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Milk Jug Jack-O-Lanterns are a fun and inexpensive way to decorate your home for Halloween! They’re a great way to recycle milk jugs too!
Jack-O-Lanterns have always been a fun, spooky way to celebrate Halloween. They are a part of history and are always a hit with children and adults alike.
In fact, they are often considered one of the most important parts of Halloween celebrations. The chances of not seeing one of these during Halloween night are pretty slim.
To spice things up, why not make your own spooktacular milk jug jack-o-lanterns? They are easy to create and add a special touch to your Halloween celebrations.
As a bonus, you will be able to use these lanterns for years. Plus, they are a great way to recycle old milk jugs.
If you don’t have any milk jugs, you can use other containers that are transparent and similar in size. Let’s jump in and see how to make these spooktacular lanterns!
Milk Jug Lanterns – Materials
- Clean recycled milk jugs
- Black permanent marker
- Glow sticks
How to Craft DIY Milk Lantern Jack-O-Lanterns
Step One: Prepare the Jug and Draw the Face
First, clean the jug and remove all stickers. After you’ve done this and it has dried, draw the eyes and mouth onto the front of a milk jug using a black marker.
We recommend a black permanent marker that won’t smear off. Do not use a washable marker.
This can be done in any color you choose, but it may look better using dark colors!
Step Two: Toss a Glow Stick Inside
Next, toss in a glow stick (or two inside for more light). We used the easy ones that just snap in half and come in all the rainbow colors!
If you do not have a glow stick, you can use any other light-emitting object like led lights, just make sure it’s bright enough.
Also, make sure that whatever lighting method you use puts out a vibrant color to make it pop!
Step Three: Add the Finishing Touches
For this step, you can add some spooky materials to your lantern, like fake yarn hair, large googly eyes, with liquid starch attached, or creepy toy spiders!
You are now ready to celebrate your own creepy little milk jug lantern jack-o-lantern!
Tips for Making Them Even More Spooky
Add Small Bits of Fake Blood
If you want to make these lanterns even more spooky, you can add some fake gel blood. This will give your lantern a genuinely dark and eerie look!
Add a Few Spider Webs
If you’re feeling extra creative, why not add a faux few spider webs to your lantern? Not only will this look great, but it will also add an element of suspense and fear to your Halloween celebrations!
Try using Glow in the Dark Stickers
Glow-in-the-dark stickers like green or yellow colored can make your lantern stand out more. These can act as an alternative to drawing the eyes or to add other features.
This will also make it easier to see in the dark, especially if you are hosting a spooky party!
You can also try glow-in-the-dark gel cling-ons in fun Halloween shapes!
Add a Few Spooky Embellishments
Add a few spooky embellishments or accessories. For example, you could add a witch hat to your lantern or a gory hand sticking out. Another thing that you could add is a ghost by hanging cloth from the sides with a stick.
This will help create that eerie feeling and draw attention to your lantern!
Try Using Small Speakers
This is optional, but if you have a tiny buetooth speaker or two lying around the house, you can try using them to play some spooky music when your lantern is lit up.
Some stores sell tiny Bluetooth speakers that you can use for this purpose, inserted into the jug.
How to Display Your Milk Lantern Jack-O-Lantern
Hanging From a Tree
This will for sure get people talking about your milk lantern jack-o-lantern. Simply hang it from a tree using some string or wire.
You can use a set of hooks to make it more stable if you’d like. Plus, the lantern will still be visible at night, thanks to the glow stick!
Putting it in a Window
For those who want to display their lantern more dramatically, you can put it in a window. Your window will have a nice view of the streets during Halloween.
Position the lantern so it’s lit up brightly, and enjoy the spooky effect! This is a great way to show everyone that your home is ready for the big night!
Displaying it on The Front Porch
This is a great way to display your lantern on a cold night. Add sand inside to keep it from toppling over.
You can also try putting electric candles around the perimeter of your lantern to give it an even more ethereal appearance.
Hanging it in The Living Room
If you have temperamental weather, you can also display your lanterns in the living room. This can make for an extra spooky dinner night during Halloween.
You can also try adding some festive holiday decor to add an extra layer of atmosphere. If you’re feeling creative, you can make a simple ghost skirt around your lantern.
Putting it Near The Fireplace
If you have a fireplace, you can place your lantern near it. Just be sure to implement some protection so that it doesn’t get damaged by fire.
This will also give you the perfect setting to watch your favorite horror movies on the big night!
Takeaway
If you’re like me, you love being creative during the spookiest time of year. We’re always trying new ways to make this time even scarier.
These ideas can be used for any lantern, so there’s no limit to what you can do. You can even use them for Halloween celebrations next year!
Enjoy your lantern this Halloween season, whether using a traditional method or something more creative! Now, go out and create some spine-tingling scenes!
How to Make Spooktacular Milk Jug Jack-O-Lanterns
Materials
- Clean recycled milk jugs
- Black permanent marker
- Glow sticks
Instructions
Step One: Prepare the Jug and Draw the Face
First, clean the jug and remove all stickers. After you've done this and it has dried, draw the eyes and mouth onto the front of a milk jug using a black marker.
We recommend a black permanent marker that won't smear off. Do not use a washable marker.
This can be done in any color you choose, but it may look better using dark colors!
Step Two: Toss a Glow Stick Inside
Next, toss in a glow stick (or two inside for more light). We used the easy ones that just snap in half and come in all the rainbow colors!
If you do not have a glow stick, you can use any other light-emitting object like led lights, just make sure it’s bright enough.
Also, make sure that whatever lighting method you use puts out a vibrant color to make it pop!
Agnes Hsu is a mom of three and has been inspiring parents and kids to get creative with easy activities and family friendly recipes for over 10 years. She shares her love for creative play and kids food to her 2MM+ followers online. Agnes' commitment to playful learning and kindness has not only raised funds for charity but also earned features in prestigious nationwide publications.