How to Make a Pumpkin That Looks Like Your Pet

Update 10/5/18: The original stencils that were linked here have been removed from the Walmart website, but Better Homes & Gardens has some great ones right here {also linked below}!

We consider Bella Notte to be one of our kids, so we like to include her in family activities whenever possible- and Halloween is no exception! We like to let Bella participate in as many of our Halloween traditions as possible, including…

…super cute costumes!

…trick-or-treating!

…and carving pumpkins!

Since Bella doesn’t have thumbs and can’t be trusted with a knife, we carved her pumpkin for her! It was so easy- all you need are some basic pumpkin carving supplies and one of these free printable templates and you’re good to go!

Supplies:

Large pumpkin
Carving knives
Pumpkin poker {or a push pin}
Pumpkin scraper {I actually use an ice cream scoop!}

Directions:

1. Carve out the top of your pumpkin.

2. Remove all the seeds and insides from your pumpkin.

3. Print out your Labrador Retriever pumpkin stencil {or whatever breed matches your fur baby}.

4. Cut out the face of the stencil.

5. Pin your Lab stencil onto the pumpkin using push pins {only pin on a grey part}.

6. Using the pumpkin poker or a push pin, begin poking the pumpkin around the grey areas.

7. Carefully remove your push pins.

8. Carefully begin carving along the dotted lines, using the printable as a reference to make sure you don’t carve the wrong line.

9. Place a candle inside your pumpkin and you’re all set!

Be sure to pick up some dog treats to spoil your furriest trick-or-treaters this Halloween! Want to really spoil them and make them homemade treats? Check out these DIY Frozen Dog Treats pups love and these Homemade Peanut Butter Dog Treats!

How do you include your pets in Halloween?