Spooky season is upon us, bringing with it autumn activities like haunted houses, Halloween movie marathons, and funny pumpkin carving. My favorite part of fall is the way it turns everything warm and cozy, giving me an excuse to spend time doing festive autumn activities with my friends and family.

One autumn activity that I want to master is pumpkin carving. I always see cool pumpkin ideas on social media, but I feel too intimidated to try them myself. Then I realized that Rome wasn’t built in a day, and I had to start by learning the basics. If you’ve felt the same, you’re not alone. Let’s talk about our top pumpkin carving ideas for beginners. 

Pumpkin Carving Ideas for Beginners: Our Top 5 Tricks (and Treats)

Pumpkin carving has the potential to be the most fun or the most frustrating autumn activity. The difference comes down to how you prepare. Follow along to learn how to choose the right tools, pick the right pumpkin, and much more this Halloween season.

^{Skip the hassle by investing in a pumpkin carving kit that has everything you need.}

Trick (and Treat) #1: Stock Up On Pumpkin Carving Tools

If you follow only one of our tips, have it be this one. In previous years, I approached pumpkin carving with nothing but a kitchen knife and a prayer, and the results were never instagram-worthy. It can be hard to know where to start, so let’s talk about our top pumpkin carving tools for beginners. 

• A knife: When choosing the right pumpkin carving knife, we suggest sticking to something small enough to carve intricate patterns with a serrated edge that can saw through tough pumpkin skin. 

• A scoop: Sure, you could scoop out the pumpkin guts with your hands, but that seems like a lot. Instead, we recommend investing in a cookie scoop for removing those yucky pumpkin guts. 

• Accessories: While not absolutely essential, accessories like an apple corer, a peeler, and cookie cutters are great for punching small holes, shaving your pumpkin’s skin, and creating fun shapes. 

• Pumpkin carving kit: You can always skip the hassle by investing in a quality pumpkin carving kit. Most kits come with a serrated scoop for removing the guts and thinning the pumpkin, a serrated knife for cutting out patterns, and an etching tool for adding patterns to your pumpkin’s skin.

Trick (and Treat) #2: Choose The Right Pumpkin

Another thing that can greatly impact the success of your carving session is the quality of the pumpkin you choose. When shopping for the right pumpkin, you’ll want to steer clear of anything that’s too small or dense to properly hollow out, especially as a beginner. We suggest looking for pumpkins with the following qualities:

• Size: Medium/large
• Skin: Smooth and firm, without rough, lumpy, or watery texture
• Shape: Round or oval with a flat base
• Color: Consistent and bright orange
• Stem: Firm and sturdy

Trick (and Treat) #3: Stick to Simple Shapes and Classic Faces

As a beginner, it’s important to keep things simple as you build up your skills and confidence. The time for intricate patterns and complex characters will come, but for now let’s stick to geometric shapes, like squares and triangles. 

Trick (and Treat) #4: Choose The Right Lighting

After you’ve carved your pumpkin, you’ll likely want to display it. There’s nothing quite like the flickering glow of a lit Jack O’ Lantern, but the lighting you choose can affect the lifespan of your pumpkin. Here are some pros and cons for each type of lighting:

^{You can roast your pumpkin seeds in the oven on a baking sheet, a cast iron skillet on the stove, or even in a baking dish.}

Trick (and Treat) #5: Try Making Oven Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Have you ever wondered what to do with all of those yucky pumpkin guts? It might surprise you that they can be easily turned into a delicious, nutrient-rich snack or topping. Check out our simple recipe for oven roasted pumpkin seeds. 

Oven Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Get Spooky With Blackstone’s

Spooky season is in full swing here at Blackstone’s of Beacon Hill. Our Boston shop is packed full of Halloween-themed kitchenware, home decor, and gifts. Check out our website to shop online or come by our Beacon Hill store to chat with our staff about ways to get the most out of the Halloween season. Don’t forget to tag @blackstonesboston on Instagram with any of your autumn activities or pumpkin carving ideas for beginners!