Friday, April 19, 2024

A Milk Jug Skeleton is a Fun Recycled Craft Decoration for Halloween

September 13, 2010 by  
Filed under Crafts

Years ago I created one of these Milk Jug Skeletons for Halloween. Just recently I was cleaning out my craft room and came across the directions again and thought I would share for those who have never seen it before. My Milk Jug Skeleton I think got lost in one of my many moves years ago and now that I have found the pattern I think I may have to create another one.

This Skeleton would be a craft for an older child or adult since there is a lot of cutting involved, but it is well worth the effort. Not only does it look cool, but you are also recycling all those Gallon Milk or Water Containers into a Halloween Decoration that is sure to bring lots of conversation when the Trick or Treaters come to the door.

As you can see from the photo to the left that you can also add some Glow in the Dark Paint onto the Skeleton so that when it is dark out he will Glow while he hangs there.

So if you want to give it a try save those Gallon Milk or Water Containers. To remove the Labels Soak in HOT Water. Make sure they are clean and dry before you are ready to use them.

Here is what you will need to Create your Milk Jug Skeleton:

  • 7 Clean and Dry Gallon Milk Jugs
  • Wax Pencil or Crayon
  • Craft Snips or Scissors
  • String or Fishing Line for Hanging
  • Approx. 40 Yds of String or Yard to Ties all the parts together
  • Glow in the Dark Paint
  • Paint Brush
  • Hole Punch

Take 4 of the Plastic Jugs and Cut Out your Hands and Feet at the Handle. 2 of Each. Punch a Hole in the end of each.

Next take 2 More of the Plastic Jugs and cut out Shoulder at the Handle. At the Top of the Jug Side Punch 1 Hole and Two at the other side.

Now Take one of the Plastic Jugs and Draw a Skeleton Face on it and Cut it out. Then Punch a Hole in the Bottom at the opening on each side.

Then Draw on some Ribs on one of the Milk Jugs and Cut them out. Make a Hole in the Bottom of the Jug and Punch a Hole in each side of the Opening.

To make the Hips draw on a large area you want to cut out. Cut the same one out on both sides so you can see through it. Punch Two Holes at the Jug Opening and one on Each Side on the Front of the Jug where the Legs will hang from.

Now Cut 4 Long Bones for Arms from one Plastic Jug and 4 Long Bones for Legs from another. Punch a Hole in each end of all of them.

Cut out 2 Knees from a Plastic Jug and punch a Hole on each end.

Now before you attach it all together you can take your Glow in the Dark Paint and paint all the pieces. You can use the Glow in the Dark Dimensional Paint and make fun designs like the one in the photo. You can even add different colors if you wish to add to the fun. Just have fun with it. I remember when I did mine I took a Black Marker and outlined all the pieces to make it really pop.

Now Cut about 16 Pieces of String and Tie all the pieces of your Skeleton together. Have some extra Fun and add on some Hair – lol.

That is it !!! Your Milk Jug Skeleton is Complete and he should last forever if you take care of him.

Want to see even more Milk Jug Craft Ideas? Take a look at my post that has 15 Easy Halloween Milk Jug Craft Ideas

Comments

7 Responses to “A Milk Jug Skeleton is a Fun Recycled Craft Decoration for Halloween”
  1. Lynn C. says:

    Thanks! A friend gave me these instructions years ago, but I lost them. I think this is from the same article she copied for me!

  2. They probably are the same – it was hanging around in my craft room and I loved this craft – Glad I could help.

  3. Rachel Sue says:

    This is so fun! I would love to feature this on Reduce, Reuse, Upcycle. Feel free to stop by and grab a featured button. Thanks!

  4. Melanie says:

    I just love the skeleton, and I love people who love our planet enough to recycle!3

  5. Tamara says:

    This would be a really nifty idea to use as a health lesson. Find some way to have them make the skeleton and to name the bones of the body as they go. Fun and educational. I like

  6. Julie says:

    Hands down, my favorite pattern/tutorial for this guy! LOVE the glow-in-the-dark paint. Thanks for the clear instructions and images!

  7. I finished making my skeleton about a week ago. I love it! Thanks!!

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