How to carve a 'spooky jail' pumpkin for Halloween

Why not spook up your pumpkin this Halloween with this easy-to-make prison for creaky skeletons and creepy creatures? Here's how to do it, step by simple step...

spooky jail pumpkin

Published: October 15, 2024 at 2:50 PM

Save

Looking for an alternative to the traditional Jack O'Lantern Halloween pumpkin design? We've found one that's incredible simple to make and ticks all the right scary-mary boxes.

Ad

We've created a simple step-by-step picture guide to follow, using photos taken by Claire Angel-Hamilton from our amazing MadeForMums Top Testers Club (and pumpkin scooping demonstrated by Claire's daughter Bella).

Looking for easy pumpkin carving and decorating ideas that are simple but effective for your pumpkin this Halloween? Discover our Top Testers' community for the best pumpkins they've carved or decorated with their children.

Nothing says Halloween like a pumpkin – and what child doesn't look scarily cute in a pumpkin Halloween costume? Discover our How to face paint a pumpkin for Halloween step by step guide.

Top tip: Even if you like to prep ahead, rein yourself in on the carving front until a day or so before. Once they're chopped into, pumpkins tend to collapse in on themselves and go mouldy after 2 or 3 days.

How to carve a 'spooky jail' Halloween pumpkin, step by step

You will need:

Step 1

jail outline for pumpkin carving

Place your pumpkin on a hard surface and, using the pen, either free-hand or with a stencil, draw a rectangle shape that is just slightly smaller in height than your cocktail sticks.

Step 2

pumpkin3

Draw a circle around the stalk on top of the pumpkin, ready for cutting.

Step 3

pumpkin4

Use a sharp-pointed knife, or the piercing tool from a pumpkin carving kit, to pierce a hole at one point on the circle you've drawn around the pumpkin top. Then, put your short-handled, serrated knife, or the carving tool from the kit, into the pierced hole and start to cut around the line. Aim not to cut straight down but slightly angled towards the centre, creating a bowl-shaped hole (this can be a little tricky at first, so it's best done by an adult or under strict adult supervision).

Step 4

pumpkin6

Once you've cut around the top, remove the lid and scoop out all the seeds and fibre with a spoon or the scoop from your kit. Then scoop out some (or all) of the flesh. Don't forget to remove any seeds, fibre and flesh from the lid, too. You can use this to make our Spooky pumpkin soup and/or Annabel Karmel's pumpkin muffins.

Step 5

jail3

Now, using the knife with a serrated edge, or the cutting tool from your kit, cut into your pumpkin where your 'jail' outline is marked with a gentle back-and-forth motion. Cut around the 'jail' shape by drawing the knife back and forth and maintaining a steady downward pressure. For safety, always cut with the blade facing away from you.

Step 6

jail1

Use a damp cloth to wipe off any pen marks or pumpkin-flesh bits. Place your Halloween toys into the pumpkin and then push the cocktail sticks evenly into the pumpkin flesh on the top and bottom of your 'jail' opening to make a little prison. Pop in your tea light and then put the lid back on.

Pics: Claire-Angel Hamilton

Ad

Read more:

Authors

Tara BreathnachContent Editor and Social Media Producer

Tara is mum to 1 daughter and worked as a Content Editor at MadeForMums from 2015 to 2021.

Ad

Ad

Loading...

Ad

Loading...