How to Carve a Pineapple Jack O’Lantern

Carving pumpkins is an October tradition—but carving a pineapple as your jack o’lantern this year offers the same fun activity with a playful and unexpected final product. Pineapple jack o’lanterns are particularly well-suited to apartments or homes without stoops or porches: If your household (and guests) are the only ones who will get to enjoy your carved creation, you might as well make it something special (and something more appropriately sized to being kept indoors).

Carving a pineapple is just as straight-forward as carving a pumpkin, though hopefully this project will take less time than carving an eight-pound pumpkin, as pineapples tend to be much smaller. You may have a pumpkin carving kit or set of tools, which could come in handy for this project but isn’t necessary. Making a pineapple jack o’lantern only needs a few good knives and, ideally, a melon baller (though an ice cream scoop, a pineapple corer, or a spoon all make fine alternatives).

The key to a successful carving project is to take your time, work carefully, and perhaps stock up on a spare pineapple or two in case you’re not confident in your knife skills. Even if you move slowly, this project should take less than an hour, so you’ll be able to carve a few pineapples for a beautifully spooky (and tropical) display. Cuts can’t be undone, so try to make only small, precise ones, and your final product will be a success.

Watch our helpful guide to making a pineapple jack o'lantern to get a sense of the process for carving your tropical creation—and to see how easy it is—then read on for the supplies, steps, and more you'll need to make this cute spooky decor. For more simple, clever ideas and videos, watch all the "One Thing" videos from The Spruce—you might just find your next cleaning, organizing, or decorating project.