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If you’re looking for a fun and easy Halloween craft, these Mini Pumpkin Spider Candle Holders are such a cute way to decorate for fall.
All you need are a few mini pumpkins, black pipe cleaners, and small candles.
The pumpkins become the spider bodies, while the pipe cleaners make the legs. Add a little candle in the center and you’ve got a spooky little Halloween decoration.
These are simple enough to make with kids and would be fun for a Halloween party, fall craft night, or just an afternoon of decorating.
What You’ll Need
- Mini pumpkins
- Black pipe cleaners
- Small tea light candles
- Small knife or pumpkin carving tool
- Spoon or scoop
- Optional: battery-operated tea lights
I recommend using battery-operated tea lights, especially if you’re making these with children or plan to leave the pumpkins unattended.
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How to Make Mini Pumpkin Spider Candle Holders
Start by choosing several small pumpkins that sit fairly flat. Mini pumpkins work especially well because they’re already shaped like little spider bodies.
Make the Candle Opening
Place a tea light on top of the pumpkin and use it as a guide for the opening.
Carefully cut a small circle in the top of the pumpkin that’s just large enough to hold the candle. Scoop out the small amount of pumpkin flesh and seeds underneath the opening.
You don’t need to hollow out the entire pumpkin. You just need enough room for the tea light to sit securely.
If you’re using battery-operated tea lights, they’re especially easy to use because you don’t have to worry about a flame inside the pumpkin.
Add the Spider Legs
Cut several black pipe cleaners into pieces long enough to make the spider’s legs.
You’ll need eight legs for each spider.
Bend each pipe cleaner into a slightly angled or curved shape to make it look like a spider leg.
Make small holes around the sides of the pumpkin and push the ends of the pipe cleaners into the pumpkin. Arrange four legs on each side.
You can bend the legs after they’re attached to give your spider a little personality.
Some can curve forward while others angle backward. They don’t have to be perfectly even—part of the charm is that each little pumpkin spider will look slightly different.
Add the Candle
Place a small tea light into the opening at the top of the pumpkin.
When lit, the candle gives the pumpkin a warm glow while the black pipe-cleaner legs make it look like a little spider.
For a safer option, use a flickering LED tea light. These are especially nice if you’re making several spiders and want to leave them displayed for an evening.
Make a Whole Pumpkin Spider Family
These are even more fun when you make several.
Use pumpkins in different sizes and arrange them together on a table, mantel, porch, or Halloween party table.
You could make a whole little family of pumpkin spiders, with some smaller ones in the front and larger ones in the back.
Add fall leaves, miniature pumpkins, or other Halloween decorations around them to create a simple seasonal display.
A Fun Halloween Craft for Kids
Kids can help with several parts of this project, especially choosing the pumpkins and bending the pipe-cleaner legs.
The pumpkin carving and candle portion should be handled by an adult.
You could also let kids decorate their spiders with small googly eyes or other craft supplies. Just keep anything flammable away from a real candle and use LED candles if you’re adding extra decorations.
Where to Display Your Pumpkin Spiders
These little spider candle holders would be cute:
- On a Halloween dessert table
- As part of a fall centerpiece
- On a fireplace mantel
- On a covered porch
- Along a Halloween party table
- Around a bowl of Halloween candy
- As part of a Halloween craft display
I especially love them mixed in with other little pumpkins. They add just enough spooky Halloween fun without making your fall decorations feel overly scary.
You don’t need a lot of supplies or complicated crafting skills to make these Mini Pumpkin Spider Candle Holders.
A few mini pumpkins and some black pipe cleaners are all it takes to turn ordinary little pumpkins into something completely different.
They’re inexpensive, fun to make, and reusable as part of your Halloween decorations each year.
And honestly, there’s something pretty adorable about a little pumpkin covered in eight fuzzy spider legs!
Safety Note
If using real candles, never leave them unattended and keep them away from curtains, leaves, paper, and other flammable decorations.
Battery-operated tea lights are the easiest and safest option for this craft, particularly around children.
More Halloween Ideas
Once you’ve finished your candy corn pumpkin, try some of these other Halloween projects and recipes.
Spooky and Fun Monster Door Ideas for Halloween are a fun way to turn your front door into part of your Halloween decorations. You can make a silly monster, mummy, vampire, or other spooky character.
If you’re planning a Halloween party, you’ll want some fun food to go with all those decorations. Try Deviled Egg Eyeballs for a creepy appetizer that looks like a platter of bloodshot eyes.
Spider Deviled Eggs are another fun Halloween appetizer and an easy way to dress up classic deviled eggs.
For something to serve with tortilla chips, Halloween Taco Dip makes a festive addition to your Halloween party food table.
Follow my Halloween Recipes & Crafts board on Pinterest.
