17 Recycled Halloween Crafts

Here's my list of the best recycled Halloween crafts, ones you can make just from your recycling bin, the junk around your house, or a Freecycle search.
Here's my list of the best recycled Halloween crafts, ones you can make just from your recycling bin, the junk around your house, or a Freecycle search.
Here’s my list of the best recycled Halloween crafts, ones you can make just from your recycling bin, the junk around your house, or a Freecycle search.

Halloween is my favorite holiday. In fact, maybe this is the year that I’ll just live the dream and keep my Halloween decorations up all the time–who wouldn’t love skeleton, black bat, and spiderweb home decor?

None of that, by the way, has to be bought at the store. Instead, here’s my list of the best recycled Halloween crafts, ones that you can make just from your recycling bin, or the junk around your house, or a quick shout-out to Freecycle. Whether you make one thing or make them all, take them down on November 1 or leave them up all year like I am TOTALLY going to do, all of these projects are awesome and cheap and, since they’re recycled, they’re good for the environment, too.

17 Recycled Halloween Crafts

1. altered bookTake an awful book that no one is ever going to read (my vote is for a Reader’s Digest Condensed Book–barf!) and turn it awesome.

2. book page bat buntingThis bunting project upcycles old book pages and buttons, and it’s one of those that I’d totally leave up all year.

3. cardboard skullsMy kids and I like to make real sugar skulls for Day of the Dead, but if you don’t want all of that sugar around, this upcycled cardboard version is actually a pretty good mod.

4. chalkboard maskAttending a few Halloween parties, but don’t want to drum up the effort to show up in a different costume to each one? Let this upcycled cardboard chalkboard mask come to your rescue!

Recycled Halloween Crafts5. clown wigClown wigs are PRICEY, but guess what? You can make your own out of a mesh produce bag and some yarn!

6. dryer sheet ghostsYou can make an entire garland after a week’s worth of laundry.

7. Frankenstein bottleThis upcycled bottle is a great craft project for a children’s party.

8. ghost pillowcase dressAny white pillowcase, even with a print on the hem, would make a cute ghost dress.

9. hood from a babywearing wrapYour baby carrier can be your kid’s spooky Halloween costume.

10. papel picadoI like to make these buntings out of old book pages–the black and white look great for any Halloweeny cut-outs.

Upcycled Halloween Crafts11. papier mache pumpkinYou know those Funkins that you can carve and keep forever? This is the upcycled, eco-friendly version!

12. scarecrowHave some beat-up old clothes that you’re dying to get rid of? Put them to this great use first.

13. shipping pallet pumpkinAnd in the off-season, it’s a coat rack!

14. spaghetti jar luminariesLuminaries can be sweet or spooky, and there are so many ways to make them!

15. tin lanternsThese look great, and the supplies couldn’t be simpler.

Upcycled Halloween Crafts16. toilet paper tube candy holdersThis is a great way to give out Halloween party favors or classroom treats.

17. witch’s hatThis kid’s witch hat is made from cardboard and newspaper, and she painted it herself–you can’t find a design like that in a store!

Have any good recycled Halloween crafts that I should know about? Share them with me in the Comments below!

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