Carving scary faces into pumpkins during Halloween is a fun activity, which most people indulge in with gusto. However, the task is also time-consuming and messy, which is why we need other alternatives for creating jack-o'-lanterns for the most fun-filled festival of the year.

Although pumpkins are the default choice for making jack-o'-lanterns, they are not the only choice. Instead, one can use other gourds such as winter, butternut, or turban squashes.

Watermelons can make good substitutes for pumpkins. One can also make some really weird jack-o'-lantern designs with other fruits like avocados, apples, bananas, or pineapples.

If you are looking for child-friendly alternatives for creating jack-o'-lanterns, papier mache is a great choice of material. They are not at all difficult to make and can last for many years if stored properly.

Probably one of the easiest Halloween decorations to create, one can create spooky heads with just some balloons. All one has to do is draw designs onto the balloons with markers, put a glow stick inside, fill the balloons with helium, and tie them up with string.

Paper vellum can be used in a similar manner as papier mache to create jack-o'-lanterns.

Glass is a great surface for creating Halloween-themed images, and as such, glass jars can be used to create some cool decorations. You can either paint the jar with alcohol inks, or cover it with translucent colored paper shapes to create the jack-o'-lanterns.

All one has to do is use a paper cutter to create designs on the paper bag, pour in a bowl of sand, and place a candle in it.

While tin cans of any size will do for this purpose, larger cans will allow you to create more free-flowing designs of the jack-o'-lanterns. One simply has to take off the wrapper, and use a hammer and nails to create the facial features.

Old footballs, basketballs, and baseballs can also be used to make some cool jack-o-lanterns. Just cut at the stitches and bladder in the appropriate places to create facial features, add a candle, and your lantern is ready.

Clay is one of the most versatile and easy mediums of craft, and one can create a large variety of Halloween decorations with it. The shape and colors of each jack-o-lantern is only limited by your sculpting skill and imagination.