How to Draw a Jack-o’-Lantern – A Fun and Easy Halloween Drawing Tutorial for Kids
Halloween season is here again, and I’ve got a brand new drawing video that’s perfect for young artists who love all things spooky and silly! In this latest tutorial, I’ll show kids how to draw a Jack-o’-Lantern—a fun, cartoon-style pumpkin character inspired by my book How to Draw: Spooky Stuff for Halloween.
This friendly Jack-o’-Lantern is one of the many Halloween characters featured in the book, and in this tutorial, I’ll guide kids step-by-step through the process of drawing it from scratch. Like all of my art, this character was hand-drawn by me, and it’s designed to be simple, playful, and fun for artists ages 5 and up.
In this post, I’ll talk about the new video, the book it’s based on, the other editions available, and how learning how to draw a Jack-o’-Lantern is a perfect creative activity for the Halloween season.
About the Book: How to Draw: Spooky Stuff for Halloween
This Jack-o’-Lantern is just one of 50 characters included in my book How to Draw: Spooky Stuff for Halloween. This fun and beginner-friendly drawing book is all about teaching kids how to draw classic Halloween characters using simple, step-by-step instructions.
Inside, kids will learn how to draw a Jack-o’-Lantern, Skeletons, Witches, Vampires, Werewolves, Ghosts, Zombies, Trick-or-Treaters, Mummies, Candy Monsters, and more. Each drawing is broken down into six easy steps so that kids can see their progress and build confidence as they go.
The goal of the How to Draw series is to make drawing approachable and fun for kids of all ages. Every page in How to Draw: Spooky Stuff for Halloween was drawn by hand by me, Kevin Coulston. I sketch each character from scratch, refine it through multiple drafts, and then carefully turn it into an easy-to-follow lesson designed just for kids.
When kids learn how to draw a Jack-o’-Lantern from this book, they’re learning more than just how to make a fun Halloween doodle—they’re learning the fundamentals of character design, shape recognition, and creative storytelling through art.
Also Available in Trace and Grid Editions
Like all books in my Halloween-themed series, Spooky Stuff for Halloween is also available in two additional formats, so kids can choose the style that suits them best:
- Trace Then Color: Spooky Stuff for Halloween – Perfect for younger children who are just starting to draw. Kids can trace the same cute Halloween characters from the How to Draw version, then color them in. Tracing helps build hand coordination and confidence while still being a ton of fun.
- Draw by Grid: Spooky Stuff for Halloween – Great for slightly older kids who like a little challenge. The grid method helps them learn how to break down complex drawings into smaller, manageable sections. It’s an excellent way to build drawing accuracy while still having fun with Halloween art.
All three formats feature the same charming Jack-o’-Lantern character, along with dozens of other spooky friends. So no matter which edition your child chooses, they’ll get to learn how to draw a Jack-o’-Lantern and more in their favorite way.
Why Drawing Jack-o’-Lanterns Is So Much Fun
Few things say “Halloween” like a Jack-o’-Lantern. Whether it’s carved out of a pumpkin or drawn on paper, it’s one of the most recognizable symbols of the season. Kids love drawing Jack-o’-Lanterns because they can give each one a unique personality—happy, scary, silly, or even sleepy!
When kids learn how to draw a Jack-o’-Lantern, they also learn about expression and imagination. A simple change in the eyes or mouth can completely change the character’s mood. That’s part of what makes drawing Halloween art so exciting—every creation feels personal and one-of-a-kind.
In my books, I like to keep spooky characters fun and friendly, so even the Jack-o’-Lanterns have a touch of cuteness to them. The one featured in this tutorial has rounded features, a big grin, and that perfect balance of “spooky but sweet.” It’s a character that’s approachable for beginners but still engaging for more experienced young artists.
Learning how to draw a Jack-o’-Lantern also gives kids a chance to celebrate Halloween in a creative way—without the mess of carving real pumpkins! They can make as many as they want, decorate their drawings, and even turn them into homemade Halloween cards or decorations.
About the Author
I’m Kevin Coulston, the author and illustrator behind First Art Books and the Art Books for Kids series. I’ve created over 80 art activity books for children, including How to Draw, Trace Then Color, and Draw by Grid editions covering themes like robots, animals, dinosaurs, unicorns, and more.
Every piece of art in my books is drawn by hand. I believe kids deserve to learn from real, human-created artwork—full of heart, personality, and originality. When I designed this Jack-o’-Lantern, I wanted it to capture the playful side of Halloween, the same way I approach all of my How to Draw characters—with warmth, humor, and plenty of imagination.
My goal has always been to make drawing accessible and enjoyable for kids everywhere, encouraging them to have fun while learning. Whether they’re drawing monsters, mermaids, or pumpkins, every project helps them grow their confidence as artists.
The Art Books for Kids Series
The How to Draw: Spooky Stuff for Halloween book is part of my growing Art Books for Kids series, which now includes over 80 titles. Each series offers a unique way for children to explore their creativity:
- How to Draw books teach step-by-step lessons for creating characters.
- Trace Then Color books combine tracing and coloring for an easy, confidence-building experience.
- Draw by Grid books help kids focus on proportion, structure, and visual observation.
With themes ranging from cute animals and fantasy creatures to robots and monsters, there’s something in the series for every child who loves to draw.
Learning how to draw a Jack-o’-Lantern through this new video and book is just one of many fun ways to explore art this Halloween season.
Watch the Video: How to Draw a Jack-o’-Lantern
In the new video, kids will learn how to draw a Jack-o’-Lantern in a few easy-to-follow steps. We start with simple shapes—a round pumpkin body, a few curved lines for the sections, and a playful face made up of triangles and a big, goofy grin. I guide young artists through each step slowly so they can draw along with confidence and have fun while doing it.
The Jack-o’-Lantern character in the video is full of personality. It has big cartoon eyes, a silly crooked smile, and just the right amount of Halloween charm. Once the drawing is complete, kids can color their pumpkins any way they want—orange, green, purple, or even rainbow! There’s no wrong way to do it.
The tutorial is only a few minutes long, making it a perfect short and creative activity for home, classrooms, or art time. It encourages kids to experiment, have fun, and enjoy the process of drawing without worrying about perfection.
As with all of my art, the Jack-o’-Lantern featured in this tutorial was drawn entirely by hand—no AI, no shortcuts, just pencil, paper, and imagination. Everything I create is designed to inspire kids to draw their own way and express their creativity freely.
Free Video Drawing Tutorial:
Start Drawing Your Own Jack-o’-Lantern Today
If you’re looking for a creative way to celebrate Halloween, grab some paper and a pencil, and follow along with my latest video tutorial. It’s the perfect way for kids to practice drawing while enjoying the spirit of the season.
By the end of the video, your child will know how to draw a Jack-o’-Lantern that’s full of character and Halloween charm. Once they’re finished, they can color it in, add fun backgrounds, or even create a whole pumpkin patch of their own designs.
Then, for even more spooky fun, they can dive into the How to Draw: Spooky Stuff for Halloween book for dozens of other characters to draw—Skeletons, Ghosts, Mummies, Witches, and more.
Halloween is the perfect time for imagination, and learning how to draw a Jack-o’-Lantern is a great place to start.
Kevin Coulston is an accomplished cartoonist, animator, and writer. He is the author and illustrator of over 80 (and still counting) children’s drawing books available here on FirstArtBooks.com. Kevin has also authored numerous kid-friendly comic book series, including “Dylan McVillain: A Super Villain with the Best Intentions” and “The Adventures of a 4th Grade Space Captain,” along with the Children’s Picture Book series “Alexis and the T-Rexes.”
