One of the things I absolutely love about homeschooling my boy is the extra time we get to spend together. I've become more intentional with our routine, teaching him real-life skills alongside academics. Whether it’s learning how to cross the street safely or cracking the perfect egg for breakfast, these real-life lessons are often where the magic of learning truly happens.
And today’s homeschool activity with my son was one of our cutest and coziest yet—making homemade candles and turning them into adorable Halloween decorations!
Why We Love Combining Crafts and Life Skills
One of my goals with homeschooling is to raise a capable, curious, and creative kid. So, I’m always building a long list of skills I want to teach my son. Some are practical, like tying shoelaces or reading a map, while others are creative and seasonal—like this candle project.
Crafts like this aren’t just fun—they’re full of lessons. Candle-making introduces basic science, safety skills, creativity, and even patience. And best of all, we get to decorate our home with our handmade creations.
Supplies for Homemade Halloween Candles
Here’s what we used to make our homemade Halloween candle decorations:
Basic Candle-Making Supplies:
- Wax (we used soy wax flakes)
- Candle wicks
- Heat-safe containers or jars ( we used silicone mold)
- A double boiler (or a makeshift one using a pot and glass bowl)
- Essential oils (optional, for scent)
- Crayons or candle dye for color (optional)
Halloween Decorating Extras:
For this project, we only used a table napkin with halloween or fall prints.
I bought my beautiful Thanksgiving-inspired table napkin from here. Since moving to the Philippines from Puerto Rico, this has become my go-to place for my homemaking supplies.
You can also get creative and use the following decorating items:
- Googly eyes
- Black marker or paint pens
- Halloween-themed stickers
- Twine, ribbons, and mini tags
- Construction paper (for bats, ghosts, and pumpkins)
Safety Tip: Always supervise young children during the wax melting process and use caution around heat and hot wax.
Step-by-Step: How We Made Them
This Instagram video below will show you how we decorated the candles--plus a peek at all the fun we had doing it!
- Prep the Jars or Silicone Mold:
We cleaned and dried silicone mold and attached wicks to the bottom using glue dots. - Melt the Wax:
We melted soy wax flakes over a double boiler. Once melted, we stirred in a few drops of essential oil. At this time, you can add crayon bits for a hint of spooky color—think orange, black, or deep purple. - Pour and Cool:
We carefully poured the wax into our jars, holding the wick upright with chopsticks (you can also use popsicle sticks). Then we waited patiently for them to cool. - Decorate, Decorate, Decorate!
Once the candles were set, we removed them from the mold. Next, we cut the table napkins to size and wrapped them around the candles. Then, we covered the candles with parchment or baking paper and gently iron the surface, allowing the napkin to adhere smoothly to the wax.
Fun tip: You can also draw silly monster faces on candles or add googly eyes, wrap the candles with twine, and glue on little paper bats.
Decorating Ideas for Different Halloween Vibes
Looking to make your homemade candles fit your home’s Halloween aesthetic? Here are a few simple theme ideas:
- Cute & Kid-Friendly:
Use bright oranges, purples, and greens with smiley jack-o-lanterns, googly eyes, and friendly ghosts. - Rustic & Farmhouse:
Stick to neutral wax, decorate with burlap, twine, and mini wooden tags with words like “boo” or “eek.” - Spooky & Gothic:
Opt for black wax, blood-red dye, lace, or black ribbon, and sharp silver marker designs. - Glow-in-the-Dark:
Use glow-in-the-dark stickers or paint for a magical nighttime effect!
Why This Project Was a Hit
This activity checked all the boxes:
✅ Fun
✅ Educational
✅ Budget-friendly
✅ Seasonal
✅ Great quality time
Plus, it helped my son practice measuring, following directions, safety awareness, and creative expression.
Final Thoughts
Making homemade Halloween candles together wasn’t just a craft project—it was a memory-maker. As we admired our finished candles glowing on the windowsill, I realized this is what homeschooling is really about. Yes, math and reading are important—but so is joy, hands-on learning, and building traditions together.
So if you’re looking for a fun, easy, and super cute Halloween decor idea (and a meaningful bonding activity), give this candle-making project a try. You’ll love how it lights up your home—and your little one’s imagination.