Kids Halloween Crafts Using Milk Cartons

For each of the following Halloween crafts, you will need one waxed cardboard carton per child that was used for milk, cream or half-and-half. You will also need poster paints or acrylic paints and your usual craft painting supplies like newspaper to cover your work space, brushes and plastic cups for mixing paint, scissors and white craft glue.

Other art project supplies, as listed for each Halloween craft, may be necessary or are optional for decorative purposes.

Halloween Trick-Or-Treat Pumpkin Container

Additional Supplies:Pipe cleaners.

Optional Decorating Supplies:glow-in-the-dark paint (optional) or stickers (optional).

Adults: Cut off the pointed top of the container.

If you need to save time because you're doing a classroom activity, prepare the cartons the day before the project with one or two coats of spray primer and allow them to dry thoroughly. After that the paint will adhere better and more quickly.

Poke two holes in the top of the carton, about ½ inch from the cut edge.

Children: Paint the outside of the container orange. If not primed allow the first coat to dry a few minutes and give it a second or even third coat to your art project.

Use black paint to paint on features. For a special effect, use glow-in-the-dark paint. Alternately, glue on googly eyes and pumpkin face stickers to decorate the carton.

Thread a pipe cleaner through the top holes it and twist the ends of the pipe cleaner to hold it in place like a handle.

Halloween Lamp

Additional Supplies: Wax or parchment paper, ruler, pencil, molding clay, battery powered pumpkin light.

Optional Decorating Supplies: Glitter glue, craft gems, stickers, Foamies, etc.

Adults: Use a ruler to measure and mark a rectangle on each side of the carton. Each side and the top of the rectangle should be about ½ inch from edge, while the bottom line of the rectangle should be about 2 inches from the bottom.

Cut out the rectangles to create "windows" on each side of the carton.

Measure and cut rectangles of wax or parchment paper, approximately 1/4 inch wider than the rectangles.

Poke two holes in the top "point" of the carton, one on each side. This will be used later to hang the lantern.

Children: Paint the carton whatever color you desire for this Halloween craft.

Use glitter glue, craft gems, stickers, Foamies, etc., or whatever kid craft supplies you like to work with, to decorate the lamp as desired. Allow the Halloween craft to dry.

Glue wax or parchment paper on three sides of the lamp to cover the openings. On the fourth side, glue the paper only across the top of the window. This will leave an access point for the light.

Thread ribbon through the top holes to make a hanger for the lamp.

Take a piece of molding clay and work it until pliable. Push it into the bottom of the carton through the access window. Turn on the pumpkin light and push it into the clay so the clay holds it in place.

Have an adult hang the Halloween lamp for you.

Haunted House Centerpiece

Additional Supplies: Craft foam or paper, old sponge, paper towels

Optional Decorating Supplies: markers, box cutter, silk fall leaves or Spanish moss

Adults: Cut a piece of sponge to be about one or two inches wide, and ½ to an inch tall, to create a "brick." Dampen it and wring it out well.

Use a box cutter to cut Popsicle sticks in half if kids want to use them for the "roof" or to "board up" windows.

Help kids measure and cut out shapes for a door, shutters, windows, ghosts or any other decorative elements desired. You can use craft foam or paper for these elements.

Children: Paint the container a base color of light gray or white. Two coats should do it.

Squirt some black and a little white paint on a paint tray or paper plate, mixing them roughly so they are "marbleized." Take the damp sponge, press it into the paint and dab at a paper towel until most of the paint comes off.

Tap the sponge onto the sides of the carton to create "brick" designs. Allow it to dry.

Decorate the paper or craft foam elements with markers, if desired, to make details. Glue them on to the carton to decorate it.

Glue paper, craft foam or Popsicle sticks onto the top slope of the carton to create a "roof." Place your Halloween craft on a table for decoration. Set it on top of some scattered silk fall leaves or Spanish moss if you have any.