Get into the Halloween spirit with 15 easy and entertaining crafts that kids can make at home. From ghost puppets to paper pumpkins, discover playful ideas for a spooktacular holiday celebration.

Halloween is that magical time of year when the ordinary transforms into the extraordinary—when pumpkins become glowing lanterns, bats dance across our windows, and even the simplest craft materials take on a mysterious charm. If you’re looking for fun ways to spark your child’s creativity, you’re in for a treat (no tricks!). Crafting is more than just a way to pass the time; it can inspire imagination, strengthen fine motor skills, and bring the whole family together in a swirl of glue sticks and glitter. Plus, these creations double as festive décor, proudly displaying your child’s handiwork around the house. Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or just dipping your toe into the glue for the first time, these 15 easy Halloween crafts promise to thrill without the chill.

1. Ghost Handprint Art

Few crafts capture the spirit of Halloween better than ghosts, and using handprints as the ghostly outline turns this project into a keepsake. Begin by having your child dip their hand in white, washable paint—fingers spread wide—and press it onto black or dark-colored construction paper. Once the paint dries, help them transform the white hand shape into a ghost by adding googly eyes and a mouth, or even drawing a silly or spooky expression with black marker. If you’re feeling ambitious, repeat the process multiple times to form a little ghost family, labeling each print with a name or date. The final artwork can be cut out or framed to adorn a wall or fridge. It’s a simple, tactile craft that doubles as a memory piece, capturing the size of your child’s hand in hauntingly adorable fashion.

2. Spooky Paper Plate Masks

Turn ordinary paper plates into wearable Halloween fun by crafting spooky masks. Start by cutting out two eye holes—just big enough for your child’s eyes to peek through. Then let the design ideas flow: a vampire with fangs, a green witch with a pointed nose, or a classic pumpkin face with a wide grin. Markers, crayons, and paint work wonders for coloring, but consider adding yarn for hair or felt for dimension, too. If your child wants a monster face, glue on scraps of fabric or tissue paper to create a patchwork effect. For an easy handle, tape or staple a popsicle stick or straw to one side of the plate so the mask can be held up to the face. This activity invites dress-up and encourages kids to step into the spooktacular shoes of their favorite Halloween characters.

3. Yarn-Wrapped Mummy Jars

Nothing says Halloween quite like a mummy, and these little jar mummies add a playful twist to spooky décor. First, rinse out a few empty glass or plastic jars and let them dry thoroughly. Next, apply a bit of glue to the rim, then wrap the jar with white yarn or gauze strips. The aim is to make it look like classic mummy bandages—crisscrossed layers that don’t need to be perfectly neat. Once wrapped, stick on two googly eyes so your mummy can peer at passersby. For added flair, you can lightly brush on black or grey paint to give the bandages an aged effect. Insert a flameless LED candle inside, and you’ve got a softly glowing mummy lantern, ready to light the way for trick-or-treaters. The best part? It’s easy for little hands to wrap and create.

4. Painted Rock Monsters

Kids love a good monster story, and painted rock monsters let them craft their own cast of quirky characters. Gather a handful of smooth stones from your yard or a nearby park. Once washed and dried, your child can paint the entire surface in any color—green, purple, neon orange—there are no rules here. After the paint dries, add personality with markers, small felt cutouts, or googly eyes in varying sizes. One rock might have a single giant eyeball, while another sports three or four peering eyes. Don’t forget the mouth: it can be a goofy grin, sharp fangs, or even a lopsided smirk. Line these miniature “monsters” along a windowsill or group them in a bowl as a conversation-starting centerpiece. Each rock monster is a small canvas for imagination, guaranteeing lots of giggles and zero nightmares.

5. Friendly Witch Hat Cones

Rather than going for something outright scary, try crafting playful witch hats that radiate charm. Form a cone by curling a sheet of black construction paper or cardstock into a cone shape, then trimming the base so it stands upright. Use another circle of black paper for the hat’s brim, attaching the cone on top with glue or tape. Now comes the personalization: let kids decorate the hat with glitter glue, stickers of stars or moons, or even ribbons. For an adorable twist, glue on googly eyes or paint on a smiling face, transforming the hat into a mini character. These hats can sit on a table as festive décor, or you can make them slightly bigger for dolls or stuffed animals. Each cone is like a tiny invitation to the whimsical side of Halloween, perfect for children who prefer fun over fright.

6. Cotton Ball Ghost Garland

Fill your home with friendly spirits by stringing together a cotton ball ghost garland. Begin by forming ghost shapes out of cotton balls—roll them together in small clumps, or cut ghost silhouettes from white felt and glue on the cotton. Add googly eyes or draw black circles for eyes and maybe an “O” shaped mouth for that classic “boo!” expression. Once you have enough ghosts, tie or glue them onto a length of ribbon or yarn. Space them out evenly, or create clusters of ghosts for a fuller look. Hang your garland over doorways, along a mantel, or across a window. Each fluffy phantom sways and bobbles in the breeze, offering a lighthearted vibe that’s more cheerful than chilling. This craft is super simple, yet it sets a festive mood all around.

7. Paper Jack-o’-Lanterns

Carving pumpkins can be messy, so why not whip up some paper jack-o’-lanterns for a quick and clean alternative? Start by cutting out pumpkin shapes from orange construction paper—round, oval, or even tall and skinny. Encourage your kids to design different faces using black paper cutouts or markers: triangular eyes, goofy grins, or maybe a spooky scowl. Secure the facial features with glue, then add a green paper stem on top. If you want to get fancy, line each paper pumpkin with glitter or doodle swirling vines. Tape these flat jack-o’-lanterns to your windows, fridge, or walls for an instant Halloween vibe. They’re excellent for last-minute décor, and kids love seeing their custom creations scattered around the home. Plus, no pumpkin guts or seeds to clean up—just the sweet satisfaction of imaginative crafting.

8. Bat Straw Toppers

If your child loves sipping on juice or chocolate milk, bat straw toppers bring a whimsical touch to any beverage. Sketch small bat shapes on black construction paper—or find a simple template online—and cut them out. Fold each bat slightly in the center so it can perch on top of a plastic or paper straw. Use double-sided tape or a dab of glue to secure it in place. You can enhance the design by adding tiny googly eyes or painting little fangs. Once they’re attached, pop the straw into a Halloween-themed cup or even a clear glass to show off the silhouette. Kids can imagine the bats fluttering about while they sip away. It’s a minimal-effort craft that offers maximum cuteness, especially for classroom parties or family gatherings where spookiness meets snack time.

9. Tissue Box Monster Faces

Don’t toss that empty tissue box—turn it into a hilariously frightful monster instead! Start by painting or covering the box with colorful construction paper, leaving the top opening as your monster’s mouth. Decorate the surface with googly eyes, drawn eyes, or layers of felt to fashion a scaly texture. For extra detail, add pipe cleaner antennas, yarn hair, or paper horns. Kids can mix and match patterns, colors, and shapes to create one-of-a-kind monster personalities—friendly, goofy, or even “scary” if they like. You can use the open top to stash candy, small toys, or pencil crayons for a fun surprise. Every time someone reaches into the monster’s mouth, they’re greeted by a burst of bright, comedic charm. It’s the perfect way to recycle a household item into a star of your Halloween décor.

10. Egg Carton Spiders

Egg cartons may not scream Halloween at first glance, but once you cut out individual cups, you’re on your way to eight-legged creepiness. Turn each cup upside down and paint it black (or any outlandish color). Once dry, poke small holes in the sides and thread pipe cleaners through to create spindly spider legs—four on each side for an authentic look. Bend the ends to mimic tiny feet. Glue on googly eyes, or paint them directly onto the carton for an unsettling stare. These mini spiders can sit on tables, in window sills, or even hang from strings for a playful “crawling” effect. It’s a short and sweet project that recycles egg cartons while boosting your child’s imagination. Don’t be surprised if you find these little critters weaving a web of laughter all around your home.

11. Q-Tip Skeleton Portraits

Sometimes, the spookiest bones are the ones we make ourselves—especially if they’re built from cotton swabs! For a Q-tip skeleton portrait, start with black construction paper as your background. Kids can glue down a small white paper skull (a simple oval with eye sockets and a nose hole will do), then arrange Q-tips to form the skeleton’s ribs, arms, legs, and spine. Snip Q-tips in half for shorter bone segments if needed. Once the “bones” are glued in place, they can add details with a white crayon or paint pen, like kneecaps or finger bones. Some kids even draw a haunted house or a moon in the background. Hang the finished portrait on the fridge or a bulletin board, and watch as this quirky skeleton dances across the page, celebrating Halloween in all its bony glory.

12. Decorated Treat Bags

Trick-or-treating calls for a sturdy bag, but there’s no reason it can’t be festive too. Grab plain paper or cloth bags—brown lunch bags or canvas totes work great—and let your child go to town with markers, stickers, and stamps. They can draw classic Halloween icons like bats, pumpkins, ghosts, or black cats, or even write their name in spooky bubble letters. If you have stencils, that makes shaping witches’ hats and skulls simpler, but freehand doodles lend a personal touch. Some kids might attach ribbon at the top for flair or dab on glitter glue to make the designs pop. These custom treat bags not only hold candy but also showcase your child’s creativity as they roam the neighborhood collecting sweets. After all, Halloween is as much about the “treat” as it is about the “trick.”

13. Toilet Paper Roll Frankensteins

Don’t toss out those empty toilet paper rolls—let them join the Halloween fun! For a simple Frankenstein craft, start by painting the roll green for the face and black for the hair and base. Next, draw on a thick eyebrow ridge and a crooked smile to bring the character to life. Cut out small black paper bolts to glue on the sides (or use cardstock to make them pop out). You can also wrap a bit of gauze or bandage around the forehead for a quirky, patched-up look. Add googly eyes or paint on wide, cartoonish eyeballs. This miniature Frankenstein can stand upright on a tabletop, greet guests in the entryway, or join a whole crew of toilet paper roll monsters—vampires, ghosts, and mummies—for a monstrous Halloween parade.

14. Footprint Witch Silhouettes

Combine a little foot painting with a dash of magic, and you’ve got a bewitching keepsake. Have your child paint the bottom of their foot with non-toxic, washable paint—preferably black for the silhouette look—then press it onto paper. Once the footprint dries, transform it into a witch’s face or profile. The toes might become the brim of the hat, and you can add a pointy top with a brush or marker. Draw a small nose, eyes, and a jagged hairline to complete the illusion. Alternatively, turn the footprint sideways to mimic a flying witch’s silhouette against the moon. Frame these imaginative prints or hang them on the fridge for a personalized Halloween gallery. It’s an easy, tactile activity that immortalizes your child’s foot size in a delightfully spooky way.

15. Paper Towel Roll Haunted Castle

For the grand finale, let kids build an entire haunted castle out of paper towel rolls. First, gather a few rolls of varying heights to form towers. Attach them side by side on a cardboard base using glue or tape. If you’d like turrets, cut out triangles from construction paper and tape them to the top of each roll, forming pointed rooftops. Paint the structure in dark shades—grays, blacks, or even midnight blues—and add windows or eerie silhouettes of bats with a white paint pen. You can also wrap some parts in moss or cobweb-like cotton to enhance the spooky vibe. The result is a miniature fortress of frights, perfect for small action figures or toy creatures to roam around. Kids will love conjuring up ghostly stories about the castle’s hidden rooms and mysterious inhabitants.

Conclusion

Halloween crafts have a unique way of blending the whimsical with the wondrous, showing that creativity can be delightfully spooky without being scary. From ghostly footprints to playful bat straws, these 15 easy crafts invite kids to dive hands-on into the Halloween spirit, transforming everyday objects into hauntingly fun treasures. Each project promises giggles, imaginative exploration, and a chance to build new family traditions. Best of all, your home gets a festive makeover—courtesy of construction paper, glue sticks, and your child’s inventive spark. So gather your supplies, cue up some eerie tunes (or kid-friendly monster jams), and let the crafting begin. By the end, you’ll have a home full of spooktacular décor and sweet memories to cherish long after the candy’s gone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need expensive materials for these Halloween crafts?
Not at all! Most of these ideas use common household items like paper plates, yarn, and toilet paper rolls, making them budget-friendly and easy to set up.
Can toddlers participate in these crafts safely?
Absolutely, with close supervision. Focus on simpler tasks like gluing or painting, and stick to non-toxic, washable paints and child-safe scissors where possible.
How can I protect surfaces from paint and glue messes?
Lay down old newspapers or a plastic tablecloth. You could also work in a designated craft area like a patio or kitchen island to minimize cleanup.
What if I’m short on time for Halloween crafts?
Pick the quickest ones like paper jack-o’-lanterns or ghost handprints. These come together in minutes and still add plenty of festive spirit to your home.
Can I adapt these crafts for a classroom or large group?
Yes! Many are simple to scale up. Just prepare multiple sets of materials in advance, and consider forming craft stations so kids can rotate through different activities.

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