27 Cheap Halloween Crafts for Party Decor
Halloween doesn’t need to be expensive to feel magical and spooky. In fact, some of the best decorations are those you make yourself, using affordable materials and a little imagination. Crafting your own party décor not only saves money but also gives your space a personal and cozy vibe. From glowing lanterns to creepy garlands, every idea you try will bring your Halloween party to life without breaking the bank.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through 27 cheap Halloween crafts for party decor. Each idea is practical, easy to make, and perfect for turning your home into a festive haunted house. I’ll share the details in a conversational way so you can imagine doing them right at your kitchen table with friends or family.
1. Paper Bag Luminaries
Paper bag luminaries are one of the easiest ways to create spooky lighting. All you need are brown paper bags, a marker, and LED candles. Draw ghostly faces or spiderwebs on the bags, then place the candles inside. The soft glow makes your walkway or living room instantly festive. What I love most is how simple yet dramatic this craft feels—like turning a plain grocery bag into a magical Halloween lantern.
2. DIY Spiderweb Tablecloth
Transform a plain black tablecloth into something spooky by adding a spiderweb design with white fabric paint or chalk. The lines don’t need to be perfect—spiderwebs are naturally uneven. Drape it across your dining table and add plastic spiders for extra effect. This cheap craft makes your table look like it belongs in a haunted mansion.
3. Mason Jar Mummies
Wrap mason jars in strips of gauze or white fabric to create little mummies. Glue on googly eyes and place a tea light inside. They’re cheap, adorable, and add just the right amount of spooky fun. Line them up on a windowsill or party table for glowing mummy friends that greet your guests.
4. Balloon Ghosts
White balloons, a black marker, and tissue paper can create ghost decorations in minutes. Draw spooky faces on the balloons and cover them with tissue for a floating ghost effect. Hang them from the ceiling with string. It’s an affordable way to make your party room look like it’s filled with playful spirits.
5. Toilet Paper Roll Bats
Empty toilet paper rolls are treasures for cheap crafts. Paint them black, fold the sides for bat wings, and add googly eyes. Hang them on walls or string them into a garland. It’s such a budget-friendly way to reuse what you’d normally throw away while making the room Halloween-ready.
6. Pumpkin Balloon Garland
If carving pumpkins is too messy or costly, use orange balloons instead. Draw jack-o’-lantern faces on them and string them together as a garland. It instantly brings a festive vibe and costs just a few dollars. The best part is that you can mix big and small balloons for extra charm.
7. Ghostly Milk Jug Lanterns
Save empty milk jugs and paint them white. Draw ghost faces with a black marker, then insert string lights inside. The glowing effect is fantastic and makes a perfect walkway décor. It’s a wonderful craft to involve kids in, too, since it’s safe and playful.
8. Paper Plate Masks
Turn plain paper plates into fun masks with scissors, markers, and some string. Kids love wearing them, and you can hang extras on the wall for decoration. From vampires to witches, the creativity is endless. This idea adds a personal handmade touch to your Halloween party.
9. Trash Bag Spiderwebs
Grab black trash bags, cut them into spiderweb shapes, and tape them to windows or walls. It’s surprisingly easy and makes a big impact. This craft proves you don’t need fancy supplies—just creativity and scissors. It’s cheap, bold, and perfect for filling large spaces.
10. DIY Haunted Mirror
Take an old picture frame, place tinfoil or black paper inside, and draw a ghostly face with chalk. It looks like a haunted mirror straight out of a movie. This quick project creates a fun talking point for your guests and costs almost nothing.
11. Glow Stick Broomsticks
Attach glow sticks to bundles of twigs or straw to make glowing mini broomsticks. They can serve as table centerpieces or party favors. This idea mixes rustic vibes with a glowing twist, making your décor feel both spooky and magical.
12. Floating Cheesecloth Ghosts
Drape cheesecloth over a balloon, spray it with starch, and let it dry. Once you remove the balloon, you’ll have a floating ghost. Add eyes with felt or markers. Hang them around your party for eerie floating spirits that look far more expensive than they are.
13. DIY Pumpkin Lanterns
Instead of carving real pumpkins, use orange paper lanterns. Draw jack-o’-lantern faces with a black marker and hang them around. They’re lightweight, reusable, and much cheaper than buying multiple pumpkins. Plus, you avoid the mess of pumpkin guts.
14. Creepy Hand Candles
Melt wax and pour it into a latex glove, then insert a candle wick. Once hardened, peel off the glove to reveal a hand-shaped candle. This spooky decoration looks like something from a horror movie but costs very little to make.
15. Painted Rock Monsters
Collect smooth rocks, paint them in bright colors, and add silly or scary faces. They work as table scatter, paperweights, or even party favors. This craft is especially fun if you involve kids, as they love coming up with creative monster designs.
16. DIY Skeleton Garland
Cut skeleton shapes out of white paper and string them together. You can make them silly, spooky, or even dancing. Hang the garland across a doorway or window for an inexpensive but eye-catching decoration.
17. Candy Corn Centerpieces
Fill clear jars or vases with layers of orange, yellow, and white candy corn. Stick in a few fake spiders or mini pumpkins for flair. These edible decorations double as party snacks, making them practical and cheap.
18. Paper Cup Ghost Lights
Flip white paper cups upside down, draw ghost faces, and poke holes in the tops. Slide them over a string of fairy lights for glowing ghost garlands. It’s an affordable craft that adds instant charm to your party.
19. Halloween Wreath from Dollar Store Finds
Grab some black tulle, plastic spiders, and a wire frame from the dollar store. Assemble them into a wreath that looks like it came from a boutique. Guests will never guess how cheap it was to make.
20. Glow-in-the-Dark Bones
Use glow-in-the-dark paint on cardboard cutouts of bones. Arrange them on the floor or walls to look like scattered skeleton parts. This eerie detail transforms your party space into a haunted graveyard without costing more than a few dollars.
21. Witch Hat Centerpieces
Create mini witch hats from black cardstock and decorate with glitter or ribbon. Place them on tables as fun centerpieces. They’re charming, cheap, and can even double as party favors for guests to take home.
22. Creepy Crawly Mason Jar Terrariums
Fill mason jars with plastic insects, moss, and dirt for a creepy-crawly display. Place them on shelves or as table accents. They add a subtle but spooky touch to your party décor without needing much effort or money.
23. DIY Shadow Cutouts
Cut spooky shapes—like cats, bats, or witches—out of black paper. Tape them to windows, walls, or lampshades. When the light hits, the shadows create an eerie atmosphere. It’s a simple yet clever craft that feels high-impact.
24. Halloween Bottle Labels
Save empty bottles, remove the labels, and replace them with your own “potion” labels. Think “Witch’s Brew,” “Zombie Tonic,” or “Vampire Blood.” Fill the bottles with colored water for a realistic look. It’s both creepy and fun for your snack or drink table.
25. DIY Coffin Treat Boxes
Use cardboard to make tiny coffin-shaped boxes. Fill them with candy and hand them out as party favors. They’re inexpensive, creative, and will make your guests smile. It’s a small touch that makes your party feel more memorable.
26. Yarn Spiderwebs
Wrap yarn around sticks to create spiderweb shapes. Hang them on walls, doors, or windows. It’s one of the cheapest crafts on this list but also one of the most charming. Kids especially enjoy making them.
27. Painted Jar Lanterns
Take any glass jars you have, paint them with Halloween colors, and add a tea light inside. You can design jack-o’-lanterns, cats, or ghosts. Place them around your party for glowing handmade decorations that cost almost nothing.
Final Thoughts
Creating cheap Halloween crafts for party decor is more than just saving money—it’s about building memories, sparking creativity, and making your celebration feel unique. With everyday items like paper bags, jars, and balloons, you can transform your home into a spooky wonderland. Guests won’t remember how much you spent, but they will remember how magical, eerie, and fun your party felt.
