A DIY tutorial for a fun and simple Halloween arts and crafts project for kids. Turn your tin cans into adorable Jack-o-Lanterns this Halloween!

The Fall season is upon us and that means it’s time to start being festive! I’m a firm believer that holidays should be celebrated all month long, instead of just one day. So that means when Halloween is preparing to roll around, I get started decorating.
One of the biggest ways I choose to decorate my home is with arts and crafts projects that my children have made for me at school.
Of course, this year is going to be different. Currently, we are at home doing distance learning and I have no clue when my kids will be back in school full-time.
So that means that this year my kid’s Halloween arts and crafts project will have to be done at home, and it will have to be easy.
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Why does it need to be easy? Because I’m not a fan of doing arts and crafts with my kids. I don’t even really remember liking it that much when I was a kid. Maybe it’s because I’m just not that creative, so I just don’t enjoy it. Who knows…I just don’t like doing it!
But my kids love it and I love seeing their completed projects, especially when they’ve made something just for me.
So, with that being said, this year’s Halloween arts and craft project for my kids is a fun and easy Tin Can Jack-o-Lantern.
What Supplies are Needed to Make Tin Can Jack-o-Lanterns?
The supplies needed for this project are fairly minimal. We chose to do ours with fake grass and stems, but you could really do anything you’d like.

You’re definitely not limited to what you see in these pictures. These Jack-o-Lanterns would also make really cute pen and pencil holders for your desk.
Another fun idea would be to put flameless candles in them and make them votives.
If you’re looking for something simpler with supplies that you probably have on hand, you could stuff the cans with black or green tissue paper. Then put some Halloween treats in them and you have a festive candy dish.
Supplies
- Empty aluminum cans that have been washed and completely dried
- Orange craft paint (I’ve linked this brand specifically because it is a good brand that isn’t too watered down)
- Paintbrush
- Paper plate – to keep your supplies on and prevent messes
- Black paint marker
- Fake grass
- Wood stems
Directions to Make your Halloween Craft Project
Start by painting 2-3 coats of orange paint on the cans, allowing the paint to dry in between sessions. It took 3 coats to completely cover our cans.

You do not need to worry about painting the inside of the cans unless it’s something you’d really like to do. Because we stuffed ours with fake grass it was not necessary.
Using the paint marker, draw a face on each can. Get creative with your ideas. You can Google face ideas if you need to!

Next, allow the cans to dry completely.

Place the fake grass inside the can, add the stem, and display this holiday season!

Final Thoughts
I hope your kids had tons of fun with this Halloween arts and crafts project! Enjoy the Fall season and your adorable new decor!

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P.S. If you’re looking for some more fun fall and Halloween activities, make sure to check out my Printable Halloween Coloring Pages, Fall Bucket List which includes a Scavenger Hunt, and my Halloween Scavenger Hunt for kids.
P.P.S. Please don’t forget to share on social media if this is something you think your friends and family would enjoy!

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