25 Easy Handmade Halloween Decor Projects

Halloween is the perfect time to let your creativity shine. Whether you love spooky vibes or cute, festive touches, handmade decorations can transform your home into a Halloween wonderland. The best part? You don’t need expensive store-bought items. With a little imagination, simple supplies, and a sprinkle of creativity, you can craft decorations that feel personal and unique.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through 25 easy handmade Halloween decor projects that are fun, budget-friendly, and perfect for all skill levels. Each project includes tips, materials, and personal insights to make the experience enjoyable.

1. Paper Plate Ghosts

A classic for a reason! Paper plates are inexpensive and easy to work with. Cut out eye and mouth holes, paint them white or glow-in-the-dark, and hang them with string. Kids love waving these friendly ghosts around. You can even create a whole ghost family for your hallway.

2. Mason Jar Lanterns

Turn empty mason jars into eerie lanterns. Paint pumpkins, witches, or spooky faces on the jars and place LED tealights inside. These lanterns glow warmly at night and add a charming touch to your porch. Bonus: you can reuse them year after year.

3. Felt Pumpkins

Soft felt pumpkins are perfect for indoor decor. Cut fabric into pumpkin shapes, sew or glue edges, and stuff them with cotton. Use twine or ribbon as stems. Place them on tables, mantels, or shelves for a cozy fall feel.

4. Toilet Paper Roll Bats

Grab empty toilet paper rolls, black paint, and some construction paper wings. Decorate them with googly eyes and hang them upside down from ceilings or tree branches. These little bats are fun to make with kids and fill your space with playful spookiness.

5. Witch Hat Garland

Create mini witch hats from cardstock or felt, then string them together for a whimsical garland. Hang it above your fireplace or across door frames. This project adds personality and is easier than it looks.

6. Candy Corn Vases

Paint jars or cups in candy corn colors—yellow, orange, and white. Fill them with treats, flowers, or candles. These bright, cheerful decorations instantly uplift your Halloween decor and are surprisingly versatile.

7. Spooky Window Silhouettes

Cut out shapes like witches, ghosts, or spiders from black paper. Stick them to your windows for a shadowy effect. This project is simple, yet it creates dramatic impact when backlit by indoor lights.

8. Balloon Skeletons

Blow up white balloons for heads and use black tape or marker to create skeletal faces. Connect them with string or paper rolls for a life-size skeleton display. It’s playful, eye-catching, and a great talking point for visitors.

9. Spider Web Doilies

Use white paper doilies to make intricate spider webs. Hang them on walls or in corners and add tiny fake spiders for a realistic effect. This craft is surprisingly elegant while still spooky.

10. Glow Stick Jars

Drop glow sticks into jars or bottles for instant glowing decorations. Perfect for outdoor paths, porches, or spooky centerpieces. Kids are fascinated by the glowing effect, and it’s safe for nighttime fun.

11. Pumpkin Garland

Cut small pumpkins from paper or felt and string them together. Add leaves or twine for a rustic touch. This project is easy to customize in colors, size, and patterns, making it perfect for your home style.

12. Ghostly Candle Holders

Wrap empty jars with white gauze or cheesecloth, leaving eye holes. Add tea lights inside. When lit, they cast spooky shadows and create a hauntingly beautiful ambiance.

13. Spider Cupcakes Toppers

Use pipe cleaners and googly eyes to make spider cupcake toppers. They’re fun for parties and double as mini decorations for shelves or tables. Kids especially enjoy crafting these little creepy crawlers.

14. Bat Wall Art

Cut black cardstock into bat shapes and create a flying pattern on your wall. Stick them randomly for a whimsical and eerie effect. You can even mix sizes for a more dynamic display.

15. Frankenstein Planters

Paint small pots with green, black, and white to resemble Frankenstein. Add plants as “hair.” These quirky decorations combine gardening with Halloween fun, adding life and humor to your decor.

16. Ghostly Door Hanger

Use a white sheet or felt to craft a door-hanging ghost. Add fabric eyes and a friendly smile. Place it on your front door for a welcoming yet spooky greeting for trick-or-treaters.

17. Pumpkin Mason Jar Luminaries

Carve pumpkin faces onto mason jars or paint them on. Add LED candles inside for a safe, glowing effect. They’re perfect for tabletops or lining a pathway outside.

18. Bat Napkin Rings

Cut bats from cardstock and wrap them around napkins for a Halloween dinner party. This tiny detail brings a lot of charm and shows your guests that you care about thematic touches.

19. Floating Ghosts

Cut ghost shapes from white fabric or paper, attach to string, and hang from the ceiling. These floating ghosts give a sense of movement and can make a room feel enchanted.

20. Witch Brooms

Mini broomsticks made from twigs and string make adorable decorations. Display them in corners, on shelves, or even in planters for a rustic, witchy vibe.

21. Spider Web Candle Mats

Use black yarn or string to create spider web patterns on circular mats. Place candle jars on top for a dramatic effect. This project blends elegance with Halloween fun.

22. Monster Bookmarks

Cut fun monster shapes from cardstock and attach them to bookmarks. These are perfect for kids and add a playful touch to your Halloween reading nook.

23. DIY Tombstones

Use cardboard or foam boards to create tombstones. Paint them gray and add funny or spooky epitaphs. Line your yard or front porch for a haunted graveyard vibe.

24. Glow-in-the-Dark Pumpkins

Paint pumpkins with glow-in-the-dark paint. They’re perfect for evening displays and look magical when lights go down. Combine with LED candles for extra charm.

25. Halloween Wreath

Craft a wreath using felt, ribbons, and small decorations like spiders or pumpkins. Hang it on your door to instantly welcome the Halloween spirit. This project is versatile—you can create a spooky or cute version depending on your style.

Conclusion

Handmade decorations bring personality, charm, and creativity to your Halloween celebrations. These 25 easy handmade Halloween decor projects are fun, affordable, and perfect for all skill levels. From glowing lanterns to spooky ghosts, each project allows you to customize your home while making memorable moments with family and friends. This Halloween, skip the generic store-bought decorations and let your imagination shine. The joy of creating something with your hands adds magic that no store-bought item can replicate.