Craft Scary-Good Jack-O'-Lanterns With Our Favorite Pumpkin Carving Kits (2024)

Growing up, I was never satisfied with the pumpkin carving kits my folks would bring home from department stores and discount outlets. The cheap plastic handles bent easily, and the dull blades made carving out a jack-o'-lantern rough work for my small arm muscles. It was like trying to cut through a wooden chair leg with another wooden chair leg. Like any good ’90s kid who thought safety was just marketing jargon, I supplemented my toolkit with steak knives and metal mixing spoons from the kitchen drawers.

Kids today have better options. They may use them only once a year, but having the right tools makes the experience of carving a pumpkin much more pleasant. Practice on a few pumpkins a day for a few years and they could develop skills like the master carver we profiled in 2020. Just make sure there's always an adult present! To test these tools, I spent an entire afternoon on a rooftop with a group of friends and a dozen pumpkins, hacking and scraping a bunch of terrifying faces (and a few friendly ones) into pungent, orange canvases. It reminded me that there's nothing inherently kids-only about carving pumpkins. The cost barrier is low, the nostalgia factor is high, and there's no way to screw it up as long as you're having fun. Also, don't throw out your seeds! Bake 'em up for a delicious snack.

Special offer for Gear readers: Get WIRED for just $5 ($25 off). This includes unlimited access to WIRED.com, full Gear coverage, and subscriber-only newsletters. Subscriptions help fund the work we do every day.

If you want a massage gun but don’t want to pay Theragun prices—or maybe you just want different features and attachments—then get one of these picks for soothing sore muscles.

If you've ever looked at your dog's bed and wished you had one of those for you, here's a deal to take advantage of.

These wireless buds have quality sound and plenty of extras for under $100

Keep your phone, tablet, laptop, and other electronics running with these handheld power banks.

Need to keep an eye (or ear) on your kids from another room? Our picks will help you do it.

The gaming industry has been dropping hit after hit, but we have a running list of titles we can’t wait to play.

Ever wish you could smash a tablet and smart speaker together? These devices offer the best of both.

The elderly are particularly vulnerable to subscription scams and aggressive tech upselling. Here’s how to get your family the services and devices they need.