60 Free and Cheap Pumpkin Carving Stencils and Printable Patterns for the Perfect Jack-o'-lanters
From cute to creepy, these pumpkin carving patterns will take your jack-o’-lanterns to the next level.
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There are many fall activities we’re getting ready to enjoy, but nothing beats a good old pumpkin carving session. This iconic and nostalgic activity is one of the perfect ways to spend some time with family and friends, while securing Halloween decorations.
From simple patterns to more advanced, artistic options, there's a Halloween stencil for everyone. Classic Halloween themes, such as ghosts, witches, and owls, are a cute and safe choice. But you can also choose to change things up this year with Disney-inspired stencils and even a baby announcement stencil. No matter what vibe you're going for, you can scroll through this list to find the perfect design for you.
Trick or Treat
Give your pumpkin a timeless look with this classic Halloween saying: Trick or Treat.
Pumpkin-ception
Ironic, but cute. What screams "Halloween" more than a pumpkin on a pumpkin? This design is a perfect homage to the squash that gives us both fall recipes and decor.
Howling Wolf
No Halloween is complete without its supernatural creatures. Whether you want this to be a wolf or one of its mythical cousins, a werewolf, a howling wolf, with a glowing full moon in the background, is the perfect design for your pumpkin this Halloween.
Alien
"Strangeness" and "otherness" are also important parts of Halloween. Let's keep the holiday strange with this simple, but cute alien pumpkin carving.
Cute Ghost
Not all ghosts are scary. Add a cute touch to your pumpkin with this friendly ghost stencil.
Ghost Moon
Just imagine the glow of a candle behind this creepy ghostly moon design as it sits out on your porch on Halloween night.
Sad Heart Face
Pumpkins can be happy, scary and even sad, but with a matching pair of heart-shaped eyes, it's also oh-so cute.
Witch Hat
Bubble, bubble boil and trouble, this design will easily bewitch any trick-or-treaters.
Smiley Classic Face
When in doubt, go with a classic smiling jack-o'-lantern. It's a favorite design that people do year after year for a reason.
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Owl in the Moon
Put your skills to the test with this unique stencil of an owl on the moon that will look absolutely gourd-dous when the sun sets and it glows with a candle from inside.
Silly Face
Just because it's Halloween doesn't mean everything needs to be scary, and this stencil is perfect for those who want their pumpkins to be the perfect blend of scary and silly.
Grinning Face
Finally, a pumpkin with a face that matches ours as soon as we see the house that's giving out full-sized candy bars.
Bat
This design might look tricky, but it's actually quite doable, even if your carving skills are more beginner-level.
Crow Stencil
Fans of the Halloween horror The Crow might like paying homage to the cult classic with a matching pumpkin. Although this isn't necessarily a beginner-level carving, you'd be surprised how well you can achieve the creepy look yourself thanks to this easy-to-use stencil.
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Acorn Stencil
There will be a few squirrels a little disappointed to discover that this glowing acorn on your front porch is not, in fact, real. But it's still super cute, nonetheless!
Candle Stencil
If you're not the most skilled carver but want to try your hand at something a little trickier, then this stencil is perfect. The end result looks much cooler than a traditional jack-o'-lantern face.
Feather Stencil
Attention to detail is everything with this feather stencil. For something with this many tight edges, opt for a smaller, thinner knife to really nail the feather's border. If you find that you can't quite get them right, feel free to freestyle it a bit.
Flames Stencil
Want a one-of-a-kind decorating idea? Use this stencil on a bunch of pumpkins, pop some candles inside, then line your driveway or walkway with them so trick-or-treaters have a lit path straight to your candy. Not only will it look absolutely spooktacular, but it'll make your holiday decor stand out from the rest of the block.
Flower Stencil
This is what you would call a bold design but easy enough for carving newbies. If you really want to make a statement, create a "bouquet" of porch pumpkins by using the stencil on a variety of pumpkins of varying sizes.
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.
Rosamelia is an Editorial Intern at Good Housekeeping. She's also a graduate student in NYU's Magazine and Digital Storytelling program. In her free time, you can find her reading and reviewing books on her bookstagram: amelias_biblioteca.
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