DIY a Skull Treat Tray for Dolls!

    If your dolls love to entertain as much as our own during the holidays, then they may be in need of a new 'spooky' treat tray . . . 

       Bone themed dishes are very popular now, the one I made this year has plenty of room for candies, donuts, chocolates and pretzels. But you can fill your own tray like this one with any food you think will please your dolls. 

       I've also included a bone chilling song and dance below for added ambiance during the craft project. Have fun!

Supply List: 

• recycled cereal box cardboard
• graph paper
• black magic marker
• white school glue
• Styrofoam beads
• Sculpey clay (white)
• Hot glue and hot glue gun (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. 

   Tray and candy in progress.

   First, you will need to draw a skull with crossbones to make the bottom of the tray. You can copy the one seen on this post if you like, or draw your own version.
2. Cut out the finished drawing, choose the half of it you prefer and once you fold the image in half. 
3. Now trace around the better half of your drawing on top of a heavy piece of cardboard that is folded in half. Make sure the drawings folded edge lines up with the cardboard's folded edge. Trace around the template.
4. Cut out the cardboard bottom. It should be a symmetrical image once you are done. 
5. Now reposition the template on top of the cardboard cut-out and draw the holes where the eyes and nose are on the skull face. These 'holes' will be where the darker chocolate treats are glued and painted on within your skull tray.
6. Cut a narrow long piece of cardboard to attach with tape and glue around the outside of the skull forming a the shallow walls of the tray. Let dry.
7. Now decoupage all of the surfaces of your Halloween skull serving tray with white or black paper. I chose white so that any color painted on would be brilliant. 
8. Fill in the skull with all sorts of candy, cookie, or sweet treat shapes. Glue all of these in place permanently in order to make the treat tray a durable lasting prop.
9. Paint the elements as you like, but, make sure to paint the eyes and nose with the darkest coloration so that the skull will be self-evident when the tray is on display.
10. Seal with Mod Podge.

Left, draw a skull and crossbones. Give it a symmetrical design by folding the drawing in half
and recutting it so that both sides are the same. Center, trace around the paper template on top 
of cardboard to make the bottom of the tray. Right, reposition the paper template over the 
bottom of the tray and mark where the eye sockets and nose hole will be positioned within
the spooky skull tray.

Left, pool glue around the inside walls of the tray and let it all dry to make the construction 
durable for play. Center, I highlighted the openings in my design with a permanent black 
ink marker to remind me where the chocolate candies should be painted in place. Right,
Now the tray is ready for three dimensional candies, cookies and yogurt covered pretzels
to be glued in place.

• Learn how to shape cute lolly-pops for Halloween - or Dolloween if your prefer!
• Here are some printable candy bars for your trick-or-treaters too...

Walt Disney's first "Silly Skeleton Dance" video