Halloween is the perfect time to let kids explore their creativity through fun and festive crafts. Whether you’re planning a classroom activity, a rainy afternoon project, or a family crafting night, these DIY Halloween crafts are simple, inexpensive, and guaranteed to delight. Grab some basic supplies, gather the little ones, and let’s get crafty with these four easy Halloween projects!
Paper Plate Ghosts
Materials: White paper plates, black construction paper, glue, scissors, string, and tape.
How-To:
- Cut out two large oval eyes and a small round mouth from the black paper.
- Glue the eyes and mouth onto the paper plate to create a spooky face.
- Cut long strips of white paper or tissue paper and glue them to the bottom edge of the plate to make “ghost tails.”
- Tape a piece of string to the top so the ghost can hang from a ceiling or porch.
Why Kids Love It: Paper plate ghosts are simple enough for preschoolers yet fun for older kids to personalize. They look adorable floating around the house!
Pumpkin Jar Lanterns
Materials: Empty glass jars, orange tissue paper, Mod Podge (or glue), paintbrushes, black construction paper, and a battery-operated tea light.
How-To:
- Tear orange tissue paper into small pieces.
- Use a brush to coat the jar with Mod Podge, then stick on the tissue paper pieces until the whole jar is covered.
- Cut out jack-o’-lantern faces from black paper and glue them onto the jar.
- Once dry, place a tea light inside for a glowing pumpkin effect.
Why Kids Love It: These glowing lanterns create an instant Halloween vibe, and kids can experiment with different face designs—funny, scary, or silly!
Popsicle Stick Bats
Materials: Black paint, popsicle sticks, black construction paper, googly eyes, and glue.
How-To:
- Paint the popsicle sticks black and let them dry.
- Cut out bat wings from the black paper.
- Glue two sticks in an “X” shape for the body, then attach the wings to the back.
- Add googly eyes and draw on a tiny mouth with white paint or a marker.
Why Kids Love It: Bats are a Halloween classic, and this craft is great for building fine motor skills. Plus, the finished bats make adorable decorations for walls or windows.
Monster Slime
Materials: Clear glue, liquid starch or contact lens solution with baking soda, food coloring, and googly eyes.
How-To:
- Mix ½ cup of clear glue with a few drops of food coloring in a bowl.
- Slowly add liquid starch or the contact lens mixture while stirring until the slime forms.
- Knead the slime until it reaches the desired texture.
- Add googly eyes to turn it into a wiggly monster!
Why Kids Love It: Slime never gets old! It’s squishy, stretchy, and a little spooky—perfect for Halloween fun.
Enjoy Halloween DIY Crafts for Kids
DIY Halloween crafts for kids are a wonderful way to encourage creativity while celebrating the season. These projects use affordable materials, take minimal time, and can be adapted for different age groups. So, roll up those sleeves, set up your craft table, and make this Halloween both spooky and spectacular!