Regrettably, many holiday celebrations have morphed into occasions for acquiring items that are utilized briefly before being discarded. Halloween stands out as a particularly commercialized event, filled with single-use candies, throwaway costumes, plastic ornaments, and temporary decorations. However, don’t be alarmed — there are numerous ways to honor the environment this Halloween. Below are my top five eco-friendly Halloween decorating ideas that you can easily create at home.
1. Reimagined Jack-o’-Lanterns
This creative DIY idea struck me just recently, yet I’m sure someone more ingenious has thought of it before. It has quickly ascended to one of my favorite homemade Halloween decorations. I wish I’d had this idea when my daughters were younger, as it is simple, enjoyable, and completely tidy.
Materials:
- Transparent plastic bottles rescued from recycling
- Orange paint (or a mix of red and yellow) — any paint will suffice
- Water
- Black Sharpie (or similar black marker)
Detach the label from your plastic bottle. Use a black marker to sketch a jack-o’-lantern face on the bottle. Fill it three-quarters full of water and add orange paint using a brush. Secure the lid and shake until the water turns orange. Adjust the paint as necessary. Once the pumpkin achieves your desired hue, fill the bottle to the brim with water and seal it tightly. TIP: If you live in a freezing climate and plan to place your pumpkin outdoors, do not fill it completely, as it may crack.
You now have a charming pumpkin ready for display anywhere.
Another aspect I appreciate about this DIY is that once the decorating is over, you can simply rinse the bottles and recycle them.
2. Eerie Terrariums
This fun craft encourages children to explore nature. Involve them in gathering small pinecones, twigs, moss, and rocks. Welcome the inclusion of any small Halloween-themed items you might have around the house, like tiny skulls or crows.
Materials:
- Glass jars with lids sourced from recycling (we repurposed a pickle jar)
- Moss, leaves, twigs, etc.
- A rock (ideally resembling a gravestone)
- Marker or paint
- Optional small Halloween-themed decorations
Search outdoors for moss, twigs, and small rocks that fit within your jar. If you’re using a rock as a gravestone, feel free to write RIP on it with a marker. Next, create your spooky scene on the inverted lid of the jar. Keep in mind you’ll need to attach the jar to the lid afterward, so leave adequate space for your scene. Once you’ve completed your frightful miniature landscape, screw the jar onto the lid and enjoy the view.
Like the upcycled jack-o’-lantern, you can recycle this when Halloween is over. Alternatively, revamp it into a Thanksgiving-themed terrarium!
3. Whimsical Floating Leaves
Crafting this Halloween decoration is a breeze and provides a delightful opportunity for kids to create while engaging with nature, hunting for uniquely shaped leaves to transform into ghostly figures.
Materials:
- Various leaves
- White paint
- Black marker
- String in white, black, orange, or purple
Craft whimsical Halloween ghosts by painting leaves white, and then drawing a spooky face using the marker. Attach a string for hanging them from a chandelier or the branches of trees outside.
4. BOO Sign
If you’ve got any old fence boards or leftover wood lying around, you can create an adorable Halloween decoration.
Materials:
- Scrap wood
- Paint
Begin by outlining a design on your board based on its shape. I had an old fence board that I saved from heading to the landfill and decided to make a vertical design, adding a few bats and a cobweb. Paint your design onto the wood, allow it to dry, and place it on a mantelpiece, near your front door, or in any visible area. After Halloween, store it away for next year.
5. Creaturely Yard Decorations
Every yard deserves a monster or two! Here’s an easy and eco-conscious method to craft these playful Halloween fixtures.
Materials:
- Cardboard from recycling
- White paint
- Black marker
Start by gathering some cardboard from your recycling bin, like an empty cereal box. Flatten it and paint it white. Once dried, draw eyes on it. Attach a string to the back of the eyes for hanging them from a bush or small tree. Feel free to add furious eyebrows or a Frankenstein smile. Let your creativity run wild!
Remember that holidays are a wonderful time to share experiences and traditions with loved ones. With a touch of imagination and some items from the recycling bin, you can reduce the ecological footprint of your holiday festivities.
6. Tin Can Creatures
Reinvent empty tin cans into spooky lanterns that provide an eerie glow to your walkway or porch.
Materials:
- Clean tin cans saved from recycling
- Hammer and nail
- Towel
- Optional black or orange spray paint
- Tea light candles or battery-operated LED lights
Fill each tin can with water and freeze it solid to prevent dents while perforating. Wrap the frozen can in a towel and use the hammer and nail to create a Halloween-themed pattern—think bats, stars, or jack-o’-lantern faces. Allow the ice to melt and then remove it. Optionally, you can paint the outside of the can.
Insert a tea light or LED candle inside to create an enchanting glow with your spooky design. These lanterns can be reused each year.
7. Toilet Paper Tube Creatures
The cardboard tubes you tend to save for arts and crafts finally have the ideal Halloween function.
Materials:
- Empty toilet paper rolls or paper towel tubes
- Paint in black, orange, purple, or white
- Googly eyes or eyes drawn with markers
- Scraps of paper or fabric for accessories/wings
- Glue
Paint your tubes in Halloween hues and transform them into creatures like bats (add paper wings), owls, mummies (wrap with strips of old white fabric), or even little Frankensteins. They make for a perfect windowsill display or can be strung together as a garland!
Kids particularly find joy in making these, and they’re completely compostable after Halloween!
Editor’s Note: This post was initially published on October 26, 2017, and updated with two new ideas in October 2025.
