How to Carve a Styrofoam Pumpkin

Carved pumpkins are a traditional way to decorate for Halloween.

Carving a Styrofoam pumpkin is an economical way to make Halloween decor that you can use for years to come. It also prevents you from having to discard a rotted real pumpkin after Halloween is over. The foam balls are available in many different sizes, ranging from 1 to 12 inches. They are ideal to make different sizes of pumpkins or other crafts. Although Styrofoam is lightweight, it is dense and difficult to cut if you do not prepare your cutting tool properly.

Things You'll Need

• Styrofoam ball (approximately 6 to 12 inches)
• Sharp serrated knife or pumpkin carving tool
• Old candle or piece of paraffin
• Permanent marker
• Six large rubber bands
• Sharpened pencil
• Sheet of paper (optional)
• Cellophane tape (optional)
• Acrylic paint (optional)

Instructions

1. Wax the blade of your serrated knife or other cutting tool with an old candle or a piece of paraffin. This makes it less difficult to use when carving the foam ball.

2. Slice a thin section -- less than 1/2 inch in depth -- off the bottom and top of the foam ball. This enables the pumpkin to look more natural and prevents it from rolling when you use it as Halloween decor.

3. Mark a large dot -- about the size of a quarter -- in the center of the top and the bottom of the pumpkin.

4. Pull a large rubber band open and place it around the foam ball. The top and bottom sections of the rubber band should intersect the dots. Repeat this step with five more rubber bands, spacing them evenly around the pumpkin. This creates guidelines to form the pumpkin sections and help to give it a more realistic look.

5. Cut a V-shape ridge along the rubber band edges with the knife, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep. Remove the rubber bands once you are finished.

6. Draw a comical or scary face on the pumpkin with the permanent marker. Another option is to draw the outline of the mouth, nose and eyes with a pencil on a sheet of paper. Cut out the features and use them as a stencil to trace the face on the foam ball. Tape them onto the foam with cellophane tape. This holds them into place while tracing the facial features.

7. Cut out the facial features and any other markings you make on the pumpkin, such as a scar. Wax the knife or cutting tool again if the Styrofoam becomes difficult to carve. Cut at an angle so that the pieces are V-shaped inside the foam. This makes it less difficult to pry it out of the foam.

Tips & Warnings

• Paint your pumpkin with acrylic paint and a craft paintbrush with stiff bristles, if you desire, once the carving is complete. Two or three coats are often necessary to cover the foam well. Allow the paint to dry well between each coat.

References

• Disney Family Fun; A Pumpkin Carving Primer; Pam Glaven, et al.
• Styrofoam Brand Foam: Crafting Tips

Resources

• Universal Foam Products: Syrofoam Brand Foam Craft Products