Wondering, “How do you carve pumpkins in The Sims 4?” The answer is simple: by using the Pumpkin Carving Station, your Sims can create a variety of spooky, silly, or stylish pumpkin decorations. All you need is the Spooky Stuff pack installed, a little free space on your lot, and a Sim ready to put their Handiness (or Motor skill for kids) to the test. Whether you want to spruce up your home for a Spooky Party, build your Sim’s skills, or just enjoy some Halloween vibes all year round, pumpkin carving is a charming feature that offers creative possibilities and a dash of in-game fun. Curious for a full walkthrough? Let’s jump into everything you need to know to master this quirky activity.

Starting Your Pumpkin Carving Adventure

If you’ve never carved a pumpkin in The Sims 4 before, you might be surprised at how straightforward – but surprisingly dynamic – the process is. It all begins in Build/Buy Mode: just search for the Pumpkin Carving Station. This is a distinctive workbench object added to your catalog with the Spooky Stuff pack. Place it anywhere your Sims can reach, indoors or out.

Now, select a Sim, click on the Pumpkin Carving Station, and choose the “Carve Pumpkin” option. You’ll be presented with some initial design and color choices. Adults and teenagers rely on their Handiness skill here, while younger Sims use the Motor skill to channel their creativity. As your Sims hone their skills, more carving designs unlock, making the process continuously rewarding. If you’ve ever carved pumpkins in real life, you know that a steady hand and a bit of practice can work wonders—Sims are no different!

Watch this quick video tutorial for a visual step-by-step, perfect if you want to see the station in action before you try it yourself.

Pumpkin Designs: What You Can Make and How to Unlock Them

When your Sim sits down to carve, they’ll have a range of pumpkin colors to choose from – classic orange, eerie green, pale orange, and ghostly white. As for designs, there’s something for every taste:

  • Cat – The purr-fect pumpkin for animal lovers.
  • Classic – The timeless jack-o’-lantern grin.
  • Cockeyed – Wonky, whimsical features for a goofy touch.
  • Ghost – A floating spook rendered in pumpkin.
  • Owl – A wise, watchful pattern.
  • Puking – A gross but hilarious favorite among fans.
  • Scare – Truly intimidating, with sharp features.
  • Smiling – Friendly and inviting.
  • Wicked – Menacing, just right for scaring the neighbors.

Here’s the catch: not all designs are available from the start. You’ll unlock new pumpkin faces as your Sim gains Handiness skill (up to level 5 for all patterns). Children progress by raising their Motor skill instead, and while their initial templates are simpler, they still get a sense of accomplishment from crafting their own creations. It’s a lot like discovering new recipes as you level up in cooking—except a little messier!

If you want to see all the designs in-game and learn about unlocking them, check out this showcase video.

What Happens After Carving?

After your Sim finishes carving, the pumpkin appears as an object you can move, place, or even kick (if your Sim is feeling mischievous). Place them outside to greet trick-or-treaters or in your Sim’s living room for a festive mood boost.

Here’s the thing: carved pumpkins are perishable. They’ll last about four in-game days before they start to rot and eventually become unusable. If your Sim wants to keep their masterpiece indefinitely, there’s a solution—at Handiness level 5, you unlock a Preserve option on completed pumpkins. Choose this, and your carved gourd becomes a permanent décor item, immune to rot and ready for use year after year.

Want to see the process of placing, spoiling, and preserving pumpkins? This video demonstrates it nicely:

Why Carve Pumpkins? Gameplay Benefits and Party Fun

Aside from making your lot look fantastically festive, pumpkin carving actually offers a surprising amount of gameplay depth. Here are a few reasons you might want to make it a regular activity:

  • Skill Building: Your Sims build Handiness (adults/teens) or Motor skill (children). Great for boosting a useful stat while having fun.
  • Event Objectives: During a Spooky Party social event (exclusive to Spooky Stuff), carving pumpkins fulfills objectives and helps you win party rewards.
  • Money-Making: If you’re feeling entrepreneurial, you can sell completed pumpkins from your Sim’s inventory. Combine this with the pumpkin patch business guide for creative retail opportunities.
  • Interactivity: Sims (and even pets, if you own Cats & Dogs) interact with pumpkins in fun ways, from admiring to knocking them over.

There’s nothing quite like throwing a party where everyone leaves with a custom-carved pumpkin—or a ruined pair of shoes after a pumpkin-guts fight.

The Spooky Stuff Pack and Expansion Pack Interactions

Players sometimes ask about needing the Spooky Stuff pack versus the Seasons expansion. To be clear, you need the Spooky Stuff pack to use the Pumpkin Carving Station. While custom holidays in Seasons can have “Carve Pumpkins” as a tradition, the station itself is only accessible if you own Spooky Stuff. That said, these packs work very well together—Seasons gives you more ways to schedule pumpkin carving into your Sim’s year, adding depth and variety.

You can learn more about the full feature set at the Spooky Stuff guide and the always-detailed Sims Wiki.

Useful Links and More Help

Frequently Asked Questions About Carving Pumpkins in The Sims 4

Do I need the Spooky Stuff pack to carve pumpkins?

Yes. The Pumpkin Carving Station is only included in the Spooky Stuff pack. Even if you own Seasons or another expansion, you’ll need Spooky Stuff installed to access the pumpkin carving feature and all related objects.

Can children carve pumpkins too?

Absolutely! Children can use the Pumpkin Carving Station, but instead of the Handiness skill, they’ll build their Motor skill as they carve. Their available designs may start out simple but become more impressive as their skills grow.

Why do my carved pumpkins spoil or disappear?

Carved pumpkins will spoil after around four in-game days, similar to leftovers in your fridge. Once spoiled, they become unusable. If you want to keep a favorite pumpkin, wait until your Sim reaches Handiness level 5 and use the “Preserve” option – this stops them from decaying.

How can I unlock more pumpkin designs?

Keep raising your Sim’s Handiness skill (or Motor for kids). Each new level unlocks additional carving templates, with all designs becoming available at Handiness level 5. It pays to practice!

Is it possible to sell carved pumpkins for profit?

Yes, you can. Once your Sim finishes carving, place the pumpkin in your inventory, then sell it right from there or set up a retail lot. Combine with the Sims 4 pumpkin business guide for even more ideas.

Can other Sims interact with the finished pumpkins?

Definitely! Sims and sometimes even pets can admire, kick, or knock over carved pumpkins. They’re not just static décor – they bring personality and unexpected moments to your lot. Just watch out for that one Sim who thinks pumpkin smashing is a good prank!

If you’re feeling inspired, dive into this playful activity or explore more guides at Sims4Life. Happy carving!