damp paper towel
• Acorns
• 1 bag of Spanish moss ($7.99 for 24 oz, Michaels.com)
• Hot glue gun and glue
• Witch’s hat ($4.99,PartyCity.com)
• Bobby pins

Directions

1. Position the pumpkin so the stem is centered where the nose should sit. (Tip: If the pumpkin wobbles, try securing an acorn or two at the base with hot glue to create anchoring feet).

2. Using the washable marker, draw on eyes, eyebrows and a mouth. Try following the natural ribs of the pumpkin as a guide when deciding where to place the facial features, like the raised eyebrows or the curved mouth.

3. With the tip of the craft knife, scrape away the top layer of rind to reveal the lighter flesh underneath. Be careful not to poke all the way through to the inside of the pumpkin. Wipe away any excess marker with a damp paper towel.

4. Remove the cap from two acorns and discard. Press each acorn into the flesh of an eye socket until it’s secured.

5. Spread a bead of hot glue along the top and sides of the pumpkin where you want the hairline to be. Create the witch’s mane by pressing on Spanish moss, adding enough so the orange rind is covered.

6. Place on the witch hat, securing with bobby pins at the back, if necessary.

Zombie Land

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Antonis Achilleos; Craft styling by Matthew Gleason

Materials

• Large round white pumpkin
• Craft knife
• Spoon
• Washable marker
• Damp paper towel
• Melon baller ($8.99, Amazon.com)
• Toothpicks
• Peppercorns
• 2 mini white pumpkins

Directions

1. Using the craft knife, cut a hole in the top of the pumpkin and hollow out the inside. Scrape away any extra flesh with the spoon. Rinse a handful of the seeds (about 16 or so), pat dry and set aside.

2. With the washable marker, draw two large ovals for eyes (position them slightly tilted towards each other for a sweeter, less scary look) and a wide, slightly lopsided mouth. Carve out with the craft knife and save the scraps. Wipe away any excess marker with a damp paper towel.

3. Use the melon baller to carve out two round eyeballs from the fleshy side of the pumpkin scraps.

4. Spear each eyeball with a toothpick and attach them to the tops of the eye cutouts. Gently press a peppercorn into the center of each to create pupils.

5. Press the cleaned seeds directly into the mouth, positioning them in different directions. (Tip: If the pumpkin isn’t completely ripe, try using the tip of the knife to create small notches in the pumpkin where you’ll be inserting the teeth.)

6. Complete the look by turning the mini pumpkins upside down and placing them in front of the zombie head to look like hands. To try this project indoors or on a hard surface, create turf with moss or colorful leaves found outside.

Happy Haunters

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Antonis Achilleos; Craft styling by Matthew Gleason

Materials

• 3 butternut squashes (choose varying heights)
• Craft knife
• Spoon
• Washable marker
• Damp paper towel
• 12 skewers
• Battery operated tea lights ($4.99 for pack of 6, Save-on-Crafts.com)

Directions

1. Lay the first butternut squash on its side and use the craft knife to trim ¼” off the non-stem end. Repeat for remaining squashes.

2. Hollow out the inside, using the spoon to scrape away any extra seeds or squash flesh.

3. With the knife, cut a zigzag pattern along the open end, aiming to keep the tips at the same height so the edges look uniform.

4. Using the washable marker, draw on ghost eyes and a mouth. (Tip for the eyes: Make them exaggerated half moons to allow for “pupils” that stay connected to the main body.) Carve out with the craft knife. Wipe away any excess marker lines with a damp paper towel.

5. Place a skewer underneath one of the carved ghosts to gauge the diameter of the opening. Use your hands to break four skewers to this length. Press the first one into the inside wall just above the top of the zigzags, and poke into the opposite side, allowing it to cross directly through the middle of the opening. Continue with the last three skewers, positioning each in a different direction to create a webbed platform. Repeat step 5 for remaining ghosts.

6. Place a glowing tea light on each platform.

Plant People

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Antonis Achilleos; Craft styling by Matthew Gleason

Materials

• 2 stout, round pumpkins
• Craft knife
• Spoon
• Washable Marker
• Damp paper towel
• 2 plants (choose something with height or length, like grass tufts or ivy)
• 1 orange plastic tablecloth ($1.99, PartyCity.com)
• Scissors
• Masking tape

Directions

1. With a craft knife, cut the tops off of each pumpkin. Hollow out the inside with the spoon, removing all seeds and any extra flesh.

2. Using the washable marker, draw on playful eyes and a mouth. (Tip for the eyes: Make them exaggerated half moons to allow for “pupils” that stay connected to the main body.) Carve out with the craft knife. Etch eyelashes and smile creases by scraping away just the top layer of pumpkin rind with the tip of the knife. Wipe away any excess marker lines with a damp paper towel.

3. Cut two 1’x1’ sections from the tablecloth and use each to cover the plant pots so they won’t stand out through the open face of the pumpkins. Secure at back with masking tape.

4. Place the plants inside and arrange the “hair” to frame each face.

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Antonis Achilleos; craft & prop styling by Matthew Gleason

A Bunch of Nuts

Materials

Pumpkins

Knife or pumpkin carver

Washable marker

Damp cloth

Melon baller

Dried nuts, seeds and spices (like whole walnuts, black beans, cloves or star anise)

Toothpicks

1. Carve an opening out of the top or bottom of the pumpkin and scoop out the seeds. Replace the cutout.

2. For nut eyes: Draw eyes on the pumpkin with the marker; carve out. Wipe off remaining marker with a damp cloth. Place nuts in cutout sections, piercing with a toothpick to attach if needed.

3. For beak (center): Complete Step 2, then carve a triangle out of a discarded eye cutout. Attach with a toothpick.

4. For googly eyes (right): Skip Steps 1 and 2. Use discarded rinds from other pumpkins to make eyes. Use the melon baller to scrape partway through the rind for pupils and mouth shape (or press nuts, seeds and spices into the rind for a mouth, using a toothpick to start the hole if needed). Attach eyes with toothpicks and press seeds or spices into space for pupils.

5. For scooped eyeballs (left): See slide 5, Step 3.

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Antonis Achilleos; craft & prop styling by Matthew Gleason

Toothy Grins

Materials

Large pumpkin

Knife or pumpkin carver

Washable marker

Damp cloth

Hot-glue gun and glue sticks

Dry pasta (ziti, penne, shells)

Toothpicks

White glue

Gold glitter

Whole nuts

Black spray paint

1. Carve an opening out of the top or bottom of the pumpkin and scoop out the seeds. Replace the cutout.

2. Draw eyes and mouth on the pumpkin with the marker and carve out. Wipe off any remaining marker with a damp cloth.

3. Place a dab of hot glue inside a dry ziti piece and press the cut end of half of a toothpick into the glue. Let dry. Repeat on 5 to 15 ziti pieces; set one aside. Insert remaining ziti teeth into the pumpkin's mouth with the exposed end of the picks, leaving space for the last tooth.

4. To create the gold tooth, coat the ziti piece you've set aside in white glue and roll in glitter. Let dry. Shake off excess. Insert into the open space in the pumpkin's mouth.

5. Wedge nuts into openings for eyes.

For cover version After Step 2, spray-paint about 15 dry penne pieces and two shell pieces black on a covered surface in a well-ventilated area. Let dry. Flip pasta over and repeat on the unpainted side. In Step 5, replace nuts with black shells for eyes.

CARVING TIP

Don't make a perfect circle when you carve the opening to remove the seeds. Add one jagged notch—it'll be easier to line the pieces back up.

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Antonis Achilleos; craft & prop styling by Matthew Gleason

Cannibal Cutie

Materials

Large pumpkin

Small pumpkin or acorn squash

Knife or pumpkin carver

Washable marker

Melon baller

Damp cloth

1. Carve an opening out of the top or bottom of the large pumpkin, making sure it's wide enough to fit the smaller pumpkin or gourd through it. Scoop out the seeds.

2. Draw eyes and mouth on both pumpkins with the marker. Carve out with a knife for the larger pumpkin; use the melon baller for the smaller pumpkin.

3. Wipe off any remaining marker with a damp cloth.

4. Place small pumpkin inside large one and replace the top (or bottom) cutout.

SAFE ILLUMINATION

Use a battery-powered votive ($15 for 10; BedBathandBeyond.com) instead of a candle for this project so your gourd doesn't get scorched.

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Antonis Achill

Melon Ball Monsters

Materials

Pumpkin

Knife or pumpkin carver

Washable marker

Melon baller

Toothpicks

Dried beans, seeds and spices (like black beans, cloves or star anise)

Damp cloth

1. Carve an opening out of the top or bottom of the pumpkin and scoop out the seeds. Replace the cutout.

2. Draw eyes and mouth on the pumpkin with the marker.

3. For scooped eyeballs: Use the melon baller to scoop out several small spheres from the outside of the pumpkin. Reattach each sphere to the pumpkin with half a toothpick. If desired, press seeds or spices into the spheres for pupils.

4. For scooped mouth (far left): Scrape partway through the rind with the melon baller to form the mouth shape.

5. For carved eyes and mouth: Cut out using the knife or pumpkin carver. Using discarded eye cutout, carve two eye shapes. Create two scooped eyeballs as in Step 3 and attach them to the eye shapes with half a toothpick. Attach the finished eyes to the pumpkin withfull toothpicks.

6. Wipe off any remaining marker with a damp cloth.