Draw jack-o'-lantern face with dry erase marker
Yet another pumpkin carving discovery! If you draw the jack-o'-lantern face onto the pumpkin with dry erase marker, you've got clear lines to cut AND you can wipe off the marks with a towel when you're finished!
More: Easy Halloween tips








Washable markers work for this, too!
Posted by: Pamela | 28 October 2009 at 11:01 AM
Make sure you get a pumpkin that's easy to carve. Yes there is a difference and I had no idea. I got a tall, nicely shaped deep orange pumpkin that was impossible to carve. Couldn't even use a pearing knife. Husband's round more yellow orange pumpkin carved like butter.
Posted by: Robyn | 28 October 2009 at 12:50 PM
You know -- those cheapie pumpkin carving tools you can pick up at the drugstore work so much better than any knife. Pick them up for 1/2 price the day after Halloween.
Posted by: Parent Hacks Editor | 28 October 2009 at 03:52 PM
We just used the Dry Erase Marker to pre-draw on our carving pumpkin. That was a great idea! They look better than they ever have...no sharpie lines! ;)
My knife set did a fantastic job on my pumpkins this year. The cheapie sets have never worked for me.
Posted by: Christy | 28 October 2009 at 04:30 PM
you make it sound so very easy I am sure there is some way I would manage to do something wrong!
Posted by: melissa | 28 October 2009 at 06:18 PM
if you forget and use a sharpie, you can use a magice eraser and it comes off easily also...also another tidbit, use a jigsaw and drimmell (have no idea how to spell that)...to cut the actual pumpkin.
Posted by: Tamara Cosby | 28 October 2009 at 07:33 PM
We used this hack last night! It works best if you draw your face AFTER you cut off the top and remove the guts.
Posted by: Judy B | 29 October 2009 at 07:35 AM
I just used a regular crayola marker and it worked similarly - wiped off with water (or pumpkin sludge). Hmm, I wonder if that was a washable marker?
Posted by: nonlineargirl | 29 October 2009 at 02:57 PM
I love this idea -- especially because I am such a messy pumpkin carver.
Posted by: Cecelia | 03 November 2009 at 02:08 PM
This worked great. My 3 year old was able to make his own pumpking. He drew the face with dry erase marker and I used his lines to cut it out. The cutest pumpkin ever
Posted by: rb | 05 November 2009 at 09:04 AM