How to Draw a Jack-o’-Lantern (Easy Video Lesson for Kids)
Draw this jack-o’-lantern step by step with a pencil and eraser. It takes about 15 minutes and works for ages 5 and up. Follow the steps below, or draw along with the video. The page comes from Kevin Coulston’s book How to Draw: Spooky Stuff for Halloween.
- Step-by-step drawing
- Ages 5+
- Grades K–2
- Easy
- About 15 min with the video
You’ll need
- Pencil and eraser
- Paper, or the printed page
- Crayons, markers or colored pencils
You’ll practice
- Breaking a drawing into simple shapes
- Following steps in order
- Adding your own details
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.
Learn to Draw 50 Halloween Characters
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.
Browse Halloween Drawing Books for Kids
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.
Draw it 3 ways
Every FirstArtBooks theme comes in three formats. Trace it, draw it step by step, or copy it square by square: the more ways kids draw a character, the better they know it.
- How to Draw
Draw it step by stepYou’re on this pageSee all How to Draw books - Trace Then Color
Vampire Coloring PageSame theme · Ages 3+See all Trace Then Color books - Draw by GridDraw by Grid booksCopy it square by squareNo free page of this one yet. See the Draw by Grid books (ages 7+)
Finished? Draw the scene next
- Add a background: draw a pumpkin patch at night.
- Write one line under your picture to finish this story:
The biggest pumpkin started to wiggle…
That’s a picture book page. Draw two more and you have a whole story.
Draw it, then write about it
Give your jack-o’-lantern a name and a job. What makes it happy, and what makes it grumpy? Write two or three sentences.
Print a draw-and-write sheet: a box for the drawing and lines for the story. Primary lines (K–2) · Regular lines (grades 2–5)
Want to make it a whole story? Try the comic story starter or fold a mini-book in Story Studio.
Common mistakes and quick fixes
- It turned out too scary for a little sibling.
- Round shapes and big eyes keep it friendly. Add a smile or rosy cheeks.
- The outline gets lost when you color.
- Go over your final lines with a black marker before coloring, so the character stands out at night.
- The costume details are crowded.
- Draw the big shape first (the hat, the sheet, the pumpkin), then add stripes, bandages or stitches.
- Pressing hard from the very first step.
- Use light, sketchy lines first. You can erase them easily and go over the lines you keep at the end.
More in 10 common drawing mistakes kids make.
Talk about it
For the grown-up: ask one or two of these while your child draws. There are no wrong answers.
- Is this character spooky or friendly? What would make it less scary?
- What would this character dress up as for Halloween?
- Which part are you proudest of?
- What colors will you use, and why?
More ideas in 25 questions to ask kids about their art.
Questions about this drawing lesson
What age is this jack-o’-lantern drawing lesson for?
Ages 5 and up (about grades K to 2). Younger kids can follow along with a grown-up, one step at a time.
How long does it take?
About 15 minutes, including time to pause the video. Kids who add their own details or a background often keep going longer.
What supplies do you need?
Pencil and eraser; paper, or the printed page; crayons, markers or colored pencils.
What size does it print?
Nothing needs printing: draw along on any paper, Letter or A4.
Can kids draw the jack-o’-lantern without printing the page?
Yes. Draw on any paper and copy one step at a time from the screen, or pause the video after each step.
For teachers: grade, timing and standards
Grades K–2, about 15 minutes. Step-by-step drawing, easy level. The video does the teaching: press play and let students draw along.
National Core Arts Standards (visual arts)
- VA:Cr2 Organize and develop artistic ideas and work: students build drawing skills by following a sequence of steps.
- VA:Cr3 Refine and complete artistic work: students add their own details, expressions and color to finish the character.
See every lesson by standard, plus the math in grid drawing, on the arts standards map.
Copies: print as many as your class needs. More in the teacher resources, the Halloween hub and our no-prep sub plans.
Get the free Christmas Drawing Pack
10 printable Christmas pages to draw, trace, color and decorate, sent with your welcome email. After that, Kevin’s newsletter brings new free pages and book news.
Take the idea into a book
Want more characters to draw, trace or color? Explore these related books and see which approach fits your next creative session.
Trace Then Color: Spooky Stuff for Halloween
By Kevin Coulston
Explore this book →
Draw by Grid: Spooky Stuff for Halloween
By Kevin Coulston
Explore this book →
How to Draw: Spooky Stuff for Halloween
By Kevin Coulston
Explore this book →More like this: all 15 free Halloween drawing lessons and pages →
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