How to Make a Halloween Chalkboard Treat Bucket

Create a Halloween treat bucket that can be decorated and customized each year to coordinate with a costume or theme. Kids will love this interactive trick-or-treat accessory that can be topped with a lid to safely store their stash.

Black Chalkboard Painted Can for Halloween Trick or Treating

Paint Can Turned Treat Bucket

Go trick or treating with a repurposed paint can instead of typical Halloween bags. Write the name of the child's character on the paint bucket with chalk.

Follow Marian on:

Related To:

Materials Needed:

  • new, clean paint bucket
  • spray primer
  • chalkboard spray paint
  • painter's tape
  • chalk

Clean and Tape Bucket

Wash new paint can with mild soap and water. Dry with towel. Use painter's tape to protect top and bottom edges as well as the handle and lid.

Metal Can With Painter's Tape

Clean and Tape Halloween Treat Bucket

Wash new paint can with mild soap and water. Dry with towel. Use painter's tape to protect top and bottom edges as well as the handle and lid.

Spray Primer

In a well-ventilated area, apply one coat of spray primer to can. Tip: When using spray paint, move paint can in long, even strokes. Apply paint in a thin layer to prevent drips.

Spray Painting Metal Can

Spray Painting Primer on Treat Bucket

In a well-ventilated area, apply one coat of spray primer to can. Tip: When using spray paint, move paint can in long, even strokes. Apply paint in a thin layer to prevent drips.

Spray Chalkboard Paint

In the same manner as primer, apply two coats of spray chalkboard paint. Allow it to fully dry before removing tape slowly to prevent paint from pulling away.

Chalkboard Paint on Metal Can With Green Tape

Decorating Your Treat Bucket

In the same manner as primer, apply two coats of spray chalkboard paint. Allow it to fully dry before removing tape slowly to prevent paint from pulling away.

Season Chalkboard

Rub flat side of a piece of chalk along chalkboard surface to season it. This simple but necessary step will prevent writing from being burned into the surface. Remove chalk with damp paper towel.

White Chalk on Black Painted Can

Halloween Treat Bucket Decorations

Rub flat side of a piece of chalk along chalkboard surface to season it. This simple but necessary step will prevent writing from being burned into the surface. Remove chalk with damp paper towel.

Decorate Bucket

Use chalk to decorate paint can to coordinate with child's costume or theme. Remove lid while trick-or-treating and use the lidded bucket afterward to store Halloween treats or for organizing small toys.

Adding the Letters to Black Chalkboard Paint Can

Customizing Your Halloween Treat Bucket

Use chalk to decorate paint can to coordinate with child's costume or theme. Remove lid while trick-or-treating and use the lidded bucket afterward to store Halloween treats or for organizing small toys.

Next Up

The 56 Best Halloween Costumes You Can Order Online

Check out these cute costume ideas for the whole family.

23 Best Pop Culture Halloween Costume Ideas for 2025

Make an entrance (and earn a lot of laughs) with these Halloween costumes inspired by trending moments in TV, music, movies and more in 2025.

PSA: Target's Hyde & EEK! Boutique Is Back, and We Want Everything

Halloween decorations have officially hit the shelves at Target! See their 2026 collection and snag our top picks while supplies last.

Make This Easy-to-Sew Spider Hand Puppet for Halloween

No sewing machine is required for this darling spider hand puppet!

20 Best Halloween Countdown Calendars

The countdown to Halloween is on! Start a fun new tradition with these festive calendars.

40+ Last-Minute Halloween Costumes You Can Order Online

Are the holidays sneaking up on you? We've got you covered for the first one to hit the scene — Halloween — with costumes you can get delivered to your home in a matter of days.

How to Make a Burlap Halloween Table Runner

Add a rustic touch to your Halloween table setting with a burlap runner decorated with ghostly bare branches and ravens.

How to Make Spider Napkin Rings

Spook up your Halloween get-together with these easy-to-make (and cute!) felt and pom-pom napkin rings — a perfect project for kids to help create.

Golden Harvest Dining Room

Celebrate the harvest by creating stress-free table settings from Countdown to Fall with Matt and Shari that evolve throughout the entire fall season.

Sweet and Salty Halloween Snack Mix

Halloween guests big and small will love this crunchy snack mix that combines everyone's favorite flavors and textures. Package the mix in small paper bags to give away as party favors or as a treat for your favorite door-to-door ghosties.

Go Shopping

Get product recommendations from HGTV editors, plus can’t-miss sales and deals.

On TV

About HGTV

HGTV’s expert editors and writers share home decorating, garden and home improvement ideas, inspiration and advice based on our brand’s 30+ years of expertise and experience. We also give you the latest updates on HGTV shows and stars, cleaning tips and shopping recommendations. Learn more about us and our editorial standards.