Halloween is one of those times that just gets kids buzzing with excitement! From spooky costumes to glowing pumpkins, it’s all about fun and creativity. And let’s be honest, kids love anything they can make with their own hands. That’s why these 6 Halloween craft ideas are perfect for all age groups.
I still remember last year when we made spooky bat hats—one of my students wore hers the entire week, even to bed! Whether you’ve got toddlers or tweens, these simple, affordable crafts will have them crafting up a storm. Plus, they’re a hit at Halloween parties or for a cozy, crafty afternoon at home.
Here below are some age-specific Halloween craft ideas
Halloween craft ideas for toddlers
Paper plate Pumpkins
Materials needed
- 1 Paper Plate (preferably round and white)
- Orange Paint (washable, child-safe)
- Green Construction Paper (for the stem)
- Black Marker (or crayon for the face)
- Glue Stick (to attach the stem)
- Paintbrush (or sponge brush)
- Safety Scissors (optional, for cutting the stem)
Instructions
Paint the pumpkin:
- Have your toddler paint the entire paper plate orange. Let them use a paintbrush or sponge to spread the paint around. It’s okay if it’s not perfect—let them have fun with it!
- Set aside the plate to dry for a few minutes.
Make the stem:
- While the paint dries, cut out a small rectangle or a “stem” shape from the green construction paper.
- Help your toddler apply glue to the back of the green paper and stick it to the top of the paper plate as the pumpkin’s stem.
Draw the face:
- Once the orange paint is dry, use a black marker or crayon to draw a simple, smiling face on the pumpkin. Let your toddler add the eyes, nose, and mouth however they like!
Show it off:
- Once everything is dry, the paper plate pumpkin is ready to be displayed! You can hang it on the wall, refrigerator, or bulletin board for some festive Halloween fun.
This craft is super easy and safe for toddlers, allowing them to get creative while improving their motor skills.
Looking for the perfect crayons to bring these Halloween paper crafts to life? Over 3,000 families and teachers picked up these Crayola Crayons Bulk for kids/classroom (24 Packs) last month, and they’ve been a favorite!
Handprint Ghost
Materials needed
- White Paint (washable, child-safe)
- Black Marker (or crayon)
- Googly Eyes (optional, but fun!)
- Construction Paper (any color for the background, like black or purple)
- Glue Stick (for attaching googly eyes)
- Paintbrush or Sponge (to spread paint)
Instructions
Create the ghost handprint:
- Help your toddler cover the palm of their hand with white paint using a paintbrush or sponge. Make sure the paint is evenly spread but not too thick.
- Press their hand down on the construction paper (fingers spread slightly) to make a ghost shape. Lift the hand gently to reveal the print.
- Let the paint dry for a few minutes.
Add the eyes and mouth:
- Once the handprint is dry, glue two googly eyes at the top of the palm for the ghost’s eyes.
- Use a black marker or crayon to draw a small mouth. You can make it friendly or spooky, depending on what your toddler likes!
Display the ghost:
- Once complete, you can cut out the ghost shape (optional) or leave it on the construction paper. Hang it up around the house or classroom to show off your toddler’s Halloween creation!
This craft is perfect for little ones, helping them improve their fine motor skills while getting into the Halloween spirit!
Halloween craft ideas for preschoolers
Bat Hat
Materials needed
- Black Construction Paper
- Googly Eyes (optional, can also draw eyes)
- Glue Stick
- Scissors (child-safe)
- White Crayon or Marker (to draw the smile)
- Tape or Stapler (to assemble the headband)
Instructions
Make the headband:
- Cut a long strip of black construction paper, about 2 inches wide. This will be the headband part of the hat.
- Wrap it around your preschooler’s head to size it, and either tape or staple the ends together to form a circle that fits comfortably.
Create the bat wings:
- Cut out two bat wings from the black construction paper. To make it easier, you can fold the paper and cut both wings at the same time, using simple curves to shape the edges.
- Glue the wings to each side of the headband.
Add the eyes and smile:
- Stick two googly eyes (or draw eyes with a white crayon/marker) on the front of the headband.
- Use a white crayon or marker to draw a friendly smile under the eyes to give the bat a playful look.
Wear the bat hat:
- Once everything is assembled and dry, your preschooler can proudly wear their bat hat and flutter around like a friendly Halloween bat!
This Bat Hat craft is simple, fun, and perfect for little ones to get into the Halloween spirit!
Ghost Paper Chain
Materials needed
- White Construction Paper or Regular White Paper
- Black Marker (for drawing faces)
- Scissors (child-safe)
- Glue Stick or Tape (for connecting the chains)
- String or yarn (optional, for hanging)
- Googly Eyes (optional, to make the ghosts more playful)
Instructions
Cut paper strips:
- Start by cutting the white paper into long, narrow strips (about 1 inch wide). These will form the links of your paper chain. Cut enough strips to create the desired length for your ghost chain.
Create the paper chain:
- Form each strip into a loop, overlapping the ends slightly and gluing or taping them together to make a circle.
- Link each new strip through the previous one before gluing or taping, creating a connected chain.
Cut ghost shapes:
- Cut small, simple ghost shapes from white paper. You can draw basic ghost outlines (like ovals with wavy bottoms) and then cut them out. Each ghost should be about 3-4 inches tall.
- If you want to add more fun, you can glue on googly eyes instead of drawing them.
Draw faces:
- Use the black marker to draw friendly or spooky faces on each ghost. Let your preschoolers get creative with different expressions—some can be happy, surprised, or even scared!
Attach the ghosts:
- Glue or tape each ghost to one of the links in your paper chain. You can alternate between plain loops and ghost loops to make the chain more playful.
Optional: Add String:
- If you’d like to hang your ghost chain from the ceiling or a doorway, attach a piece of string or yarn to one end of the chain for easy hanging.
Your ghost paper chain is now ready to be displayed as a fun Halloween decoration! This craft is simple, safe, and perfect for preschoolers to enjoy while developing their fine motor skills.
Halloween craft ideas for elementary school kids
Pumpkin Patch of Kindness
Materials needed
- Orange, Yellow, and Green Construction Paper (for pumpkins and stems)
- Scissors (child-safe)
- Glue Stick
- Black Marker (for writing kind deeds)
- Poster Board or a Large Sheet of Paper (for the pumpkin patch background)
- Optional: Stickers or additional decorations like leaves or vines
Instructions
Cut out pumpkins:
- Start by cutting out pumpkin shapes from the orange and yellow construction paper. You can make them in different sizes for variety.
- Cut out small green rectangles or leaf shapes from the green construction paper to serve as the pumpkin stems.
Write acts of kindness:
- Have the kids think about a kind act they’ve done or want to do. It could be as simple as “helped a friend” or “shared my toys.”
- Use the black marker to write each act of kindness on a pumpkin. Encourage them to fill the pumpkin with thoughtful deeds!
Assemble the pumpkin patch:
- Once all the pumpkins are ready, help the kids glue a stem to the top of each pumpkin.
- Stick or glue the pumpkins onto the poster board or large sheet of paper to create a patch. You can arrange them randomly or in neat rows, depending on how you want the patch to look.
Decorate the patch:
- Add extra decorations like green vines, leaves, or other fall-themed stickers around the pumpkins to make the patch look more colorful and complete.
Display the pumpkin patch of kindness:
- Once all the pumpkins are glued and the patch is decorated, hang it up in the classroom or at home. The pumpkin patch will serve as a great reminder of how small acts of kindness can grow into something bigger!
This craft is perfect for elementary school kids, as it encourages creativity and reflection while also promoting kindness in a fun, fall-themed way.
Spiderweb of Good Deeds
Materials needed
- Black Construction Paper (for the spiderweb)
- String or Yarn (white or gray to make the web)
- Scissors (child-safe)
- Glue Stick or Tape (for attaching the web)
- Small Sticky Notes or Spider Cutouts (to write good deeds on)
- Markers (for writing the good deeds)
- Poster Board (for the background)
Instructions
Create the spiderweb:
- Cut a large circle from the black construction paper to act as the base for the spiderweb.
- Use white or gray string/yarn to create the web pattern. Start by taping or gluing one end of the string in the center, then stretch it outwards to the edges of the circle, taping it down in different spots to form the web structure. Create criss-cross patterns to make the web look complete.
Cut out spiders (or use sticky notes):
- Cut out small spider shapes from construction paper or use spider stickers. You can also use small sticky notes shaped like spiders (or circles) if it’s easier.
Write good deeds:
- Have each student write a good deed they’ve done or plan to do on a spider or sticky note. Encourage them to think of specific acts of kindness like “Helped my friend with homework” or “Shared my lunch.”
Attach the spiders:
- Once the deeds are written, attach the spiders to the web by gluing them to the yarn or paper web. Spread the spiders out evenly so the web looks full and colorful.
Display the spider web of good deeds:
- Once all the spiders are attached, display the poster in the classroom or at home. The spiderweb will serve as a great reminder of how small acts of kindness can weave together to create something positive!
Get crafty and share the Halloween fun
Halloween is the perfect excuse to get a little crafty, and these Halloween craft ideas will have your kids busy, happy, and maybe even a little messy (in a good way!). From spooky spiders to cute pumpkins, there’s something for every kid to enjoy—no matter their age or skill level. And the best part? You don’t need anything fancy, just some basic supplies and a whole lot of imagination! So, why not give them a try?
Now, it’s your turn—what’s your favorite Halloween craft idea? Drop it in the comments, or share your spooky creations with us!
