Upcycled Halloween Milk Jug Lanterns
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Turn empty milk jugs into glowing Halloween lanterns with this easy upcycled craft for kids. Using the free printable faces, kids can make a jack-o’-lantern, Frankenstein, or Dracula, then add a reusable tea light or glow stick to light them up.
These Halloween milk jug lanterns are inexpensive, easy to make, and perfect for porches, windows, classrooms, or homeschool activities.
Want even more budget-friendly decorating ideas? This year, I challenged my kids to make all of our DIY Halloween decorations using supplies we already had at home. They created homemade ghosts, worked together on their projects, and figured out how to make their own jack-o’-lanterns. It turned into a wonderful lesson in creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving!
Why We Love This Craft
This craft gives empty milk jugs a second life while creating a fun Halloween decoration kids can actually use.
It’s a great way to combine creativity with a simple conversation about reusing materials and reducing waste. Kids can follow the printable designs or create their own spooky faces.
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
Ready to make your own Halloween milk jug lanterns? Download our **FREE printable Halloween face templates**, featuring a jack-o’-lantern, Frankenstein, and Dracula! Simply print, cut out the designs, and attach them to clean, empty milk jugs. Add a glow stick or battery-operated tea light, and watch your spooky creations come to life!
Click below to download your free templates and start crafting!
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
- 5 Fun and Easy Halloween Craft Ideas for Kids
- Glowing Paper Plate Cat and Jack-O-Lantern Craft
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 templates and start crafting today!
