Get set for Halloween with these fun Jack-o-Lantern Crafts! Whether you are looking for a classroom activity, a rainy day project, or just a way to decorate your home without the mess of pumpkin guts, you have come to the right place. From paper plates to mason jars to craft sticks, you can use all kinds of supplies to bring these smiling (or spooky) faces to life.
What if I told you that a popular Halloween tradition we follow today was initiated by a notorious drunkard who lived in Ireland centuries ago? You might find it hard to believe, but it’s true – we’re talking about the Jack-o-Lantern!
With Halloween creeping up on us later this month, it seems like the perfect time to peel back the layers of history (much like peeling a pumpkin!) and discover the fascinating story behind this icon. Plus, we have curated a list of 15 easy and jaunty crafts that will delight kids of all ages.
The Legend of Stingy Jack: How the Jack-o-Lantern Came to Be
Before we dive into the glue and glitter, let’s set the mood with a little ghost story. It adds a layer of depth to the crafts when children understand the history behind the smiling orange face.
Many centuries ago in Ireland, there lived a man named Stingy Jack (also known as Drunk Jack or Flaky Jack). He wasn’t exactly a role model. He lived a life full of deceit, tricks, and, of course, drinking. The legend says he even tricked the Devil himself on multiple occasions!
Because of his unsavory lifestyle, when Jack died, he found himself in a bit of a pickle. He wasn’t allowed into Heaven because of his misdeeds. However, because of the deals he had made with the Devil, he wasn’t allowed into Hell either! Instead, he was doomed to roam the earth for eternity in the dark of night.
To help him see, he was given a single burning coal ember from Hell. Jack placed this ember inside a hollowed-out turnip (yes, a turnip, not a pumpkin!) to act as a lantern. The Irish began referring to this ghostly figure as “Jack of the Lantern,” which eventually became Jack-o-Lantern.
From Turnips to Pumpkins
When Irish immigrants came to America, they brought the tradition with them. However, they soon discovered that turnips were hard to find, but pumpkins were native to the region and much easier to carve. Thus, the orange pumpkin Jack-o-Lantern we know and love today was born.
Some people believe placing a Jack-o-Lantern outside keeps evil spirits away (like Stingy Jack), while others think it reveals a vampire’s true identity. Regardless of what you believe, we know one thing for sure – they make for incredibly fun Halloween decorations!
15 Jaunty Jack-o-Lantern Crafts for Kids
You don’t need a sharp knife or a giant gourd to enjoy the spirit of the season. Here are 15 creative, safe, and kid-friendly ways to make your own Jack-o-Lanterns using everyday materials.
1. The Classic Paper Plate Pumpkin
This is the quintessential preschool craft. It’s cheap, easy, and great for fine motor skills.
- Supplies: Paper plates, orange paint, black construction paper, green pipe cleaners.
- How to: Paint the plate orange. Cut out triangles for eyes and a jagged mouth from the black paper. Glue them on. Punch a hole at the top and thread a green pipe cleaner through to make a curly vine stem.
2. Mason Jar Luminaries
Perfect for lighting up the walkway on Halloween night.
- Supplies: Empty glass jars (mason jars or pasta sauce jars), orange tissue paper, Mod Podge (or watered-down glue), battery-operated tea lights.
- How to: Coat the jar in glue and stick strips of orange tissue paper all over it until covered. Glue on black paper features for the face. Pop a tea light inside and watch it glow!
3. Popsicle Stick Jack-o-Lanterns
These make adorable door hangers or fridge magnets.
- Supplies: Jumbo craft sticks, orange paint, glue, black felt.
- How to: Line up about 8-10 sticks side-by-side. Glue two sticks horizontally across the back to hold them together. Flip it over, paint it orange, and add your spooky face.
4. Toilet Roll Pumpkins
Stop throwing away those empty rolls!
- Supplies: Toilet paper rolls, orange paper or paint, green yarn.
- How to: Wrap the roll in orange paper. Tuck the ends in or trim them. Draw a face with a sharpie. Stuff a bit of green tissue paper in the top for a stem. These stand up perfectly on a mantelpiece.
5. Plastic Bottle Jack-o-Lanterns
This is a great recycling project.
- Supplies: Empty clear plastic bottles (soda or water), orange paint, green bottle cap.
- How to: Pour a little orange paint inside the bottle. Put the cap on and shake it until the inside is coated. The outside remains smooth and clean! Draw a face on the outside with a black permanent marker.
6. Puffy Paint Pumpkin Rocks
Rock painting is a huge trend, and it fits perfectly here.
- Supplies: Smooth round stones, orange acrylic paint, black puffy paint (3D paint).
- How to: Paint the rocks solid orange. Once dry, use the black puffy paint to squeeze out the eyes and mouth. The 3D texture makes them look carved!
7. Yarn Wrapped Pumpkins
A mess-free craft that is great for tactile sensory play.
- Supplies: Cardboard cut into a pumpkin shape, thick orange yarn, tape.
- How to: Tape the start of the yarn to the back of the cardboard. Let the child wrap the yarn around and around the shape until the cardboard is hidden. Slide black paper eyes under the yarn strands to secure them.
8. Coffee Filter Sun Catchers
These look stunning in a window when the autumn sun shines through.
- Supplies: Coffee filters, washable markers (orange, yellow, red), water spray bottle, black paper.
- How to: Color the coffee filter with markers. Spray it with water and watch the colors bleed and blend. Let it dry. Glue on a silhouette face made of black paper. Tape it to the window.
9. Egg Carton Pumpkins
Tiny, cute, and perfect for holding small treats.
- Supplies: Empty egg carton, orange paint, green pipe cleaner.
- How to: Cut out the individual cups from the egg carton. You will need two cups for one pumpkin. Paint them orange. Glue the rims together to form a sphere. Poke a hole in the top for a pipe cleaner stem.
10. Paper Strip Pumpkins
This creates a 3D spherical pumpkin that looks great hanging from the ceiling.
- Supplies: Orange construction paper, brads (paper fasteners), hole punch.
- How to: Cut the paper into 1-inch wide strips. Stack them and punch a hole at both ends. Put a brad through the bottom hole of all strips. Fan the strips out to form a ball shape and secure the top with another brad.
11. Beaded Pipe Cleaner Pumpkins
Excellent for practicing fine motor threading skills.
- Supplies: Orange pipe cleaners, orange pony beads, green pipe cleaner.
- How to: Thread beads onto 4 or 5 orange pipe cleaners. Gather them together at the ends and twist to secure. Fan out the center to make a round pumpkin shape. Twist a green pipe cleaner at the top for a vine.
12. Sock Pumpkins
Have a lonely orange sock whose partner has vanished?
- Supplies: An orange sock, stuffing (cotton or old fabric), rubber band, green felt.
- How to: Stuff the sock to make it round. Tie it off with a rubber band. Cut off the excess sock ankle. Glue green felt leaves over the rubber band area to hide it. Draw a face with a fabric marker.
13. Pumpkin Slime in a Jar
Kids love slime. Make it festive!
- Supplies: Clear glue, baking soda, contact solution, orange food coloring, black glitter.
- How to: Make your standard slime recipe but dye it bright orange. Add black glitter for a spooky effect. Store it in a jar decorated like a Jack-o-Lantern face.
14. Handprint Pumpkin Keepsake
A memory to cherish forever.
- Supplies: Orange paint, white paper, green marker.
- How to: Paint your child’s palm orange. Have them make a fist (like they are holding a ball) and stamp it onto paper. It makes a pumpkin shape! Add a green stem with a marker and let them draw a face once dry.
15. The “Corner Bookmark” Jack-o-Lantern
Encourage reading during the spooky season.
- Supplies: Orange origami paper, black paper, scissors.
- How to: Fold a classic origami corner bookmark. Cut out tiny eyes and a mouth to glue onto the corner. Now, every time they open their book, a friendly pumpkin greets them! (This pairs perfectly with Katherine Tegen’s The Story of the Jack O’Lantern).
Tips for a Successful Crafting Session
- Prep is Key: If you are working with toddlers, cut out the eyes and mouths beforehand. For older kids, let them design their own faces.
- Embrace the Mess: Halloween is supposed to be a little chaotic! Lay down newspaper or a plastic tablecloth before starting.
- Mix It Up: Don’t feel restricted to orange. Teal pumpkins are a symbol for allergy awareness, and pink pumpkins are often used for breast cancer awareness in October. Let the kids choose their colors!
Conclusion
Halloween doesn’t always have to be about scary ghouls and expensive costumes. Sometimes, the best memories are made sitting around the kitchen table with some glue, paper, and a bit of imagination.
These 15 Jaunty Jack-o-Lantern crafts are not only fun but also a great way to keep the tradition of Stingy Jack alive (in a much friendlier way!). Whether you choose the glowing Mason Jar Luminary or the simple Paper Plate Pumpkin, you are sure to add a festive touch to your home.