How to Make Solar Lit Jack-o-Lanterns for Halloween

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Want to know how to make super cool, solar-lit, jack-o-lanterns for Halloween? This approach is easy and the result is nice and bright.

For years, I've guided the kids through carving out faces using all kinds of tools imaginable but I've never used this approach.

I also like them our pumpkins to glow at night but obviously candles are out and I'm so tired of plugging in string lights and setting timers.

I much prefer the idea of letting the sun do all the work for me.

This method uses a real pumpkin and you can re-use the light later or save it for the next holiday.

Watch the video and then use the supply list and written instructions below to complete the project.

Project Supply List

Clear White Light Solar Cap Light
Reciprocating Saw
Large pumpkin
Sharp knife
Marker or pen
Measuring tape or ruler
Newspaper or plastic tablecloth

Jack-o-lantern Instructions

1. Lay down newspaper or a plastic tablecloth to contain the pumpkin mess

2. Wash and dry the outside of your pumpkin

3. Use a marker or pen to draw the outline of the eyes and mouth on the pumpkin (if you're less than crafty - like me - you'll find all kinds of templates online you can use)

4. Use the reciprocating saw and follow the outline to cut out the eyes and mouth (if you don't have one you can use a regular pumpkin carving kit or knife)

5. Use a sharp knife to slice off the outer portion of the pumpkin covering the teeth to reveal the lighter colored flesh underneath

6. Measure the sides of the solar cap light

7. Draw an outline on the very top center of the pumpkin that matches the size of the cap light

8. The cap light has a lip at the top and you want that part to fit snugly in the opening at the top of your pumpkin without dropping all the way through so use your reciprocating saw to cut just inside the outline you drew and then use a knife to carefully trim that opening until the light fits in nicely

9. Clean out the interior of the pumpkin

10. Remove the base from the solar light (you don't need it and you don't want it to show through the cutout face)

11. Turn the cap light switch to the on position

12. Place the cap light in the top

The solar cap light has to be exposed to the sun during the day to gather a charge.

You can either place your jack-o-lantern where it will be in the sun during the day or keep it located in a shaded area and just move the light itself in the morning and put it back in the pumpkin at night.

If you want to use the jack-o-lantern inside for a party just make sure it's charged and then you can put a bit of tape over the sensor that detects light. That forces it to turn on even if it's indoors.

Go wild and make a bunch of them in different sizes and you can build a creepy, smiling family of decorations to greet trick-or-treaters.