Halloween is my favorite time of year and nothing sets the mood better than a Jack Skellington pumpkin glowing on the porch. If you’re a fan of The Nightmare Before Christmas like we are, you’ll love these simple and fun Jack Skellington pumpkin carving ideas. Don’t worry if you’re not a carving pro—these ideas are beginner-friendly and perfect for a family pumpkin night.

1. Classic Jack Skellington Face

If you’re looking for the easiest way to get started, go with Jack’s classic smile.

  • Draw two big round eyes, two tiny nostrils, and his long stitched grin.
  • Use a black Sharpie to sketch it out first so you don’t make mistakes.
  • When you carve, take your time around the mouth—it’s what gives Jack his spooky charm.

Pro Tip: If you don’t want to carve at all, just paint the face on with black acrylic paint. It looks just as good and lasts longer.

jack skellington pumpkin

2. Glow-in-the-Dark Jack Skellington

Want to make your pumpkin stand out at night? Use glow-in-the-dark paint for Jack’s face.

  • Carve the eyes and mouth like normal but leave the rest of the pumpkin solid.
  • Paint around the carved areas with glow paint so Jack’s features shine even brighter.
  • Add a battery-powered tea light inside for the perfect eerie glow.

This one is super fun for kids to help with and looks amazing on your front porch.

3. Stencil Jack for Perfect Details

If freehand carving sounds scary, don’t stress! Grab a Jack Skellington pumpkin carving stencil.

  • Print out a free Jack face template online.
  • Tape it to your pumpkin and use a pin or thumbtack to poke tiny holes along the design.
  • Remove the paper and follow the dotted lines with your carving tool.

This trick gives you that professional look without the stress of drawing it yourself.

jack skellington pumpkin carving

4. Painted Jack with Carved Eyes

This one is my favorite because it’s a mix of carving and painting.

  • Paint your entire pumpkin white to match Jack’s pale face.
  • Paint on his stitched smile and nose, but carve out just the big round eyes.
  • Add a bright LED candle inside so his eyes glow at night.

It’s less work than carving the whole face but still gives you that spooky Jack vibe.

5. Jack and Zero Duo Pumpkins

Why stop at one pumpkin? Create a Jack and Zero display!

  • Carve Jack’s face on one pumpkin and Zero’s ghostly outline on a smaller one.
  • Place them side by side on your porch to create a cute little scene.
  • Use a small battery-powered light for Zero’s pumpkin to make his “nose” glow.

This idea is perfect if you want something unique that stands out from your neighbors’ pumpkins.

nightmare before christmas pumpkin

Pumpkin Carving Ideas

These Jack Skellington pumpkin carving ideas are fun, easy, and perfect for Halloween. Whether you carve, paint, or mix both, you’ll end up with a spooky decoration that everyone will love. My kids get so excited every year when we bring Jack to life on our porch, and it always gets compliments from trick-or-treaters.

So grab your pumpkins, your carving tools, and a cup of hot cider—it’s time to make some Halloween magic.