DIY Halloween Ideas for Families: Snacks, Décor, and Simple Projects to Try at Home

Halloween has a way of sneaking up on us. One minute it’s back-to-school chaos, and the next your kids are asking about costumes, candy, and pumpkin carving. If you’ve been scrolling Pinterest and feeling totally overwhelmed, take a deep breath. These DIY Halloween ideas for families are the opposite of complicated — think fun snacks, simple décor, and easy little projects you can actually pull off in between soccer practice and bedtime meltdowns.

Because let’s be honest… no one needs a 47-step craft involving power tools and glitter glue.

Halloween Snacks the Whole Family Will Love

Halloween is basically a free pass to play with your food, and kids love it when things are a little silly (and sugar-filled). These snack ideas check all the boxes: festive, quick, and totally doable. Shoutout to @ourwintonhome for sharing some great DIY Halloween ideas with us.

Halloween S’mores Bar

• How cute (and easy!) is this idea? A few festive marshmallows, some chocolate, plus this inexpensive cauldron kit from Amazon, and suddenly you’re the fun mom hosting the best fall night ever. Minimal effort, maximum smiles. 🎃🔥

• Pro tip: try fudge stripe cookies instead of grahams — so good!

Witches Broom Snack

• The easiest Halloween snack ever! Two ingredients, so easy and so fun.

• All you need is: Mini Reese’s cups and pretzel sticks. Unwrap the Reese’s, insert your pretzel stick and you’re good to go. These would be a perfect snack for your next Halloween party!

Halloween Hot Cocoa Bar

• Start with a large wooden tray. Add some hanging cauldrons (just like the setup for s’mores!) filled with mini marshmallows. Then add a pumpkin shaped drink dispenser (this one from Amazon is great!) filled with hot chocolate.

• Fun additions: cute pumpkin bowls with hot cocoa toppings plus a side of whip cream and caramel syrup. Use Halloween themed mugs to make it super festive!

Seasonal Projects to Try at Home

Looking for more DIY Halloween ideas for families? When the sun sets by 6 PM and everyone’s climbing the walls, these simple projects are a lifesaver. They’re easy enough to set up after dinner, fun enough to pull kids away from screens, and festive enough to make an ordinary weeknight feel a little magical. Think cozy and creative — no glitter explosions required.

Pumpkin Spice Playdough

• Smells amazing, entertains the kids, and doubles as a sensory activity. Honestly, it’s a triple win. Sharing an easy recipe + directions can be found here!

Apple Cider Floats

• Vanilla ice cream + apple cider = festive sugar rush. No one’s complaining. DIY Halloween ideas don’t have to be complicated! Sometimes adding festive Halloween drink straws are all you need to bring the fun.

Halloween Luminaries

• You only need few items: paper bags, scissors, and battery tea lights. Cheap, easy, and surprisingly magical on your porch.

• Pro Tip: Have the kiddos decorate their bags. Grab some white and orange construction paper, cut out shapes like ghosts and pumpkins and let them go to town. Think googly eyes, glitter (if you dare 😅) or just their favorite markers.

DIY Halloween Decor

Forget spending hundreds at HomeGoods — half the fun is in making things together. These ideas are kid-friendly and don’t require a craft closet worthy of HGTV.

Ghost Candles

• Directions: Add warm (not too hot or too cold!) water to a pan. You have to keep the water warm or the candles won’t bend. Let them soak in the warm water for a few minutes then shape the candles into ghost. Once they dry, draw on a little face with a sharpie and that’s it! 👻👻

• Pro Tip: Add new warm water after each candle to make them easier to bend.

Mini Cauldron Treat Holders

• Grab a pack of those tiny plastic cauldrons on Amazon, fill with candy corn or crayons, and watch kids freak out over how “officially Halloween” it feels.

Bat Vase

• Directions: Put bat stickers all over a clear vase. Spray paint it black and let it dry. Once dry, peel off the stickers, add fairy lights, and light up branches! That’s it. It’s so cozy all lit up! 🎃🦇l

Why Simple Wins

Here’s the thing: your kids won’t remember if you hand-cut perfect bat silhouettes or made a Pinterest-worthy charcuterie board. What they will remember is sitting around the table, sneaking marshmallows when you weren’t looking, or sipping cider together in fuzzy socks.

These DIY Halloween ideas for families are about keeping it fun and easy — because you’ve got enough on your plate already.

Want to Make the Memories Last?

If you’re already leaning into fall traditions, it’s the perfect time to update your family photos too. Local to Massachusetts? My Fall Simplicity Sessions are quick, stress-free, and give you holiday-card-ready images without adding to the seasonal chaos.

Learn more about Fall Simplicity Sessions here!

more reads from the blog

• How To Make Photo Sessions With Kids Easy & Stress-Free
• What To Wear For Family Photos
• Why You Need a Family Photographer for Toddlers (Who Actually Gets It)

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed “DIY Halloween Ideas for Families: Snacks, Décor, and Simple Projects to Try at Home” feature.

Molly Katherine is a Boston Newborn and Family Photographer offering organic, connection-filled portraits and a refined, full-service experience. From a beautifully curated wardrobe to a light-filled studio space and complimentary artwork design, Molly delivers it all with exceptional client experience in mind. Molly Katherine Photography serves Boston, MA and the surrounding metro areas including Brookline, Newton, Natick, Weston, Wellesley, Sherborn, Hopkinton, Westborough, Grafton and Shrewsbury as well as Middlesex and Worcester county.

I’d love to connect and share more about my process with you! To reserve your 2025-2026 maternity, newborn or family portraits, visit Molly Katherine Photography or send an email to mollykatherinephotography@gmail.com.

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