10 Easy Halloween Crafts for Kids
Updated: 2 hours ago
Halloween is the perfect time for spooky-sweet creative fun with your kids. In this post, we're sharing Halloween craft ideas that the whole family can enjoy. These 10 run from five-minute handprints to a full-afternoon build, with ages listed so you can pick what suits your kids. At the end, you'll find a way to keep the best ones once the candy is gone.
Our Favorite Halloween Crafts for Kids This Year
From quick and easy five-minute projects to a full afternoon build, these Halloween themed crafts cover every age and attention span.
1. Ghostly Handprint Keepsakes (Ages 2+)
Handprint ghosts are classic kids' Halloween crafts that are simple and adorable. The simplest version will have your child dip their hand in white paint and stamp it on black paper. But our favorite version of this spooky craft uses air clay and a dollar store picture frame. No frame on hand? A paper plate works just as well as a base for the handprint ghost. Check out creator Mama Cynthia's magnetic keepsake tutorial here.
Materials: Dollar Tree frame, Crayola Model Magic clay, markers, knife to cut outline, paintbrushes, Modge Podge craft glue (to glaze), decorative cutouts, magnets (for frame back)
Want a more antique alternative? Check out Mommy-Maker Amanda's video tutorial.
2. Drippy Wax Pumpkins (Ages 5+)
Carving pumpkins is fun, but it isn't exactly a Halloween craft for "all ages." That's why we chose this pumpkin decorating activity that will melt your heart and repurpose those broken crayon bits. Ideally, the colors appear best on a white pumpkin, but a traditional orange pumpkin works too.
Mom-blogger Audrey provides a great step-by-step tutorial here!
Need a heat-free alternative? This version swaps the wax for acrylic paints instead, just as vibrant and no heat required.
3. Spooky Mason Jar Lanterns (Ages 6+)
Turn empty mason jars into ghoulish glowing lanterns with this fun DIY Halloween craft. Older kids will love painting jars with jack-o'-lantern or ghostly faces and finishing them with an LED tea light for Halloween.
Check out this tutorial from Crafts By Amanda for a fun way to decorate your home this spooky season.
Need a glass-free alternative? Try this paper pumpkin lantern, sure to light up the night.
4. DIY Halloween Cards for Loved Ones (Ages 4+)
Homemade cards are a sweet way to spread the Halloween spirit, especially to grandparents or other distant family members. Turn a weekend afternoon into a card-making party! Take it up a scary notch by grabbing this template to make a memorable monster card. Or, try this pop-up Halloween card that's sure to jump off the page and into your heart.
Did you know your kids handmade cards count as artwork. Send your favorites to Artkive where they can become part of a memory book, alongside the rest of the season's crafts."
5. Paper Maché Pumpkins (Ages 5+)
This Halloween craft lets kids sculpt their own pumpkin out of newspaper, glue, and paint. It's delightfully messy fun that gives kids a truly hands-on decorating experience. Unlike real pumpkins, these paper-mâché versions won't rot, so you can display them through Halloween and even past Thanksgiving.
Follow this tutorial from One Little Project.
6. Personalized Trick-or-Treat Totes (Ages 3+)
Designing a candy bag is an exciting Halloween project for creative kids. Let them decorate a plain canvas tote or paper bag with fabric paints, markers, or festive cut-outs. This DIY Halloween craft is easy to make and fun to decorate for kids of any age. The result is a unique bag they'll proudly use on Halloween.
Follow this step-by-step guide courtesy of the Oooly Blog!
7. Halloween Costume Design Sketches (Ages 5+)
Encourage your kids to sketch their costume ideas. Dreaming up costumes is half the fun! Whether they want to be a superhero, a witch, or a monster mash-up, let their imaginations run wild. Start by tracing out your sketch in pencil (so you can erase mistakes). Then, once their sketch looks how they like, let them break out the crayons or markers to add color and details.
Treasure Tip - Magic Makeover: Want to see your kids' designs come alive? Artkive's Magic Makeover is a fun way to transform your kids' drawings and scribbles into animated versions that inspire and excite kids. Show your kids what their imagination can become! Try Artkive's Magic Makeover!
8. Spider Web Kirigami (Ages 6+)
With just black construction paper and scissors, kids can craft creepy spider web decorations. Much like making snowflakes, your kids can strategically fold and snip pieces of paper to create intricate web designs. Hang these lacy webs in windows or around the house for an instant haunted house atmosphere.
You can find an easy-to-follow guide for this and other great Halloween paper crafts!
9. Monster Corner Bookmarks (Ages 5+)
This Halloween craft for kids is as practical as it is fun! These monster bookmarks "bite" the corner of a page to help little bookworms keep their place. Kids can make monster corner bookmarks out of paper using a simple origami fold. Kids can get creative by adding googly eyes, pointy teeth, or colorful horns.
Follow this step-by-step guide from Artsy Craftsy Mom.
10. A Bat-Tastic Hanging Haunt (Ages 4+)
Kids will love creating their own spooky decor that will instantly transform any room into a BAT-CAVE! These easy Halloween crafts double as decor you can hang up every October. Empty toilet paper rolls make an easy body for hanging bats too, if you want to mix materials. Make a few or make a lot; add them to your kid's bedroom or hang them from your patio or porch.
Follow this tutorial from Happy Happy Nester.
Halloween Crafts for Kids: Frequently Asked Questions
What are some easy Halloween crafts for toddlers?
Handprint crafts, paper bag totes, and simple paper cutouts work best for younger kids. Ghostly Handprint Keepsakes on this list is toddler-friendly with a parent's help, and the paper plate version cuts down on both mess and fine-motor demands, which makes it the perfect Halloween craft for little ones.
What's a Halloween craft that doesn't make a huge mess?
Halloween Costume Design Sketches and Monster Corner Bookmarks are about as mess-free as Halloween crafting gets. Both need nothing more than paper, pencils, and markers.
How far in advance should we make Halloween crafts?
Most of these hold up for weeks, so there's no need to rush. Paper mâché and drippy wax projects are the only two that benefit from a full day to dry before handling.
What should we do with all the Halloween crafts once the season's over?
That's exactly what Artkive is for. Once trick-or-treating wraps up, box up the season's crafts and send them our way, and we'll turn them into a memory book instead of a bin in the closet.
Make Memories By Celebrating Creativity
If Halloween crafting was a hit at your house, the seasonal crafting doesn't have to stop when the calendar flips. Check out our Dia de los Muertos crafts for kids and our holiday craft kits for kids for more ways to keep the creativity going this fall and winter.
Halloween is all about creativity and family fun. These Halloween crafts ignite kids' imaginations and give parents a reason to enjoy some silly, memory-making messes. At the end of the day, their smiles and a house full of laughter are what you'll remember most. Once your kids have worn out their costumes and finished the candy, you'll still have a whole collection of Halloween crafts left to treasure.
At Artkive, we believe in celebrating creativity by turning your child's artwork into lasting keepsakes. So when Halloween is over, gather up those spooky masterpieces and send them to Artkive. We'll preserve your kids' arts and crafts in a beautiful memory book that your family can cherish from one spooky season to the next.
Happy Halloween and Happy Crafting!
