Get your spook on with DIY (or shall we say boo-it-youself?!) Halloween decorations and playful dessert ideas, from the sinisterly simple to the creepily complicated. Whether you like to craft solo, invite friends over to make art together, or are a fan of doing at-home projects with your family, there are plenty of ideas here that are affordable, enjoyable, and so, so cool.
Be sure to check out these spooky-good Halloween deals for savings on costumes, decorations and more.
DIY Halloween Decorations
Craft: Ombré Candy Corn Wine Bottles
From: Brit + Co
Even if you’re one of those anti-candy-corn types (heathens!), you can get behind these sweet ombré bottles. Start drinking now, so you can recycle your wine or sparkling water bottles.
Supplies:
- Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch 2X Gloss Sun Yellow General Purpose Spray Paint ($6.48 at The Home Depot).
- Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch 2X Gloss Real Orange General Purpose Spray Paint ($6.48 at The Home Depot).
- Rust-Oleum Painter’s Touch 2X Satin Blossom White General Purpose Spray Paint ($6.48 at The Home Depot).
- Goo Gone ($4.98 at The Home Depot) — to more easily remove labels from your empties.
Craft: Haunted Figurines
From: Sadie Seasongoods
This genius craft takes those cheesy thrift store and yard sale figurines and turns them into a terrifying crew of the undead.
Supplies:
- Sadie suggests using Deco Art ADC-06 Americana Chalky Finish Paint in Romance ($13.99 at Michael’s) for the glowing red eyes.
- Krylon COLORmaxx Gloss Black Spray Paint & Primer ($8.49 at Michael’s).
Craft: Wall of Bats
From: Marvelous Mommy
Get the kids in on the action by having them cut out bats and then tape them to the wall, ceiling, windows and more!
Supplies:
- Astrobrights Eclipse Black Color Card Stock Paper ($20.69 at Office Depot).
- Removable Scotch Wall-Safe Tape (pack of 4, $13.09 at Office Depot).
- Optional: You can certainly cut out your bats by hand by using free printables, but if you feel like making a splurge purchase to up your crafting capabilities, check out the Silhouette Cameo 4 ($229.99 on Amazon) which cuts all sorts of materials and an endless number of shapes.
Craft: Glow-in-the-Dark Slime
From: A Pumpkin & A Princess
This Halloween, do a spooky glow-in-the-dark version of everyone’s fave DIY obsession, slime!
Supplies (for a slime recipe that does not use borax*):
- Amazon Basics All Purpose Washable School Liquid Glue (pack of two, $22.72 at Amazon).
- Aqua Naina Contact Lens Solution (pack of two, $14.29 at Amazon).
- Art ‘N Glow Glow in the Dark Pigment Powder ($8.95 at Amazon).
*A Pumpkin & A Princess also shares a borax-based slime recipe on their site, if you prefer.
Craft: Skull Bookends
From: The Band Wife
These are extra appropriate for Halloween because you’ll need a saw to split the skull apart. By the way, these are classy enough for year-round, right? (This is a good project for someone who has a hand saw already, and a safe space to cut, as well as wood boards to glue your skull onto so it stays upright.)
This makes the perfect companion to your 12-foot Home Depot skeleton. Obviously.
Supplies:
- Plaster cast skull ($24.89 at Amazon).
- Krylon Clear Glaze High-Glass Aerosol Spray ($6.47 at Amazon).
- Krylon COLORmaxx Gloss White Spray Paint and Primer ($6.49 at Amazon).
- E6000 Craft Adhesive Mini Glue (set of four, $3.64 at Amazon).
Craft: Soda Bottle Cloche
From: DIY Home Sweet Home
These are fantastic and pull a disparate group of semi-spooky knickknacks together perfectly.
Supplies:
- CYS EXCEL X-Large 1″ Clear Glass Marble Gemstones ($8.99 at Amazon).
- Dorhui 4” Round Wooden Plaque (set of four, $11.99 at Amazon). Go for larger ones if you are using wider plastic bottles.
- E6000 Craft Adhesive Mini Glue (set of four, $3.64 at Amazon).
- Optional: Furniture Clinic Wood Stain ($11.35 at Amazon).
Craft: Galaxy Pumpkin
From: Dream a Little Bigger
If you’re tired of orange and black, this beautiful and otherworldly jack-o’-lantern has your name on it.
Supplies:
- Ashland 6.5″ Black Craft Pumpkin ($6.99 at Michael’s).
- Craft Smart Color Matte Acrylic Paint Value Pack (set of 16, $12.99 at Michael’s).
- Ashland Warm White LED String Lights ($4.99 at Michael’s).
DIY Halloween Desserts
Treat: Marshmallow Ghost Cupcakes
From: Our Family of Seven
Start with boxed cake mix, and whip up these cuties in no time.
Supplies:
- Duncan Hines Devils Food Cake Mix ($1.49 at Target).
- Kraft Jet-Puffed Marshmallow Creme ($1.69 at Target).
- Sweet Tooth Fairy Black Candy Pearls ($4.99 at Michael’s) or use chocolate chips.
Treat: Chocolate Covered Strawberry Ghosts
From: Yummy Healthy Easy
There is a 48-hour period around Halloween where your child may live on mini Snickers bars, but this is an adorable way to get a piece of fruit into their bodies, and it’s a cute idea for a class party if you’ve signed up to send something in.
Supplies:
- Wilton Candy Eyeballs ($3.97 at Walmart).
- Wilton Bright White Candy Melts ($3.88 at Walmart).
- Fresh strawberries (Prices vary, at Walmart).
Treat: Halloween Pumpkin Brownies
From: Barbara Bakes
Any day with brownies is a great day. These brownies are made with pumpkin (so they’re seasonal!) and look gorgeous.
Supplies:
- Great Value Halloween Sprinkles Mix ($3.88 at Walmart).
- Great Value 100% Pure Pumpkin ($1.47 at Walmart).
- Ghirardelli Chocolate Supreme Brownie Mix ($3.14 at Walmart).
- McCormick Pumpkin Pie Spice ($4.82 at Walmart).
- Nestle Toll House Semi Sweet Chocolate Baking Chips ($2.98 at Walmart).
Treat: Halloween Pumpkin Cake
From: Mom Loves Baking
This cheerful dude can smile at everyone during a festive family dinner—before you devour him, that is.
Supplies:
- SILIVO 6 Cup Nonstick Silicone Bundt Tube Pans (set of 2, $16.99 at Amazon).
- Wilton Excelle Elite 12-Cup Mini Muffin Pan ($9.39 at Amazon).
- Jelife Food Coloring Cake Decorating Set (set of 10, $8.99 at Amazon).
- Great Value 100% Pure Pumpkin ($1.47 at Walmart).
- 365 by Whole Foods Market, Classic Yellow Cake Mix ($3.51 at Amazon).
The post 11 DIY Halloween Decoration and Dessert Ideas appeared first on The Real Deal by RetailMeNot.
