Photo: Deposit Photos
Ask my kids and they’ll tell you I’m a pretty pathetic pumpkin carver. Or I was, until I discovered free stencils to guide me to the gory. And I watched this video to teach me the basics, like how to keep my pumpkin top from falling inside.
Pick up a nifty Halloween tool set like the one in the photo to help you create cool pumpkin carvings. And this kid-friendly carving set even has templates of its own:
Better Homes & Gardens : Find a selection of free stencils for classic Halloween Jack o’ Lantern faces. There also are contemporary choices, including a happy fun face, dogs, cats, even a stencil for a “TextMe” design. Plus, there are additional free downloads for basic step-by-step pumpkin carving techniques and pumpkin painting. Click here for the direct link to the BHG pumpkin stencil page.
Real Simple: Carve a cat, a bat, a witch and other creepy things on your Halloween pumpkin. You could also use these patterns for cut outs or frosty stencils on windows.
Star Wars characters: A good Halloween you will have if you carve a pumpkin using these templates. Find your favorite Star Wars characters and may the Force be with you!
Huffington Post lists 40 pumpkin faces to carve including characters from favorite films, like Olaf from Frozen, or adorable Hello Kitty.
Woman’s Day never ceases to come up with fun ideas for pumpkin carving. Find 52 ideas for carving your pumpkin, from fireplace flames to a group of characters from The Wizard of Oz.
Spookmaster has a page full of free patterns for pumpkin carving. Look for traditional designs, animals or sports teams.
Superheroes and villains can be found at PumpkinPile.com.
Find a Día de las Muertos pumpkin face at WooJr.com.
More than just stencils:
If you want to carve outside the box — or pumpkin — take a whack at this beer cooler pumpkin for your Halloween bash.
Turn your Android phone into a Jack O’Lantern complete with flickering candle.
Instead of carving a face into that pumpkin, use it as a planter for fall flowers. Or turn it into a serving bowl at your Halloween bash.
For more Living on the Cheap Halloween articles:
- Ways to save on Halloween candy
- 102+ cheap and easy Halloween costumes
- Throw a Halloween bash on a budget
- How to make tasty Halloween fingers
- Fun Halloween alternatives
- 7 ways to celebrate Halloween for less
Halloween parties and entertaining
Throw a Haunting Halloween Bash on a Budget
Host a Halloween movie night party
Halloween costumes
Cheap and easy DIY Halloween costumes
Cheap and easy pet Halloween costumes
What not to wear: Halloween edition
Fall and Halloween decorating
4 easy and cheap Halloween decorations
Make a scarecrow from items you have at home
Build a haunted wedding Halloween display in your yard
Free pumpkin stencils for creative carving
Halloween food & recipes
8 ways to save on Halloween candy
How to make tasty, ghoulish Halloween finger cookies
Cute and easy jack-o-lantern cake
Scary good (and cheap) Halloween party food
Other budget-friendly Halloween ideas
