17 Easy Halloween Crafts Perfect for Kids and Adults
I used to think Halloween crafts were just messy glue, glitter everywhere, and decorations that ended up in the trash after one night.
There was a time when I thought it wasn’t even worth the effort—why not just buy everything from the store?
But after a few cozy October weekends, some trial-and-error with scissors and paint, and a lot of laughs with family, I realized homemade Halloween crafts bring so much more joy.
They’re fun to make, budget-friendly, and add that personal spooky touch no store-bought item can match.
So let’s dive into some creative Halloween craft ideas you’ll actually love making:
1. Paper Plate Pumpkins
Every mom knows paper plates are magic in disguise, and for Halloween they become the easiest pumpkins ever!
A little orange paint, black paper cutouts for faces, and googly eyes make them come alive.
Let the kids choose silly or scary expressions, then hang them as cheerful jack-o’-lanterns.
2. Ghostly Handprint Art
Messy hands can make adorable ghosts.
Simply paint your child’s palm with white washable paint, press it on black paper, and let it dry.
Add eyes and a spooky mouth to finish.
Each ghost turns out unique, just like the kids who made them—sweet, spooky, and a keepsake forever.
3. Toilet Paper Roll Bats
Never underestimate the humble cardboard tube—it transforms into a bat with just a coat of black paint and paper wings.
Fold in the top for ears, stick on googly eyes, and hang upside down.
Suddenly, your living room is a playful bat cave, no vampire invasion required!
4. Popsicle Stick Spider Webs
Popsicle sticks and yarn are a classic duo.
Crisscross a few sticks, wrap with white yarn, and you’ll see a web appear like magic.
Top it off with a plastic spider.
Kids love making these because they’re simple yet creepy, and they look fantastic hanging in a window.
5. Mason Jar Lanterns
Nothing beats the cozy glow of a lantern, especially when kids make it themselves.
Cover an empty jar with orange tissue paper, add a spooky paper face, and pop in a battery tea light.
Safe, festive, and absolutely charming on a porch or windowsill during trick-or-treating night.
6. Coffee Filter Ghosts
These floaty little ghosts are as fun as they are easy.
Just wrap a tissue around a cotton ball, cover it with a coffee filter, and tie with string.
Draw on a goofy or scary face.
Hang them up and watch them sway, spooking unsuspecting visitors with every breeze.
7. Paper Bag Monsters
Lunch bags aren’t just for sandwiches—they’re monster material!
Paint them bright colors, glue on googly eyes, and add sharp paper teeth.
They double as puppets for silly monster shows.
Trust me, the giggles that follow will be louder than any growl your “monster” can muster.
8. Egg Carton Spiders
Those cardboard egg cartons? They’re practically tiny spider bodies waiting to happen.
Snip them apart, paint them black, and stick on pipe cleaner legs.
A few googly eyes later, you’ve got an entire spider army.
They’re so fun to scatter across a Halloween table—it looks creepy but not crawly.
9. Witch Hat Headbands
Kids love dressing up, even if it’s just a little touch.
Cut black cardstock into cones, decorate with glitter and ribbon, then glue onto headbands.
Mini witch hats are born!
They’re light, comfy, and give instant costume vibes without the fuss of a full outfit. Witchy magic, simplified.
10. Painted Rock Monsters
Take a walk, gather some smooth rocks, and let the kids paint them into silly little monsters.
Bright colors, big eyes, jagged teeth—anything goes!
These monsters are tough enough for outdoor display and cute enough to sit on a shelf.
Plus, they make fun little “pets” for kids.
11. Q-Tip Skeletons
Here’s a skeleton that won’t rattle your nerves.
On black paper, glue Q-tips into a skeleton shape—long bones, arms, legs.
Cut a paper circle for the head, and add a smile or spooky grin.
Kids love arranging the bones however they want—most skeletons end up dancing instead of haunting!
12. Candy Corn Garland
Even if you’re not a candy corn fan, this craft will sweeten your décor.
Cut paper triangles, color them yellow, orange, and white, then string them together.
Hang across the mantel or doorway. Bright, cheerful, and calorie-free—finally a candy corn everyone agrees on!
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13. Monster Bookmark Corners
Halloween is the perfect excuse to sneak in some reading fun.
Fold colorful paper into corner bookmarks, then add big eyes, horns, and paper teeth.
Slip one on a page, and suddenly your book looks like it’s being gobbled up by a monster.
Kids love the silliness!
14. Pumpkin Seed Art
Don’t toss those pumpkin seeds after carving—wash, dry, and paint them instead.
Kids can glue them onto paper to create mosaics: pumpkins, cats, or abstract designs.
It’s a clever way to turn kitchen mess into art. Plus, it teaches kids that crafting and sustainability go hand in hand.
15. Paper Cup Mummies
Take a plain paper cup and wrap it in strips of toilet paper or crepe paper.
Leave space for googly eyes to peek out, and you’ve got an instant mummy.
These are perfect for holding treats at a party, or just as goofy decorations on the table.
16. Foam Plate Black Cats
Turn simple foam plates into adorable black cats.
Paint them black, cut out triangle ears, and glue them on top.
Pipe cleaners make the perfect whiskers, while bright paper eyes give them personality.
These cats are more charming than cursed, and kids love giving each one a silly face.
17. Halloween Slime Jars
Slime never goes out of style, especially when it’s spooked up for Halloween.
Mix glue, baking soda, and contact solution, then add glitter or tiny toy spiders.
Store in small jars decorated with monster faces or pumpkin stickers.
It’s a craft, a sensory play activity, and a party favor in one!
