Halloween pumpkin carving made easy! Learn how to use cookie cutters to create festive jack-o-lanterns with this easy tutorial.

Cookie Cutter Jack-O-Lanterns

One of my favorite things about the fall season is decorating, and nothing says Halloween like jack-o lanterns!

However, the traditional method of carving a Halloween pumpkin is not always very easy. I find it very tricky to handle the knife and make curved cut-outs.

So when I saw this new trick to carve pumpkins with cookie cutters, I had to give it a try! We found some of our favorite cookie cutters and also bought a new set that is themed for Dia de los Muertos.

To “carve” a pumpkin with cookie cutters, all you have to do is place the cookie cutter on the outside of the pumpkin and thump it with a rubber mallet until the cookie cutter does its thing and makes a cut-out in the pumpkin. No tracing designs, no worrying about the knife slipping. This was a winner!

The first pumpkin took me the longest, since I was figuring out the technique. But after that, I found it to be pretty easy. And they turned out super cute! I love how clean the cutouts look when illuminated!

jack-o-lantern with unicorn and rainbow cut-outs.

Supplies Needed

Note: I’ve provided shop-able links to some of the tools used in this post; read disclosure policy here.

Pumpkin (insides removed)
Pumpkin Carving Kit (this one comes with everything you need from this project, including Halloween themed cookie cutters, but at the very least you’ll want a tool for scooping out the inside of the pumpkin)
Needle-nose Pliers (just in case you need them to pull the cookie cutters out of the pumpkin)
Metal Cookie Cutters
Rubber Mallet
Tea Lights (we used LED tea lights, as real candles can pose a fire risk)

Instructions (How to Carve a Pumpkin with Cookie Cutters)

To Prep: Cut off the top and stem of the pumpkin and scoop out the “pumpkin guts” or pulp. Make sure to keep the pumpkin lid so you can put it back on later when you display your jack-o-lanterns!

Place the pumpkin on flat workspace and place a cookie cutter on the flattest side of the pumpkin.
Use the mallet to press the cookie cutter into the pumpkin. Start slowly and work your way around the cookie cutter until it breaks through to the inside of the pumpkin.
Grab the cookie cutter with your hands or pliers and wiggle it until you are able to remove it from the pumpkin.
If needed, press the cut-out piece of pumpkin inside, where you can remove it. Now you can wash and dry the pumpkin and it’s ready to light up!

4 step photo collage showing how to carve a pumpkin with cookie cutters and a rubber mallet.

Video Demo:

Prep Tips

Cookie Cutters – Use metal cookie cutters, as plastic is likely to break. Look for the sturdiest cookie cutters you can find, so they will keep their shape. You will also want to look for cookie cutters that are at least an inch thick, so they will cut all the way through the pumpkin.
Make Your Pumpkin Last Longer – I wash all of my pumpkins, carved and un-carved, in a vinegar bath so they will last longer. I do not use bleach, as it is harmful to wildlife (and I always put my pumpkins in our compost pile when the season is over). I created a full post with step-by-step directions to preserve decorative pumpkins here.
Safety Tips – While older kids could probably help make the cut-outs, you definitely want to supervise. Younger kids can help wash and dry the pumpkins, pick out the cookie cutters, and put the tea lights inside when the jack-o-lanterns are ready.

display of jack-o-lanterns carved with cookie cutters.

More Halloween DIY Ideas

Halloween Potion Bottles (with printable labels)
Halloween Sensory Bottles (3 Designs)
Mickey & Minnie Mouse Pumpkins
Mix-N-Match Halloween Magnets Boredom Buster Activity
No-Sew Toilet Paper Pumpkins

Printable Directions

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