These DIY Halloween Lanterns are both weather resistant and flameless! Learn how to make these simple and mess-free glowing luminaries to create a spooky path to your door.
Every October, I get so excited for all the season of fun decorations! From fall to Christmas, it is festival of crafting, decorating, and general mayhem to enjoy every second of the season. But let’s focus on Halloween first, shall we?!
I wanted to get a little crafty one Halloween and dress up the front entry way. I’ve always loved the look of glowing Halloween lanterns with spooky faces, but worry about the problems with having them outdoors.
So I went to the local hardware store in search of something that would be weather resistant for outdoor use but still super cute for my Halloween luminaries. And a-here we go!
Psst… Check out my favorite Halloween decorated Porches, DIY Outdoor Halloween Witches Project or the big list of Easy Halloween Crafts for more inspiration!
Supplies and Notes
Here is an overview of the supplies and materials you will need to make the luminaries. Links are included for examples.
- White Blank Corrugated Plastic (the kind you use for yard signs)
- Metal Stakes
- A thin X-acto knife or craft knife (must be very sharp!)
- Black Acrylic Paint made for outdoors
- Optional: Stencils and a Silhouette Cameo or Cricut Machine – I used these jack o’lantern stencils for my pumpkin lanterns.
- Flameless Candles – best if a few inches tall to light up the center of the luminary
Tip for Sizing: For these luminaries, I used white yard signs. The plastic makes them rain resistant, while being pretty cheap. I cut the signs in half lengthwise first, so they measured 10×20.
How To Make Halloween Lanterns Step by Step
There are printable instructions at the bottom of this post, but I thought I would include a few tips as we go along.
Step 1: Cut the Plastic
I cut a razor tooth edging along the top of each lantern.
After deciding which side would be the front, I carefully cut only the outer layer of the corrugated board – aka don’t cut all the way through both sides. This allowed me to bend it around to form a box. I taped the edge with clear scotch tape to attached the two sides.
In case you are interested, my measurements for the front and back were 7 inches, and the sides are 3 inches each.
Step 2: Decide and Paint Your Design
I built a witch’s potion shop theme for the front door, so I designed a set that says, “ENTER IF YOU DARE”, but on the backs are some simple and fun jack-o-lantern patterns that I purchased here. So you are sure to be greeted on Halloween no matter how you come to our house.
While you can use a sharpie, waterproof exterior paint will give you the best blackout and sharp lines. A sample can of exterior black paint from the hardware store or a small craft paint bottle is all you need.
Step 3: Set Up Outdoors.
I put 3 flameless candles in each Halloween Lantern to give them a good glow, but you could also use battery powered string lights like these.
Lastly, I couldn’t have these spooky guys flying away on me if a breeze came up! If you buy actual yard signs, you may be able to use the metal “H” stakes that come with them. However, I purchased these wire stakes to secure them in the ground. They are 9-guage steel, the same as the stakes that come with the signs and a perfect fit!
Quick Tips
- Instead of corrugated plastic, I have seen milk jugs, plastic jack o’lanterns, and actual glass lanterns used.
- Paint applied in 2-3 layers will give the best blackout for your design. I have not used a sharpie, so I would test first but I hear they are waterproof for this sort of design.
- These hold up great for years. I have used them for 3 years and they are in great shape. They have sat in rain, wind, and heat with no problem.
- Waterproof flameless candles that are a few inches taller work the best. I trim the wax around the top to get maximum glow.
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Halloween Lanterns
Tools
- X-acto Knife
Supplies
- 1 White Corrugated Plastic Sheets
- Metal Stakes
- Black Outdoor Paint
- Jack-o'-lantern designs
- 2 Flameless Candles
- Clear Tape
Instructions
- Cut the plastic to the size you want. Cut a decorative edge with an X-acto knife if you wish.
- To fold, cut a straight line top to bottom through the top layer of corrugated plastic only – do not cut through both layers.
- Paint the designs on the front and back if you choose. Allow to dry completely. Tape the two loose edges together so that it makes a box.
- Place the lanterns where you wish. If on the ground, push thin, long stakes through the channels into the dirt to keep from tipping over. Place flameless tea light or candle in the center of the lantern and turn on.
Notes
- Instead of corrugated plastic, I have seen milk jugs, plastic jack o’lanterns, and actual glass lanterns used.
- Paint applied in 2-3 layers will give the best blackout for your design. I have not used a sharpie, so I would test first but I hear they are waterproof for this sort of design.
- These hold up great for years. I have used them for 3 years and they are in great shape. They have sat in rain, wind, and heat with no problem.
- Waterproof flameless candles that are a few inches taller work the best. I trim the wax around the top to get maximum glow.
Heatherp says
I’m planning on doing these for Halloween this year and using my cricut to cut the Jack-o-lantern faces using black vinyl. I did want to clarify one thing that another commenter asked but don’t believe was answered. When you cut one of these out of the corrugated plastic and you fold it up to make the open-ended box, there is one side edge that won’t be attached. Did you use glue or what? I’m afraid to use a tape or anything like that bc it may show through.
Rachel says
You are so right! I did forget to mention that and I will edit it now. I taped the one side together with clear scotch tape. I haven’t noticed it show through.
NinaBean says
I am considering a bead of hot glue or E6000. Think this will hold on the corrugated plastic?
NinaBean says
Two quick questions: Do these have a bottom, and how do you seal the open edge of these?
Rachel says
These are meant to be waterproof so they have channels throughout the corrugated board that allow them to dry out well. So I didn’t create a bottom or top or seal them at all. Although I don’t live in a particularly wet climate, I have not had any problems with things getting stuck in the channels. The stakes keep them in place. Also, the measurements for me are because I used 20×20 yard sale signs and cut them in half. Therefore, they are 10 inches tall and the sides are 7 and 3 inches wide each. However, there isn’t any other reason for those specific measurements. Hope you love them as much as I do!
Frani says
These luminaries are the CUTEST!!!! Love that they are waterproof! You are so so clever!!! ♥
Rachel says
Thank you so much!