Creating Halloween crafts is one of my favorite parts of the season. Whether it’s for kids, toddlers, preschoolers, or even adults, there are endless ways to bring the spooky spirit into our homes. The best part? You don’t have to be a crafting expert to enjoy the fun. With just a few simple materials, anyone can create memorable DIY Halloween decorations or even crafts to sell. It’s a fun, low-cost way to celebrate the holiday. So let’s talk about a few ideas, for all ages and skill levels, that will get you into the Halloween spirit.
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Easy Halloween Crafts for Toddlers
Crafting with toddlers can be tricky, but it doesn’t have to be messy. The key is keeping it simple and using materials that are safe and easy for little hands to work with. These crafts are perfect for busy moms (and dads), too, because they don’t require tons of prep or clean-up.
Paper Plate Pumpkins
- This is a classic, and all you need are some paper plates, orange paint, and green construction paper. Let the toddlers paint the plates, and once they’re dry, you can cut out stems and glue them on. It’s cute, easy, and a little bit messy—just the right mix for toddlers.
Handprint Ghosts
- Get white paint, black construction paper, and little hands ready to get spooky. Simply paint the child’s hand white and stamp it onto the black paper. Add eyes and a mouth with a marker, and you’ve got a little ghost. It’s also a keepsake for you to look back on when they grow older. These can be turned into Halloween decorations by hanging them up around the house.
These simple ideas keep toddlers engaged without needing a lot of supplies or time. Plus, they help develop motor skills while getting them excited for the holiday.
Fun Halloween Crafts for Preschoolers
Preschoolers love getting involved in holiday activities, and Halloween crafts are a great way to channel their energy. Their imaginations are starting to run wild at this age, so these ideas will let them express that creativity.
Pumpkin Slime
- A fun sensory activity! Take some orange slime (you can buy it or make your own), and add in some pumpkin seeds for texture. You can even cut out Jack O’Lantern faces from construction paper and stick them on the outside of a plastic container to make it look like the slime is a pumpkin.
How to Make Pumpkin Slime
Making pumpkin slime is a fun and sensory-friendly activity for kids, and it’s super easy to make with just a few basic ingredients. Here’s a quick recipe for creating your own gooey pumpkin slime, complete with real pumpkin seeds for added texture.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of white school glue (Elmer’s works well)
- 1 cup of water
- Orange food coloring
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon saline solution (contact lens solution that contains boric acid)
- A handful of pumpkin seeds (cleaned and dried)
- Optional: Glitter for extra sparkle
Instructions:
- Mix the Glue and Water:
In a large bowl, pour in 1 cup of white glue and 1 cup of water. Stir until they are well combined. - Add the Color:
Drop a few drops of orange food coloring into the mixture. Stir until the color is evenly distributed. If you want the color to be more vibrant, feel free to add a couple more drops. - Add Baking Soda:
Mix in 1 teaspoon of baking soda. This helps to firm up the slime a bit. - Activate with Saline Solution:
Slowly add 1 tablespoon of saline solution while stirring. As you stir, the mixture will begin to thicken and come together. If it’s too sticky, add a little more saline solution, about 1/2 teaspoon at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency. - Add Pumpkin Seeds:
Once your slime is ready, mix in a handful of clean, dried pumpkin seeds for texture. These will give the slime a fun, bumpy feel, adding to the pumpkin theme. - Knead the Slime:
Take the slime out of the bowl and knead it with your hands for a few minutes. This helps it become more stretchy and less sticky. - Optional Glitter:
If you want to add a little extra sparkle, now’s the time to sprinkle in some orange or gold glitter. Knead the glitter into the slime until it’s evenly distributed.
Storage:
To keep your pumpkin slime fresh, store it in an airtight container or a zip-top bag. It should last for a week or so, depending on how often it’s played with.
This pumpkin slime is perfect for a Halloween-themed craft, sensory play, or just as a fun way to engage kids during the fall season!
Puffy Ghost Paintings
- Mix white glue with shaving cream to create “puffy paint.” Let your preschooler paint a ghost on black construction paper using the puffy mixture. The result is a 3D, fluffy ghost that’s fun to touch. Add googly eyes for extra cuteness!
These crafts give preschoolers the chance to explore their creativity while also making some fun Halloween decorations for the house.
Ideas for Kids in Elementary School
Elementary-aged kids are all about creating something they can show off. At this age, they have a little more patience and skill, so their projects can be more detailed. Plus, they’ll love getting their hands dirty in more complex activities.
Bat Paper Lanterns
- All you need is black construction paper, scissors, and glue. Have your child fold the paper like an accordion, cut out bat wings, and glue them onto the sides. Add googly eyes or draw some on for a spooky finish. These lanterns can hang around the house or on the porch as part of your Halloween decorations.
Toilet Paper Roll Monsters
- Don’t throw away those empty toilet paper rolls! Instead, let your kids turn them into little monsters. With paint, googly eyes, and construction paper, they can make funny or scary creatures. The more unique, the better! You can use these as decorations or even as a game by lining them up like bowling pins and knocking them down with a ball.
Kids in this age group love the freedom to create. These Halloween crafts are not just fun to make but also perfect for decorating their rooms or the house.
Halloween Crafts for Adults
Who says Halloween crafts are just for kids? Making decorations or themed items for Halloween can be a relaxing and creative way for adults to enjoy the holiday. You can make some pretty stylish items that don’t look like they were crafted by little hands (unless that’s what you’re going for!). These ideas can even be used to make crafts to sell, giving you an opportunity to make a little extra money during the spooky season.
Wreaths Made from Old Book Pages
- This one’s for the book lovers! Using pages from an old book (preferably one you don’t mind tearing up), you can roll them into cones and glue them around a wreath form. Paint the tips black or orange for a Halloween vibe. Add some small plastic spiders or bats, and you’ve got yourself a spooky, yet classy, wreath to hang on your door.
Halloween Mason Jar Lanterns
- Mason jars are the perfect base for so many DIY projects, and for Halloween, they’re great for creating eerie lanterns. Paint the outside of the jar in spooky designs—like a Jack O’Lantern, ghost, or bat—and put a battery-operated tea light inside. The effect is spooky and stylish, and these can be great for your porch or windowsills.
These adult-focused Halloween crafts allow you to add a personalized touch to your home, while also making some unique items to sell or give as gifts.
DIY Halloween Crafts to Sell
If you love Halloween and crafting, why not combine the two and make some crafts to sell? Whether you’re using a platform like Etsy or selling locally at a craft fair, Halloween is a great time to cash in on your creativity. Here are some ideas for Halloween crafts that are sure to be a hit.
Custom Halloween Garlands
- Garlands made of felt or paper can be a quick and easy sell. Create designs like pumpkins, ghosts, bats, or black cats, and string them together for a festive decoration. People love hanging these in their windows, on mantels, or as backdrops for Halloween parties. You can offer custom options like different colors or personalized name tags.
Personalized Trick-or-Treat Bags
- Everyone needs a good trick-or-treat bag, especially one that’s unique. You can buy plain canvas bags and customize them with Halloween-themed vinyl stickers, paint, or iron-on transfers. Add a child’s name or fun phrases like “Witch’s Loot” or “Monster Candy Bag.” Personalization always sells well!
These ideas are relatively simple to create, but the personal touches make them stand out in the marketplace. Plus, they don’t require expensive materials, making them a good option for someone looking to start selling DIY Halloween crafts.
Halloween Crafts for Babies
Even though babies won’t understand what’s going on, there’s no reason they can’t get involved in the Halloween crafting fun. Baby crafts are more about making memories and keepsakes that you can look back on when they’re older. Here are a few ideas that focus on using baby-safe materials and making something special.
Footprint Ghosts
- Just like handprint ghosts for toddlers, you can use your baby’s feet to make ghosts. Dip their feet in white paint and press them onto black paper. Add little ghost faces with a marker. This is another great keepsake to hang up or tuck away for memories.
Baby Halloween Bibs
- If you love to sew, why not create a cute Halloween-themed bib for your little one? Use some festive fabric and a basic bib pattern to whip up something adorable. Even if you don’t sew, you can buy a plain bib and use fabric markers to draw a pumpkin or ghost on it.
These crafts are a way to capture your baby’s first Halloween in a creative way. Plus, they’re fun to look back on in the years to come.
Final Thoughts
Halloween crafts are for everyone—toddlers, kids, adults, and even babies. The best part about making your own decorations or gifts is that you can put your personal touch on everything. Whether you’re looking to entertain your little ones, add some spooky decorations to your home, or create DIY items to sell, there’s a craft project for you.
When you start crafting for Halloween, you don’t need to buy expensive materials or spend hours prepping. Keep it simple, use what you have, and focus on the fun of creating. That’s what Halloween is all about—making memories and enjoying the little moments of creativity that the holiday inspires.
