Get in the mood for Halloween with DIY Halloween in a jar ideas! Includes specimen jars, centerpieces, lanterns and holiday scenes in mason jars.
Jars, especially mason jars, are great for crafting and are inexpensive (or free if you upcycle). They can be used as vases, storage, decor, and lights.
Today I’d like to inspire you to use jars and bottles in your Halloween crafting this year. It is easy to do and there are so many fun ideas to try out!
Where can you get jars for crafting?
- Upcycle jars and bottles after you have used what is inside of them. Just look in your fridge and you will find so many different jar shapes and sizes.
- Head to your dollar store to find various jars and bottles to use.
- Big box stores will have the cheapest mason jars. They will be in the canning section of the store but you can definitely use them for crafting!
- Amazon has quite an assortment of jars with lids for you to choose from.
Make sure to prep your jars before you begin.
Even if you are working with new jars, you should always make sure to clean the jar and lid prior to starting your craft. This means you’ll need to remove any labels and residue left behind. Then wipe the jar down with rubbing alcohol to remove any dust or grime from the glass.
Now you’ll be ready to start your Halloween crafting! I’ve gathered some spooky fun ideas for you to try out. The first section below has Halloween scenes in a jar. You can create a diorama idea, or keep it simple with just a few items in the jar.
Then I’ve included ways to light up your Halloween using lanterns, luminaries and other lights. The third section has ways to decorate using your jars and bottles.
Go ahead, scroll down to get the best ideas for Halloween in a jar this year…
Halloween In a Jar
Creepy specimen jars, centerpiece ideas, lanterns and Halloween scenes — get your spooky fun with these Halloween in a jar crafts!
Halloween Scenes in a Jar
Scroll down below this section for luminaries and other fun Halloween jar ideas.
Glow in the Dark Terror-arium
Ana shows you 2 ways to create Halloween in a Jar. This one glows in the dark and can be used year after year. The other idea (not shown) is one you can get the kids involved in making!
Ghosts In Mason Jars
For this idea, you will create your scene on the jar lid and then put it inside the jar. You can keep the scene simple like these ghosts and it still looks great!
Mini Skull Halloween Cloche
Create mini Halloween jars using baby food jars, a candlestick holder and mini skulls from the dollar store.
Swirling Bats Snow Globe
Snow globes aren't just for winter! Shake this jar up and see the bat glitter swirl around the jar.
Graveyard Terrarium
Kat shows you how to create a graveyard scene in a mason jar. This one has a light on the jar lid so you can light it up at night! She also shows you how to make a larger version in an actual terrarium.
Spider Snow Globe
Here is another "snow" globe idea for Halloween. This time you use creepy spiders and gold glitter!
Luminaries & Other Spooky Lights
These Halloween jar crafts will shed a little light in your haunted house! Scroll down to the next section for other jar craft ideas.
Mummy Luminaries
These mummy mason jars are so fun to make for Halloween - both kids and adults will love them! Learn how to make these jar luminaries in a few easy steps.
Halloween Mason Jar Lanterns
Learn how to make the cutest mason jar lanterns for Halloween using Mod Podge and tissue paper! This is perfectly easy holiday decor for kids or adults. This project is completed in four simple steps.
Spider Lantern
I'm not going to lie — these creep me out! They are so easy to put together but have a big impact with those spiders.
Cricut Halloween Luminaries
Use your Cricut to create any spooky Halloween theme you like! Cut them from black vinyl and then add to painted jars.
Upcycle Halloween Lights
Turn old bottles into spooky fun lights! Use stickers or die cuts to create the images and cork lights for the lighting.
Pumpkin Mason Jar
If you love pumpkins as much as I do, this pumpkin mason jar is a perfect fall idea. This jack o’ lantern is really easy to paint!
Candy Corn Luminarias
Wrap large mason jars with white, yellow and orange yarn to create candy corn luminarias. Fill with sand and add a light!
Freestyle Pumpkin Lanterns
If you can doodle, you can make these pumpkin lanterns! Nancy had her toddler paint the jars orange with a green leaf and she did the rest.
Glowing Jack O Lantern Jars
Adults will definitely need to help children with this idea. The glow comes from the liquid in a glow stick. I love the way these turned out!
Halloween Night Light
Upcycle a baby food jar into a super cute night light. This one shows Frankenstein's monster but there are a couple of other options in the post.
Pumpkin Votive Jar
See how easy it is to make a painted jar light with a pumpkin-shaped opening. You can choose whatever image you would like to make!
Other fun Halloween Jar Ideas
Painted Halloween Mason Jars
Get step-by-step directions for painting these Halloween jars yourself. Even if you aren't an artist, you can follow the steps and make these awesome jars!
Skull Sand Art Jars
Do you remember sand art from when you were young? Revisit it in this fun Halloween project using skull mason jars! Perfect for spooky decor.
Head in a Jar
Use this head in a jar idea to prank your family or display on Halloween. I love it!
Creepy Potion Bottles
Potion bottles are a great Halloween decoration idea! Get the free printable labels on this site and see how to distress them. I love the burnt edges.
Specimens Jars
Dave shows how easy it is to get really creepy looking specimen jars for Halloween. What he puts inside the jars is really creative!
Halloween Apothecary Jars
Learn how to make creepy critter apothecary jars for Halloween! Easy enough for even a beginning crafter.
Mason Jar Spider
Make a not-so-scary spider using a small mason jar, paint, pipe cleaners and as many eyes as you want! Use it store candy or add some flowers.
Candy Corn Centerpiece
Here is another candy corn jar idea. This time you spray paint the jars and add black flowers to them for a centerpiece. Here is a good explanation of how to spray paint flowers.
Glow in the Dark Party Favors
Halloween jars that glow in the dark make a perfect confetti party favors for a holiday celebration. Fill them with handmade confetti! You could use them for a spooky wedding too.
Lace Black Mason Jars
Learn how to make lace mason jars with a stunning black and white theme! Perfect for a vintage Halloween party.
Halloween Beverage Jars
No party would be complete without drinks. Why not serve them in these fun Halloween jars? You just need paint, Mod Podge and tissue paper.
Spider Halloween Jar
Make a few of these white bottles with spiders using your Cricut or your favorite stickers. Add 'BOO' to one of them and accessorize as a centerpiece or mantel decoration.
Halloween Jar Toppers
Store your Halloween snacks in some fun jars with spooky painted haunted houses on top. Make a bunch and create a Halloween village!
Zombie Mason Jars
These zombie mason jars are good when you have smaller children — they aren't very scary. With the exception of that brain on the lid! Filled with candy, they would make fun party favors.
Painted Mason Jar Storage
This orange painted mason jar craft is great for storing items (like pencils). I like this idea because you can easily change it up. Remove the spiders and add leaves for fall or flowers for spring!
Bugs in Jars Place Setting
Add small plastic bugs to mini apothecary jars. They make a wonderful addition to this place setting with hand lettered name cards.
Did you enjoy these jar crafts for Halloween? Then you should definitely check out these other popular Halloween craft ideas: