Three DIY Halloween Boo Bags on display: one with a black crow and creepy cloth, one with a ghost face drawn with a black Sharpie marker, and one with Mod Podge pumpkins and a striped pattern. Candy corn and mini pumpkin candies are scattered around the bags with small chalkboard signs reading 'Eek' and 'Boo.' A spooky black and white 'BOO' banner hangs in the background.

DIY Boo Bags: Fun & Easy Halloween Craft for Kids

words by Jennifer Carroll Martin | Photos by Jennifer Carroll Martin
Make a DIY Treat Bag Craft for Halloween
Three DIY Halloween Boo Bags on display: one with a black crow and creepy cloth, one with a ghost face drawn with a black Sharpie marker, and one with Mod Podge pumpkins and a striped pattern. Candy corn and mini pumpkin candies are scattered around the bags with small chalkboard signs reading 'Eek' and 'Boo.' A spooky black and white 'BOO' banner hangs in the background.

Get ready to spread some spooky fun this Halloween with these simple and creative DIY Boo Bags! Whether you’re gearing up for a festive neighborhood “Booing” tradition or want to give out treats in style, these personalized bags are quick, easy, and perfect for kids and adults alike. Plus, with just a few supplies, you can transform a basic white paper bag into a one-of-a-kind Halloween treat bag in minutes. This craft is also a great classroom project, the perfect craft for a school Halloween party.

In this guide, we’ll show you three fun ways to upcycle a plain white paper bag with a handle into a delightful Halloween Boo Bag. Each project uses everyday materials you likely already have on hand, making it budget-friendly and accessible for crafters of all skill levels. Let’s dive in!

Two DIY Ghost Boo Bags made from white paper bags with cute ghost faces drawn in black Sharpie, decorated with pink tulle and Halloween treats sticking out. A 'BOO' banner hangs in the background, while candy corn and mini pumpkin candies are scattered around the bags. A small ghost figurine, a black cauldron, and chalkboard signs reading 'Eek' and 'Boo' complete the spooky Halloween scene.

How to Make a DIY Ghost Boo Bag

Nothing says Halloween like a friendly ghost! This Ghost Boo Bag is a simple and charming way to kick off your spooky celebrations. Bring this for your child’s classroom Halloween party craft and you’ll be a hero!

Materials Needed to Make a DIY Ghost Boo Bag:

  • Plain white paper bag with handles
  • Scissors
  • Black Sharpie marker
A plain white paper bag with handles lying flat on a light wood surface, ready to be upcycled and decorated for a DIY Halloween Boo Bag craft project.
A plain white paper bag with handles lying flat on a light wood surface, ready to be upcycled and decorated for a DIY Halloween Boo Bag craft project.
A plain white paper bag with handles lying flat on a light wood surface with scissors, ready to be upcycled and decorated for a DIY Halloween Boo Bag craft project.
A white paper bag with rounded top corners, decorated with a cute ghost face drawn in pencil, featuring large eyes and an open mouth. A pencil with an eraser lies next to the bag on a light wood surface, showing the start of a DIY Ghost Boo Bag craft project.
A white paper bag with rounded top corners, decorated with a cute ghost face drawn in black Sharpie, featuring large eyes and an open mouth. A black Sharpie marker lies next to the bag on a light wood surface, showing the start of a DIY Ghost Boo Bag craft project.
A close-up of hands drawing a ghost face with a black Sharpie marker on a white paper bag with rounded top corners. The DIY Ghost Boo Bag features large eyes and an open mouth, with wavy lines at the bottom for a spooky effect. The craft is being created on a light wood surface.

Instructions:

  1. Start by rounding the top corners of the paper bag with scissors to give it a more “ghostly” shape.
  2. Using a black Sharpie, draw a cute ghost face on the front of the treat bag. Get creative with the expressions—happy, surprised, or spooky, depending on the mood you’re going for!
  3. Your Ghost Boo Bag is ready to be filled with Halloween goodies. It’s an adorable, minimalistic way to add some festive spirit to your treat-giving.
DIY Pumpkin Boo Bag with two smiling jack-o'-lantern faces made from orange napkins attached to a white paper bag using Mod Podge. The top of the bag features black and orange striped napkins for a festive touch, with black creepy cloth draped on the side for extra Halloween flair.

How to Make a Mod Podge Pumpkin Boo Bag

Looking for a craftier approach? This Pumpkin Boo Bag is a bit more involved but adds a beautifully textured, festive touch to your Halloween treat bags.

Materials Needed:

  • Plain white paper bag with handles
  • Pumpkin or Halloween-themed napkins
  • Mod Podge
  • Paintbrush
Plain white paper bag with handles placed on a light wood surface, ready to be upcycled into a DIY Halloween Boo Bag craft project.
Hands holding an orange jack-o'-lantern napkin cutout to be attached to a plain white paper bag for a DIY Pumpkin Boo Bag project. The background shows the bag lying on a light wood surface.
Hands using pink-handled scissors to cut two smiling jack-o'-lantern faces from an orange napkin to attach to a white paper bag for a DIY Pumpkin Boo Bag project.
Hands using a pencil and ruler to measure and mark a section of orange and black striped napkins that will be attached to the top edge of a white paper bag for a DIY Halloween craft.
Hands applying Mod Podge with a brush to a plain white paper bag, preparing it for the addition of orange and black striped napkins at the top as part of a DIY Pumpkin Boo Bag craft.
Plain white paper bag with orange and black striped napkins attached to the top edge using Mod Podge. A brush and Mod Podge container are visible beside the bag on a light wood surface.
Hands applying Mod Podge with a brush to a jack-o'-lantern napkin cutout to attach it to the front of a white paper bag for a DIY Pumpkin Boo Bag craft.
Two smiling jack-o'-lantern faces made from orange napkins being arranged on a white paper bag as part of a DIY Pumpkin Boo Bag craft project.
Completed DIY Pumpkin Boo Bag with two jack-o'-lantern faces made from orange napkins and an orange and black striped design on the top edge. The napkin cutouts are sealed with Mod Podge for a durable finish.

Instructions:

  1. Carefully separate the top layer of the printed napkin from the plain backing layer (you only need the printed part).
  2. Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge to the front of the treat bag using a paintbrush.
  3. Gently press the printed napkin onto the bag, smoothing out any wrinkles.
  4. Once in place, apply another layer of Mod Podge over the napkin to seal it and make the design more durable.
  5. Let it dry completely before filling it with treats. This Pumpkin Boo Bag adds a fun, custom touch to your Halloween festivities!
DIY Halloween Boo Bag featuring a black crow, skull, and bats from window clings, decorated with black creepy cloth for a spooky web effect. The word 'Halloween' is displayed at the bottom of the white paper bag in orange text, creating a creepy yet festive look.

Creepy Cloth & Cling Boo Bag

For an extra creepy touch, this Boo Bag uses Halloween window clings and some black creepy cloth to create a spooky, web-like effect and makes another fun classroom craft for a Halloween party.

Materials Needed:

  • Plain white paper bag with handles
  • Halloween-themed window clings
  • Double-stick adhesive tape
  • Black creepy cloth (optional)
Plain white paper bag with handles placed on a light wood surface, ready to be upcycled into a DIY Halloween Boo Bag craft project.
A sheet of Halloween window clings, featuring black bats and a crow perched on a skull, ready to be used for a DIY Halloween Boo Bag craft project.
Plain white paper bag with a large window cling of a black crow perched on a skull applied to the front, in the process of being transformed into a DIY Halloween Boo Bag.
Hands adjusting Halloween window clings, featuring a black crow perched on a skull, onto a white paper bag. The clings are being arranged to prepare for the final touches of a DIY Halloween Boo Bag.
Hands trimming black creepy cloth to attach to a white paper bag, creating a spooky web-like effect over Halloween window clings, including a crow, bats, and skull.

Instructions:

  1. Plan your placement of Halloween-themed window clings to the front of the paper bag.
  2. Once you know where you are placing them, use double-stick adhesive tape for a secure hold.
  3. Drape black creepy cloth over the top of the clings, securing it with more double-stick adhesive tape. This will give your Boo Bag a webbed look while still allowing the clings to peek through. Perfect for handing out goodies at Halloween parties or for neighborhood trick-or-treaters!
Four DIY Halloween Boo Bags on display: one with a black crow and creepy cloth, two with a ghost face drawn with a black Sharpie marker, and one with Mod Podge pumpkins and a striped pattern. Candy corn and mini pumpkin candies are scattered around the bags with small chalkboard signs reading 'Eek' and 'Boo.' A spooky black and white 'BOO' banner hangs in the background.

Why Make DIY Boo Bags?

These DIY Boo Bags are a fantastic way to get creative and add a personal touch to your Halloween festivities. They’re perfect for those who enjoy crafting, and they make treat-giving even more fun for the recipient. Plus, they’re super easy to make in just a few minutes!

Bonus Tip: These DIY Boo Bags can be customized in endless ways—use different colored paper bags, experiment with other Halloween motifs like bats, witches, or spiders, and add fun embellishments like ribbons or glitter for a little extra flair.

Close-up of a DIY Ghost Boo Bag decorated with a ghost face drawn in black Sharpie. The bag is filled with pink tulle, a cute candy corn plush toy, and a shiny disco ball wand pen, adding a playful and festive touch to the Halloween treat bag.

Whether you’re planning to surprise your neighbors with a Boo bag on their doorstep or want to create something special for your child’s classroom, these three Boo Bag designs offer easy, fun, and affordable ways to add a little Halloween magic to your day.

Have fun crafting, and happy haunting! Take your newly crafted Halloween Treat Bag out to a haunted walk, trick-or-treating event or to a pumpkin festival to celebrate the season.


JENNIFER CARROLL MARTIN is our home and garden editor. With over thirty years of experience in decorating warm and welcoming homes as well as designing extraordinary celebrations in her hometown of Charlottesville, plus New York City and Beverly Hills, Jennifer has helped busy moms and busy celebrities live and celebrate in style. She is a wife, mom, avid baker, decorator, gardening enthusiast, photographer, and author of Harry Potter: Feasts & Festivities: An Official Book of Magical Celebrations, Crafts, and Party Food Inspired by the Wizarding World. You can catch up with her at celebratingeverydaylife.com.


 

 

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