Halloween Decorations Made with Everyday Art Supplies
Halloween is just around the corner, that fun time when creativity, costumes, and a touch of spooky magic fill the air. It’s a season that invites imagination, where anything can become a decoration. We love helping children (and adults too!) embrace this playful energy through hands-on art projects that celebrate the spirit of the season.
Here are a few simple family-friendly crafts that can be done using materials you likely already have. These activities are all about having fun and getting creative together, a great way to slow down and spend time focused on crafting.
Bat Ghosts
Materials
Black cardstock or construction paper
Pen or white chalk
Scissors
Hole punch or needle
Black thread, string, or fishing line
Tape or glue (optional, depending on how you hang them)
Steps
Fold a piece of black paper in half and draw half of a bat shape along the fold – this ensures both wings are even once you cut it out. Carefully cut along the outlines and unfold the bat.
Use a hole punch or needle to make a small hole on each bat’s tail. Cut varying lengths of black thread or fishing line and pull one through each hole. Tie a knot to secure it. Glue or tape the string wherever you want to hang them. Space the bats evenly or vary their heights for a more dynamic look. Add details like tiny red eyes, glitter edges, or paint speckles to give them more personality.
Paper Cut-Out Ghosts
Materials
White paper or cardstock
Pencil
Scissors or paper cutter
Black marker or black paper
Tape
Steps
Sketch or trace ghost shapes onto white paper. There are many shape options, from tall and wispy to small and rounded. Carefully cut out the ghosts. Add faces either by cutting out eyes and mouth carefully with a paper cutter, or by gluing on cut out black paper. Tape them to windows or walls to highlight them.
Tissue Paper Ghosts
Materials
White tissues or paper napkins
Cotton balls or small scrunched-up paper
String or twist ties
Black marker or googly eyes
Steps
Place a cotton ball in the centre of a tissue to form the ghost’s head. Gather the tissue around it, tying a small piece of string or twist tie to secure the “neck.” Draw on two little eyes, or stick on googly ones for extra character.
These crafts are a great reminder that art doesn’t have to be complicated to be meaningful. Sometimes a bit of paper and imagination is all it takes. Each craft can be made unique, giving kids the confidence to make design decisions, experiment with materials, and bring their spooky ideas to life. So, as the nights draw in, grab your scissors and paper and create a little Halloween magic.