How to Make Paper Candy Bags

You can proudly display your bags to trick-or-treaters or party guests.

Halloween can be about much more than costumes and candy. The holiday is a chance for you or your children to get creative in anticipation for that special night. Considering how central candy is to this holiday, making your own paper candy bags lets you add a personal touch to this tradition. Whether you are a teacher looking for a class project or a parent looking for a productive pass-time with your kids, this craft will make Halloween a more memorable tradition.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors
• Black raffia, 6 inches
• Brown paper bag
• White acrylic paint
• Black acrylic paint
• Multicolored glitter
• Glue stick

Instructions

1. Paint the entire outside portion of the bag white with your white acrylic paint. Do the same with the top of the inside portion of the bag, about one inch down. Allow the paint to dry.

2. Apply a second coat to the same areas of the bag and let it dry. You now have what will eventually be the body of a ghost.

3. Add facial features. Create two black circles for the eyes and then design the mouth. Any mouth will do. A round, open mouth will give the ghost an eerie look, for example. If you prefer to tone it down, a smiling mouth will work, too. If you wish, add slanted eyebrows pointing downward for an angry appearance or upward for a friendlier design. Allow the paint to dry.

4. Use your scissors to cut the top portion of the bag into 1-inch wide strips. Apply glue to each strip with your glue stick and pour the glitter on top to make it seem as if your ghost is sparkling or glowing. Allow the glue to dry.

5. Fill the bag with small candies, such as individually wrapped hard candies or miniature chocolate bars.

6. Pinch the bag shut just below the glittered section and tie the black raffia around it to seal it shut. Wrap the raffia around several times to use it up or leave some excess to hang it onto a chandelier or other fixture in your house. You now have a candy bag to give out on Halloween after a party or to trick-or-treaters.

References

• Kaboose; Paper Bag Pumpkin Craft; Amanda Formaro