Looking for a creative way to celebrate Halloween this year? The National Park Service has a collection of free pumpkin carving stencils inspired by national parks, wildlife, and outdoor adventures that can add a little park-themed spirit to Halloween. The printable templates offer a fun and unique seasonal activity for families, outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone looking to bring a little national park inspiration to their front porch.
Seven Park-Inspired Pumpkin Designs
The collection features seven designs, each with a connection to nature and the outdoors.
Options include The Batty One, celebrating bats and their role in national parks, and The Close Encounter, which depicts a person being tossed by a bison. Other templates include The Autumn Leaves, The Full Moon, and The Camper, featuring fall foliage, a howling coyote beneath the moon, and a camping scene. Wildlife fans can also try The Fat Bear, while The Web Designer features a spider and its web.
The National Park Service connects each design to additional resources about topics such as wildlife safety, bat conservation, fall foliage, night skies, camping, and ecosystem protection.
How to Make Your Own Park Pumpkin
Creating the designs is straightforward. Choose a favorite template and print it to fit your pumpkin. Cut out the dark areas, trace the design onto the pumpkin, and carefully carve along the lines. Children, of course, should have an adult handle the carving.
All seven designs and printer-friendly templates are available through the National Park Service website.
