"Updated: 9/20/2025"
Halloween is upon us, and we all know that means elaborate decorations, awesome costumes, treats, and the bags to keep all those treats safe. If you are a DIY person, here comes your treat! But, what makes Halloween tote bags customizable for kids and adults? Halloween tote bags customizable are usually made of plain cotton, canvas, or polyester, which makes them easy to decorate with paints, stencils, stickers, or iron-on patches. Kids love adding playful icons like pumpkins and ghosts, while adults can personalize them with monograms, spooky quotes, or glow-in-the-dark prints. Costumes may not last, but the right personalized trick or treat bags can easily stand the test of time. Not only that, but they add another layer of fun and creativity to Halloween. You may have one, but still wonder how big should a Trick or Treat tote bag be for candy collecting? A good size for trick-or-treating is around 12" x 15" (30 x 38 cm), which is large enough to hold plenty of candy without being too heavy for kids to carry. For toddlers, smaller bags around 8" x 10" are more practical and manageable.
We laid out 12 different ways that you can create homemade Halloween treat bags both drawstring and tote designs that will be ready for the next trick or treat outing. Take a look at them all below and let your imagination run wild.
1. Halloween Patterned Tote Bag
With this patterned tote bag, you can add many different cool Halloween designs to personalize them in different ways. What's more is that these are rather durable so that they can hold up well for the next few years, saving you from replacing the bag holiday after holiday.
Your kids will love that they are made to stay open when you sit them down so that they can see all the yummy treats they gathered. Even better, when you pull the handles up, the bag closes tightly so that none of these treats can fall out.
If you are the DIY type of person who loves to style tote bags and burlap bags, you can get a square-shaped mini favor bag and decorate it to your liking. You can draw your inspiration for this year's unique Halloween treat bags from our guide on decorating Christmas gift bags!
ToteBagFactory Tips: With a Halloween patterned tote bag, you can hand over fabric markers and let kids add their own doodles each year ghosts, pumpkins, or bats. This way, the bag evolves over time and becomes a memory-filled keepsake. The durable structure makes it last for years, so you save money and have fun decorating together.,
2. Silhouette Trick or Treat Bag
Looking for a DIY project that takes personalized Halloween tote bags to another level? Then check out this amazingly fun and cute trick or treat bag. When your child sees their own silhouette on the bag, they are certain to love it even more.
The thing that makes this idea even cooler is that it's not limited to Halloween. No matter if you are using a Halloween-specific image of your child or just their regular silhouette, you come away with a unique keepsake, one that is perfect for use year-round.
Shop for personalized canvas tote bags here! If you want to become a master of decorating tote bags, here are our suggestions:
- Buy wholesale blank canvas tote bags for each family member. Since you want to get creative with Halloween treat bags, perhaps you want smaller ones. In this case, you can go for kids' favorite mini cotton tote bags that make perfect Halloween treat bags and excellent items to style.
- Check out this guide on how to paint on canvas tote bags and turn the Halloween treat bags into arts & crafts projects for the entire family!
ToteBagFactory Tips: A silhouette trick-or-treat bag becomes extra special when you trace your child’s shadow on paper with a flashlight, then transfer it onto the fabric with paint. Each Halloween you can redo the silhouette to show how much they’ve grown. It transforms the tote into a one-of-a-kind family keepsake while doubling as a year-round bag.
3. Halloween Drawstring Backpack
There is almost nothing as useful as a good drawstring bag to carry around tons of treats with no worry that they will ever spill out. This little DIY project gives you the freedom to do whatever it is you and your kids want from putting on witches, spiders, and even a symbol that matches up with the kids' costume.
You have a limitless amount of possibilities with this one, so get ready to stretch out your imagination here. Their designs are not the only thing that's versatile though; it is extremely easy for kids to use this bag as a backpack for school thanks to its size and durability.
Shop for personalized drawstring bags here and make sure you also buy and prepare the materials needed to turn drawstring backpacks into Halloween treat bags! As a reminder, drawstring backpacks make some of the best gifts for fitness lovers, so check out our catalogue if you also need gift ideas for your loved ones, especially since Christmas is closing near!
ToteBagFactory Tips: Halloween drawstring backpacks are fun because you can iron on patches of witches, spiders, or candy corn that kids can swap every year. They’ll love customizing it to match their costume or mood. The drawstring makes them practical, and the constant design updates keep them exciting to reuse.
4. Monster Trick or Treat Bag
Does your little monster want to carry around a bag that's as scary as they are? Look no further than this monster trick or treat bag.
With this Halloween tote bag, you can provide your kids with a touch of character as they run around stockpiling on candy. Matching their monster of a costume is a pleasant bonus, and they are bound to want to carry this year after year.
ToteBagFactory Tips: A monster trick-or-treat bag gets even better when you add googly eyes, felt fangs, or bits of faux fur. Kids can name their “pet monster” and bring it along like a friend while gathering candy. It’s a bag that feels alive with character and fun.
5. Trick or Treat Tote Bags
When it comes to tote bags, this one certainly leans more toward the smaller end of the spectrum. It is absolutely perfect for when you want to take a baby or toddler out trick or treating.
Or, if you don't want to overload the older kids with candy, this works well at keeping their trick or treat intake under control. This compact trick or treat tote bag not just has a cute design, but it can be wonderfully useful as well.
Shop for mini/compact tote bags here and don't forget you can style tote bags for any occasion. Case in point, check out our guide on how to style beach tote bags. Next, add in the Halloween theme and atmosphere and re-purpose old tote bags into new and spectacular Halloween treat bags!
ToteBagFactory Tips: Compact trick-or-treat tote bags are perfect for toddlers, but you can make them extra memorable by printing “first trick-or-treat” or adding their costume theme. Parents can keep it as a cherished memento even after Halloween. For older kids, it also helps keep the candy load manageable.
6. Stenciled Halloween Treat Bags
Spice up the standard, plain treat bags with this exciting DIY project. You can make great use of those classic Halloween symbols from the witch and her broomstick to the black cat.
They may be too small for trick or treating, but Halloween treat bags are always practical to have on-hand if you have some treat-loving kids around. You can pass these out at Halloween parties as they make for tasty goodie treats to take home. Or you can hand them out to those door-to-door trick or treat kids to give them something more unique.
ToteBagFactory Tips: Stenciled Halloween treat bags become magical when you add glow-in-the-dark paint for ghosts, cats, or skeletons. Once the lights go down, the bag lights up during trick-or-treating, making it both fun and safe. This simple twist turns plain stencils into glowing nighttime art.
7. 2-in-1 Halloween Trick or Treat Bag
Talk about a resourceful personalized Halloween trick or treat bag. This 2-in-1 bag first acts like a tote so that kids can easily carry and fill it up with all kind of treats. When the time comes to make sure that the candy is at no risk of escaping, you can close it thanks to the drawstring.
This is a very fun DIY Halloween treat bag that lasts for a good deal of time and is surprisingly versatile. Make good use of it during trick or treat time and for when the time comes to put all that delicious candy away so your kids (and you!) don't explode from trying to eat it all in one night.
ToteBagFactory Tips: A 2-in-1 tote and drawstring trick-or-treat bag is already versatile, but you can make it more exciting by sewing in a hidden pocket for “treasure candy.” Kids will love tucking away their favorite piece for later. It’s like a secret hideout built into the bag itself.
8. Personalized Monogrammed Halloween Bags
With this DIY project, you can customize a fun bag for kids using a monogram alphabet stencil. Whether you are putting their name on it or a fun Halloween saying, this idea is the very definition of customization.
Another thing that is so fun about this project is that you can also add on a number of different decorations in addition to the monogrammed letters. There are boundless of designs that you and the kids can create so that the kids can have just as much fun before trick or treating as they will during.
Shop for this canvas tote bag here and take inspiration with your monograms from this guide on the best embroidery letters and fonts to use to style up your tote bags. Of course, for Halloween treat bags, you may want some "scarier" fonts.
ToteBagFactory Tips: Personalized monogrammed Halloween bags are great for initials, but you can let kids decorate their letter with glitter, rhinestones, or themed stickers. A “family initial night” where everyone personalizes their own tote can become a fun yearly tradition. It makes each bag truly unique while strengthening family bonds.
9. Candy Corn Bags
These muslin bags come right on time for trick or treating or that Halloween party you've been waiting all year for (either for the kids or you). The design on this bag puts a whole new meaning on the term 'candy bag' too.
You know your Halloween treat bags are going to be a real hit thanks to the candy corn theme. Kids and adults alike will love receiving these whether at a party or when they ring your bell for trick or treating. No matter how you use them, you'll definitely have a fun time making them.
ToteBagFactory Tips: Candy corn bags become a hands-on craft when you let kids dip sponges into orange, yellow, and white paint and stamp their own candy corn patterns. The sponging is easy, mess-friendly, and gives each bag a playful, handmade touch. They’ll love showing off their colorful work while trick-or-treating.
10. Trick or Treat Loot Bags
Are you looking for an inexpensive, easy-to-make Halloween treat bag? Then you should definitely check out these super cute loot bags that the kids will definitely enjoy making with you.
These trick or treat loot bags are able to be made in a number of different design patterns and themes. Try out the scary bat or make use of the fun pumpkin trick or treat bag design. Regardless of which design you decide to go with, all of them are insanely adorable and fun.
ToteBagFactory Tips: Trick-or-treat loot bags are inexpensive, but you can set up a DIY station where kids choose pumpkins, bats, or ghost cutouts to glue on themselves. It’s like building a personalized sticker book directly onto the bag. Each child leaves with something adorable and one-of-a-kind.
11. Sticky Spider Webs & Spiders Trick or Treat Bag
This is a Halloween trick or treat bag idea that looks simple, yet it is so fun for kids to carry and even play with. You can put in a level of creepiness with the large, spider web design. They come across as 'sticky' due to that they're made using Velcro.
How is it all creepy, you may ask? Well, look no further than the spiders that can 'crawl' along the web as they have Velcro fasteners attached as well. This DIY project is a unique spin on the typical Halloween trick or treat bags. For a sense of security, the bottom is flat and hard so that it can stand on its own and won't tip over and spill.
ToteBagFactory Tips: Sticky spider web trick-or-treat bags get interactive when you add Velcro spiders that “crawl” along the web. Kids can move them around while waiting for candy, turning the bag into both a toy and a tote. A flat, sturdy bottom keeps the fun design practical too.
12. Ruffled Trick or Treat Tote Bag
Are you ready for another one-of-a-kind Halloween tote bag? Try out this interesting ruffled tote bag.
Along with the ruffle pattern, you can add whatever embellishments you and the kids can think of to it for some additional customization. Another cool thing about this canvas bag is that you can match it with your little one's princess or witch outfit. They'll be the only ones on the trick or treat scene with this super cool and cute ruffled bag.
ToteBagFactory Tips: Ruffled trick-or-treat tote bags are already cute, but you can make them pop with ribbons in orange, purple, and black. Kids can glue or pin the ruffles themselves to match their costumes, like a princess or witch outfit. It adds flair and ties the bag to their Halloween look.
13. Felt Decorations on Recycled Cotton Tote Bags
We have discussed the importance of recycled cotton in the fashion and accessory industry before, but there is no better time than today to promote eco-friendliness in the family. If you want to teach sustainability at home and engage your children in an environmentally aware lifestyle when they are young, start with recycled cotton canvas tote bags. Their gray background makes an excellent choice to induce the feelings of creepiness associated with Halloween.
Next, cut out all sorts of felt (or other materials) decorations in the shape of pumpkins, ghosts, witches, spiders, owls, etc. Re-purposing fabric scraps is a lesson in sustainability in and out of itself. Glue the cutouts on the tote bags and have unique Halloween treat bags to love and reuse as many times as you want!
ToteBagFactory Tips: Felt decorations on recycled cotton totes are a fantastic way to teach sustainability. You can turn fabric scraps into pumpkins, ghosts, or monsters and let kids glue them on. This not only reuses leftover materials but also sparks creativity while keeping the eco-friendly spirit alive.
14. Printed Tote Bag with Scary Messages
When it comes to Halloween treat bags, one of the easiest ways to decorate them if you don't have the time for complex arts & crafts projects is to order a few printed ones. Get the canvas tote bags or mini book bags of your choice and check out our printing services. We can add a "Boo Hoo" flair to your Halloween trick or treat bags or even scary book quotes. Remember our guide on printing motivational messages on your tote bags to put a smile on your face during these troubled times? You can adapt the idea for Halloween as well!
Such printed Halloween treat bags work great for adults and kids alike. If you are the unconventional type, you can wear your scary tote bag outside Halloween season. Take your bag shopping and put a smile on peoples' faces, as we all deserve a fun moment each day to alleviate the stress we all feel.
ToteBagFactory Tips: Printed tote bags with scary messages are simple, but you can make them more personal by letting kids choose a “scary slogan of the year.” Whether it’s “Creep It Real” or “Candy or Chaos,” each year the bag grows with a new line of text. Over time, it becomes a fun collection of Halloween catchphrases.
15. Halloween Stickers on Clear Bags or Clear Fanny Packs
One of the easiest ways to decorate a bag and transform it into a Halloween treat bag is to apply Halloween-themed stickers on it. The best choice in bags for this type of decor are the clear drawstring bags in our collection or some clear fanny pack for the youngest ones who cannot carry too much a load.
If you wonder how to get the stickers off the bags when Halloween is over, our advice is to use a hair dryer to warm up the stickers and then gently peel them off the bag. Alternatively, you can get pro stickers that come off easily without leaving glue patches behind on any surface.
Since stickers are cheap, you can buy as many as you want to create colorful and funky Halloween treat bags for kids.
ToteBagFactory Tips: Clear bags or fanny packs decorated with Halloween stickers can be even more engaging if you use scratch-and-sniff versions. Imagine pumpkin spice, caramel, or candy scents coming from their bag. It adds an unexpected layer of fun and makes the bag smell like Halloween itself.
Bottom Line
Going trick or treating this year may be a bit complicated due to the restrictions, but it doesn't mean you and the kids cannot try visiting your neighbors or friends. Halloween is that fun time of the year for dressing up in crazy fun costumes and gathering up as much candy as you can carry. So, why not make it a time to truly remember with a personalized Halloween trick or treat bag to go along with it all? We hope these ideas sparked some inspiration in time for trick or treating.
Your Questions Answered
Are horror night Halloween totes safe for heavy loads?
Most horror night totes made from canvas or reinforced cotton are designed to carry heavier loads safely. Always check for strong stitching on the handles, as this is the main factor in how much weight the bag can handle.
Where can I buy scary bats tote bags with glow-in-the-dark prints?
We offer you a wide range of tote bags with different Halloween themes in Tote Bag Factory catalog. Many printing shops also provide custom designs where you can request bats or other spooky icons in glow paint.
How do Dracula Trick or Treat tote bags compare to classic designs?
Dracula totes often have a darker, gothic style with vampire fangs, bats, or red accents, making them stand out from the usual pumpkin or ghost prints. While classics are cute and kid-friendly, Dracula designs tend to appeal more to teens and adults who like scarier vibes.
Is a Happy Halloween tote bag better than disposable treat bags?
Reusable “Happy Halloween tote bags” are sturdier, eco-friendly, and can last for years. Unlike flimsy plastic treat bags, they don’t tear easily and help reduce waste.
What fabric works best for a witch hat tote bag design?
Canvas is the best option because it’s durable, holds prints well, and supports detailed designs like a witch hat. Polyester blends also work for brighter, more vivid colors, especially if you want waterproofing.
Are Halloween tote bags wholesale a good option for schools or events?
Wholesale tote bags are perfect for schools, parties, or community events since they keep costs low while providing a fun and useful giveaway. You can even get them blank and organize a decorating activity where kids customize their own bags.
