Halloween is fast approaching and it’s the time of year that we pick out the perfect pumpkin and carve a design into it. Maybe you normally carve a scary face into it? Well, this year we have some easy pumpkin carving stencils to help you carve either a cat or a dog into the pumpkin instead.
So, pick out the perfect pumpkin, download one of our easy to carve templates and watch the video to help you master the art of pumpkin carving.
Why Do We Carve Pumpkins?
Carving a pumpkin is a fun thing to do each year, but have you ever wondered why do we carve pumpkins?
The story actually goes back to an Irish Myth where a man named “Stingy Jack” invited the Devil to have a drink with him. Stingy Jack wasn’t a very nice fella and he didn’t want to pay for his own drink (very bad form!). Stingy Jack was smart though and convinced the Devil to turn himself into a coin which he then used to pay the bill for his drink.
But as these things normally go, it was not the end of the story! Stingy Jack continued to trick the devil and even trapped him in a tree several years later.
When Stingy Jack died he was told he wasn’t being let into heaven due to his bad behaviour and of course the Devil didn’t want him either. So his fate was to walk the Earth at night with only a piece of coal for light.
Being a clever Jack, legend has it that he put the coal into a carved turnip and that is where we get the name “Jack of the Lantern” or “Jack O’Lanterns”.
Cool story right?
Pumpkin Carving Kit
Below is a list of the items that you need to carve your pumpkin.
- A Pumpkin
- Stencils
- Pen to draw around the stencil
- Knife
- Hairspray
- Small candle (Night Light)
How To Carve Your Pumpkin
Step 1
Download your template of choice OR draw your design onto your pumpkin using a marker pen. If you are using the template then cut out the shapes ready to use.
Click to download the Cat Pumpkin Carving Template
Click to download the Dog Pumpkin Carving Template
Step 2
Cut the top of the pumpkin off using a sharp knife
Step 3
Scoop out the pumpkin seeds from the inside of the pumpkin. Make sure to get all of the contents out before you start carving the pumpkin.
Step 4
Draw the design onto the pumpkin either using the template or free hand.
Note – if you are doing your own design it’s often better to start with something simple until you get used to carving pumpkins.
Step 5
Start carving the pumpkin, following the lines you have drawn. Take care when making the first cut into the pumpkin. You may need a smaller knife for more detailed parts of the design.
Step 6
Once the design has been cut out remove any loose pieces of pumpkin from inside to tidy it up. Then spray with hairspray to keep the pumpkin lasting fresh for longer.
Step 7
Wait for the hairspray to dry before you put the lit candle into the pumpkin.
IMPORTANT – Never leave a lit candle unsupervised, especially around animals.
Download Your Free Pumpkin Carving Templates
Click below on the template you want to download and watch the video to find out how to carve it!
Dog Pumpkin Template
Are you a dog lover and want to carve a gorgeous doggie into your pumpkin this year.
Click to download the Cat Pumpkin Carving Template
Cat Pumpkin Template
Are you a cat lover and want to carve a gorgeous kittie into your pumpkin this year.
Click to download the Dog Pumpkin Carving Template
