Trick-or-Treat Pumpkin Stencil to Carve With Your Kids

Kids will love to help with this fun, seasonal project; just assign tasks based on age and skill level. Little children can help by using an ice cream scoop (or their hands!) to scrape out messy seeds and pulp; expect a few fun-loving squeals during this process. Older kids may be ready to assist with the pin tool stencil outline or adult-supervised carving. Remember to reserve pumpkin seeds for toasting and eating together.

To carve:

1. Flip your pumpkin over to access its underside, and cut a hole in the bottom of the pumpkin. Remove the cut-out bottom, prying it out with a knife if necessary. Scoop out the pumpkin guts with an ice cream scoop. Select the prettiest side of your pumpkin, and scrape that side's interior wall to a thickness of approximately 1".

2. Print out your trick-or-treat stencil pattern, and tape it to the side of your pumpkin. Smooth out the pattern as best you can, and go over the stencil lines with a pin tool, poking holes about 1/8" apart. When you've outlined your pattern completely, remove the stencil.

3. Using a skinny, serrated knife, follow the pinhole outlines to cut the openings that form your design. Press on carved sections from inside the pumpkin to nudge the pieces out.

4. Light your finished pumpkin with a flameless candle.