🎄 Christmas
Party-Perfect DIY Harry Potter Decorations on a Budget (And a Few I Didn’t Have Time For)
I’ve already spent way too many hours scrolling Pinterest for the best DIY Harry Potter decorations, so you don’t have to (although let’s be honest, if you’re knee deep in planing a Harry Potter Birthday Party, you probably will anyway).
When we threw our Harry Potter party, I went down the rabbit hole of cardboard, glue guns, and Dollar Tree hacks faster than a first-year on a broomstick.
Some of the decorations I actually pulled off.
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Others? Let’s just say they’re still sitting on my “future party plans” list right next to the Hogwart Express train I swore I’d build.
In this post, I’ve rounded up a mix of easy wins and wildly ambitious projects—from floating candles and potion bottles to full-on Diagon Alley storefronts made out of cardboard.
You probably won’t have time to do it all—I sure didn’t—but you can choose the ones that strike your fancy (and fit your time budget).
Either way, your Harry Potter party’s going to look like you summoned a decorating spell.
Harry Potter Potion Bottles Brewed by YOU
Transform empty pantry bottles into magical masterpieces with these DIY Harry Potter potion labels.
From Felix Felicis to Polyjuice Potion, this craft is bubbling over with charm—and your friends will swear you picked them up in Diagon Alley.
Snag the editable labels in my shop and get ready to impress every wizard and Muggle on the guest list.
Floating Candles That Would Make the Great Hall Proud
By Parties with a Cause
These floating candles are pure Hogwarts magic—made with simple supplies like paper, hot glue, and LED tea lights.
Hang them with fishing line to give your party that enchanted ceiling vibe, no spellwork required.
DIY Harry Potter Sorting Hats
Cardboard and Paper Mache Sorting Hat
by Instructables
We bought our Sorting Hat, but if you’re feeling crafty, this cardboard and paper mache version is a seriously cool project.
It’s a great statement piece to set the scene—it’ll look right at home perched on a stool—or guarding your snack table like it’s the entrance to Hogwarts itself.
Another DIY Sorting Hat Made with Felt
via Pinterest
This version looks like it was made by soaking felt in a glue solution and shaping it over a cardboard frame—then painting it brown once dry.
However it was done, the result is seriously impressive and makes for a lightweight, sturdy decoration that holds its shape.
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Make Magic Cauldrons
A bubbling cauldron is a must-have when it comes to DIY Harry Potter decorations—and lucky for us, there’s more than one way to stir up the magic.
Whether you go for a spoon that spins on its own or a floating potion effect, these cauldrons are party showstoppers.
Magical Stirring Cauldron
This clever setup uses a hidden motor to keep a spoon stirring inside the cauldron—no wand-waving required.
With a bit of rigging, it becomes a mesmerizing centerpiece for your potions station that looks like it’s working overtime to brew something big.
Floating Potion Cauldron
Want to wow your guests with a potion that actually floats mid-air?
This display uses a mini water pump inside a cauldron, bent balloon stakes from Dollar Tree to hold the “floating” beaker, and a glass straw with a vent for that lab-perfect touch.
Add a little green food coloring, and you’ve got yourself a bubbling, levitating brew that’s straight out of potions class.
DIY Hogwarts Suitcases from Old Boxes
With a stack of old boxes, some Kraft paper, and a little creativity, you can make a whole slew of fake suitcases for your Platform 9¾ setup.
You could also use Kraft tape or black electrical tape for the suitcase straps, and finish them off with a printed Hogwarts crest front and center.
It’s a fun and budget-friendly way to build out your party scene.
DIY Hogwarts Express Train
I never got around to making one, but let’s be honest—building a cardboard Hogwarts Express on your front porch would totally steal the show.
Most of these builds use nothing more than large boxes, Kraft paper, black wrapping paper, and a whole lot of patience.
Set it near your Platform 9¾ decor and your guests will know they’ve arrived.
Cardboard Diagon Alley Builds That’ll Blow You Away
If you’re ready to go big, grab some cardboard and channel your inner Ollivander.
These Diagon Alley builds use appliance boxes, paint, and a whole lot of imagination to transform a driveway or hallway into a full-on wizarding village.
Bonus tip: check your local appliance store’s dumpster—you’ll find the makings of a magical street scene without spending a Galleon.
Build Hagrid’s Hut
If your party’s outdoors and you’ve got leftover cardboard, why not build a mini Hagrid’s Hut?
The version on Pinterest shows just how doable it is with a few big boxes, paint, and a lot of patience.
Or take the easy route and repurpose a plastic kids’ playhouse—just add a “Hagrid’s Hut” sign, and boom, instant magical upgrade.
DIY The Platform 9¾ Curtain Entrance
by Paper Trail Design
You can buy a Platform 9¾ backdrop for cheap (we did!), but if you’d rather DIY it, this method is even more budget-friendly.
Just grab a plastic tablecloth and sponge on the bricks for a walk-through curtain that makes a fun entrance to your party setup.
Make an Owl Cage
If you don’t have a birdcage on hand (they’re actually pretty common as antique decor), you can still pull off a great look with just Kraft paper and Kraft paper tape.
To make the bars, just glue the tape to itself. This DIY owl cage folds into shape and makes the perfect lightweight prop to display your feathered party guest.
DIY Monster Book of Monsters
by The Crafty Bunnii
We turned the Monster Book of Monsters into our cake, but if you’re going another direction with dessert, this version makes a fantastic display piece.
All you need is a cardboard box, some air dry clay, faux fur, and paint to bring this wild textbook to life—just don’t forget the teeth!
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“Free Dobby” Sock Display
Hang a few mismatched socks on a string, add a “Dobby is Free” sign, and boom—you’ve got an easy decoration that doubles as a nod to everyone’s favorite house elf.
Whether you use it as wall decor or drape it across a table, it’s a fun touch that’s quick to pull together with supplies you already have at home.
DIY Harry Potter Banners
We made our own house banners using plastic tablecloths in house colors, cut black paper for the pointed banners, and glued printed house crest logos right on top.
They were super easy, budget-friendly, and made a big impact on the walls.
Perfect for decorating a Great Hall-style dining area or a Sorting Hat corner for your Harry Potter birthday party.
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Make a Honeydukes display case
A Honeydukes display is a must for any Harry Potter party, and this cardboard case is a fantastic DIY if you’re feeling ambitious.
While I don’t go into how to make the case itself, I do share exactly where I got the chocolate frog and jelly bean boxes featured in our Harry Potter party setup—so your candy display will look just as sweet.
I even give out a free Honeydukes chocolate wrap printable we used in our favor bags.
🧙♂️ More Magical Harry Potter Party Fun
Now that you’re full of ideas for DIY Harry Potter decorations (and probably a few Chocolate Frogs), check out these wizard-approved extras to keep the party spell going:
🧙♂️ Harry Potter Party for Adults – Tons of clever ideas and DIY decor to host a grown-up Hogwarts bash!
🍗 Harry Potter Party Foods – Feast-worthy treats and snacks with magical names to wow your guests.
🕵️ Harry Potter Scavenger Hunt – Turn your party into a full-blown Hogwarts adventure with riddles and clues!
👀 Monster Book of Monsters Cake – This fierce and furry cake is a showstopper (and surprisingly doable).
🎁 Harry Potter DIY Gift Bags – Send your little wizards home with spellbinding goodie bags.
🧙♂️ Top Harry Potter Birthday Parties – Tons of magical ideas to throw the perfect wizarding celebration.
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Don’t forget to pin these DIY Harry Potter Decorations:
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Check out our Wizard printables
