Animal-Themed Halloween Pumpkin Stencils
WWF Has Free Halloween Jack-o-Lantern Stencils for Pumpkin Carvers
Oct 24, 2008
The World Wildlife Fund's (WWF) website is offering free pumpkin carving stencils for Halloween enthusiasts who are looking to "go wild with pumpkins" this October 31.
The WWF's website features a handful of free wildlife-themed pumpkin carving patterns which can be used as stencils.
These pumpkin carving patterns can be downloaded and printed out for free, directly from the WWF website.
"Carve a pumpkin and demonstrate your support for WWF and conservation this Halloween," the WWF website urges Halloween pumpkin carving enthusiasts who are seeking a unique Halloween decoration for this October 31.
The WWF's free pumpkin stencil downloads include ten unique Jack-o-Lantern designs, all with a wildlife and animal theme:
- Monarch Butterfly
- Gorilla
- Polar Bear
- Rhinos
- Tiger
- Sea Turtle
- WWF's Panda Bear Logo
- Dolphin and Water Scene
- Africa Savannah Scene
- Coral Underwater Scene
How to Carve a Pumpkin Using the WWF's Free Pumpkin Stencils
The directions for getting the free Halloween pumpkin stencils and for tracing the Jack-O-Lantern patterns onto the pumpkin are straightforward:
- Click on the "View All Stencils, Download Art and Instructions" link on the WWF website.
- Select a pumpkin carving pattern. The website includes a difficulty rating for each pumpkin carving design, along with a time estimate to give Jack-o-Lantern carvers an idea of how long the pumpkin carving process will take.
- Print out a free WWF wildlife-themed pumpkin carving stencil.
- Tape the paper with the pumpkin carving stencil onto the pumpkin.
- Trace the pumpkin carving design by using an awl or use a pen to depress small holes in the pumpkin skin.
- Cut around the pumpkin stem, creating a pumpkin cap that's about six inches in diameter - wide enough to reach a hand inside to access the interior of the pumpkin.
- Remove the pumpkin seeds and innards. The pumpkin seeds can be saved for baking - a delicious Halloween treat that's sure to appeal to ghosts and ghouls of all ages.
- The pumpkin carver can then use a pumpkin carving tool to cut along the line that will be formed by the line of dots created in the pumpkin skin with the pen.
Special Jack-o-Lantern lights are widely available and they'll serve as a safe yet spooky alternative to placing a candle inside the pumpkin to illuminate the hand-carved design.
Using WWF's Free Pumpkin Carving Stencils for a Fun Educational Project for Kids
For parents who are looking for a fun and educational Halloween activity, consider downloading one of the WWF's printable pumpkin carving patterns.
Each pumpkin carving stencil comes with information about the animal or scene pictured in the pumpkin carving pattern, along with habitat information, and other fun facts.
The WWF's free pumpkin carving stencils can also be used to create an outline of the design on the pumpkin skin. Then, instead of carving out the design, children can paint the pumpkin, following the outline that was created on the pumpkin skin using the pumpkin carving pattern as a guide.
These free pumpkin carving stencils can also serve as the basis for a creative, fun and unique fall classroom activity. The children can paint the pumpkins in addition to creating a matching information card about the wildlife pictured on each pumpkin. This is sure to make for a unique and educational Halloween or autumn display that will be perfect for a school's fall open house or a Halloween haunted house event.
The World Wildlife Fund's free printable Halloween pumpkin carving stencils can be viewed, downloaded and printed out for free from the WWF's website, which also includes tips for an environmentally-friendly green Halloween!
Related Reading
Pet owners who are also looking for a cute or unique Halloween costume for a dog or other pet can check out Unique Halloween Costumes for Pets. And once the pet is dressed in his Halloween costume, he'll need somewhere to go, right? Consider hosting a Halloween Party for Pets! Also check out the Haunted Halloween Page for more pumpkin carving tips, a guide to using free pumpkin patterns, pet Halloween safety tips and more!
 |
