How to Draw a Ghost in a Pumpkin (Easy Step by Step)
A friendly ghost peeking out of a jack-o'-lantern is a fun Halloween drawing that is not scary at all. It is built from simple shapes: a big bowl, a round dome, two little triangles, and some curvy smiles.
- Easy
- 15 minutes
- 8 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawingIn this article (7 sections)
How to draw a ghost in a pumpkin step by step
How to Draw a Ghost in a Pumpkin · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: Guide shapes
Lightly sketch this oval. It only shows where the big parts go, so press softly. You will erase it at the end.
Step 2: The pumpkin bowl
Draw a wide, round bowl shape like a big smile. Make the top edge a gentle curve that dips a little in the middle. This is the pumpkin the ghost is hiding in.
Step 3: Ghost head and arms
Above the pumpkin, draw a round dome for the ghost's head, with the sides going down behind the pumpkin's rim. Add a curved line across the top of the dome, then a little curly scoop on each side for the ghost's arms.
Step 4: The little stem
On top of the ghost's head, draw a short, skinny stem with a rounded top, like a little stick poking up.
Step 5: Ghost face
Draw two small round dots for eyes, side by side in the middle of the head. Under them, add a little curved smile like a tiny bowl.
Step 6: Pumpkin ridges
Inside the pumpkin, draw two long curved lines, one on the left and one on the right. Start near the top of the pumpkin and curve them down toward the bottom, following the sides of the bowl.
Step 7: Triangle eyes
Draw two small triangles with pointy tops in the middle of the pumpkin, one on each side. Make them the same size so they match.
Step 8: Nose and mouth
Between the triangle eyes, draw a tiny oval for a nose. Then draw a wide, curvy smile near the bottom of the pumpkin, and add a smaller curved line under it to make the mouth open.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your ghost in a pumpkin? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a cat in a witch hat or how to draw a crystal ball next.
Tips for drawing a ghost in a pumpkin
- Draw the pumpkin bowl first and leave room above it. The ghost's head needs space to peek out over the rim.
- The ghost's arms are the trickiest part. Think of them as two little curly scoops that stick out from the sides of the head, like waving hands.
- Make the two triangle eyes in the pumpkin the same size. Draw the first one, then copy it on the other side at the same height.
Free ghost in a pumpkin coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this ghost in a pumpkin coloring page at full size and print it. It is the same drawing you just learned, with clean lines ready for crayons or markers.
How to color your ghost in a pumpkin drawing
Color the pumpkin orange and the little stem green, and leave the ghost white or give it a soft light blue. For a creative twist, color the inside of the triangle eyes and the open mouth bright yellow so the pumpkin looks lit up from inside.
Ghost in a pumpkin fun fact for kids
The name jack-o'-lantern comes from an old Irish folktale about a man called Stingy Jack. People in Ireland first carved faces into turnips, and later settlers in America switched to pumpkins.
Questions about drawing a ghost in a pumpkin
What shapes do I need to draw a ghost in a pumpkin?
You need a wide bowl shape for the pumpkin, a round dome for the ghost's head, and two small triangles for the pumpkin's eyes. Curved lines make the arms, ridges, and smiles.
How do I make my ghost look cuter?
Keep the eyes small and round and place them wide apart, with a tiny smile below. Make the arms short and curly so the ghost looks like it is waving hello.
How do I make the ghost look like it is inside the pumpkin?
Draw the ghost's head and arms first, with the sides going down behind the pumpkin's rim. The ghost's lines stop at the rim, so it looks like it is tucked inside.
