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

Halloween

CIY Staff

Supplies/Tools Directions Staff Tips

Create It Yourself

Supplies Needed

Gather all the supplies needed to bring your craft ideas to life! ...

Glue
Paint
Paint Brushes
Acrylic Paint
Battery Operated String Lights
Hole Punch
Pencil(s)
Permanent Markers
Ribbon
Ruler(s)
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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