#1 Cardboard Tube Monsters
Difficulty level: Easy
These spooky little monsters are so much fun and can be made in minutes! An ideal craft for any age, using some simple craft components or whatever you have in your stash, these cardboard tube monsters are an easy make with brilliant results.
You will need:
Cardboard tubes
Coloured paper
Googly eyes
Gluestick
Foam shapes
Pom poms
Felt tip pens
Scissors
Step 1:
Using a toilet paper tube, roughly cut enough coloured paper to wrap the whole way around. Apply some glue and stick it on.
Step 2:
Decorate the tube however you and your kids would like the monster to look.
For the green monster:
- Draw on the hair with a black felt tip. A zig zag pattern works well for this.
- Draw on the rest of the features.
- Stick on some wiggly eyes to finish.
For the pink monster:
- Glue on one large googly eye.
- Draw on a mouth with a felt tip.
- Add some pom poms along the top of the head for hair/fur.
For the yellow monster:
- Stick on some foam shape spots.
- Glue on some triangles to the top of the tube to act as horns.
- Finish with a felt tip smile, some wiggly eyes and a pointy tooth!
#2 Hanging Clay Handprint Decorations
Difficulty level: Easy-Moderate. Requires adult assistance.
These hanging clay handprint halloween decorations not only make some spooky decorations, but great keepsakes too. This is a lovely project to do together with the wonderful sensory aspect of the printing and painting of those tiny hands! In this example, we have a ghost, a monster and Frankenstein’s monster, but you can try any Halloween inspired characters.
You will need:
Modelling Clay
Googly eyes
Paint
String
Step 1:
Divide the modelling clay into thirds
Step 2:
Roll the clay out, first into a ball, and then roll it flat until you have an oval shape that is big enough for your child’s hand.
Step 3:
Place your child’s hand onto the clay and apply pressure to create an imprint. Carefully trim around the edge with a knife or clay tool, leaving a gap between the print and edge.
Step 4:
Paint your child’s hand in the colour of your (or their) choice and then ask them, or guide them, to print it on top of the imprint.
Step 5:
Using the end of a small paintbrush, push a hole through the top of the clay (bottom of the handprint) ready to thread string through for decoration.
Step 6:
Paint on the features for the characters. A screaming mouth for a ghost, a smile for a monster, and some zig zag hair for Frankenstein’s monster.
Step 7:
Cut a 15cm piece of string and thread it through the hole for hanging. Knot the ends of the string to finish.
#3 Pumpkin Suncatcher
Difficulty level: Very Easy
These gorgeous pumpkins look lovely displayed on a window for Halloween. They can easily be made by preschoolers and are so much fun to make! You could use some other colours of tissue paper for a more variety in your pumpkins, or simply let your kids pick their favourites.
You will need:
Pumpkin shape print out
Tissue paper
PVA glue
Scissors
Step 1:
Layer up a few sheets of tissue paper and roughly cut them into small square/rectangle pieces.
Step 2:
Print out a pumpkin shape template, or draw one yourself, and cover in in PVA glue.
Step 3:
Stick down the pieces of tissue paper to fill in the pumpkin shape.
Step 4:
Apply another layer of glue on top of the tissue.
Step 5:
Once dry, cut around the outside of the pumpkin to finish.
Variation option: Punch a hole in the top of the pumpkin and thread through some yarn to thang them instead.
#4 Pipe Cleaner Spider
Difficulty level: Easy
These spooky spiders can be made in minutes. You can tuck them into hairstyles, hook them onto drinks bottles, or wrap them around lollipops for fun Halloween treats!
You will need:
6 black pipe cleaners
Googly eyes
Step 1:
Twist two pipe cleaners together to make one long length and set aside.
Step 2:
Wrap the long pipe cleaner around your index finger to create the spider’s body.
Step 3:
Take the remaining four pipe cleaners and twist them together in the centre.
Step 4:
Thread the four pipe cleaners through the hole in the centre of the body from step 2.
Step 5:
Stick on some googly eyes. (Spiders have eight, but use some creative licence and stick on as many will fit).
Step 6:
Bend the legs to make a ‘knee’ and ‘foot’ to finish.
Tip: Tuck into a bun for a fun Halloween accessory!
#5 Ghost Tassel Garland
Difficulty level: Easy
These yarn ghosties are a fun way to use up your yarn stash and perfect for draping across shelves, doorways and bannisters for that extra homemade Halloween look.
You will need:
White yarn
Googly eyes
Scissors
Cardboard
Step 1:
Using a 15cm square piece of card, wrap some yarn around it 30 times.
Step 2:
Slide an additional 15cm piece of yarn under the wrapped yarn and tie it in a knot.
Step 3:
Slide the scissors under the yarn on the opposite end to the knot and cut.
Step 4:
Tie some yarn about 2cm down from the top of the tassel to create a head shape.
Step 5:
Glue on some googly eyes.
Repeat steps 1-5 for however many ghosts you would like on the garland.
Step 6:
Cut a 60cm piece of yarn and tie each tassel onto it, spacing as required. Trim the tassels to finish.
Enjoy!
These Halloween crafts are perfect for getting into the spooky spirit with simple, fun activities that children of all ages can enjoy. From easy Halloween hand crafts, like clay handprint decorations, to creative paper crafts, such as pumpkin suncatchers, these craft ideas will keep kids busy and help develop their fine motor skills. Each craft is designed to be both engaging and accessible, making Halloween crafting a fun family activity. And if you’re looking for some more ideas, check out our post with more easy Halloween craft ideas for kids now.
