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Milk Carton Halloween Lantern

If you’ve got it, haunt it! Upcycle a milk carton into a ghostly good DIY Halloween lantern that glows indoors or out.

Ages: 8 and up, Tween and up, 6 and up

CIY Staff

Create It Yourself

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! From paints and markers to glue and scissors, our crafts section has everything to spark creativity and make every project truly special.

  • Glue
  • Paint
  • Paint Brushes
  • Battery Operated String Lights
  • Hole Punch
  • Pencil(s)
  • Ribbon
  • Ruler
  • Sponge(s)
  • Tissue Paper
  • Upcycled Carton

Steps

  • Step 1

    Have an adult cut off top of upcycled carton.

  • Step 2

    On side of carton, draw outline for rectangular opening with pencil, approximately 1” from top and sides.

  • Step 3

    Have an adult cut out the opening.

  • Step 4

    Rotate carton once and repeat steps 2–3. Repeat until all sides have an opening.

  • Step 5

    Cover carton with dark paint. Dry 1–2 hours. Add second coat. Dry 1–2 hours.

  • Step 6

    Sketch outline of ghost on sponge with pencil. Cut out.

  • Step 7

    Lightly dab paint on sponge, then stamp on tissue paper. Repeat until tissue paper is full of ghosts.

  • Step 8

    Draw outline and face on ghosts with marker.

  • Step 9

    Using carton as a guide, sketch and cut out patterned tissue paper large enough for 1 panel.

  • Step 10

    Glue tissue paper to inside of carton, paint facing out.

  • Step 11

    Repeat steps 9–10 until all carton openings are filled with tissue paper.

  • Step 12

    Place battery-operated string lights in carton.

  • Step 13

    Hole punch 2 sides of lantern close to carton top. Feed ribbon through holes and tie into knots.

  • Step 14

    Hang to display as a Halloween decoration!

Crafts

CIY Staff Tips

  • Experiment with cutting your sponge into different spooky shapes!
  • Can be an indoor or outdoor decoration—just bring inside if inclement weather strikes!

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