14 Clever DIY Cardboard Halloween Decorations on a Budget

I’m so excited for Halloween, and I’ve been diving deep into Pinterest for some seriously fun DIY cardboard Halloween decorations! I found a bunch of creepy-cute ideas that are perfect for getting crafty with friends or setting up a vibe at home.

From haunted houses to ghost portraits, these projects are super easy, use stuff you probably already have, and will totally make your place the talk of the trick-or-treat crew.

Grab some old boxes and let’s get crafting, here’s what I’m obsessed with!

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DIY Cardboard Halloween Decorations

1. Spooky Cardboard Tombstones

Okay, you guys, I stumbled across this DIY for cardboard tombstones on Pinterest, and I’m obsessed! You just grab some old boxes, cut them into creepy shapes, and paint them with spooky epitaphs for your yard. Imagine these lined up on your front lawn for Halloween night, total graveyard vibes! Pro tip: add some glow-in-the-dark paint for an eerie glow.

2. DIY Haunted House from Cardboard Boxes

3. DIY Cardboard Jack o’ Lantern

You have to try this cardboard jack-o’-lantern I saw, it’s so cute and easy! Just cut a pumpkin shape from a box, paint it orange, and add a cheeky face in eight quick steps. Picture these scattered around your porch for a warm, glowing Halloween vibe. I’m definitely making a few for my next fall hangout!

4. Painted Cardboard Pumpkin Boxes

Okay, I’m lowkey in love with these painted cardboard jack-o’-lanterns made from boxes and carpet tubes! You just paint them bright orange, carve out fun faces, and pop in some fairy lights for a cozy glow. They’d look so cute stacked on your front steps for trick-or-treaters.

5. Outdoor Halloween Yard Decor with Cardboard

I just found these cardboard Halloween yard decorations, and they’re giving me all the spooky season feels! You can cut out bats, ghosts, or pumpkins from old boxes and paint them to pop against your lawn. Set these up for a neighborhood Halloween bash, and everyone will be talking about your creepy-cool setup. A little black spray paint goes a long way!

6. DIY Cardboard Fireplace

Can we talk about this cardboard fireplace DIY I found? It’s literally just boxes stacked and painted to look like a haunted hearth, perfect for a cozy Halloween movie night. Imagine curling up with hot cocoa in front of this with some fake cobwebs draped over it. I’m so doing this for my living room this October!

7. Haunted House Window Cutouts (Cardboard DIY)

I’m freaking out over this cardboard haunted house cutout I saw, it’s like a painting that pops! You cut a spooky house shape, paint it with creepy windows and bats, and prop it up in your yard. It’s perfect for adding some eerie charm to your Halloween setup. I’d pair it with some flickering lanterns for extra drama!

8. Witch’s Broomstick Made from Cardboard

Okay, this cardboard witch’s broomstick cutout is too fun! You just shape some cardboard into a broom, paint it, and lean it against a tree or porch for instant witchy vibes. I can totally see this at a Halloween party, making everyone feel like they’re at a magical coven gathering. Add some glitter for a sparkly touch!

9. Haunted House Cardboard Cutout for Office Cubicle

I was dying when I saw this haunted house cutout for your office cubicle! It’s just cardboard shaped into a mini spooky house to jazz up your desk for Halloween. Imagine your coworkers’ faces when they see this at the office, such a fun way to bring the holiday spirit to work.

10. Ghost Family Portraits with Cardboard Frames

11. Egg Carton Ghost Portraits

I’m so into these egg box ghost portraits I found on Pinterest! You use old egg cartons and cardboard to make little 3D ghost faces, then paint them for a quirky, textured look. Hang these in your window for a spooky surprise for passersby. I’d make a whole bunch for a cozy Halloween craft sesh with friends!

12. Cardboard Haunted House Luminaries

Okay, I’m obsessed with these cardboard haunted house luminaries! You cut house shapes from boxes, add creepy window designs, and stick a tea light inside for a warm, spooky glow. These would be perfect for lining your walkway on Halloween night. I’m already dreaming of a chilly evening with these lighting the way!

13. Milk Carton Mini Haunted House

This milk carton haunted house craft is so adorable, I can’t even! You take old milk cartons, add cardboard roofs, and decorate with paint for a kid-friendly Halloween village. It’s the perfect rainy-day project to do with your little ones. I’d set these up on the kitchen table for a cute, spooky display!

14. Cardboard Ghost Silhouette Painting

I just saw this cardboard ghost yard painting idea, and it’s giving me all the Halloween chills. You cut out ghost shapes, paint them with glowing white and black details, and stake them in your yard for a haunting effect. Imagine these swaying in the breeze on a foggy October night, so creepy! I’d add some LED lights behind them for extra spookiness.

Wrapping Up the Halloween Fun

I’m seriously buzzing with excitement over these cardboard Halloween DIYs, they’re so budget-friendly and fun to make!

Whether you’re decking out your yard, sprucing up your cubicle, or crafting with kids, there’s something here to get you in the spooky spirit.

Grab those old boxes, some paint, and maybe a hot cider, and turn your place into a Halloween wonderland. Let me know which one you try!

FAQs

1. What kind of cardboard works best for these Halloween decorations?

Any sturdy cardboard will do, like old shipping boxes or cereal boxes, depending on the project! For bigger outdoor stuff like tombstones or yard cutouts, thicker corrugated cardboard holds up better, especially if you seal it with a weather-resistant spray. Smaller projects like luminaries or ghost portraits are great with thinner stuff like cereal boxes.

2. Can I make these decorations weatherproof for outdoor use?

Totally! To make your cardboard decorations last outside, coat them with a clear waterproof sealant or spray paint after decorating. You can also use duct tape along edges for extra durability, and stake or weigh them down so they don’t blow away on a windy Halloween night.

3. Are these DIYs kid-friendly?

Most of these are super kid-friendly, especially the milk carton haunted house and ghost portraits! Just handle any cutting with sharp tools yourself, and let kids go wild with painting or adding googly eyes. It’s a fun way to spend a fall afternoon, and they’ll love seeing their creations light up the house.

Pin this idea for later! 📌

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