This jack o lantern craft for kids is a simple way to light up your Halloween fun!
Using just a few craft supplies and these easy-to-follow instructions, this DIY craft can be used for cute holiday decorations and more. These easy glowing jack-o-lantern crafts have been big hits with my boys over the years.
Get my ideas and tips for making and using these cup crafts with jack-o’-lantern themes. You’ll love how this creative craft brightens your celebration!
Cute Ways to Brighten Your Halloween Fun
If you’d like an easy and frugal way to take your Halloween fun with kids to the next level, you’ll love this light up jack o lantern craft!
This simple activity transforms a disposable cup (clear or styrofoam) into an adorable jack-o’-lantern. I love how you can use these light up crafts for:
- table centerpieces
- party decorations
- window sills
- front (or back) door displays
- candy (or trick-or-treat) bowl decor
My oldest boy (now 21!) made a version of this jack o’ lantern craft with his preschool class. I thought it was precious and tweaked the project to use with all of my boys. We’ve used a variety of craft materials with super cool results. I’m SO excited to share this kids craft idea with you. It’s similar to our jack o lantern paper plate craft that also lights up. I hope that you and your students enjoy it as much as we have!
Suggested Supplies for This Halloween Craft
Depending on how you decide to do this craft with your kids, you will need certain supplies. First, I’ll list out the basic recommendations. After this list, you’ll find my suggestions for modifying the craft to best fit your needs.
- Cup (styrofoam or clear plastic)
- Orange Paint
- Black and Green Construction Paper
- Small Branch or Stick
- Scissors
- Paintbrush
- Flameless Tealight
If you’re working with younger kids (or want to skip the painting step), use cups that are orange. Also, you can cut out the jack-o’-lantern face pieces prior to starting your craft. These steps can help if you’re short on time, too.
Paint Set with Art Supplies Included, Washable Paint With Paint Brushes and Cups for Kids And Toddler, Complete Painting SuppliesColorations Construction Paper for Kids – 7 Bright Colors – 600 Bulk Sheets of 9Westcott 13168 Right- and Left-Handed Scissors, Kids’ Scissors, Ages 4-8, 5-Inch Blunt Tip, Assorted, 2 Count (Pack of 1)Elmer’s bundle Washable Liquid School Glue, White, Dries Clear, 4 fl oz Plus Disappearing Purple Elmer’s School Glue Stick, 7g, 2pkHomemory Timer Tea Lights, Flameless Flickering Battery Operated, Auto-On 6 Hours and Off 18 Hours Everyday, Batteries Included, Long-Lasting, Pack of 12Comfy Package [16 oz. – 100 Pack Crystal PET Clear Plastic Cups for Party – Ideal for Cold Beverages, Smoothies, and PartiesFRAMO 12 Oz Foam Cups (100 Pack) Lightweight Insulated Foam Cups for Coffee, Cold Drinks & Other Hot Beverages – Disposable Drinking Cups for Parties, Picnic, BBQ, Travel, & EventsParty Essentials Hard Plastic 9-Ounce Party Cups, Tumblers, Neon Orange, 25-Count
How to Make This Light Up Jack O Lantern Craft
01
Prepare cup
Paint the outside of the cup orange.
OR you can use a cup that is already orange!
02
Draw face pieces
On the black construction paper, draw triangles for the eyes and nose, as well as a jack-o-lantern mouth. On the green paper, draw a small leaf shape.
Make some traditional pieces. You can also get creative and try different shapes!
03
Cut out face pieces
Cut all the shapes out. This step can be fantastic for scissor skills for kids.
If you don’t have a lot of time, consider cutting out the pieces prior to starting.
04
Attach face pieces
Set the cup upside down. Glue the face pieces on.
05
Add stem
Cut or break the stick to an appropriate size for the pumpkin stem. Poke it through the bottom of the cup (top of the pumpkin). For a plastic cup option, simply hot glue the stick to the cup.
06
Add leaves
Glue the leaf (or leaves if you’d like more than one) to the stem.
07
Add light!
Turn the flameless tealight on and place it under the cup.
If you’ll be moving your light up jack o lantern (or just want to keep the tealight in place), place it on a piece of washi tape or masking tape with the stick side up. Adhere the tape to the sides of the cup.
More Easy Ways to Enjoy Jack-O’-Lanterns
Have even more fun with these light up pumpkins using books, games, and cool accessories! I think these resources are fantastic ways to boost your Halloween celebration with kids:
JackThe Story of the Jack O’LanternPumpkin JackJ is for Jack-O’-Lantern: A Halloween Alphabet (Holiday)Too Many PumpkinsRunleo Halloween Pumpkin Decorating Stickers Kit, Make 48 Different Faces Jack O Lantern Decorations DIY Craft Pumpkin Stickers Kids Gifts Toddler Activities Treats Game Party Favors40 Sheets Halloween Party Games Stickers for Kids Make Your Own Jack-O-Lantern Stickers, Kids Halloween Activities Stickers Pumpkin Face Stickers for Kids Halloween Party FavorsJumbo Jack-O’-Lantern Mad Libs: 4 Mad Libs in 1!: World’s Greatest Word Game
Ideas for Making Your Light Up Jack-O’-Lanterns
We’ve tried a bunch of different ways to customize our jack-o’-lantern cup crafts. Oh, and one thing I highly recommend doing is putting your child’s name and date (month and year works well) on the jack-o’-lantern so you’ll have it to reference in later years!
If you’d like a bit of extra texture or colors on your Halloween craft, glitter glue and washi tape are fun ideas. Also, you can add twine, yarn, or string around the stem or base of the cup.
Want to make your very own jack-o’-lantern patch? Try different sizes of cups. You can also vary the orange colors by adding dabs of yellow, green, or brown to the paint.
Have you read The Legend of Spookly the Square Pumpkin with your kids? We adore that book! Try different colors and shapes like the unique pumpkins in that story.
I hope you and your children have a delightful experience making these jack-o’-lantern crafts!
What ideas do you have for making and enjoying these crafts? I’d love to hear about your experiences and how you’ll use – please share in the comments area at the bottom of this post 🎃
