Upcycled Halloween Milk Jug Lanterns (With Free Printables!)
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Halloween crafts are even more fun when they’re creative and eco-friendly! These upcycled milk jug lanterns are the perfect spooky decoration to light up your porch, windows, or classroom — and they’re made with items you already have at home. Plus, we’ve included free printable templates for a Jack-o’-lantern, Frankenstein, and Dracula to make decorating easy and fun for kids of all ages.
Whether you’re looking for a simple Halloween activity, a lesson on recycling, or a fun way to get creative together, this craft is a must-try this season.
Why We Love This Craft
This project is more than just a Halloween decoration — it’s a lesson in upcycling. Instead of throwing milk jugs into the recycling bin, you can give them a second life as glowing lanterns. Upcycling helps reduce waste, sparks creativity, and teaches kids about caring for our planet — all while celebrating the Halloween season in a hands-on way.
Fun Facts About Upcycling Milk Jugs
- Americans throw away over 25 million tons of plastic each year — so upcycling items like milk jugs helps reduce waste and protect our planet.
- A single milk jug can take over 450 years to break down in a landfill.
- Upcycling turns “trash” into treasure — like lanterns, bird feeders, planters, or storage containers.
- Using materials you already have teaches kids about sustainability and creativity at the same time.
Step-by-Step Instructions: Halloween Milk Jug Lanterns
What You’ll Need:
Empty plastic milk jugs (clean and dry)
Scissors
Glue stick
Glow sticks
Free printable templates (Jack-o’-lantern, Frankenstein, Dracula)
Optional: black permanent markers for drawing your own designs
Step 1: Clean and Prep Your Jugs
Rinse out your milk jugs thoroughly and let them dry. To remove the label easily, fill each jug with hot water and let it sit for about 10–15 minutes. The heat softens the adhesive, making the label peel off cleanly.
Step 2: Print and Cut Your Templates
Download and print our free Halloween face templates featuring a Jack-o’-lantern, Frankenstein, and Dracula. Carefully cut out the pieces — parents should help with this step for safety, especially with younger kids.
Step 3: Attach the Faces
Use a glue stick to paste the cutouts directly onto the front of each milk jug. Smooth them down to remove any bubbles.
Optional Creative Twist:
Encourage kids to design their own faces too! They can cut and paste shapes from construction paper or draw directly on the jug with a black Sharpie for a custom creation.
Step 4: Add the Glow
Activate a glow stick and drop it inside the milk jug to make your lantern glow from within. At night, they’ll shine with a spooky, kid-friendly glow — perfect for lighting up your porch, walkway, or windowsill.
Step 5: Display and Enjoy!
Line your lanterns along your walkway, place them on your porch, or use them indoors as festive Halloween night lights.
Sustainability Tip:
If you’d like a more eco-friendly option, skip disposable glow sticks. Instead, carefully cut a small hole in the bottom of each jug and place it over a reusable tea light candle. This reduces waste and lets you enjoy your lanterns year after year.
Download Free Templates
Halloween Book Picks to Pair With This Craft
Make your crafting session extra cozy by pairing it with a spooky (but not too scary!) story:
Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson – A fun rhyming tale that’s a Halloween favorite.
Creepy Carrots! by Aaron Reynolds – A silly story perfect for a light Halloween laugh.
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bat! by Lucille Colandro – A classic Halloween read-aloud.
The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything by Linda Williams – A beloved autumn classic with just the right amount of spookiness.
Other Fun Halloween Activities To Try
- Halloween Bat Craft
- Halloween Lanterns Craft
- Halloween Suncatchers
- Halloween Brownie Brittle
- Spooky Pizzas for Halloween
- Frankenstein Toast for Halloween
Final Thoughts
Upcycled milk jug lanterns are proof that Halloween crafts don’t have to be expensive or complicated to be magical. With just a few supplies and our free printable templates, your kids can create glowing decorations that light up the night — and learn about sustainability while they do it.
Ready to get started? Download your free Halloween face printables here and start crafting today!
