How to Carve a Smiling Pumpking

This set of instructions explains how to carve a pumpkin that has a smiling face. Use caution when handling knives.

• Pumpkin
• Dry erase, washable, or permanent marker
      - Dry erase and washable markers are good to erase if you decide to change your design.
• Serrated knives
• Large metal spoon/scoop
• Newspaper or plastic table cloth
• Paper towels
• Bowl or trashcan
• Candle or flashlight, if you want to make a Jack-o-Lantern

Step 1:
• Cover your table in newspaper/table cloth, and place materials on top.
Step 2:
• Wipe off dirt with a wet paper towel, and then dry the pumpkin.

• Draw a circle – large enough for your arm and a scoop to fit through - around the stem of the pumpkin.
• Cut out the circle at an angle, so the lid will not fall.

• Cut off the insides that remain on the lid, and throw them in the bowl/trash.

• Scoop out the insides of the pumpkin with the spoon.
      - There should be no seeds or pumpkin strings left.

• Using the markers:
      - Draw two large triangles at the top of the pumpkin, close enough to each other for them to look like eyes.
      - Draw a smaller triangle in the middle of the pumpkin, in between the eyes.
      - Draw a smile towards the bottom of the pumpkin, adding teeth when wanted.

• Using the serrated knives:
      - Cut out each shape slowly.
• Cut larger shapes (like the smile) by cutting out small segments of the shape at a time.
• Carefully clean up the shapes, to make them look better.

• When you are finished, place the lid back on the pumpkin, stand back, and admire your work.
• If you would like to make your pumpkin a Jack-o-Lantern, add a candle or flashlight inside the pumpkin, and watch it glow.