Straight out of the recycle bin, this family of Plastic Bottle Ghosts are quick and easy to create just in time to decorate for Halloween.
Let’s upcycle some plastic soda and water bottles into a fun Halloween craft
Why I Love This Halloween Craft
It’s no secret that I LOVE a good upcycled project. And yes, I know single-use plastic bottles are the worst. For the most part, my family drinks from reusable water bottles and glass jars. But every once in a while, we end up using single-use plastic.
So… why not put those bottles to use in a creative and thoughtful way and make a Halloween craft?
All you need are a few basic craft supplies, and you can completely transform castaways from your recycle bin!
Supplies Needed:
- Plastic Soda and Water Bottles in various sizes
- Poly-Fil – any kind will do. You could even use shredded white paper.
- Black Felt (if you don’t have felt you can use black craft foam or construction paper)
- Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
- Scissors
- Craft Knife – I love my PenBlade for projects like this
- White Chalk Pencil
Tutorial – How to Make Plastic Bottle Ghosts
- Gather your plastic bottles. For reference, the photographed project used a 2 liter soda, a 1 liter water, and a 16 oz. seltzer bottle. You can use any type or size bottle as long as it is clear plastic.
- Remove the labels from the bottles. Wash and thoroughly dry the inside.
- Be sure to let the adults do this step: Carefully cut off the neck of each bottle with a craft knife. If you don’t have a craft knife, a pair of sharp scissors will work. Make sure that the bottle ghosts are all different sizes and heights. Don’t worry if some of the glue is left on the plastic bottle. Just turn it to the back.
- Draw different ghost faces onto black felt with the white chalk pencil. Then cut out with scissors. TIP: Cut inside the drawn lines so that you end up with clean, finished edges.
- Stuff the bottles with Poly-Fil. Tear off sections of the fill and pack it inside.
- Carefully attach the face features to the ghosts with a low temp glue gun and glue sticks. You could also use tacky liquid glue, glue dots, or even a strong glue stick.
FUN VARIATION: Make a ghost family that resembles YOUR family. Add additional features, accessories and even clothing with felt. Add a glow stick inside and then turn out the lights for some fun tricks!
More Halloween Crafts You’ll LOVE:
- Are you a Cricut crafter? Make a Halloween project using one of these FREE Halloween cut files!
- Get into the Halloween spirit with this FREE Halloween favorites printable. Download and print this watercolor print, perfect for your seasonal gallery walls.
- Keep the little ones entertained with one of these Halloween crafts for kids.
- DIY Dollar Store Halloween Wreaths – You won’t believe that these Halloween wreaths were made from dollar store supplies!
Plastic Bottle Ghosts
Straight out of the recycle bin, this family of Plastic Bottle Ghosts are quick and easy to create just in time to decorate for Halloween.
Materials
- Plastic Soda and Water Bottles in various sizes
- Poly-Fil – any kind will do. You could even use shredded white paper.
- Black Felt (if you don’t have felt you can use black craft foam or construction paper)
- Hot Glue Gun and Glue Sticks
- Scissors
- Craft Knife – I love my PenBlade for projects like this
- White Chalk Pencil
Instructions
- Gather your plastic bottles. For reference, the photographed
project used a 2 liter soda, a 1 liter water, and a 16 oz. seltzer
bottle. You can use any type or size bottle as long as it is clear
plastic. - Remove the labels from the bottles. Wash and thoroughly dry the inside.
- Be sure to let the adults do this step: Carefully cut off the neck of each bottle with a craft knife. If you don’t have a craft knife, a pair of sharp scissors will work. Make sure that the bottle ghosts are all different sizes and heights. Don’t worry if some of the glue is left on the plastic bottle. Just turn it to the back.
- Draw different ghost faces onto black felt with the white chalk pencil. Then cut out with scissors. TIP: Cut inside the drawn lines so that you end up with
clean, finished edges. - Stuff the bottles with Poly-Fil. Tear off sections of the fill and pack it inside.
- Carefully attach the face features to the ghosts with a low temp glue gun and
glue sticks. You could also use tacky liquid glue, glue dots, or even a strong glue stick.
Don’t forget to PIN these plastic bottle ghosts for later:
