Crafting is one of the Halloween activities kids enjoy a lot. There is something about glue, paper, and craft supplies that keeps kids busy for hours without complaint. Unlike some activities that need a lot of planning, most Halloween crafts use items already sitting around the house.
A few paper plates, some cotton balls, and a bottle of glue can turn into an entire afternoon of fun. Crafting also gives kids something to proudly display once Halloween decorating begins around the house. Beyond the fun of it, crafting teaches patience, small motor skills, and pride in finishing something by hand.
It also gives you a quiet stretch of time to sit alongside your child, instead of managing a louder game. If your child still needs a costume, see 35 Halloween Costume Ideas for Kids They’ll Beg to Wear first.
Below are 27 Halloween crafts that kids can make with very little help and even less mess than expected. Some take only a few minutes, while others stretch into a longer afternoon project. Pick a few that match your child’s age and patience level, without feeling pressure to finish them all.
27 Halloween Crafts for Kids That Look Amazing
1. Paper Plate Spider
Paint a paper plate black and let it dry completely before adding the legs. Cut eight strips of black paper or pipe cleaners and glue them evenly around the edge of the plate.
Add two googly eyes near the top for a simple, friendly looking spider face. This craft works well for younger kids, since the shapes involved are large and easy to handle.
Hang a few of these around the house for an instant decoration that took very little time. Making several at once, in different sizes, adds variety to the finished display.
2. Toilet Paper Roll Mummy
Wrap a toilet paper roll in strips of white fabric, gauze, or torn paper towel until it looks properly bandaged. Leave a small gap near the top for two googly eyes to peek through once the wrapping is finished.
This craft is a great way to reuse empty rolls that would otherwise get thrown away. Kids enjoy the slightly messy wrapping part, which makes this one especially popular with younger children.
Line up a few finished mummies together for a small display on a windowsill or shelf. Adding different sized rolls to the mix gives the finished group a bit of visual variety.
3. Handprint Ghost
Trace your child’s hand onto white paper, then cut out the shape and add two small eyes near the top. This simple craft turns a handprint into a sweet, slightly spooky keepsake worth saving from year to year.
Younger kids love seeing their own hand turned into something new and unexpected like this. Write the date on the back before storing it, so you can compare handprints as your child grows each year.
This craft takes only a few minutes but tends to become a favorite keepsake over time. Framing a few handprints together side by side makes for a sweet, simple wall display.
4. Painted Pumpkin
Set out a small pumpkin and a few paint colors, then let your child decide on their own design. This is a safer alternative to carving for younger kids who are not ready to use sharp tools yet.
Painted pumpkins can be as simple or as detailed as your child wants, with no wrong way to approach it. Let the paint fully dry before displaying the finished pumpkin somewhere everyone can see it.
This craft also doubles nicely as part of a bigger porch or entryway display for the season. Grouping a few painted pumpkins of different sizes together makes the display feel more complete.
5. Paper Bag Bat Mask
Cut eye holes and bat shaped wings into a plain paper bag to create a simple wearable mask. Add whiskers, a nose, or small ears using extra paper scraps and a bit of glue.
This craft doubles as a quick costume piece if your child wants to change their look at the last minute. See How to Put Together a Last-Minute Halloween Look Without Buying a Full Costume for more ideas like this.
Kids enjoy wearing their creation right after finishing it, which adds instant excitement to the project. A quick coat of black paint on the whole bag also gives the mask a slightly more finished look.
6. Popsicle Stick Coffin
Glue popsicle sticks together in a simple coffin shape, then paint it black or a color of your choice. Add a small paper skeleton or a plastic spider inside for extra spooky detail.
This craft works well for slightly older kids who can manage gluing small pieces together with steady hands. Let the glue dry fully before moving the finished coffin, since the sticks need time to bond properly.
This makes a fun, tiny centerpiece for a table or shelf display. Adding a small paper headstone nearby completes the scene with almost no extra effort.
7. Egg Carton Bats
Cut individual cups from an empty egg carton and paint them black to form small bat bodies. Add paper wings, two small eyes, and tiny ears to complete each bat’s simple design.
This craft is a great way to use up empty cartons that would otherwise be recycled or thrown away. Kids enjoy making several bats at once and lining them up in a small flying formation.
Hang the finished bats from string for a simple mobile that moves gently with any passing breeze. Varying the wing sizes slightly gives the finished group of bats a more natural, less uniform look.
8. Cotton Ball Ghost
Glue small cotton balls onto a paper ghost shape until the whole surface is covered in soft, fluffy texture. This craft gives kids a chance to explore a different texture than the usual flat paper crafts on this list.
Add two small eyes once the cotton balls are fully dry and secure on the paper. See How to Set Up a Halloween Sensory Bin Kids Will Love for more texture based activities like this.
This is a gentle, calming project that works especially well for younger or more sensitive kids. Try adding a second layer of cotton balls for extra puffiness once the first layer is fully dry.
9. Pipe Cleaner Spider Rings
Twist black pipe cleaners into small spider shapes, then wrap the legs around a finger to form a wearable ring. This tiny craft doubles as a costume accessory once your child decides what character they want to be this year.
See How to Choose a Halloween Costume Your Child Will Actually Love Wearing for more on picking a costume. Kids enjoy making several rings at once to wear together or share with friends at school.
Twisting the legs slightly upward gives each little spider a more lifelike, alert appearance.
10. Paper Chain Garland
Cut strips of orange and black paper, then loop and glue them together to form a long, colorful chain. This is one of the simplest crafts on this entire list, needing only paper, scissors, and glue to complete.
Younger kids can help with looping the strips while an adult handles the cutting part of the project. Hang the finished garland across a doorway, mantel, or window for an easy homemade decoration.
This craft also works well as a quiet, repetitive activity for a longer car ride or waiting room visit. Kids can measure and cut the strips themselves once they get comfortable with the scissors.
11. Tissue Paper Ghost
Wrap a small ball of tissue paper inside a larger sheet of white tissue paper to form a ghost shape. Tie a piece of string around the neck area to hold the shape in place, then add two small eyes.
This craft is quick, needs very few supplies, and works well for a large batch made all at once. Hang several of these ghosts from a string or branch for a simple, floating decoration in any room.
Kids enjoy making a whole group of these in different sizes for variety. Adding a small face shape cut from black paper gives each ghost a bit more personality.
12. Pumpkin Seed Necklace
Save and clean pumpkin seeds after carving, then let them dry fully before threading them onto a piece of string. This craft turns leftover seeds from another project into something new, rather than throwing them away entirely.
Older kids can manage the threading part independently, while younger kids may need a bit of help with the needle. Paint the seeds a bright color beforehand for a more colorful finished necklace, if desired.
This is a nice example of turning one Halloween activity into material for a second one. Let the necklace dry fully before your child wears it, so the paint does not transfer onto clothing.
13. Leaf Monster Collage
Collect a handful of fallen leaves outside, then glue them onto paper in shapes that resemble small, friendly monsters. Add googly eyes, paper teeth, or small paper arms and legs to bring each leaf monster to life.
This craft ties Halloween into the wider fall season and gets kids outside collecting materials before the actual project begins. See How to Turn Halloween Into a Fun Learning Experience for Kids for more ideas like this one.
Talking about why leaves change color makes this an easy craft to fold a small lesson into. Sorting leaves by color or size before gluing them down adds another small step to the activity.
14. Cereal Box Haunted House
Cut windows and doors into an empty cereal box, then paint it black to look like a spooky house. Add small paper bats, a paper moon, or tiny paper ghosts around the outside for extra detail.
This is a bigger project that works well as a shared activity across an entire afternoon. See 35 Halloween Activities for Kids They’ll Actually Want to Try for more ideas like this one.
Kids enjoy displaying their finished haunted house somewhere prominent once all the paint has dried. Adding a small battery light inside the box makes the windows glow once it gets dark outside.
15. No-Sew Fleece Scarf
Cut fringe along both short ends of a length of fleece fabric to create a simple, no-sew scarf. Choose a Halloween themed print, like black and orange stripes or a small pumpkin pattern, for a festive touch.
This craft doubles as something warm to wear on a chilly Halloween night once trick or treating begins. See What to Wear Under a Halloween Costume When the Weather Gets Cold for more layering ideas.
Kids feel proud wearing something they made themselves out trick or treating. This scarf also makes a thoughtful, handmade gift for a grandparent, teacher, or friend.
16. Paper Plate Owl
Paint a paper plate brown, then add paper wings, a small triangle beak, and two large circle eyes. This craft results in a soft, slightly less spooky option for kids who prefer gentler Halloween themes over scary ones.
Feathers cut from paper or real craft feathers add extra texture to the finished owl. This is a good project for kids who enjoy animals more than typical Halloween monsters and characters.
Display a row of finished owls along a shelf for a cozy, fall themed decoration. Adding a small tree branch nearby helps the whole display feel more like a natural woodland scene.
17. Googly Eye Monster Rocks
Collect a few smooth rocks from outside, then paint them bright colors and add googly eyes to each one. This craft turns an ordinary nature walk into material for an entire afternoon of painting and decorating.
Kids enjoy giving each rock monster its own name and personality once the paint has fully dried. These monster rocks also work well as small paperweights or decorations once Halloween season has passed.
This is a low cost, low mess project that mostly just needs rocks, paint, and a bit of imagination. A clear coat of sealant afterward helps the paint survive outdoor weather if the rocks go back outside.
18. Spider Web Suncatcher
Glue black yarn or string in a web pattern onto a clear plastic lid or a piece of wax paper. Add a small plastic spider to the center once the web pattern is complete and dry.
Hang the finished suncatcher in a window so light passes through the pattern during the day. This craft results in a decoration that looks different depending on the time of day and amount of sunlight.
Kids enjoy watching how the light changes the appearance of their finished project throughout the day. Trying a few different web patterns across several lids gives your child a chance to compare results.
19. Paper Lantern Jack-o’-Lantern
Fold and cut an orange piece of paper into a simple lantern, then add a paper face to one side. This classic paper craft results in a lantern that can hold a small battery operated light inside safely.
Kids enjoy designing their own jack-o’-lantern face, from silly to spooky, depending on their mood that day. This craft works well as a quieter, more focused activity compared to some of the messier projects on this list.
Line up several finished lanterns along a windowsill for a warm, glowing display each evening. Using different sized paper for each lantern creates a nice varied row once they are all lined up together.
20. Candy Corn Craft
Cut triangle shapes from yellow, orange, and white paper, then layer and glue them into a candy corn shape. This simple shape based craft works well for younger kids still learning basic cutting and gluing skills.
Turn several of these into a garland, or glue them onto paper as a standalone decoration. This craft ties directly into one of the most recognizable symbols of the Halloween season each year.
Kids enjoy the bright, cheerful colors, which differ from the darker tones used in most other crafts here. This craft also works well as a quick warm up activity before starting a bigger project later in the day.
21. Witch Hat Cupcake Toppers
Cut small cone shapes from black paper and glue them onto round paper bases to form tiny witch hat toppers. Add a thin strip of orange or purple paper around the base of each hat for extra detail.
These toppers work well for a small Halloween party or a batch of homemade cupcakes made earlier in the day. This craft combines nicely with a baking activity, giving kids two related projects to complete in one afternoon.
Store any extra toppers in a small box for use again at a future gathering. A small dab of frosting on the base helps each topper stay put once placed on a cupcake.
22. Felt Bat Hair Clips
Cut small bat shapes from black felt, then glue or sew each one onto a plain hair clip. This craft turns a simple accessory into something festive enough to wear all season long, not just on Halloween night.
See 27 Halloween Hairstyles for Little Girls That Complete Any Costume for styles that pair nicely with this clip. Older kids can manage the cutting and gluing mostly on their own, with a little guidance on placement.
Making a few extra clips also gives your child something small to share with friends. Small fabric scraps left over from other projects work just as well for this craft as store bought felt.
23. Paper Cup Ghost
Turn a plain paper cup upside down, then wrap it in a sheet of white tissue paper or fabric. Add two small eyes near the top and gather the edges slightly for a soft, flowing ghost shape.
This craft is quick enough to make several at once for a full display across a table or shelf. Kids enjoy lining up a small army of ghosts in different sizes once several cups have been used.
This project needs very few supplies, most of which are likely already sitting in a kitchen cabinet. Gathering the tissue paper gently at the base, rather than tightly, gives the ghost a softer, more floating shape.
24. Halloween Wind Chime
Punch holes into a few small paper or cardboard shapes, like bats, pumpkins, and moons, then string them together. Tie the finished string of shapes to a stick or a hanger to complete a simple homemade wind chime.
Hang the finished chime outside or near an open window to catch a bit of passing breeze. This craft results in a decoration that moves and makes a soft sound, adding a bit of extra atmosphere outside.
Kids enjoy checking on their wind chime throughout the season to see how it holds up. Adding a small bell to the bottom of the string gives the finished chime a bit of extra sound too.
25. Salt Dough Pumpkins
Mix flour, salt, and water into a simple dough, then shape small pumpkins by hand before baking until firm. Once cooled, let your child paint each pumpkin orange with a small green stem on top.
This craft results in a durable decoration that can be kept and reused for several Halloween seasons in a row. The dough making process itself is half the fun, since kids enjoy mixing and shaping the mixture with their hands.
Store finished pumpkins in a dry place to keep them from softening over time. A thin coat of clear varnish once the paint dries helps protect the surface for years of reuse.
26. Handprint Tree with Bats
Paint your child’s hand brown and press it onto paper to form the trunk and branches of a simple tree. Once dry, add small black paper bats flying around the branches for a Halloween themed twist on a classic craft.
This project works well as a keepsake, similar to the handprint ghost earlier on this list. Kids enjoy seeing their own handprint transformed into something completely different from what they expected at first.
This craft also makes a thoughtful, low cost gift for a grandparent or other family member. Adding your child’s name and the year in a corner turns this into a small yearly tradition worth repeating.
27. Recycled Bottle Monster
Paint an empty plastic bottle in a bright color, then add googly eyes, paper arms, and a wide paper mouth. This craft gives new purpose to an item that would otherwise be thrown into the recycling bin.
Kids enjoy naming their finished monster and inventing a small backstory for the character they created. This is a good project for slightly older kids who can manage painting and gluing without much extra help.
Line up a few finished monsters together for a colorful, slightly silly display on a shelf. This is also a good way to reuse bottles of different shapes and sizes for a more varied looking group.
Making Craft Time Simple
With 27 crafts to choose from, there is likely something here that fits your child’s age and patience. Not every project needs to happen in one sitting, and spreading a few crafts out often works better.
Keep a small bin of basic supplies, like paper and glue, ready so a craft can start on short notice. If you want a full day planned, see How to Plan a Halloween Activity Day Without Making It Complicated.
Whatever your child makes, the pride of finishing it with their own hands matters more than a polished result.
