How to Carve a Fantastic Pumpkin!

Every year you see those cute and decorative pumpkins that your friends and neighbors have carved for their families at Halloween. You say every year that you are going to learn to carve a pumpkin...but every year you never do. Why? Learning to carve a pumpkin is simple and easy. We have put together these simple steps to help you add yourself to the list of people who can carve a pumpkin that is both cute and decorative to put out on display for their families.

Supplies Needed:

Pumpkin

Stencil for pattern transfer (or)

Marker for drawing a pattern

Pumpkin carving knife set

Candle

Large kitchen spoon

Large kitchen knife

Paper towels

Trashcan

Step 1

To begin to carve a pumpkin, spread paper towels on the surface you have selected to carve your pumpkin. Draw a circle around the top portion of your pumpkin. Once removed, this will be the opening of your pumpkin so be sure to make the circle wide enough to fit your hand through.

Step 2

Use your large kitchen knife to "trace" your circle marking. Be sure to slice through the pumpkin top, but do not slice deep enough to cut through the base of the pumpkin. To carve a pumpkin successfully, you don't want to have extra slices.

After the top or lid of your pumpkin has been cut free, clean off any pumpkin pieces. You want your lid to be clean and smooth.

Step 3

Place the trashcan next to the area you have selected to carve a pumpkin. Bring in the kids and explain that while you are attempting to carve a pumpkin, it is their job to scoop out the "guts". They will enjoy this "hands on time" also, with the mess; you can enjoy not getting your hands all icky with the "guts". While most of the removal can be done with your (or their) hands, use a large kitchen spoon to remove all traces of the interior pumpkin. Once everything has been removed, wash and dry the exterior of the pumpkin.

Step 4

Choose the pattern you want to use or draw the face you want on your pumpkin. When using either a pattern or drawing your own, make sure that the face of your pumpkin will be large enough once you have cut out the necessary pieces. You want to be able to carve a pumpkin to put out on display, not take directly to the trash bin for garbage collection day.

Step 5

Using the pumpkin carving knife set you purchased to carve a pumpkin, begin slicing along your pattern/drawing lines to remove the pieces. Take your time and make clean even slices to ensure that your pumpkin will look its best.

Step 6

After you have carved through your entire pattern/drawing, push the pieces you have cut for removal out gently from the inside of the pumpkin. Throw these pieces away.

Step 7

Using a clean wet hand towel, wash off the exterior of the pumpkin.

Step 8

Place a candle in the center of the pumpkin and put on the lid. Place your pumpkin in an area to be admired by all. This is the final step to carve a pumpkin.

That's it! That's all there is to it. These 8 simple steps are all that were standing between you and learning to carve a pumpkin. Now your friends and neighbors can admire your cute and decorative pumpkin on display.