Simple Pumpkin Carving Stencils

When it comes to Fall and Halloween, all I want to do is craft, create, and decorate. There are two huge stipulations, though. First, I don’t want to break the bank. Because who knows if we will want to keep it until next year or simply do it all over again. Also, who wants to spend when they don’t have to? The second proviso when I craft is that the endeavour has to be relatively simple. Somewhat time consuming is okay, but I don’t want to sweat and stress to get results – especially when I have little kids wanting to be involved. Two years ago, I came up with a VERY easy way to make my kids’ favourite characters into jack-o-lanterns. The added bonus? Aside from the pumpkin, you likely have everything you need to make these simple pumpkin carving stencils in your own home!

Make Your Kids’ Favourite Characters with these Simple Pumpkin Carving Stencils

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What you need

• Jumbo colouring book with your child’s favourite characters
• Tape
• Metal skewer
• Paring knife
• Chalk markers or tempera paint (optional)

What to do

1. Start off by having your child select a colouring page from one of their favourite books. We have successfully made Elsa’s face from Frozen, Marshall from Paw Patrol and a minion from Despicable Me. I highly recommend using jumbo colouring books. There are several examples at the end of this post. The reason is the features of the characters are so much bigger and they fit nicely onto an average sized pumpkin.    
2. Once selected, decide which aspects of the character you will be cutting out and which ones will be part of the pumpkin. This may require a bit of vision on your part. If you’re really unsure, skip this step and then decide after step 4.
3. Secure the image to the pumpkin. Using tape works well.
4. Using a metal skewer, trace all of the black lines on the colouring page. Basically, you’re punching the skewer into the pumpkin, removing it, and then moving it over a couple of millimetres and then puncturing it again. This is the most tedious step and might be best to do when eager kid-hands aren’t wanting to get involved.          
5. Cut out the punctured pieces. If you make a mistake, remember that a toothpick stuck into the broken piece and then fastened to the pumpkin can solve just about anything.
6. Invite the kids to help you colour the pumpkin. It will add a whole new dimension to your work and also lets them partake in the fun!

If you decide to put this simple pumpkin carving stencil to use a few days before Halloween, be sure to check out these tips son making your pumpkin last longer!