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Here are some tips to creating a Jack-o-lantern masterpiece:
Draw your design on the pumpkin with a water-based marker beforehand. Erase mistakes with a damp sponge.
Next, cut the top and any large areas with a sharp, straight-edged knife. A dull blade is not safe;serrated metal saws, now widely available in carving kits, are a safer alternative to knives and allow younger children to get in on the action.
Carve away from yourself; kids should carve only under adult supervision. Never hold the knife in a stabbing position. When carving, keep a portion of the knife blade in the pumpkin and use slow, steady saw strokes.
Cut the lid at an angle so the outside diameter is larger than the inside.This prevents the top from falling into the pumpkin when it shrinks. Scoop out seeds and stringy flesh with a large spoon or ice cream scooper.
Carve the facial features closest to the center first and work outward. Cut out the larger features in sections. If you accidentally cut too much, re-attach a section by using a toothpick to pin it back in place.
To prolong the life of the jack-o'-lantern, seal in moisture by coating all cut surfaces with petroleum jelly or vegetable oil, or cover it with a damp towel when not on display.
Consider giving smaller children stickers, tempera paint, or markers to decorate their own pumpkins.
The Crucial Part: the Design It looks so easy, but carving a really creative design is harder than you might think. The way most "professionals" do it is by using a pattern or template. They draw an imaginative design, and then move it over to the pumpkin.
There are two ways to transfer your design onto the pumpkin. One is to copy it freehand onto a clean, dry pumpkin with a water-based marker. The other is to tape your pattern or template to the pumpkin, then score the design into the skin by poking holes through the pattern with a nail or plastic poking tool (available in some pumpkin-carving kits).
Oven-Roasted Pumpkin Seeds—Jack-o-lantern leftovers! Rinse pumpkin seeds. Use your fingers to remove all the pulp. Drain pumpkin seeds and discard pulp. Spread out on paper towels on a cookie sheet to dry overnight.
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