Learn how to make a functional bong using nothing but a pumpkin, some plastic hose and a stem and bowl from an old bong.

Using the stem as a tool you can poke holes into the pumpkin in the right places to make a functional bong out of the pumpkin. The pumpkin itself holds the water through which the smoke will be filtered.

With a few simple parts you can get your friends into the halloween spirit in a hurry!

Step 1: Pick the Right Pumpkin

To start, you'll need a nice clean pumpkin that isn't mushy or rotting. Choose a tall pumpkin that stands upright and avoid squat or leaning pumpkins. For your first bong-o-lantern, go with a small to medium pumpkin and save the huge pumpkins for when you've figured out how to make these.

This pumpkin here is a great example of a pumpkin to use.

Step 2: Collect Bong Parts

If you're like me, you may have some random old bongs laying around that aren't being used anymore. See if you can find an old multi-person hookah that has hoses with nice mouth pieces. In a pinch, you can buy PVC tubing from the hardware store.

Then you'll need an old downstem and a fitting bowl to go with it. If you don't have old parts laying around, your local head shop will carry these supplies for cheap.

The most important part of this step is to make sure that the outer diameter of the downstem is the same diameter as the tubing. This will make construction a snap!

Step 3: Punch Holes for the Tubes

Now take the stem and use it to punch a hole for each of the tubes. I usually space the holes reasonably evenly apart, counting the location where the stem will go as one of the slots. You'll see in the next steps how I laid out my holes.

You'll need to press down firmly on the stem to puncture the hole. The punctured pumpkin bit will now stick in the stem -- use a skewer, chopstick or some wire to punch it out. One clean punch will usually do the trick, but its a good idea to punch it again and see if more gunk gets stuck in the stem.

Insert the tube into the hole about 1 inch or so. Repeat this step for each tube.

Step 4: Punch the Stem Hole

This is the only tricky portion of this process. In the picture below you can see where I've drawn the line that shows the water level. The key is to puncture another hole so that the downstem hole is above the water line and the the bottom of the downstem is fully in the water.

The angle at which you poke the hole is critical for the working of the bong, so consider your steps carefully.

At the bottom you can see how the angle is a bit tricky for loading the bowl, but the downstem should be well into the water and the water isn't spilling out of the pumpkin.

Before you move on to the next step, do some tests to make sure everything is working. Draw air through each tube to make sure its not clogged. If its clogged, clear the tube by pulling it out and blowing it out over a trash can. If that doesn't improve things, repunch the hole with the stem and make sure that each hole can get air from the center of the pumpkin.

Step 5: Punch an Airhole

Punch an airhole (the carb) where air will enter the pumpkin in order to clear it. I usually place the hole near the stem of the pumpkin for easy reach.

Step 6: Fill the Pumpkin to the Water Line

Using a funnel or a cup with a spout, start filling water into the pumpkin through the airhole. Go easy at first and don't flood the pumpkin. Check to see if the water level is rising high enough by inserting the stem and tubes into the pumpkin. Then hold all but one of the tubes closed and close the airhole by blocking it with your finger.

Then suck on the last remaining tube.

Do you hear/feel a gurgling sound?

If all you get is air, with no gurgling, add more water and repeat. If you get a little gurgling, then you're getting close and slowly continue to add water. But if the gurgling is not deep then you may need to add more water -- play with it a bit you'll get the feel for it.

If you add too much water it will start pouring out the stem and make a mess. Perhaps it would be wise to do this over the stove, but you can see that I wasn't smart enough for that.

Step 7: Have Fun With Your Friends!

That was it! Your bong-o-lantern is ready for action! Find some supplies and some friends you go to town!

If you wipe down you pumpkin with a little alcohol and grab a sharpie marker you can decorate your pumpkin a little -- just remember to not punch any more holes into it!

Remember that bong-o-lanterns are make from real pumpkins with water in them! This means that nasty stuff will start growing in them real soon. Its best to toss a bong-o-lantern after one evening.

Here is one lingering question I have: Some pumpkins end up smoking a lot smoother than others. What makes a perfect bong-o-lantern pumpkin? A nice organic pumpkin or a crappy pumpkin from a supermarket? If you have any insights, I'd like to know!