Halloween is one of the best times to get kids involved in hands-on fun, and crafts are the perfect way to do it. With just a few basic supplies, children can turn paper, glue, and paint into decorations that feel festive and personal.
What makes easy Halloween crafts for kids so special is that they’re more than just projects; they’re chances to build fine motor skills, inspire ideas, and create keepsakes families will love pulling out year after year.
Whether you’re a parent looking for quick activities at home or a teacher planning for the classroom, these crafts are designed to keep kids engaged without a lot of setup.
Easy Halloween Crafts for Kids
These ideas are simple, quick, and fun. They don’t take much time, which makes them perfect for busy parents and teachers. Kids can finish them in one sitting without much cleanup.
1. Paper Plate Spider
Grab a black paper plate and glue on googly eyes at the center. Add pipe cleaners for legs, bending them so the spider looks three-dimensional. Kids can also draw a white web on the plate using crayons or markers.
This craft works well for young children who like spooky animals but don’t want anything too scary. It makes a cute decoration for windows or doors and only takes a few minutes.
2. Toilet Roll Mummies
Save your empty toilet paper rolls and wrap them with strips of white paper or gauze. Glue on googly eyes so the mummy looks funny and friendly. You can add small paper arms for extra detail.
This craft is quick, simple, and uses recycled supplies you already have at home. Kids love making a whole family of mummies to line up on a shelf. It’s a great option for both home and classroom crafts.
3. Tissue Paper Pumpkins
Cut a pumpkin shape out of cardstock or construction paper. Have kids tear or cut orange tissue paper into small squares. They glue the tissue pieces on until the pumpkin is fully covered, then add green paper for the stem and even black pieces for a face.
The torn paper gives the craft a fun, textured look that feels extra hands-on. It’s colorful, easy to set up, and makes for a great group project.
4. Handprint Ghosts
Trace your child’s hand on a sheet of white paper and carefully cut it out. Flip it upside down so the fingers look like the bottom of a ghost. Add black eyes and a mouth with a marker to bring it to life.
This is a super quick project that even toddlers can help with. Parents love saving them as keepsakes to remember the size of their little hands each year. It’s both creative and sentimental.
5. Mess-Free Handprint Art
Put paint inside a sealed zip bag and tape the edges so it doesn’t leak. Kids press their hands on top and watch the print appear through the bag. They get the fun of painting without any mess on their skin or the table.
This activity is safe for toddlers who may not be ready to handle brushes or glue. It’s also great for classrooms where cleanup needs to be fast. Parents love how easy it is to save the handprint as a memory.
6. Sticker Pumpkin Faces
Cut out pumpkin shapes from cardstock and hand out sheets of Halloween stickers. Kids can mix and match to create silly, scary, or goofy pumpkin faces. No glue or scissors are needed, which makes it a safe activity for very young children.
The stickers can also be reused for other crafts or party decorations. This is an easy option for parents who want something quick to set up. It’s also a good choice for playdates or large groups.
7. Candy Corn Sun Catchers
Cut out a circle frame from black cardstock and cover the center with contact paper. Have kids stick orange, yellow, and white tissue paper pieces on the sticky side.
When hung on a window, it glows like candy corn in the sunlight. This craft brightens up any room and adds a Halloween vibe.
8. Frankenstein Cups
Take green paper or plastic cups and draw Frankenstein faces with markers. Add bolts on the sides with small strips of paper or foil.
These cups can be used for snacks or as treat holders. It’s a fast project that doubles as party décor. Kids enjoy making different facial expressions for each cup.
9. Spider Web Yarn Art
Draw a web outline on heavy paper or cardboard. Punch holes at the key points and let kids thread yarn through to create a web.
Add a plastic spider on top to finish. This activity is great for hand-eye coordination. It’s also a quiet craft that keeps older kids focused.
10. Pumpkin Paper Chains
Cut strips of orange and green paper. Kids loop and glue them into chains, alternating colors to look like pumpkins and stems. Hang the chains around doors or classrooms for an instant festive touch.
It’s a repetitive craft that works well for group projects. The longer the chain, the bigger the decoration.
11. Haunted House Silhouettes
Fold black paper and cut out haunted house shapes with windows and doors. Place them against colored paper for a glowing background.
Kids can add ghosts or bats flying around the house. It looks like a real Halloween night scene. These silhouettes make great wall art or window displays.
12. Spider Fingerprints
Have kids dip their fingers in black paint and press them on paper. Each print becomes the body of a spider. Add legs and eyes with markers once dry.
This craft is simple, fast, a little messy, but fun. It’s a creative way to combine art with sensory play.
13. Pom-Pom Ghost Stamps
Dip a white pom-pom into washable paint and stamp it onto paper. Each stamp makes a round ghost shape. Add black dots for eyes and a mouth to finish the design.
This is a low-cost craft that works well with toddlers. It’s also a great way to make group art pieces for a classroom Halloween display.
14. Paper Bats & Spiders
Cut bat and spider shapes out of black paper. Let kids decorate them with crayons, glitter, or glow-in-the-dark stickers. Bats can be taped to walls, while spiders can be strung with yarn.
It’s one of the easiest paper Halloween crafts and gives kids a chance to personalize their spooky creations. These cutouts also make quick last-minute decorations for parties.
15. Popsicle Stick Haunted House
Glue popsicle sticks together in the shape of a house. Kids can paint it black or purple, then add paper windows, doors, and ghost cutouts. Stickers and glitter can make it look even more festive.
This craft encourages every child so they can design their own version. It works well as a classroom project where everyone builds part of a spooky village.
16. Cotton Ball Mummies
Draw a mummy shape on paper or cut one from cardstock. Kids glue cotton balls across the shape, leaving small gaps for eyes. The soft, fluffy texture makes it fun to touch and build.
This project is easy for preschoolers and requires very little setup. Parents will love how cute these little mummies turn out.
17. String Art Pumpkins
Place small nails into a wooden board in the outline of a pumpkin. Wrap the orange string around the nails until the shape is filled in. Add a green string for the stem.
This is better for older kids since it involves more focus and patience. The result looks like real art you can display year after year.
18. Origami Bats
Fold black paper into bat shapes using a simple origami pattern. Add eyes with white markers or small stickers. Kids can make a whole colony of bats in different sizes.
This craft helps build folding and fine motor skills. It’s also a perfect example of paper Halloween crafts that are both fun and decorative.
19. Glow-in-the-Dark Slime Jars
Mix clear glue, glow powder, and an activator like contact solution to make slime. Place the slime inside jars and let it glow in the dark.
Kids love stretching and squishing the slime while watching it shine. It’s a little messy, but it’s worth the fun. These jars also make creative Halloween party favors.
20. Leaf Ghosts
Collect dry leaves during a fall walk. Paint them white, then add black eyes and mouths with a marker. The shapes of the leaves give each ghost a unique look.
This craft is simple, affordable, and brings nature into Halloween decorating. It’s a nice mix of outdoor fun and indoor crafting.
21. Stick Scarecrows
Gather small twigs and glue them into a scarecrow shape. Add scraps of fabric for clothing and paper for the face. Kids can use markers to draw expressions or add tiny hats.
It’s a rustic craft that connects Halloween to harvest season. These scarecrows can stand in a pot of dirt or be taped to windows.
22. Painted Rocks
Pick smooth rocks and paint them as pumpkins, ghosts, or black cats. Acrylic paint works best for bright colors. Kids can add glitter or googly eyes for extra fun.
Painted rocks make great decorations for the porch or garden. They’re also sturdy enough to last outdoors through the season.
23. Pumpkin Volcano
Carve the top off a small pumpkin and scoop out the inside. Place baking soda inside, then pour in vinegar to make it bubble over like lava. The foamy “eruption” is both spooky and exciting for kids to watch.
It’s a safe science experiment that doubles as a Halloween decoration. This project works best outdoors or on a tray to catch the mess.
24. Counting with Candy Corn
Draw numbers or shapes on a sheet of paper. Kids glue candy corn pieces to match the number or fill in the outlines. It’s a simple math activity with a seasonal twist.
Younger children learn counting and shapes, while older ones can practice patterns. The bright orange and yellow colors make the page stand out.
25. Shadow Puppets for Storytelling
Cut out Halloween shapes like bats, cats, and witches from black card stock. Tape them to sticks and shine a flashlight at a wall to cast shadows. Kids can use them to act out spooky stories or puppet shows.
It’s a creative way to mix art with storytelling. These paper Halloween crafts are easy to make but keep kids entertained for hours.
26. Halloween Masks
Draw mask shapes on cardstock, such as pumpkins, cats, or skeletons. Cut them out, decorate with markers, and add a string or elastic to wear.
Kids enjoy making their own costumes without needing expensive supplies. This craft is perfect for school parties or last-minute dress-up. Masks can also be reused as wall decorations after the event.
27. Ghost Garland
Cut out ghost shapes from white paper and let kids decorate them with faces. Punch a hole at the top of each ghost and string them together with yarn. Hang the garland across windows, doors, or classroom walls.
This is a fun group project since everyone can design different ghost expressions. It’s one of the easiest ways to make a big decoration in a little time.
28. Jack-o’-Lantern Jars
Use clean glass jars and coat the inside with orange paint. Once dry, kids can draw jack-o’-lantern faces on the outside using black markers. Add a tea light inside for a glowing effect.
These jars look festive on porches or dining tables. It’s a simple recycled craft that turns everyday jars into Halloween décor.
29. Monster Bookmarks
Cut strips of colored paper and fold the ends into triangles. Add eyes, teeth, and fun decorations so the triangle becomes a monster head.
Slip it over the corner of a book page to mark your spot. This craft is quick, useful, and encourages kids to read. Older kids will especially enjoy customizing their monster designs.
30. Witch Hat Cones
Roll black construction paper into a cone and tape it closed. Cut a round brim from another sheet of paper and glue it to the bottom.
Kids can decorate with glitter, stickers, or ribbon. These mini witch hats make great table decorations or party favors. You can even size them to fit on dolls or stuffed animals for extra fun
31. Skeleton Handprints
Trace your child’s hand on black paper and cut it out. Use a white crayon or chalk to draw the bones inside the hand outline.
Kids can compare their skeleton hands with their friends’ or siblings’. It’s a fun way to mix anatomy with art. Hang them on the wall for a spooky classroom display.
Tips for Parents & Teachers
A little planning makes Halloween craft time smoother and more enjoyable.
- Always use non-toxic glue, washable paints, and blunt-tip scissors for younger kids.
- Supervise small parts like googly eyes to keep crafting safe.
- Label projects as low, medium, or high mess to choose the best fit.
- Paper cutouts = low mess
- Slime jars = high mess
- Organize supplies ahead of time in small bins or bags.
- Group scissors, glue, and decorations together so kids can start right away.
With these steps, craft time stays safe, fun, and easy to manage for both parents and teachers.
Conclusion
Halloween is the perfect time to mix fun with creativity, and crafts make the season even more memorable.
What makes easy Halloween crafts for kids so rewarding is how they turn simple materials into lasting memories while giving children a sense of pride in what they’ve made.
Beyond decorations, these projects encourage focus, patience, and problem-solving in a way that feels like play. Parents and teachers also benefit from activities that are quick to set up and adaptable for different ages.
If you enjoyed these ideas, don’t stop here. Read more of my blogs for fresh, kid-friendly activities that make learning and play go hand in hand.
