Halloween Pumpkin Carving

Everyone knows all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy—so have fun with your jack-o'-lanterns this season with our easy how-to tips.

When Halloween rolls around, adults and kids alike roll up their sleeves and dive elbows deep into pumpkin carving. This season make sure all of your jack-o’-lantern endeavors go off without a hitch by following these easy tips and ideas:

• The perfect carving pumpkin is large, taller than it is wide, free of bruises and has a flat face to carve on. Check the seam for mold, as this is a sign your pumpkin will spoil faster.
• Use a sharp, straight-edged knife for cutting large areas of your design and a smaller serrated knife (the kind readily available this time of year in carving kits) for the details.
• If your kids aren’t old enough to safely handle carving tools, let them help with other tasks—like "gutting" the pumpkin or painting on a scary face with non-toxic paints.
• As a general rule, never leave the lid of your pumpkin on while lit unless you have carved a large ventilation hole into the back—or try using a flameless candle.
• Remember to hold on to those pumpkin seeds! Although you should never eat the flesh of a pumpkin after it has been used as a jack-o’-lantern, its seeds will make an absolutely delicious snack. Try our three seasoned recipes below and we guarantee you’ll be addicted.

—By Emily Arno