The National Park Service is helping families get creative this Halloween with a new, non‑competitive “Park Pumpkin Carvings Challenge.” Free, printer‑friendly stencils inspired by America’s most beloved parks are now available online, making it easy to carve a park‑themed design onto your pumpkin.
How to get the stencils
Visit the NPS website and click the download link to access a gallery of templates. Designs range from classic park landscapes to playful nods to popular traditions such as Fat Bear Week and campground scenes. One stencil even includes a gentle reminder to keep a safe distance from wildlife, especially the iconic bison that roam many parks.
Step‑by‑step carving guide
- Step 1: Choose a template that fits the size of your pumpkin and print it.
- Step 2: Cut out the dark portion of the design.
- Step 3: Place the template on the pumpkin and trace the outline.
- Step 4: Carve the traced image with a knife. Children should have an adult assist with this step.
After you finish, the NPS encourages you to share your creation on social media using the hashtags #FindYourPark or #EncuentraTuParque, adding your pumpkin to the growing “parks pumpkin patch.”
Why the challenge matters
Beyond providing a fun activity, the challenge promotes awareness of our national treasures and reinforces the message that wildlife, like bison, should be admired from a safe distance. The NPS hopes the project will inspire families to explore the parks in person once the season arrives.
Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.
