How to Carve an Olaf the snowman Pumpkin for Halloween

A popular theme for Halloween this year will include those characters from Disney’s hit animated movie, Frozen: Princess Anna, her sister Princess Elsa, Kristoff the outdoorsman, Olaf, Sven the reindeer and Hans the handsome royal. Instead of creating a typical scary face jack o lantern, be unique and build your own snowman … Olaf! Olaf is the friendliest snowman to walk the mountains above Arendelle and he likes warm hugs. 

To create an Olaf the Snowman Carved Pumpkin, supplies needed include:

- 3 pumpkins: 2 oval shaped pumpkins, 1 round pumpkin
- Carving utensils (poker, scooper) available on Amazon.com
- Carving knives
- Newspaper
- 3 flameless tea lights
- Large size peanut butter jar lid
- Pencil
- Two twigs for arms, 3 smaller twigs for hair
- Olaf face template, available here

To create the Olaf jack o’ lantern: Pick out 3 pumpkins (2 rectangular shaped and 1 round). Many grocers offer deals on pumpkins during the Fall. For example, I purchased 3 good size pumpkins for $10 at Kroger. Carefully cut open each pumpkin and clean out the inside. If desired, set the pumpkin seeds aside for baking.

Using the circular peanut butter jar lid, trace 2 circles on one of the larger pumpkins. Trace one circular shape onto the round pumpkin. With carving tools, or a small sharp knife, carefully cut out the circles.

Tape the Olaf face template onto the last oval shaped pumpkin. Using a pumpkin carving poker, trace the design on to the pumpkin by poking holes along the pattern. Then, starting from the inside design of the face, carefully cut out the black shaped patterns of the template, creating Olaf’s face.

On the bottom pumpkin (with 2 holes), cut a large opening at the top of the pumpkin so the smaller round pumpkin fits snug on top. On the round pumpkin, cut a fairly good size hole at the top so the last large pumpkin sits securely on top. If the holes are big enough and cut properly, Olaf should stand on his own with the pumpkins stacked.

Locate two twigs for Olaf’s arm and 3 smaller twigs for his hair. To add the twigs to Olaf, use the poker carving tool to poke holes and place the twigs inside. If desired, create a small sign with “I love warm hugs – Olaf” on it is obvious the creation is Olaf and not just any snowman. After dark, light tea lights (or purchase battery-operated tea lights) to see Olaf glow!