Disclaimer

Holiday Craftly shares craft ideas and estimates, and adults should do the cutting, so please treat the times and difficulty levels as a guide and use your own judgment with tools, flames and food. Read what we tested and what we did not before you plan a project around them.

Estimates, not promises

The difficulty level and time come from a simple formula for a first-time carver: each shape has a score, eyes count twice, and the time is 15 minutes plus 5 minutes per point. Your pumpkin, tools and skill will change the real time.

What we tested, and what we did not

We checked all 175 stencil combinations against the formula in Chrome and the print view for one page, with no differences. We did not test your pumpkin, your tools, every browser and printer, or crafts for other holidays.

How long a carved pumpkin lasts

That depends on the weather. Guides we read give roughly three to ten days, say cool air helps and suggest carving within about a week of Halloween, closer to the day in warm weather. Throw the pumpkin out when it goes soft.

Safety

Use an LED light instead of an open flame, keep a lit candle away from anything that burns and never leave it unattended. See also the terms of use, and use the contact page if something looks wrong.

Frequently asked questions

Is the time estimate exact?

No. It is a guide for a first-time carver.

Can children carve?

They can draw and scoop; an adult should cut.

Where do I report a mistake?

Use the contact page.

Return to Holiday Craftly or read how we work.