Keep your empty milk jugs and upcycle them into easy DIY jack-o-lanterns by following our instructions below. This simple, creative project is perfect for kids and adults alike, and it’s a great way to recycle while getting into the spooky spirit for Halloween. Just like we made milk bottle ghosts, you can make milk bottle jack-o-lanterns in a few minutes using basic craft supplies.
UPCYCLED MILK JUG JACK-O-LANTERNS FOR HALLOWEEN
Supplies Needed:
You'll need to start collecting empty milk bottles a little while before doing this craft so that you have enough to make as many jack-o-lanterns as you need. We made 3 jack-o-lanterns and used empty 2L milk bottles {64oz}. You can also use gallon milk jugs if you're in America.
Wash the milk bottles out thoroughly with water and then leave them to dry upside down with the lid off for a few days until they're completely dry. Keep the lids as you'll need them in place to make the lanterns glow properly. If you're doing this craft in a school, or for a holiday program, and can't reuse milk bottles, you can get new empty plastic milk bottles in bulk here.
If you can't find orange glow sticks, or you prefer a flickering light effect, you can get colour changing battery tea light candles which will glow a flickering orange when set to orange. You'll need to cut an opening in the back of the milk bottle to get the tea light inside. The flickering light will create a spookier aura.
HOW TO MAKE MILK BOTTLE JACK-O-LANTERNS
This craft is great for preschoolers and school children who can confidently draw with pens. They can create their jack-o-lanterns independently and will only need help cracking the glow sticks to make them glow at night.
1. Take any labels off the milk bottles. You'll need to peel carefully so they don't tear as they're coming off. This is great fine motor work for children, however some brand labels can be harder to peel off. If the labels are being a bit stubborn, an adult can heat the label slightly with a hair dryer which will loosen the glue underneath.
2. Draw a jack-o-lantern face on the front of the milk bottle. You can get creative here doing a cute, cartoon, funny or scary design. We googled a few jack-o-lantern images to get ideas before drawing ours. You may need to colour in the faces twice to get them really dark.
3. Fill the base of the milk bottle with a layer of rocks or sand. This helps to weigh down the milk bottle so it will remain upright and won't knock over in the wind. We used small river rocks, but you can also use pea gravel or play sand.
4. At night crack the orange glow sticks and put 2-3 in each milk bottle and secure the lid. The liquid inside of glow sticks can be toxic if it leaks so an adult may need to crack the glow sticks. You'll need to add new glow sticks each night you want to use the jack-o-lanterns as they'll only glow for 8-12hrs.
Use the finished jack-o-lanterns to decorate for Halloween either inside, on your front porch or in the backyard. They're great to use as DIY decorations during a Halloween party. It's important to note that they may still fall over in strong winds, but if they do they shouldn't get damaged. You can reuse your jack-o-lanterns for many years and then recycle them when you no longer need them.
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