Halloween Yogurt Jar Jack-O-Lantern and Ghost Luminaries
Don’t toss those empty Oui yogurt jars! With a little Mod Podge, a few drops of food coloring or white acrylic paint, and a black Sharpie, they turn into the cutest jack-o’-lantern and ghost luminaries. It’s an easy, inexpensive way to reuse jars you’d otherwise recycle. With a candle inside, they give off a warm glow on the porch, the mantel, or the dinner table on Halloween night.
I first started tinting glass jars in different shapes, sizes, and colors to get a soft, vintage look. Here is a link to that post. I loved them so much that I made a Halloween version: orange jars for pumpkins and white jars for ghosts.
At a glance
- Hands-on time: about 20 minutes
- Drying and baking time: 2 hours to dry, plus 40–60 minutes in the oven
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Just a few dollars if you’ve saved your jars
- Good for: Kids, with an adult handling the oven
An easy Halloween craft for kids using Oui yogurt jars
Halloween crafts are a great way to keep kids busy. You can do this one outside on a mild fall afternoon or right at the kitchen table. It does get a little messy, so plan laying down some card board or craft paper some adult supervision, especially for the oven step.
Cleanup is simple. Wet Mod Podge wipes up with a damp paper towel, and gel food coloring is non-toxic. It can stain fingers and countertops, though, so cover your work surface well. The kids will have so much fun with this one!
What you need to make Halloween luminaries
- Glass jars. I used Oui yogurt jars that I’d been saving. They are meant to be reused so the stickers peel of easily not no residue left behind. I simply ran them through the dishwasher before starting this project. Dijon mustard jars, baby food jars, or small mason jars work too, although mason jars don’t have the same rounded, pumpkin-like shape. If you haven’t been saving jars, thrift stores are full of small clear glasses in all shapes and sizes.
- Mod Podge, from Amazon or your local craft store.
- Gel food coloring and white acrylic paint: orange for the pumpkins and white paint for the ghosts.
- A small glass bowl for mixing.
- Kraft paper, a paper bag, or some cardboard to protect your work surface. I cut open a Trader Joe’s grocery bag.
- Popsicle sticks or wooden skewers to rest the jars on upside down while they drain and dry.
- A baking sheet (or two, depending on how many you’re making).
- A black Sharpie, glass paint pen, or black acrylic paint for the faces. If you use paint, you’ll also need a small artist’s brush. I find a Sharpie easiest, and there are no brushes to clean.
- Damp paper towels for drips.
- Votive candles or tea lights. I buy mine at IKEA. Battery-operated LED tea lights also work and are a safer choice for little ones, though I still prefer the natural glow of a real flame.
How to tint glass jars with Mod Podge, food coloring, and white acrylic paint
- Put a generous spoonful of Mod Podge into a small glass bowl.
- Add a few drops of gel food coloring or 4 drops of acrylic white paint and stir until the color is even.
- Stir in a little water to thin the mixture. It should be runny enough to coat the inside of the jar when you swirl it. You won’t need as much as you think.
- Pour a small amount into a jar. Gently swirl and turn the jar until the whole inside is coated, including right up to the rim. Try not to drip any on the outside, because it will show after baking.
- Pour the excess back into the bowl. Then set the jar upside down on two popsicle sticks so the extra can drain out instead of pooling and drying in the bottom.
- Let the jars dry completely, about 2 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 200°F.
- Turn the jars right side up, set them on a baking sheet, and bake for 40 minutes to an hour. The tint goes on cloudy and milky. When it turns clear and translucent, they’re done.
- Let the jars cool completely before handling.
Tip: Don’t shake the jars to coat them. Shaking creates bubbles, which leave a bumpy, uneven finish after baking. Gentle swirling is the key.
How to draw jack-o’-lantern and ghost faces
I found free jack-o’-lantern and ghost face patterns with a quick Google search and copied them freehand. Don’t worry about being perfect. Practice a few faces on scrap paper first and you’ll be ready to go. Lopsided smiles add some charm and character!
Tips and care for your luminaries
- Keep them dry. Water turns the tint cloudy again. It clears up after a few hours of drying, but wipe the jars with a dry cloth instead of washing them. They can’t go in the dishwasher.
- Bring outdoor jars in when it rains.
- Never leave a lit candle unattended, and keep real flames away from small children. LED tea lights are a good swap for kids’ rooms or a busy porch.
- Store them wrapped in tissue in a dry spot, and they’ll be ready again next October.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use other jars besides Oui yogurt jars?
Yes. Any clean glass jar works, including baby food, Dijon mustard, small mason jars, or thrift-store glasses.
Why are my jars still cloudy after baking?
Either they need more time in the oven, or the coating went on too thick. Bake in 10-minute increments until clear.
Can I use regular liquid food coloring?
Gel gives a richer, more saturated color with fewer drops, but liquid coloring will work for softer shades.
Are the jars safe with real candles?
Small votives and tea lights are fine with supervision. Never leave them burning unattended.
Can I make them in other colors?
Absolutely. Try green for Frankenstein or purple for a witchy look Here’s how jars look in other colors.
