6 Free Halloween Crafts Made with Recycled Material

Costumes! Candy! Decorations! One of those life-size Frankensteins that sings Monster Mash when someone walks past its infrared sensor! There are plenty of ways to spend money on Halloween, but don't take out that second mortgage just yet. We've got a list of DIY halloween hacks that can help you prepare for Halloween without breaking the bank. All the items on this list can be made at home using recycled materials and a few common crafting supplies. Light up your yard with milk carton lanterns, turn pillowcases and packing tape into ghostly decorations, or make a shiny silver jet pack to go with a DIY astronaut costume!

  • Visual aid of how to complete Milk Jug Ghost Lanterns

    If you have markers and some old Christmas string-lights (or tea lights) handy, you can turn your empty milk cartons into glowing ghost lanterns!

  • Visual aid of how to complete Pillowcase Ghosts

    Turn your old pillowcases into Halloween ghosts you can hang in your yard, porch, or front window!

  • Visual aid of how to complete T-Shirt Trick or Treat Bag

    Transform an old t-shirt into the perfect bag for trick-or-treating!

  • Visual aid of how to complete Packing Tape Ghosts

    If you have a roll or two of clear packing tape stashed away in a drawer, you can use it to make your own hanging Halloween ghosts! Add string-lights or tea lights to make the ghosts glow in the dark.

  • Visual aid of how to complete Recycled Jetpack Costume

    Need the perfect accessory to complete your homemade astronaut costume? Use aluminum foil, ribbons, cardboard paper rolls, tissue paper, and markers to transform a pair of cereal boxes into a shiny, silver jetpack!

  • Visual aid of how to complete Paper Maché Trick or Treat Basket

    If you have colored construction paper, white glue, string and a balloon, then you have everything you need to make your own sturdy, paper-maché trick-or-treat basket!


Get inspired!