20 Fun & Easy Halloween Candy Wrapper Crafts (Don't Throw Those Wrappers Away!)
20 DIY Candy Wrapper Recycled Craft Ideas to Make
Post-Halloween crafts just got way more fun!
It's a scene I am sure you've seen before. Kids sitting with their siblings or friends on the living room floor sorting their candy. My kids are a bit older now, but I can picture the scene vividly.
Every year after trick-or-treating, you're left with mountains of candy wrappers. Starburst, Skittles, M&Ms, Tootsie Rolls, you name it. Instead of tossing them all, why not turn them into colorful art projects?
These 20 candy wrapper crafts are perfect for kids, teens, and adults. They're easy, budget-friendly, and honestly? Kind of addictive to make. Plus, you're teaching kids about recycling and creativity at the same time. Win-win!
Here are 20 DIY candy wrapper recycled craft ideas that are not only fun to make but also help reduce waste.
Pro tip: Give your wrappers a quick wipe to remove any sticky residue before you start.
1.Easy Candy Wrapper Wall Art Collage
I've been making this one for years with my classes. When coming up with art projects, I always try to find fun projects that kids will not only want to make, but also that parents will want to keep and hang up in their homes.
Here's how you do it:
Pick up a wooden blank at the art supply store or at the dollar tree. These can be made in any color.
Using a foam brush, apply a thin layer of mod podge to the wood.
Place a candy wrapper onto the wet mod podge. The candy wrappers that work best in my experience are not the plastic ones.
Using your foam brush, add mod podge on top and smooth out until there are few creases or bumps.
Add mod podge to the area around the candy wrappers and place more wrappers on top.
Continue until the entire surface is covered.
Add one more layer of mod podge and let dry.
You can leave it alone or use a stencil to apply a design. In this specific project, I used a happy face stencil to add a little more fun!
2. Candy Wrapper Serving Tray or Bowl
Why buy serving trays when you can make your own! This is one of my absolute favorite candy wrapper crafts and for good reason; it is functional. Use it or gift it. I like to use mine every year to put my Halloween candy onto. Simple crafts are the perfect thing to do when kids are tired and coming down from a sugar rush. Trust me! Here's how to do it:
Go to either the Dollar Tree or Party City and pick up a clear, acrylic serving tray.
Follow the exact same technique as the craft above. Layer and overlap.
The glue will dry clear, but sometimes does take a few days.
3. DIY Candy Wrapper Coin PursE
This is a super fun craft that can be created in just a few easy steps. I would recommend only doing this project with older kids as they have better fine motor skills and patience. This one isn't necessarily the easiest, but it comes out very cool.
I would also recommend using your standard size candy wrappers, not the fun size. Skittles work great. Here's how to do it:
cut open the skittles on one side and carefully open up the wrapper. If possible, try to keep them in one piece.
Grab some clear packing tape and place it on top of the wrapper. This will laminate the candy wrapper.
Using a ziplock bag (snack size), tape the skittles wrapper directly onto the ziplock bag. Boom, you have a coin purse that can be easily opened and closed. And for just a little bit, this diy candy wrapper purse is going to smell delicious!
4. Candy Box Bedazzling
If you want to take your candy wrapper game to the next level, try bedazzling! I have a full tutorial on how to make a rhinestone candy box that's so much fun! Check out my Bling it on course to learn how!
5. Candy Wrapper Turkey
Image Credit via Housing a Forest
This craft is perfect for welcoming the Thanksgiving holiday season and is perfect for any age!
6. Fun Coasters
Image Credit via Recreations Project
Next time you are at a pub or a restaurant that uses cardboard coasters, don't let them go to waste - reuse and recycle them with halloween candy wrappers! Layer wrappers and glue them together to make coasters. You will be able to use them and these sweet wrappers are sure to pack a punch!
7. Decorated Picture Frames
Image Credit via San Diego Family
This one is easy and can be completed in under an hour. I always try to find those under-the-hour crafts and this one doesn't disappoint. Extra bonus is that you can literally use any kind of picture frame available. Once you are finished, add a picture of your sweetie!
8. Stylish Pencil Cases
Image Credit via Happiness is Homemade
Follow the same instructions from step 3, but use more wrappers and bigger ziplock bags!
9. Starburst Wrapper Bracelet Tutorial
Image Credit via Fluffy Land
Making candy wrapper chains is relaxing, and can be done over time. This is not a quick activity, but it is so much fun! You can make long chains to create bracelets, necklaces, straps and more.
This was a favorite fun activity for me as a kid and everyone was always bringing me their starburst wrappers. Squares always work best - so think starburst or tootsie pop wrappers.
10. Vibrant Bookmarks
Image Credit via Wonderful DIY
You can sew them like they did in this picture or...Place a piece of clear tape face up and add candy wrappers to laminate. Add a second piece of tape on top to seal.
You can also glue the wrappers to a piece of paper first and then do both sides and seal. I think a piece of cardboard would be too thick for a book, but you can try that, too! Use a hole punch and add a tassel.
11. Candy Wrapper Origami
Image Credit via Origami Resource Center
There are so many cool origami ideas you can make with only candy wrappers!
12. Sunglass Case
Image Credit via Pinterest
This one is a bit more involved because it requires sewing. But the end result is a craft you can surely sell and make some money!
13. Colorful Candy Flowers
Image Credit via Doodle Craft Blog
Every year we make duck tape flowers. Guess what? You can also make candy wrapper flowers using the same technique. Give the candy wrapper flower to a friend or add it to the top of a pen to use. No one will steal your pen if it looks different, right??
14. Candy Wrapper Votives
Image Credit via Pinterest
These candy wrapper votives are a clever way to use different sizes and types of leftover candy wrappers.
15. Tooth Fairy Box
Image Credit via Crafting a Green World
Hang on to those altoid tins! They make great tooth fairy boxes to decoupage on to.
16. Candy Wrapper Belt
Image Credit via My Plum Pudding
This one is seriously easy to make and looks so cool. Trust me when I say no one else will have them?
17. Mini Notebooks
Image Credit via My Mindful Creations
Use pieces of cardboard to make new covers for all of your old notebooks. Alternatively you can add the candy wrappers directly onto an existing cover. It is not necessary to always make things look perfect - just start being creative. You will not regret it.
PS. Love journaling? Don’t miss my junk journal tutorial for beginners.
18. Candy Wrapper Buttons
Image Credit via Doodle Crafts Blog
These buttons are so easy to make and the final product turns out so well!
19. Candy Wrapper Graduation Poster
Image Credit via Confessions of Parenting
Incorporate candy wrappers a congratulatory poster
20. Candy Wrapper Bows
Image Credit via Doodle Craft Blog
Kids love to wear these hair bows because old candy wrappers remind kids of Halloween. Keep the festivities going throughout the year with this fun one!
Halloween Candy Wrapper Craft FAQs
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Square wrappers like Starburst and Tootsie Pops are easiest to work with for chains and bracelets. Skittles wrappers are perfect for coin purses and smaller projects. And you can use ANYTHING for collages. Any (mostly) clean wrapper is up for grabs!
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Give them a quick wipe with a damp paper towel or rag to remove any sticky residue. Let them dry completely before you start.
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Most are! Projects like the wall art collage, coasters, and picture frames are great for ages 5+. The coin purse and bracelet chains need more patience and fine motor skills, so they're better for ages 8+. Just be sure supervise when scissors are involved!
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If you seal them properly with mod podge or clear tape, they can last for years! The key is making sure everything is completely dry and sealed. I still have some candy wrapper art from my students from over 5 years ago.
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Start with the bookmarks or collage! They're quick, forgiving if you mess up, and you can see results in under 30 minutes. Plus you only need a few supplies you probably already have at home.
Happy Crafting!
And if you're looking for more Halloween fun, don't miss my Halloween classroom door decoration ideas and Dollar Tree pumpkin decorating tutorials!
What are you making with your candy wrappers this year? Drop a comment below, I'd love to hear which project you're trying first! 🍬✨ Happy Halloween!
