Carved pumpkins, or jack-o’-lanterns, are the heart of Halloween decor, bringing spooky charm to porches, windows, and parties. In 2025, simple pumpkin carving ideas are trending for their ease and accessibility, perfect for beginners, kids, or anyone short on time. These designs use basic tools and minimal skills to create festive, eye-catching results. Drawing from trends on platforms like Better Homes & Gardens, The Spruce, and Pinterest, we’ve curated 10 simple Halloween carved pumpkin ideas that are budget-friendly ($5-$20 per pumpkin), quick (15-30 minutes), and ideal for all ages. Inspired by sources like Country Living and Allrecipes, these ideas use affordable pumpkins and tools from Walmart or Michaels. Let’s dive into these easy carved pumpkin ideas to light up your Halloween on September 24, 2025!

1. Classic Smiling Jack-O’-Lantern

This may contain: two carved pumpkins sitting in the grass at night

Inspired by Better Homes & Gardens, a traditional happy face is timeless.

How to Create: Cut a lid, scoop out insides, and carve a triangle nose, eyes, and a wide, toothy grin. Place a tea light inside.
Why It’s Simple: Basic shapes require only a knife and spoon.
Prep Time: 15 minutes. Cost: $5-$10. Where to Shop: Walmart, local farms.

2. Starry Night Pumpkin

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From Pinterest, a star-patterned pumpkin glows with charm.

How to Create: Carve small star shapes across the pumpkin using a cookie cutter as a guide. Insert an LED candle for sparkle.
Why It’s Simple: Stars are easy to trace and cut, perfect for beginners.
Prep Time: 20 minutes. Cost: $5-$12. Where to Shop: Michaels, Amazon.

3. Ghostly Silhouette Pumpkin

This contains: Floating Ghosts! Simple Pumpkin Carving Ideas for a Spooktacular Display

Inspired by The Spruce, a single ghost shape creates a spooky effect.

How to Create: Draw a simple ghost outline, carve it out, and scrape the inner pumpkin skin to thin it for a glowing silhouette.
Why It’s Simple: One large shape minimizes carving time.
Prep Time: 15 minutes. Cost: $5-$10. Where to Shop: Walmart, Target.

4. Polka Dot Pumpkin

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From Country Living, polka dots add a playful, modern twist.

How to Create: Use a drill or melon baller to carve small, evenly spaced holes in a random pattern. Add a candle inside.
Why It’s Simple: No intricate carving; just scoop out dots.
Prep Time: 20 minutes. Cost: $5-$12. Where to Shop: Home Depot, Amazon.

5. Crescent Moon Pumpkin

This may contain: two pumpkins with faces carved into them and some cookie cutters next to them

Inspired by Allrecipes, a crescent moon design is elegant and easy.

How to Create: Carve a large crescent moon shape on one side, scrape the surrounding area thin for a glowing effect.
Why It’s Simple: One bold shape is quick to cut and striking.
Prep Time: 15 minutes. Cost: $5-$10. Where to Shop: Walmart, Michaels.

6. Heart-Eyed Jack-O’-Lantern

This contains: Pumpkin carving idea

From Pinterest, a romantic jack-o’-lantern with heart-shaped eyes.

How to Create: Carve heart-shaped eyes and a small smile using a knife or heart cookie cutter. Insert an LED light.
Why It’s Simple: Hearts are easy to trace and add a cute vibe.
Prep Time: 15 minutes. Cost: $5-$10. Where to Shop: Target, Amazon.

7. Spider Web Pumpkin

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Inspired by Better Homes & Gardens, a simple web design adds creepy flair.

How to Create: Carve a basic web pattern with straight lines radiating from a center point. Add a plastic spider for effect.
Why It’s Simple: Straight lines are easy to cut, no curves needed.
Prep Time: 20 minutes. Cost: $6-$12. Where to Shop: Michaels, Dollar Tree.

8. Triangle Geometric Pumpkin

This may contain: a lit pumpkin sitting on top of a table next to a book and glass cup

From The Spruce, a geometric design with triangles is modern and quick.

How to Create: Carve various-sized triangles in a scattered pattern, using a ruler for clean edges. Place a tea light inside.
Why It’s Simple: Triangles are straightforward and forgiving for beginners.
Prep Time: 20 minutes. Cost: $5-$10. Where to Shop: Walmart, Amazon.

9. Winking Jack-O’-Lantern

This may contain: a carved pumpkin sitting on the ground with its eyes open and glowing in the dark

Inspired by Country Living, a winking face adds personality.

How to Create: Carve one closed eye (curved line), one open eye (triangle), and a small smirk. Add an LED candle.
Why It’s Simple: Minimal shapes create a fun, quirky look.
Prep Time: 15 minutes. Cost: $5-$10. Where to Shop: Target, Michaels.

10. Cat Silhouette Pumpkin

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From Allrecipes, a simple cat shape is perfect for animal lovers.

How to Create: Trace a cat silhouette (head with ears), carve it out, and thin the surrounding area for a glowing backdrop.
Why It’s Simple: One bold shape is easy to cut and spooky-cute.
Prep Time: 20 minutes. Cost: $5-$12. Where to Shop: Walmart, Amazon.

Conclusion: Light Up Your Halloween with Simple Pumpkins

These 10 simple Halloween carved pumpkin ideas for 2025, from classic jack-o’-lanterns to starry night designs, bring spooky fun to your decor with minimal effort. Budget-friendly and beginner-friendly, they’re perfect for any Halloween setup. Ready to carve? Shop pumpkins and tools at Walmart, Michaels, or local farms, browse Pinterest for stencils, or start carving now. Don’t wait—create your spooky jack-o’-lanterns today and make your 2025 Halloween glow!