For the less artfully inclined, pumpkin stencils are a godsend during the fall and Halloween pumpkin carving season. Instead of free-handing your pumpkin design and feeling less than impressed by the final result, print one of our many free stencils, and tape it to your pumpkin or gourd. Then depending on your preferred look, carve the outline of your design, making use of negative space, or carve the shape itself to illuminate the figure. Or if you’re simply looking for pumpkin carving ideas, these stencils are a great place to start.
Our collection of pumpkin carving stencils ranges in difficulty from simple, spooky grins, perfect for young kids, to intricate designs that incorporate multiple pumpkins and perhaps even a few accessories. Whatever your skill level, you're sure to find inspiration on our list of 50 unique pumpkin stencils to choose from.
This easy-to-recreate batty pumpkin is perfect for first time stencil users, as it's not very complicated or intricate. Just be careful with the small circles around the eyes.
Stencils can be used for carving or painting — whatever your preference is. While a praying mantis isn't a stereotypical Halloween symbol, the fact that they've been known to eat their mates is enough to have us running.
Get the neighborhood talking with this skull and cross bones stencil. If you accompany it with other scary decor, you may earn yourself the badge of 'haunted house.'
Besides heights, small spaces, and needles, the fear of spiders, otherwise known as arachnophobia, is one of the most common frights. Use that to your advantage this spooky season with this spider stencil.
This impressive pumpkin is actually quite easy to recreate. Carve rectangles and squares for windows, and fill in the stencil with black paint for a glowing haunted house.
Instead of carving shapes out of your pumpkin, outline it with small dots using a drill bit. It's a creative, less messy alternative to giant, carved creations.
You can't go wrong with a classic scary pumpkin face! And this grinning prankster is one of our easiest Jacks to tackle — just transfer the pattern, carve out the eyes, and finish with a jagged smile.
Whoo goes there? Hopefully, just kids looking for treats at your front door. Choose an oval pumpkin with a wide base, then follow the pattern to carve out feathers, a beak, and eyes. Hollow out the inside of the Os, then carefully remove the background of the owl, removing small pieces one at a time for easier handling.
Annie O’Sullivan (she/her) covers holiday, gift guide, travel, and lifestyle content at Good Housekeeping. She has a degree in magazine journalism from Syracuse University and previously reported for Runner’s World, NBC New York/NY 4 and Woman’s Day. Annie also has experience writing entertainment news and celebrity-focused content.
Kate Franke (she/her) is the editorial assistant at Woman’s Day. She loves all things lifestyle, home, and market related. Kate has a BAJMC in Magazine Media and BA in Writing from Drake University. She is a proud ASME alum whose work has appeared in Food Network Magazine, The Pioneer Woman Magazine, Better Homes & Gardens, Modern Farmhouse Style, Beautiful Kitchens & Baths, and more. Next to writing, Kate’s two favorite things are chai lattes and pumpkin bread!