Glowing DIY Halloween Lantern Crafts and Luminary Ideas

Here’s a list of easy DIY Halloween Decorations for kids and adults. The Halloween luminaries on this list of Halloween lantern ideas emit a festive, subtle glow at parties and light up the night for trick-or-treaters. Make your favorite DIY Halloween lantern craft today!

Enhance your DIY Halloween decorations with this creative list of Halloween lantern-making ideas suitable for indoor or outdoor use. This festive collection of lantern crafts offers fantastic ideas for making glowing, homemade decorations perfect for Halloween parties or your front porch.

The DIY décor below is guaranteed to impress your friends, neighbors, and trick-or-treaters on Halloween night. Discover how to make a Halloween lantern using materials like glass canning jars, plastic milk jugs, paper, tin cans, and other recycled craft supplies with the DIY project ideas below. You might also enjoy these outdoor Halloween porch decorations.

Gorgeous Glowing Halloween DIY Lanterns:

Real pumpkins made into Jack-o’-lanterns are the most traditional DIY Halloween luminaries. However, this list of easy Halloween lantern crafts features everything except the classic real pumpkin Jack-o’-Lanterns. Instead, it includes several other crafts you can make for Halloween.

Looking for classic Jack-o’-lantern pumpkin carving ideas? Check out this list of fall nature crafts. It includes popular pumpkin Halloween Jack-o’-lantern luminary ideas that kids and adults can make with real pumpkins.

You can make several different types of Halloween lanterns with the excellent DIY projects below. Each project inclues a link to the original creator’s DIY instructions. When available, similar options you can purchase are available for your convienience. Transform your home, classroom, or workplace with the fun homemade Halloween decoration ideas in this handy guide.

Create any of the Halloween lantern crafts below with your kids, students, or friends. Making Halloween decorations for parties or helping make Halloween crafts that light up the night for trick-or-treaters is a fun Halloween craft project for all ages. First published on September 20, 2015, this post is regularly updated to improve its content. For more creative ideas, please visit this list of Halloween Art Projects.

Cool Halloween Lantern DIY Decorations for Kids and Adults:

Kids and adults will love the recycled Halloween lantern-making crafts and ideas on this list of DIY luminaries. The lantern craft ideas below include several DIY Halloween luminaries made with various combinations of craft supplies and recycled materials.

Use the step-by-step craft tutorials below, to create glowing lanterns for Halloween with mason jars, tin cans, paper bags, milk jugs, Halloween buckets, Chinese paper lanterns, plastic cups, recycled glass or plastic bottles, and more!

Whether you want to make friendly or spooky DIY Halloween decorations, you will find several festive Halloween DIY lantern options below that you can make with friends, family, and children at home or in the classroom. If you are not feeling crafty, but love the look of these Halloween luminaries, I have also included ready-made luminary options you can buy to easily add a festive glow to your Halloween home decor. You might also enjoy making these Turkey Leaf Lanterns for Thanksgiving.

DIY Halloween decoration ideas, like the gorgeous glowing lanterns and luminaries below, emit a beautiful, subtle glow when used as centerpieces or placed on mantles, windowsills, or doorsteps for Halloween partygoers or to help neighborhood trick-treaters see at night. You might also enjoy painting Halloween Pumpkins.

Halloween Luminaries and Halloween Lantern Craft Ideas for Kids and Adults:

This round-up of Halloween DIY lanterns features fun, impressive DIY Halloween decorations that can impress your friends and neighbors. Try the fun Halloween luminary DIY ideas below, or find inspiration to create a new and unique Halloween lantern craft.

Best of all, most Halloween Lantern craft ideas use materials from your recycling bin. Transform milk jugs, coffee cans, paper bags, mason jars, cups, and bottles into stunning homemade Halloween decorations with the fantastic ideas below. Using recycled materials as the main craft supply for DIY lanterns and luminaries makes it more affordable to create these Halloween decorations. You might also enjoy using fresh autumn leaves to make fall leaf lanterns and luminaries.

Making recycled Halloween luminaries is a fun way to decorate for Halloween and provide light at night during the darker half of the year. This informative guide includes simple Halloween lantern crafts kids can make. For more Halloween ideas, you might enjoy this list of healthy treats and other fun candy-free handout alternatives to pass out to trick-or-treaters.

 1. Enchanting Silhouette Halloween Lanterns:

I love the enchanting Halloween silhouette lanterns made by Liska over at “Adventure in a Box,” as shown in the photograph below. Aren’t they gorgeous DIY decorations!? Click on the link to learn how to make these fantastic Halloween silhouette luminaries. Alternatively, you can purchase Halloween lanterns with different lovely yet spooky silhouettes in several other color variations, including purple here.

2. Painted Mason Jar Halloween Luminaries:

I love the different colors and fun hand-drawn faces on these painted Halloween mason jar lanterns on “Crafts by Amanda.” This simple technique offers many fun ways to decorate a Halloween lantern with mason jars and paint.

This creative technique for making DIY Halloween lanterns and luminaries with various pumpkin and ghoulish faces is is a simple projects for kids or adults. Click the link above to learn how to make these easy Halloween lantern crafts. Alternatively, you can buy this colorful Halloween lanterns craft kit as an alternative.

Similar Recycled Jar Halloween luminaries:

• You can also make these DIY Jack O’ Lantern tea lights by “Moms and Crafters.”
• Visit the lantern craft tutorial above to see how to make similar gorgeous Halloween jar lanterns using permanent markers instead of paint to color the glass jars.

3. Halloween Mason Jar Lanterns with Tissue Paper:

DIY Halloween mason jar lanterns made with tissue paper are equally awesome. The tissue paper Halloween lantern version in the photograph below by “My Crafty Spot” won my heart years ago. It features mason jar lanterns in various colors and shapes. With a little imagination, you can create fun, Halloween-themed characters such as friendly Jack-o’-lanterns, ghoulish ghosts, Frankenstein, or even a vampire.

Create a Halloween lantern inspired by the ghoulishly glowing DIY project examples in the photograph below. The craft project features different types of tissue paper lanterns you can create. Because the tutorial is no longer available online, check out the alternative tissue paper lantern craft tutorials below the picture for step-by-step instructions.

spooktacular DIY tissue paper Halloween luminary Tutorials:

The following latern craft tutorials are made with tissue paper. Use larger wide-mouth mason jars, quart (32 ounce), half-gallon (64 ounce), or gallon (128 ounce), to create larger Halloween mason jar lanterns like those in the photograph above.

• Create easy Halloween Lanterns with tissue paper using the step-by-step instructions on “Red Ted Art.“
• Or, make tissue paper Jack-o’-lantern nightlight jars with the Halloween craft tutorial on “Fireflies and Mudpies.” The photo collage at the bottom of this craft tutorial has a photo of these sweet pumpkin lantern crafts. It’s a cute little Halloween lantern with curled pipe cleaner vines added to the top, making it look even more like a real pumpkin.

4. Halloween Mummy Jars by Nora Nalle:

I have seen mummy lanterns and luminaries made in several different ways. Mummy lantern jars are easy Halloween lantern crafts you can make with glass mason jars, or recycled bottles of various sizes. A plastic jar would also work, but must be used with a flameless tealight candle to ensure it doesn’t warp or melt.

Next, use a foam brush to paint a layer of Mod Podge (or another slightly watered-down white glue) on the outside of the jar. Then wrap it with gauze while it the glue is still wet, and add two googly eyes on top.

My favorite mummy jars are by “Nora Nalle.” Because Nora’s tutorial is no longer available online, this post now includes step-by-step instructions to make mummy jars. Scroll past the photo to see them. When you are finished making DIY mummy luminaries, add a pure beeswax tealight or flameless candle to give these simple Halloween lantern crafts a subtle glow.

How to make Mummy Halloween Jar Lanterns:

1. Gather mason jars or recycled glass bottles from the recycling bin in various shapes and sizes. (Larger heat-safe or tempered bottles and jars are best for making lanterns.)
2. Use a foam brush to coat the outside of a recycled glass bottle or mason jar with Mod Podge or another slightly watered-down white glue.
3. While the glue is still wet, wrap the bottle in a gauze roll and stick it to the glass jar until it looks like a wrapped mummy.
4. If desired, apply glue to the top of the gauze for added coverage or to secure it in any needed spots.
5. Keep adding glue and gauze until you’re satisfied with the look of your DIY mummy jars.
6. Use more glue if any gauze pieces come loose to keep them attached to the glass and the wrappings below.
7. Glue a pair of large googly eyes to the mummy jar to finish this creative Halloween lantern craft.
8. Pour a little sand into the bottom of the mummy jar before putting a beeswax tealight candle inside. (Alternatively, you can use a flameless candle without sand.)

5. Jam or Mason Jar Spider Web Lanterns:

Can you guess the material “Mum in the Madhouse” uses to create the spooktacular effect of these fabulous spider web Halloween lanterns? Find out her simple secret in the DIY step-by-step tutorial! You can purchase this creative craft material to turn mason or recycled glass jars into Halloween spider web lanterns and luminaries for Halloween HERE!

Related: Giant DIY Spider Web Halloween Decoration

6. DIY Paper Lanterns for Halloween Decorations:

You can also make Halloween lanterns with various types of paper. Because real candle flames pose a fire hazard with paper lanterns, use flameless tealights to make these DIY Halloween luminaries. Halloween luminaries like THESE DIY paper Halloween lanterns by “Lia Griffith” look amazing when lit on Halloween night. Please use flameless tealight candles to prevent the paper lanterns from catching on fire.

7. Halloween Tin Can Luminaries:

I love the simple look of the collection of recycled coffee can Halloween luminaries by “Jolly Mom” in the photograph below. Unfortunately, this blog is no longer available online, so I added one you can use to make these Halloween crafts below the photograph.

Another slightly different, super-festive, ready-made tin can lantern option with a smiling Jack-o’-lantern face that you can store and reuse is available HERE. Or, follow the step-by-step instructions to make tin can Halloween lanterns with any words or designs you think might look good.

For example, you can write words like “Boo” or create outlines of Halloween characters such as cats, pumpkins, skeletons, and ghosts. Check out how fantastic these tin can luminaries can look in the image below.

How to make Tin Can Halloween Lanterns:

Write simple Halloween phrases such as “Trick or Treat,” “Boo,” or “Happy Halloween” on tin cans with the step-by-step directions below. Alternatively, create a smiling, spooky, or goofy face, or outlines of classic Halloween characters such as a cat or an orb spiderweb.

1. Start this project by collecting and gathering large coffee cans similar to THIS.
2. Remove the label and clean the can.
3. Apply painter’s tape where you want to write festive words, create a face, or other Halloween designs on the can.
4. Use pens or markers to write festive Halloween words and phrases or create simple designs, such as a classic Jack-o’-lantern face, directly onto the tape stuck to the tin cans.
5. Fill cans with water and put them in the freezer until frozen. This will make it easier to punch holes in the next step.
6. Follow the outline of the words or design on the tape using a small hammer and an awl or a nail. Alternatively, you can use the tip of an old-fashioned can opener, which is useful for jack-o-lantern eyes, but using one can be more challenging.
7. Gently hit the awl or nail with the hammer to make a small hole. Tap the hammer until it punches through the tape over the design, creating a small hole in the tin can.
8. Continue tapping holes into the can (or punching holes with an old-fashioned can opener), following the words or design on the tape.
9. Remove the painter’s tape when finished creating the Halloween design or phrase on the tin can lantern.
10. Use acrylic paint to paint the cans black, orange, purple, green, or any other festive color you like.
11. Finally, drop in a flameless tealight or pour a bit of sand in the bottom, and then add a pure beeswax tealight candle.
12. This final step gives the tin can luminary a subtle glow that makes the words and designs easy to see on the can at night.

8. Pottery Barn Knock-Off Hanging Pumpkin Lanterns:

Hanging Chinese paper lanterns and Halloween luminaries make fantastic DIY Halloween decorations. There are several fun ways to make paper lanterns that float in mid-air, like the one by “Making Lemonade” in the photograph below. Use paper lanterns in various sizes (and colors) to make gorgeous hanging decorations that appear to float in the air. Halloween lanterns don’t have to be orange!

Of course, orange paper lanterns make great hanging pumpkin lanterns. But you can use several other colors to make these festive, glowing beauties. Use THESE hanging paper lanterns to make them quickly and easily. Get the step-by-step DIY project tutorial to make hanging paper Halloween lanterns HERE. Alternatively, you can purchase ready-made Halloween paper lanterns, like THESE or THESE.

9. Hanging Witch Hat Lanterns and Luminaries:

Here’s another DIY hanging Halloween lantern idea that’s just as excellent, perfect for making at home or in the classroom. These floating witch hat luminaries by “Polkadot Chair” are a super creative alternative to the hanging jack-o-lantern paper lanterns described above!

Aren’t they awesome?! You can hang these fabulous DIY Halloween decor ideas around your house to celebrate Halloween and add to the festive flair. Homemade decorations and fun Halloween lantern crafts like these hanging witch hats create bewitching decorations inside and out!

10. Halloween Paper Bag Luminaries:

Here are several ways you can make paper bag lanterns for Halloween. Use your favorite set of step-by-step instructions below to make homemade Halloween paper bag lanterns and luminaries at home or in the classroom:

How to Make Paper Bag Lanterns for Halloween:

• Use a long reach single-hole punch to punch holes into orange paper bags (or plain brown paper lunch bags) to create various festive words and designs.
  • In other words, use the hole punch to write words such as “Trick or Treat” or make various Halloween designs on paper bags, such as a haunted house.
• Alternatively, you can use a spider, bat, or pumpkin paper punch to make DIY Halloween luminary bags. These festive Halloween punches can create various designs on each paper bag. However, unlike the single-hole punch option mentioned above, it’s hard to reach deep into the center of the bag to create designs, so these work better along the top or sides. You can also fold the bag to create designs that cut through multiple layers of paper.
• Look at the paper bag lantern ideas below for even more spooktacular DIY Halloween paper bag luminary ideas!

More Paper Bag Halloween Lantern Ideas:

• Several other paper bag Halloween lantern options are available at the Amazon affiliate links below:
  • 24 Halloween luminary bags: Bat and pumpkin orange tea light candle bags make lovely Halloween decorations for parties and fall festivals. Get these festive decorations–> HERE.
  • 20 pcs durable, reusable, gorgeous white fire-retardant luminary candle bags with stars and moons. Get these paper bag lanterns–> HERE.
  • 48 pcs Halloween luminary bags. (Flame-resistant luminaries) Orange and black tea light candle bags. Halloween decorations and party lanterns with a witch, black cat, or pumpkin silhouette. Get these paper bag luminaries HERE.
  • Don’t forget the flameless tealight candles for your paper bag Halloween luminaries.

11. Milk Jug Ghost Halloween DIY Lanterns or “Spirit Jugs.”

Recycled “spirit jugs” are easy to make and use as gorgeous, glowing DIY Halloween decor. Start saving your milk jugs now! Use a strand of Christmas lights to make these Halloween milk jug luminaries, as shown in the photograph below.

Alternatively, you can make this type of recycled milk jug Halloween luminary emit a subtle glow by putting flameless tealights, glow sticks, or bracelets inside the ghost lanterns. (Glow sticks of all kinds also make great non-candy Halloween treats! Click the link for several more candy alternatives that make great handout ideas for Halloween!)

Use colored glow sticks to add color to your glowing ghost lanterns and luminaries. Flameless candles also work just as well in milk jug lanterns like these ghoulish glowing ghosts. Get step-by-step instructions to make Halloween lanterns or spirit jugs that look like ghosts, with plastic gallon milk jugs shown in the photograph below HERE.

More Milk Jug Halloween Lanterns:

• Alternatively, you can make these quick and inexpensive DIY Halloween ghost luminaries with the craft tutorial on Third Stop on the Right.

12. Halloween Bucket Jack O’ Lantern Luminary Ideas:

Halloween buckets, traditionally used to collect candy on Halloween night, can be turned into lanterns and luminaries in fun, creative ways. Stacking them creates a spooky Halloween totem-pole effect that lights up the night, as shown in the examples of Halloween bucket lanterns in the photograph below. Use Jack O’ Lantern Halloween buckets with various colors and designs to make some of the fabulous Halloween Luminary ideas below:

• Use the fun DIY Halloween luminary tutorial on Scratch and Stitch to make a glowing plastic Jack-o’-lantern totem pole.
• Cut out the eyes and mouth of Jack-o’-lantern Halloween buckets to make DIY light-up Halloween pumpkins. The tutorial is on Girl, Just DIY!
• Use the DIY Halloween luminary craft tutorial on Twitchetts to create a colorful, light-up Halloween totem pole with a weathered look.
• Make this easy Jack-o’-Lantern porch light with the fun DIY Halloween lantern tutorial by Happiness is Homemade.
• Use Jack-o’-lantern Halloween buckets to make the easy glowing pumpkin lantern DIY found on Making Lemonade.
• Alternatively, you can purchase this staking plastic Jack-o’-lantern pumpkin totem pole with lights, or this lighted stacked pumpkin decoration for Halloween with an LED Bulb.

13. Recycled Cup Lanterns and Halloween Luminaries:

Use recycled plastic or paper cups to try these cool Halloween Lantern DIY ideas.

• Make paper cup Jack-o’-lantern pumpkins that will glow in the dark on Halloween night. They have cute, glowing noses and are easy to make. Find this easy Halloween lantern DIY tutorial on Non-Toy Gifts.
• Looking for a quick, easy Halloween lantern craft? Your kids will love these glowing jack-o’-lanterns you can make with plastic cups! To make this easy Halloween luminary DIY, visit Buggy and Buddy for directions to make these cute cup lanterns.

Related: The Best Halloween Art Projects for Kids

14. Halloween Lanterns made with recycled bottles:

My daughter and I made a super cool Pumpkin and a fantastic Ghost Halloween sensory bottle for simple luminary and lantern decorations. Click on the links for the tutorials!

The Best Halloween Lanterns DIY

The Halloween DIY lantern roundup above includes several festive homemade decorations. Making cool Halloween lanterns is a fun craft project for kids and adults of all ages. Try these fun Halloween luminary DIY ideas, or find inspiration to create your spooky decor!

Gather milk jugs, coffee cans, paper bags, mason jars, cups, Halloween buckets, and various types of plastic and glass bottles to upcycle into Halloween lantern crafts.

Halloween luminaries are a fun way to decorate your doorstep and windowsills. For more DIY fall luminaries, try Leaf lanterns, Turkey Lanterns, or Heart Lanterns! You may also like this collection of Halloween Art Projects Kids LOVE!

Please visit this informative guide for more fall activities. It includes with a free printable bucket list of ideas you can check off if that is something you enjoy. Happy Halloween crafting!

More DIY Halloween Decoration Ideas:

• Tissue Paper Ghost Craft
• Spider Door Decor
• DIY Spider Egg Halloween Decoration
• Giant Spiderweb Halloween Decoration
• Spider Crafts
• Halloween Porch Decor

More DIY Mason Jar Lantern Ideas:

DIY lanterns are fun to make for several other occasions, including a traditional fall lantern walk. Try the step-by-step tutorials below. Happy lantern crafting!

• Autumn Leaf Lanterns
• Turkey Leaf Luminaries
• Heart Leaf Lanterns

If You Enjoy Halloween Lanterns DIY, Then You May Also Like:

• 13 Healthy Treats and Fun Alternatives for Halloween
• Top 10 Fall Nature Crafts (Contains pumpkin and jack-o’-lantern carving ideas)
• Glow in the Dark Ringer Game Sensory Bottle
• Halloween Pumpkin Salt Painting
• Best Halloween Art Projects