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80 Cheap DIY Halloween Decorations for the Spookiest Holiday Ever

These DIY Halloween decorations make it easy to trick out your house for the spookiest day of the year

cute, cheap halloween decorations on a wooden table with white background; pumpkin wood slices, mason jar sugar skull, spooky centerpiece, tin can frankenstein, paper scream lantern, paper bat
Mae Lander/rd.com

Boo it yourself

It may scare you just how easy it is to make these DIY Halloween decorations, but getting spooked is what Halloween is all about. From witches and pumpkins to bats and spiders, you’ll cross off every square on your Halloween bingo card with a perfectly creepy collection of Halloween decor.

If you’re more click-to-buy than DIY, never fear: You’ll love these Amazon Halloween decorations. And to take your outdoor Halloween decorations to the next level, check out these pumpkin carving templates and get ready to cast a spell with some pumpkin carving ideas. Finally, get inspired to enjoy your haunted house to the fullest with a selection of the spookiest Halloween party games. It’s time to resurrect the paints, dig up the glue gun and get to work creating a howling good DIY craft this October.

boo bottles halloween craft
Lucas Zarebinski for Reader's Digest

Boo bottles

What you need:

How to make it:

Raid your recycling bin to make these glass ghosts in four easy steps: First, remove the labels and caps from your bottles (we used Perrier). Spray-paint them white, then draw faces on with a black marker. To finish this Halloween decoration, throw in colorful straws for cute and practical centerpieces for a Halloween party. After you’ve upped your decoration game, do the same with your costume plans with the best Halloween costumes for 2022.

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cobweb coaster halloween craft
Lucas Zarebinski for Reader's Digest

Cobweb coasters

What you need:

How to make it:

Cups look creepy when sitting on these spindly saucers. To make these cheap Halloween decorations, hook five bobby pins onto a 3/8-inch flat metal washer. Wrap twine around them and thread it through each bobby pin. Spray-paint everything white for that ghoulish look, and scatter small toy spiders around the table. Is it difficult for you to handle the fright factor when it comes to scary movies? You might want to close your eyes when taking a drink!

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Creepy Candy Jars Jessica Holoka
Courtesy Jessica Holoka/Living La Vida Holoka

Creepy candy jars

What you need:

How to make it:

So much Halloween candy, so little time. That’s where this DIY Halloween decoration comes in. Hot-glue plastic spiders and other creepy-crawlies to the outside of Mason jars for a simple yet scary spin on Halloween candy storage. Bonus: These terrifying Mason jars make the perfect dining room table centerpieces. While you’re munching on goodies, take a look at these hilarious Halloween memes.

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Golden Insect Taxidermy Plates Via Thesweetestoccasion
via thesweetestoccasion.com

Golden insect taxidermy plates

What you need:

How to make it:

All that glitters isn’t always gold. In this case, it’s insects! To make this easy DIY, just paint plastic bugs gold using liquid gold leaf or spray paint and spray-paint wooden plaques black.

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Decoupage Witch Hat Decor Ellemariehome
via ElleMarieHome.com

Decoupage witch hat decor

What you need:

How to make it:

Witch hats off to this fun Halloween decoration. This example uses Mod Podge and black-and-white napkins to decoupage the witch hat. Once it has dried, add feathers, plastic spiders, glitter or anything else your heart desires (in Halloween colors, naturally) to craft a holiday-appropriate centerpiece.

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vampire napkin ring halloween craft
Lucas Zarebinski for Reader's Digest

Vampire napkin rings

What you need:

How to make it:

Serious chompers make your table settings look so cute it’s scary. Splash white cloth napkins with red Kool-Aid, thread a white twist tie through a set of plastic vampire teeth and secure a twist tie around the center of your napkin. It’s like a gory scene from your favorite vampire book!

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Cotton Ball Ghost Kourtney Collins
Courtesy Kourtney Collins

Cotton ball ghost

What you need:

How to make it:

What’s spooky, fluffy and sort of cute? Why, a cotton ball ghost, of course! For this simple Halloween decoration, cut card stock into the shape of a ghost, then glue cotton balls to it. Ever wondered where a ghost goes on vacation? Check out these corny Halloween jokes to find out.

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Halloween diy bat craft for kids
Anne Murlowski for Family Handyman

Toilet paper roll bats

What you need:

How to make it:

Who knew an upcycled toilet paper roll could turn into one of the cutest DIY Halloween decorations? Wrap an old roll in black construction paper to form the body of the bat. From there, it’s all about the details: Add googly eyes and construction paper bat wings to finish it off. This is a perfect Halloween craft for kids too. Score!

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Embroidery Pumpkins Spud And Pudding
via @spud_and_pudding/Instagram

Embroidery pumpkins

What you need:

How to make it:

Throw an embroidery party with the kids. Just stitch a jack-o’-lantern grin on orange fabric in an embroidery hoop to create a picture-perfect (or at least very cute) pumpkin. Decoration bonus: Add a festive ribbon to the top of the hoop to hang from the door or wall.

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Spider Mason Jar Via Rufflesandrainboots
via rufflesandrainboots.com

Spider Mason jar

What you need:

How to make it:

After painting a Mason jar black, attach multiple googly eyes and eight black pipe cleaners (four on each side) to form the spider’s legs. From a napkin holder to a candy jar, this multipurpose Halloween decoration is sure to be a fan favorite. Once your house is decorated, it’ll be time to turn your attention to your family, so check out these frightfully fantastic family Halloween costumes.

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Moving Eyes Mummy Plate Via Kidscraftroom
via kidscraftroom.com

Moving eyes mummy craft

What you need:

How to make it:

What’s spookier than a mummy? A mummy that moves, naturally. This dynamic Halloween decoration starts with a paper plate and is easy to DIY.

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Spooky Entryway Via Whirlybobble
via @whirlybobble/Instagram

Spooky entryway

What you need:

How to make it:

When it comes to DIY Halloween decorations, we say the more, the merrier. Create an entire spooky entryway by using toilet paper roll bats, a witch’s broom and a witch’s hat easily made out of paper plates painted black. Just remember to warn guests to enter if they dare. While you’re crafting, cue up these Halloween songs to get in the mood.

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Glitter Ghosts Haily Yochum
Courtesy Haily Yochum

Burlap ghosts

What you need:

How to make it:

For this update on the classic tissue ghost decoration, you’ll need a bead, white burlap and a pipe cleaner. Wrap the burlap around the bead to form the head of the ghost and secure it by wrapping a pipe cleaner around the neck to complete the shape. You can even use a black marker to create ghoulish eyes!

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Tissue Paper Pumpkins Via Missbipps
via @missbipps/Instagram

Tissue paper pumpkins

What you need:

How to make it:

If you prefer cute to creepy when it comes to DIY Halloween decorations, this is the craft for you. To make this adorable tissue paper pumpkin, wrap orange tissue paper around a foam ball. Twist at the top and add green yarn to form the stem. From there, glue on some paper details to make even the most hard-hearted person say, “Aww!”

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Spooky Wreath Via Handmadebyminzer
via @handmadebyminzer/Instagram

Orange and black wreath

What you need:

How to make it:

Wreaths are for any season, so long as you’re creative enough. Attach orange and black streamers to a foam donut form. From there, it’s time to decorate.This cute example uses an orange-and-green owl and mushroom decals. Wreath-making is also a great Halloween party idea.

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Devil Plate Via Diy Rosanna
via @diy_rosanna/Instagram

Devil plate

What you need:

How to make it:

It’s time to move over, Hot Stuff—there’s a new devil in town this Halloween season. For this super-simple yet super-cute holiday decoration, paint some paper plates red and use one as the devil’s face. Cut horns and a tail from the other, then glue them to the plate. Stick on some googly eyes and draw a sinister mouth to finish the craft. Or cut sharp fangs from a white paper plate to give the devil a bite.

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Tic Tac Boo Via Magichomeschoolbus
via @magichomeschoolbus/Instagram

Tic-tac-boo

What you need:

How to make it:

Here’s a fun one to create with the kids. This interactive Halloween decoration transforms items found in nature (namely sticks and rocks) into festive game pieces. Use acrylics to paint ghost and pumpkin details on stones found in your backyard. Collect sticks to form the game board and get ready to tic-tac-boo!

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Halloween Paper Lanterns Via Awesomelycraft
via @awesomelycraft/Instagram

Halloween paper lanterns

What you need:

How to make it:

These paper lanterns are perfect for the spooky season. After drawing a face on a piece of card stock, fold it in half horizontally and cut strips. Unfold the card stock, shape it into a cylinder and staple both ends to finish. Go with white paper to create a ghost, orange for a jack-o’-lantern and green for everyone’s favorite Halloween monster, the one created by doctor Frankenstein.

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Halloween Candy Wreath Jessica Holoka
Courtesy Jessica Holoka/Living La Vida Holoka

Halloween candy wreaths

What you need:

How to make it:

This craft is perfect for all that leftover Halloween candy. Wrap orange ribbon around a foam wreath to form the base. Then attach fun-size candies using a hot glue gun.

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Batty Centerpiece Via Theswetestoccasion
via thesweetestoccasion.com

Batty centerpiece

What you need:

How to make it:

No need to go batty—this Halloween decoration is doable even for beginner crafters. Scour the woods for fallen twigs and branches, arrange them in a vase and cut out and glue glittery bats to the branches.

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Halloween Tablecloth Melissa Haines
Courtesy Melissa Haines/Kid Friendly Things To Do

Halloween tablecloth

What you need:

How to make it:

For this tablecloth with a twist, you’ll need netting or tulle and spider rings, both of which can be found at your local craft or dollar store. Push the spider rings into the netting so they hold as though they’re caught in their own web. Wait, isn’t that the plot of one of the best Halloween movies?

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Front Door Spider Web Via Remodelandolacasa
via remodelandolacasa.com

Front door spider web

What you need:

How to make it:

For a truly tricked-out Halloween extravaganza, outdoor spaces should be just as decorated as indoor areas. And what better way to accomplish that than by forming a larger-than-life spider web across your front door?

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Chocolate Truffle Garland Via Thesweetestoccasion
via thesweetestoccasion.com

Chocolate truffle party garland

What you need:

How to make it:

Chocolate doesn’t just taste good, it looks good too—especially when you use it to create the perfect party garland. Wrap floral wire around the ends of each truffle to connect them and attach ribbon to the final truffle on each end, which will allow you to easily string up your garland.

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Skull Centerpiece Via Themakerista
via themakerista.com

Skull centerpiece

What you’ll need:

How to make it:

DIY Halloween decorations run the gamut from solitary crafts—a decorated pumpkin, let’s say—to elaborate Halloween house displays that give off a haunting ambiance. That’s exactly what you’ll get with this skull and candelabra centerpiece setup.

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Creepy Crawly Spider Pumpkin Via Thekimsixfix
via thekimsixfix.com

Creepy crawly spider pumpkin

What you need:

How to make it:

Jack-o’-lanterns aren’t the only thing that pumpkins are good for. Update your pumpkin-decorating arsenal this holiday by making a creepy spider pumpkin. Hot-glue plastic spiders all around the pumpkin to create a hair-raising effect.

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Halloween Witch From Upcycled Gain Container Via Ourwabisabilife
via ourwabisabilife.com

Upcycled Halloween witch

What you need:

How to make it:

Turn your empty laundry pod container into a bona fide Halloween decoration success. You’ll need paint (turn any container witchy green!), glue, a witch’s hat and some tissue paper and pipe cleaners for the hair. The kids will go wild for this craft, and they’ll love these kids Halloween movies too.

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Ghost Garland Via Jenna Shaughnessy
Courtesy Jenna Shaughnessy/Jenna Kate at Home

Ghost garland

What you need:

How to make it:

This boo-tiful Halloween decoration will surely produce some ghoulish shrieks of joy, and it’s fun to make too. Wrap a tissue over a bead or foam ball, tie it off with white yarn and draw a spooky face with a marker. Link them together on a long piece of yarn, and hang the garland from your mantle. It’s a quick and easy craft, leaving you plenty of time for other Halloween celebrations.

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Pumpkin Die O Rama Via Theartofdoingstuff
via theartofdoingstuff.com

Pumpkin die-o-rama

What you’ll need:

How to make it:

It’s time to let your inner creativity shine with this fresh and fun craft. First, you’ll need a hollow pumpkin for carving. Then arrange various Halloween miniatures inside—the creepier, the better!

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Skull Candle Holder Via Endlesslyinspired
via endlesslyinspired.com

Skull candleholder

What you need:

How to make it:

There are no bones about it: This simple yet sophisticated decoration is the macabre art project you’ve been waiting for. Hot-glue three plastic skulls (which you can find at your local craft or dollar store) together and bookend them with terra cotta saucers. Spray-paint the whole thing black, and you’re done. Now arm yourself with some laugh-out-loud skeleton puns so you’re ready to crack ’em when anyone remarks on your creative crafting.

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Paper Flying Witches Via Kidscraftroom
via kidscraftroom.com

Flying witches

What you need:

How to make it:

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, it’s a flying witch! Glue strips of orange construction paper to a green paper cup and draw a face to create the witch’s head. Add a black cloak and pointy hat fashioned out of black construction paper. Use brown paper to form the witch’s broom, then watch as she flies into the night.

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Ghost Candles Via Ourwabisabilife
via ourwabisabilife.com

Ghost candles

What you need:

How to make it:

Don’t have much time for complicated DIY Halloween decorations? Try this one. It’s scary easy. Just use a black permanent marker to draw ghost faces on white candles. And if you like your costumes the way you like your decor—quick and uncomplicated—you’ll love these easy Halloween costumes you can pull together at the last minute.

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Diy Witches Broom Via Theartofdoingstuff
via theartofdoingstuff.com

Witch’s broom

What you need:

  • Branch
  • Twigs
  • Rubber band
  • Twine

How to make it:

Everybody knows a witch’s favorite form of transportation is her trusty broom. Create your own this spooky season using a branch, twigs, rubber band and twine. Wrap a thick rubber band about five inches above the end of your branch and stick thin twigs under it. Once you feel your broom is full enough, wrap twine to keep it secure.

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homemade halloween spooky gingerbread house
mtreasure/Getty Images

Halloween gingerbread house

What you need:

How to make it:

This delicious DIY Halloween decoration is as tasty as it is spooky. All you’ll need is some frosting, candy corn and creativity to get started. You can buy a premade gingerbread house or buy a kit with all the cookie cutters and instructions you’ll need to make your own.

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Shadowbox pumpkins
Courtesy Crazy Little Projects

Shadowbox pumpkins

What you need:

How to make it:

Take pumpkin carving to a whole new level with these creative shadow box beauties. Gather your creativity (and grab your scissors) to make this DIY Halloween decoration with a vintage vibe. Complete the look with these vintage Halloween costumes.

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bread tag monsters halloween craft
Courtesy Crafts by Amanda

Bread tag monsters

What you need:

How to make it:

This DIY Halloween decoration is a two-in-one win: Not only will you get an adorably spooky craft out of those little plastic clips used to keep bread fresh, but you’ll also be giving a renewed purpose to old bread tags. Decorate the clips with acrylic paint and add designs to create wonderfully unique monsters.

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halloween countdown calendar craft
Courtesy spookylittlehalloween.com

Halloween countdown calendar

What you need:

How to make it:

Can’t wait until Halloween? With this DIY Halloween decoration, you can count down the days. All you’ll need is a bulletin board, some card stock and push pins to create the Halloween countdown calendar of your dreams (or, better yet, nightmares).

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pumpkin witch halloween craft
Courtesy The Crafty Blog Stalker

Pumpkin witch

What you need:

How to make it:

Make a trip to the pumpkin patch in your area or buy an artificial pumpkin to create this craft. Carving isn’t necessary, which means you won’t spend time cleaning pumpkin guts from your kitchen. With the use of some colorful duct tape, you can create the witch-o’-lantern of your dreams, sans mess.

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Halloween Jar Craft
via modpodgerocksblog.com

Halloween jars

What you need:

How to make it:

Even your jars can get festive this holiday season with this super simple (but totally on theme!) DIY Halloween craft. With the help of some Mod Podge, card stock and LED tea lights, your old glass jars will go from trash to flash.

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bat puppet halloween craft
Courtesy Red Ted Art

Bat paper puppet

What you need:

How to make it:

Thanks to the printable paper template, making your very own bat paper puppet is as easy as 1, 2, 3. You’ll impress your kids (and fellow parents alike) by making the bat’s wings move up and down. It’s one of the cutest DIY Halloween decorations around. For more fun for the little ones, tell these Halloween jokes for kids.

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Spider web earrings
via crafts-for-all-seasons.com

Spider web earrings

What you need:

How to make it:

These spooktastic spider web earrings are sure to catch someone’s eye. (Can you believe the spider is made from staples and mini pompoms?) They’re almost as realistic as some of the most intricate spider webs found in nature; just make sure you avoid getting caught in its web!

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mini ghost globes halloween craft
Courtesy Sparkle Living

Ghostly globes

What you need:

How to make it:

Made primarily out of cheesecloth, these ghosts are sure to make for a ghoul-tastic holiday. Tell these spooky stories while you wait for the glue to dry.

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glitter Witch Broom Craft
via annsentitledlife.com

Glittery witch’s broom

What you need:

How to make it:

Creepy DIY Halloween decorations are all well and good, but what about a fabulous one instead? Add some glamour to your October with a glittery broom fit for witch royalty. Grab your spray paint and accessorize with some friendly critters clipped to the broom’s tail.

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spider web cookie jar halloween craft
Courtesy Crazy Little Projects

Spider web cookie jar

What you need:

How to make it:

To keep your homemade cookies fresh in the most spooktacular way, store them in this homemade cookie jar. Etching cream gives a frosted look to the glass (don’t forget to wear gloves when using it!), while the black vinyl can be cut into all kinds of scary shapes. Alternatively, fill your jar with your favorite Halloween candy (or choose based on your zodiac sign) and just try to resist the lure!

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wood slice pumpkins halloween craft
Courtesy DecoArt

Wood slice pumpkins

What you need:

How to make it:

This wood slice pumpkin craft is perfect for anyone who wants to add a sophisticated yet rustic twist to their Halloween decorating style. Feel free to freehand your designs, or use a template to make sure your pumpkin is picture-perfect.

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pumpkin spice slime halloween craft
Courtesy My Big Fat Happy Life

Pumpkin spice slime

What you need:

How to make it:

Channel the Halloween movie The Blob and create some slime for fright night. What’s so great about this particular Halloween craft is that you’ll already have most of the materials at home, and playing with it will keep your kids occupied for hours. Win-win!

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Frankenstein tin cans
via youbrewmytea.com

Frankenstein’s monster cans

What you need:

How to make it:

Upcycling and crafting? Sign us up! The paint, glue and fun details, like googly eyes and corks for neck screws, make these DIY Halloween decorations easy to put together. The adorably terrifying Frankenstein’s monster cans will be a perfectly silly addition to your Halloween decor.

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haunted welcom mat halloween craft
Courtesy Crafty Lumberjacks

Haunted welcome mat

What you need:

How to make it:

This isn’t a vampire movie—you can enter … if you dare. We can’t promise there won’t be scares inside, but one thing you don’t have to fear is making this haunting welcome mat. All you need is some spray paint and DIY stencils.

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Halloween Coffin Succulent Planter Craft
via minimaterials.com

Coffin succulent planter

What you need:

How to make it:

Put your green thumb to good use this Halloween by creating a creepy coffin planter. Bury a mini skeleton in a small coffin, along with moss and succulents, for an eerily beautiful decoration.

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Fairy graveyard centerpiece
via acraftymix.com

Fairy graveyard centerpiece

What you need:

How to make it:

Looking to give guests a spine-chilling sensation this season? Put together this fairy graveyard centerpiece the next time you host a party. Of the DIY Halloween decorations on our list, this ranks as one of the more intricate designs. But it’s worth creating, and it’s sure to get heads rolling. For more Halloween fun, check out these Hocus Pocus quotes.

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Fabric pumpkin
via happyhourprojects.com

Fabric pumpkins

What you need:

How to make it:

What requires no sewing, takes under an hour to make and is sure to add to your Halloween decor? This incredible fabric pumpkin, of course! All you’ll need is some fabric and beans to give the pumpkin its perfect shape. Add felt for the stem and leaves, and you’re good to go.

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ghost balloons halloween craft
Courtesy designImprovised.com

Ghost balloons

What you need:

How to make it:

Boo! This craft is so simple, we’re surprised more people haven’t thought of it. Turn white balloons into ghostly masterpieces by drawing faces on them with black marker and adding some streamers to the bottom.

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halloween silhouette craft
Courtesy Sarah Ramberg/Sadie Seasongoods

Macabre silhouettes

What you need:

How to make it:

Do you love all things vintage? If so, this is the DIY Halloween decoration for you. Embroidery hoops with silhouettes of skulls, witches, goblins and ghouls will give your house a timeless Halloween vibe—more Victorian manor than scream-inducing haunted house.

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spooky terrarium halloween craft
Courtesy Today's Creative Life

Terrifying terrarium

What you need:

How to make it:

The comforting woodland world takes a morbid turn with this DIY craft. After you search the backyard for twigs, moss and rocks, scour the house for small, Halloween-themed decorations, like skulls and scary birds. You’ll use all of it to craft these cheap Halloween decorations. Build your scene in a terrarium or on the upside-down lid of a Mason jar.

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creepy wall hanging halloween craft
Courtesy The Graphics Fairy

Creepy wall hangings

What you need:

How to make it:

Who-who are you looking at? The Graphics Fairy blog makes DIY Halloween decorations easy with free printables and a simple technique to transfer the images directly onto fabric using your regular printer. Not sure what project to tackle when you’re done with this? You could try another one of the crafts on this list … or you could curl up with a Disney Halloween movie.

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milk jug lanterns halloween craft
via kiwico.com

Ghostly lanterns

What you need:

How to make it:

A gallon of milk doesn’t just make for strong bones; once finished, it’s the perfect canvas for DIY Halloween decorations. Draw spooky faces on empty, clean gallon milk jugs, then fill them with white holiday lights to decorate your porch or walkway with a ghostly Halloween glow.

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witch leg candy bucket halloween craft
Courtesy Porch Daydreamer

Wicked witch leg candy bucket

What you need:

How to make it:

This creative take on a candy bucket for Halloween will have you cackling, “I’ll get you my pretty … and your little dog too.” Although things may not have ended so well for the Wicked Witch of the West, this candy bucket will have your local trick-or-treaters oohing and aahing.

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Mini Grave Yard Craft
Via Minimaterials.com

Mini graveyard

What you need:

How to make it:

Create your very own village graveyard in a shoebox with this easy Halloween decoration. Or get extra creepy by recreating one of the most haunted places in the world.

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punpkin mason jar candle holder halloween craft
via thecreativeplace.blogspot.com

Forever pumpkins

What you need:

How to make it:

These easy Halloween decorations look like jack-o’-lanterns and—even better—will last for Halloweens to come!

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spider sacks halloween craft
via modernparentsmessykids.com

Crafty spider sacks

What you need:

How to make it:

Well, isn’t this just a horrifying photo? Using a water balloon to shape them, create chic yarn spider sacks to decorate light fixtures, drape over curtains or hang from a railing. A tiny plastic spider attached to each sack completes the decoration.

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bloody table runner halloween craft
Courtesy Jollity & Co Party Boutique

Bloody table runner

What you need:

How to make it:

Halloween is that much more festive with this so-simple-it’s-scary DIY Halloween decor. Don’t forget to create some blood-splattered place mats as well. And go ahead and add some fake blood to your face to really give your guests a scare.

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lace pumpkins halloween craft
via positivelysplendid.com

Lace pumpkin

What you need:

How to make it:

To give the classic Halloween pumpkin a new look, spray yours with white paint before wrapping it in a strip of lace and painting the stem gold. No lace fabric handy? Try using a thick lace headband, or cut a strip of lace stocking and fit it around the widest part of the pumpkin for a cute alternative to the jack-o’-lantern.

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spider garland halloween craft
Courtesy OH MY! CREATIVE

Spider garland

What you need:

How to make it:

We screamed when we saw this creepy garland. Glue black yarn “legs” onto a pompom and add a small dot of glue, then sprinkle orange glitter onto it.

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Candy Corn Garland Halloween Craft
via momtastic.com

Candy corn garland

What you need:

How to make it:

Loaded up with candy corn from the ghosts of Halloween past? Use it to create a Halloween candy garland! It’s as simple as gluing some candy corn to sturdy string.

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Witchy Wreath
via alaynascreations.blogspot.com

Witchy wreath

What you need:

How to make it:

Who says wreaths are only for the winter holidays? Spruce up your front door with this bewitching wreath. Complete with boots and a hat, this wreath will bring the holiday spirit directly to your doorstep.

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candy corn vases halloween craft
via meatloafandmelodrama.com

Candy corn vases

What you need:

How to make it:

Candy corn vases will make any table, windowsill or mantel look more festive. For these DIY Halloween decorations, simply spray clean, empty bottles with orange, yellow and white paint.

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mummy door halloween craft
via whiskingmama.com

Front door mummy

What you need:

How to make it:

Make a ghoulish first impression with this five-minute DIY Halloween decor. Tape white streamers to your door and add some spooky eyes. Just make sure you check the forecast first! This isn’t the type of outdoor decor that weathers rain well.

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halloween ornaments craft
via modpodgerocksblog.com

Halloween ornaments

What you need:

How to make it:

Traditional Christmas ornament balls make festive Halloween decorations for your house or yard. Cover ornaments in papier mache, then paint them with Halloween designs, like striped witch’s stockings, pumpkins or ghosts.

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mummy cards halloween craft
via curlybirds.typepad.com

Mummy seating cards

What you need:

How to make it:

Decorate inside and out for Halloween with these ingenious DIY Halloween decorations. Use them as place cards for a Halloween party, drop a few into the candy bucket for trick-or-treaters or send them to school with the kids to give out to classmates. Looking for place card ideas? Try these Halloween quotes.

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boo cans candle holders halloween craft
Matthew Mead for Country Woman

Can boo!

What you need:

How to make it:

Start by spray-painting three empty (and clean!) cans black. Outline one letter of the word “boo” onto each can. Using a drill or hammer and nails, create holes in the can in the shape of the letter. Stick in a battery-operated votive, and voila! Now that you’ve mastered this craft, it’s time to tackle these easy Halloween makeup looks.

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decorated pumpkin halloween craft
Courtesy Christina Spalatin/Country Woman

Creepy cottage

What you need:

How to make it:

Create a Halloween scene by carving open a craft pumpkin and placing a miniature haunted house and other eerie details inside. Moss makes great grass, and mini pumpkins add atmosphere.

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via onelittleproject.com

Yarn pumpkins

What you need:

How to make it:

You’ll have the best pumpkins on the block with this DIY Halloween decoration, which starts with blown-up balloons. Glue and wrap the yarn around the balloon to make a pumpkin shape. While you’re waiting for the glue to dry, try cracking these Halloween riddles.

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rock monsters
Courtesy Angela Milnes/The Inspiration Edit

Monster rocks

What you need:

How to make it:

Halloween monster rocks are the perfect DIY Halloween decorations if you have young kids because all you need is paint, googly eyes and rocks. Let the kids unleash their creativity and have a blast.

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pool noodle witch legs
Courtesy Gina Bell/East Coast Mommy

Pool noodle witch legs

What you need:

How to make it:

Here’s another fun way to create witch legs: Repurpose an old pool noodle, add some witch-appropriate stockings and shoes, and give guests at your Halloween party a laugh.

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Cheese Cloth Ghost Craft
Via Themamanotes.com

Floating cheesecloth ghost

What you need:

How to make it:

Make your house spookier than ever with cloth ghosts that you can hang practically anywhere. They’re so sophisticated, everyone will think you bought these at the store!

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floating witch hat luminaries halloween craft
via polkadotchair.com

Floating witch hat luminaries

What you need:

How to make it:

Trick-or-treaters only stop by houses that are lit up. But if you want to do more than simply turn on your porch light, try making these illuminated witch hats. All you need are some witch hats, LED lights, a fishing line and a long needle to make your home the most unique stop on the block. Can’t get enough of witches? These witchy movies are sure to put a spell on you.

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candy door hanger
via cherishedbliss.com

Halloween candy door hanger

What you need:

How to make it:

If you’re not going to be home on Halloween night but still want to hand out candy, here is your solution. This is one of the DIY Halloween decorations that involves a tool that’s not so kid-friendly, but that doesn’t mean they can’t help write the message on the chalkboard!

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Bat Hat Craft
Via Kidscraftroom.com

Mad as a batty hat

What you need:

How to make it:

With a printable template for this DIY Halloween decoration, your little ones will look battier (and better) than ever on Oct. 31. Just print, fit, glue and go!

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ghost pinatas halloween craft
via makeandtell.com

Ghost piñata

What you need:

How to make it:

Trick-or-treating isn’t the only way to replenish your candy stash each year. Craft a ghost piñata, and guests at your Halloween party can gather their favorites when the friendly ghost breaks.

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via deliacreates.com

Halloween spider web place mats

What you need:

How to make it:

This DIY Halloween decoration might excite adults more than kids by instantly amping up your Halloween tablescape. To create it, you’ll need a steady hand and a printout of the spider web place mat template from the tutorial below.

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Googly Eye Vase Via Ourwabisabilife
via ourwabisabilife.com

Googly eye vase

What you need:

How to make it:

Only during Halloween can an ordinary vase become a holiday decorating hit. Use a black vase (or paint a dollar store vase black), and once it’s dry, affix googly eyes to it. (The more eyes you use, the more unsettling it becomes.) Fill it with fresh fall flowers, or channel a Gothic horror vibe by using dried black flowers.

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Chloë Nannestad
Chloë writes about quirky facts, trivia and humor for Reader's Digest. She loves to put her research skills to use to discover the meaning behind everyday objects or the right way to interpret a pet’s behavior—and as an enthusiastic pub-quiz team member, her favorite topic to write about is trivia. Chloë has been covering lifestyle topics for Reader's Digest since 2020 and has also had work published in Mashed and Tasting Table. When she's not writing, you can find her knitting, jogging or adding another houseplant to the jungle in her apartment.