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Add a slice of Cornell to your spooky stoop

Happy Halloween! These Cornell-themed pumpkin carving stencils are for Cornellians of all ages to download. Just print and carve! Detailed instructions are on page 2 of each download.

Want to show off your pumpkin carving skills? 🎃

Share a photo of your creation on social media with the hashtag #CornellPumpkin. Happy carving!

Pick your stencil

  • bear paw pumpkin stencil
    Bear paw

    Get your claws on some tricks and treats this Halloween!
    (pdf, 565 KB)

    Download
  • Big Red pumpkin stencil with bats
    Big Red

    Share your Big Red spirit 👻... but make it spooky.
    (pdf, 567 KB)

    Download
  • web pumpkin stencil
    Spider web

    Celebrate Halloween with a pumpkin stencil inspired by Charlotte's Web, by E.B. White, Class of 1921.
    (pdf, 565 KB)

    Download
  • Cornell pumpkin
    Cornell lettering

    We think Touchdown took a swipe at this one...
    (pdf, 429 KB)

    Download
  • Cornell C pumpkin carving stencil
    Cornell "C"

    A straightforward "C" will show your Cornell pride.
    (pdf, 493 KB)

    Download
  • Tower pumpkin carving stencil
    Moonlit McGraw Tower

    Instead of a pumpkin on the tower, here's a tower to put on your pumpkin.
    (pdf, 494 KB)

    Download
  • Bear pumpkin carving stencil
    Snarling Touchdown

    For our skilled pumpkin carvers, Touchdown is a challenging choice.
    (pdf, 497 KB)

    Download
  • sun dial pumpkin stencil
    Sundial

    The sundial on the Engineering Quad isn't just a beloved campus fixture—it's one of the most accurate instruments of its kind on the planet.
    (pdf, 353 KB)

    Download

Pumpkin carving tips

  • Carve out the bottom

    It's custom to cut a hole at the top of your pumpkin before cleaning out the guts and carving it. Wait! Removing the stem of any fruit or vegetable will cut its life short. Your pumpkin will keep fresh much longer if you cut the bottom or back of the pumpkin. Not only does this keep the stem intact, but moisture also can’t collect on the bottom causing a quicker rot.

  • Clean your pumpkin

    Use a large spoon or ice cream scoop to remove the guts and seeds. Scrape the sides to remove as much of the soft walls of the pumpkin as possible. Then, clean the inside with a solution of 1-tablespoon bleach and 1-quart water. Bleach kills bacteria helping to stave off mold and rot.

  • Let your pumpkin dry out

    Cleaning your pumpkin is hard work. Take a break and let it dry inside before carving your design. Don’t set your pumpkin outside to dry. The elements could make it decay quicker. Speed up the drying process with a towel or a fan set to a low speed. Leave your pumpkin in a cool, dry space. Don’t use a blow dryer. Heat will speed bring on the rotting process.

  • Lock in moisture

    After carving, put petroleum jelly on the carved edges and the inside of your pumpkin. This will keep it moisturized ensuring the pumpkin stays fresh longer. Vaseline alternatives include: vegetable or olive oil, clear spray paint, and white glue.

  • Bring your pumpkin back to life

    If your pumpkin has begun to shrivel, soak it in an ice water bath. Submerge your pumpkin in ice-cold water for up to two hours. You can add a small amount of bleach to the water to defend against mold. After the bath and before going back on display, apply moisture to the edges and inside using petroleum jelly or oil.