Win the pumpkin carving contest this year by recreating one of our creative and fun jack o lantern ideas! Whether you are a pro at carving pumpkins or this is your first time ever creating your very own jack o lantern, we have different ideas that will inspire you. From scary jack o lantern ideas to easy jack o lantern ideas, we will show you everything you need to know to get started.
As someone who takes their pumpkin carving contests very seriously, I am always looking ahead of time for fun and unique ideas that no one else will think of. Every year, my family and I carve out pumpkins and then post on our social media to see which pumpkin gets the most votes. So this year I am determined to take the winning spot by finding the most unique and funny jack o lantern idea that will stand out from the rest. I am here to share with you the best ideas that I have found on Pinterest so that you too can have an amazing design for your pumpkin.
In this blog post, we will show you fun and unique jack o lantern ideas you need to know about. Whether you are looking for a design idea that your kids will love or want a cute jack o lantern to decorate your front porch with, we will show you ideas you can easily recreate. So get your carving tools ready because the perfect pumpkin is waiting for you!
This blog post is all about jack o lantern ideas.
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Jack O Lantern Tips
- Choose a pumpkin that has a flat bottom and is firm so that it lasts long and can withstand carving.
- The best way to add a glow is using LED tea lights or battery-operated candles. If you are using a real flame make sure to create a chimney for ventilation.
- You can actually apply petroleum jelly or vegetable oil around the openings to lock in the moisture and help preserve you pumpkin.
What do you need to make a jack o lantern?
Here are some of the supplies you need before making your jack o lantern:
- Pumpkins
- Pumpkin Carving Kit
- Large Spoon to scoop the inside of your pumpkin out (or just use your hands)
- Stencils
- Pencil or pen
- Lighting
How to carve a pumpkin like a pro
Jack O Lantern Ideas 2025
Now, let’s explore the best jack o lantern ideas that we have found on Pinterest!
1. Creative Jack O Lantern Ideas
This one of a kind jack o lantern idea is unique, alittle edgy and easy to do! To start, draw a scary face on your pumpkin and carve it out. Then, poke holes around the edges of the eyes and mouth of your pumpkin. Lastly, clean the inside of your pumpkin and take some string to weave through the holes to create this spooky effect.
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2. Easy Jack O Lantern Ideas
Making a jack o lantern can be frustrating especially if it is your first time or you don’t have the proper carving tools. If that’s the case, keep things simple by drawing three ovals as eyes and a mouth for your pumpkin and carve them out. Then, make two tear drop holes as the pumpkins nose and that’s it. For this look you don’t have to clean the inside of your pumpkin completely because it is meant to look alittle messy.
3. Jack O Lantern Idea Cat
Steal everyones heart with this cute and easy to make cat jack o lantern idea! All you need to do is carve out two triangles for the eyes, an upside down triangle nose, and a mouth with some spooky teeth. Be sure to save the triangles that are leftover from the eyes to secure them on top of your pumpkin as your kitty cat’s ears.
TIP: Soak your pumpkin in a bleach bath (1 tablespoon bleach per gallon of water) for about 2–4 hours to help kill bacteria and mold spores that can cause early rotting.
4. Scary Jack O Lantern Idea
Give you trick or treaters alitte spook by recreating this scary jack o lantern idea! To copy this look, start by carving out of pumpkin with a crooked mouth. Then, stick an old pair of jeans in the pumpkins mouth and stuff the pants with some stuffing to look just like a leg. Complete the look with some shoes, socks, and a little fake blood around the pumpkins mouth.
5. Funny Jack O Lantern Idea
How funny and adorable is this jack o lantern idea! With some metal can tabs and a silver chain, you can make braces for your cute pumpkin.
6. Unique Jack O Lantern
If you want to make a jack o lantern that stands out from the rest, then this cutie will do just the trick! To copy this idea you must find a tall and wide pumpkin and carve out a large mouth and two holes for the eyes near the top of it. Then stick two carrots in the holes and carve a hole in two smaller pumpkins to create the eye balls.
7. DIY Smoking Jack O Lantern
Make your jack o lantern have a spooky and different element by inserting a small fog machine inside or behind it. You can even have some fun with it by adding a red light or strobe light inside of it to really make it stand out.
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8. Funny Jack O Lantern Idea For Adults
This creative and super funny jack o lantern will have all of the adults chuckling! Recreate this look for your grandparents or the senior citizens in your life! All you need is a cup filled with water, false teeth and a toothless pumpkin with two buttons as eyes.
9. Jack O Lantern Idea For Adults
How funny is this jack o lantern display with the top pumpkin getting sick on the other one’s head! This is the perfect jack o lantern idea for your front porch steps or a bench on your porch that will greet your trick or treaters on Halloween night. Both the kids and the adults will get a laugh from this setup.
10. Jack O Lantern Ideas For Kids
Create a magical fairy jack o lantern for your kiddos to let their imaginations run wild. Make the fairy jack o lantern extra special by adding twinkle lights inside of it or even some colored battery operated lights.
11. Clever Jack O Lantern Idea
Make a jack o lantern that is different from the rest by creating a jail cell out of your pumpkin. Start by carving out some bars and cleaning out your pumpkin. Then, insert a smaller jack o lantern inside of your pumpkin to make it look like it is in prison and lastly don’t forget the light.
12. Jack O Lantern Ideas For Beginners
If this is the first time you are carving a pumpkin to create your very own jack o lantern, using a stencil may help make the process easier and quicker. Stencils with your favorite animals like this dinosaur can really make your pumpkin look like you put in alot of effort in the design when in fact you just had to carve out your lines.
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13. Cute Jack O Lantern Idea
There is nothing cuter than a friendly ghost so why not carve it into your jack o lantern to add a touch of cuteness to your home! Take your pumpkin up a notch by painting the ghost part of your pumpkin white!
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14. Jack O Lantern Ideas Easy For Kids
It is hard to get teenage and pre teen boys excited about anything these days but a Minecraft pumpkin might do just the trick. This Minecraft inspired pumpkin is a great jack o lantern idea for beginners because it doesn’t have to be so perfect, the more imperfections the better!
15. Painted Jack O Lantern Idea
To really transform your pumpkin into a character, sometimes you need a little paint to bring the look together. Painting in most cases is easier than carving out a pumpkin if you have smaller, detailed designs to do.
TIP: We suggest using acrylic paint for your pumpkin because it dries quickly and sticks well to the pumpkin.
16. Minion Jack O Lantern
A popular jack o lantern idea for 2025 and really the past few years is a Minion pumpkin. You can even make a family of minions that look different to make your front porch stand out.
17. Plastic Jack O Lantern
Jack o lanterns don’t have to necessarily be made from real pumpkins, you can actually take a plastic pumpkin from the dollar store to create the same look for a fraction of the price. Keep things simple by carving out the plastic pumpkin’s eyes, nose, and mouth or get creative and carve out more than that. Complete the look with a led light inside so it can shine all night.
This blog post was all about jack o lantern ideas.
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