Video:Make a Jack-O-Lantern With a Pumpkin Stencil

Transcript:Make a Jack-O-Lantern With a Pumpkin Stencil

Hi I'm Bonnie Zaiss for About.com.

Create a Template for the Pumpkin Stencil

Be creative with your Halloween jack-o-lantern with these fun pumpkin templates. Some are scary and some are silly. About.com offers a variety stencils. Check them out at this web address: http://familycrafts.about.com/od/pumpkincarving/ig/Pumpkin-Carving-Patterns/.

You can print them from your home computer or, copy and save the templates and take them to your local print shop. We had a print shop print these out on heavy card stock paper.

Use Pumpkin Stencils for Drawing Jack-o-Lanterns

You can use these stencils for carving or drawing. For little ones, drawing is safer and just as fun. Consider your child's taste and age when selecting one of the stencils. We'll start off with a simple design like this traditional pumpkin mask.

Take your stencil and cut out the, eyes, nose, mouth and any other details of the stencil. Make sure your pumpkin is clean and dry and sitting on a stable table. Masking tape is best for adhering the mask to the pumpkin. Add tape all the way around the template and be sure it's secure. Use a thin marker to trace the inside of each detail.

Decorate the Jack-o-Lanterns Based on the Pumpkin Stencil

Then use paint or markers to color in the features. Gently remove the template and masking tape. Black permanent markers work well but black acrylic paint is the best. Be creative and add some fun embellishments to make your pumpkin unique.

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