Halloween crafts for kids are one of my favorite ways to slow down during a busy October.
In our homeschool, I’m not the most creative person, so having a few simple projects ready makes the season feel fun without being overwhelming.
From handprint pumpkins to silly spiders, these little crafts keep kids engaged, let them get messy in a good way, and give us decorations we actually want to keep.
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Halloween Craft Supplies That We Actually Use
Before starting any Halloween craft, I like to keep a small basket of supplies ready so I’m not scrambling.
Ours usually includes construction paper, glue sticks, markers, and of course a big bag of googly eyes, because every pumpkin and ghost looks better with silly eyes.
Pipe cleaners and popsicle sticks come in handy for spiders and puppets, while cotton balls are perfect for quick ghosts.
Having these basics on hand means most projects can be pulled together in under 10 minutes.
Halloween crafts should be fun, simple, and something you actually want to keep once they’re finished.
This mix of projects covers everything from quick handprint art to recycled crafts and puppets kids can play with afterward.
Most can be done with supplies you already have at home, and they work well for different ages. Whether you’ve got preschoolers who love paint or older kids ready for more detailed projects.
Free Witch Handprint Template
Handprint crafts are always a hit in our house, and this witch is one of the silliest. The broom handle becomes your child’s handprint, which makes every version look different. It’s quick, paint-based fun that kids love, and it makes a sweet keepsake to pull out year after year.
These crowns are such a fun mix of coloring and costume. Kids can decorate them with their favorite spooky colors, then wear them for parties, parades, or just a bit of festive play at home. It’s a quick project that doubles as both craft and dress-up.
Free Mummy Handprint Craft for Kids (With Printable Template)
This one is perfect for younger kids because it looks impressive without being complicated. The printable gives them a base, and the handprint “wrapping” adds that personal touch. We’ve done this one in under ten minutes, and it’s always a favorite to hang on the fridge.
Frankenstein never fails to get giggles. Kids enjoy painting their hands green and then adding googly eyes or marker details to finish him off. If you have older kids, they can make his hair spikier or draw in scars, which makes it fun for different ages to do together.
This one feels a little different from the usual Halloween characters, and that’s why I like it. The owl design comes together easily with handprints for wings, and the printable stickers make decorating simple even for little hands. It’s a nice craft if you want something seasonal without being spooky.
We’ve made lots of toilet paper roll crafts over the years, and this Frankenstein is one of the easiest to pull together. Kids color, cut, and glue, and suddenly a recycled roll becomes a funny little monster. It’s the kind of project that doesn’t take much prep but keeps them happily busy.
Puppet crafts are always a win because the fun doesn’t end once the glue dries. This witch puppet is simple to put together, and kids love using it for little plays or spooky voices. It’s a good choice if you want a craft that doubles as a toy.
I love when crafts use what you already have around the house. This haunted house turns recyclables into something kids can decorate however they like, scary, funny, or even cute. It’s a slightly bigger project, but the end result makes a great Halloween decoration.
These spiders always get a laugh, especially if you make a whole family of them. They’re easy enough for younger kids to help with, but older ones can take it further by painting patterns or adding silly faces. They’re a fun way to mix a little spooky with a lot of giggles.
Paper plate crafts are a lifesaver when you need something quick, and this zombie one is just gross enough to make kids laugh. No special supplies are needed, which makes it perfect for a classroom or group setting. It’s the kind of project you can set up in minutes.
This one is great for preschoolers because the printable wings give them an easy starting point. Pairing it with a recycled container makes it sturdy and fun to paint. The finished bat is cute enough to keep on display through the whole Halloween season.
Sometimes you just want something quick that looks festive without costing much. This paper craft is a perfect example, simple shapes, easy assembly, and kids can personalize it with their favorite Halloween colors. It’s the kind of project you can squeeze in before dinner or at a Halloween party table.
This one is a little different and better suited for older kids who like creepy-crawlies. Making a tarantula paperweight feels more like an art project than a kids’ craft, which makes it fun for tweens who think they’re “too old” for handprint spiders. It’s a quirky keepsake they’ll actually want to keep on their desk.
Coffee filters are one of those supplies I always keep around because they’re so versatile. This bat craft is quick, low-mess, and turns out surprisingly cute. It’s great for a movie night activity, kids can color and cut their bats before settling in for a Halloween film,
This one edges into fall rather than pure Halloween, but it’s a nice crossover craft if you want something seasonal. The coffee filter technique makes pretty garlands, and the science twist (watching the colors spread) adds an educational angle. A good fit if you’re teaching or want a two-in-one project.
This ghost craft is perfect if you like reusing materials. Kids get to turn everyday recyclables into floating ghosts, and the simplicity makes it doable for even the youngest crafters. It’s one of those projects where the results look impressive but only take a few supplies and a short amount of time.
Popsicle stick puppets are a go-to in our house because kids can jump right into imaginative play once they’re done. These Halloween versions are easy to decorate, and little hands love choosing which characters to make. They also double as fun props for storytelling or Halloween songs.
This skeleton craft is a clever way to use up Q-tips, and it sneaks in some learning too. Kids practice fine motor skills while arranging the “bones,” and you can even talk about the parts of the body as you build. It’s simple, inexpensive, and always gets lots of giggles.
Paper plate pumpkins are classic for a reason, they’re quick, inexpensive, and kids can make them as simple or detailed as they want. Add in the printable pumpkins, and it’s even easier for little ones to join. We’ve used these as decorations for a Halloween party table, and they looked great.
This haunted house is one of those crafts where kids’ imaginations really take off. A plain paper plate becomes a spooky little scene with just a few materials. It’s an easy group activity, and the finished houses make fun wall or window decorations for Halloween.
Spin painting is messy fun, and kids absolutely love it. The pumpkin templates give them a starting point, but each design comes out totally unique. This one works especially well with older kids who enjoy experimenting with colors and patterns, it’s art disguised as a craft.
Cotton ball ghosts are always a hit with younger kids. They get the sensory fun of gluing on fluff, and the result is an adorable ghost that’s more cute than spooky. This is a great craft for toddlers and preschoolers since it’s low-mess and quick to finish.
Bunting is such a simple way to make a room feel festive, and kids love seeing their work hanging up. With this ghost version, they can design each one a little differently. It’s a perfect family or classroom project where everyone contributes to the final decoration.
This printable ghost is the kind of activity you can set up in minutes when kids need something to do. It’s easy enough for little ones but still fun for older kids who might want to add extra details. A good “quiet time” craft that keeps everyone busy.
Painted rocks are always popular, and they make great outdoor or classroom decorations. Kids can turn them into pumpkins, bats, or silly monsters, and older ones enjoy experimenting with different designs. We’ve even hidden a few around the neighborhood for a little Halloween surprise.
Suncatchers brighten up a window instantly, and kids love seeing the light shine through their designs. These Halloween versions are easy to personalize with favorite colors and shapes. It’s a relaxing project that doubles as seasonal décor you’ll actually want to keep up all month.
This is one of those crafts the whole family can enjoy together. Decorating mason jars turns into a creative little project, and once they’re done, you can pop in a tea light and use them as decorations. It’s simple, festive, and feels a bit more special than paper-based crafts.
Popsicle stick pumpkins are budget-friendly and perfect for a rainy day. Even toddlers can help paint the sticks, and older kids enjoy arranging and gluing them together. We’ve made these as party favors, and they always get a smile, they’re easy to make in batches.
If you’ve ever found yourself needing a last-minute craft, these luminaries are perfect. Kids can decorate the jars in about 10 minutes, and the glow makes them feel magical. It’s a great option for older kids who want something quick but still impressive.
Kids get such a kick out of blowing paint through straws, and these ghosts are no exception. It’s messy fun, but the results are worth it, each ghost comes out totally unique. Preschoolers especially love this one, and it sneaks in some fine motor practice too.
This project takes a bit more drying time, but the see-through glue ghosts are always a hit. Kids enjoy adding googly eyes and watching them peel off the surface once they’re set. It’s a simple craft with a fun “reveal” at the end, which makes it extra exciting.
Clare Brown is the founder of Homeschool of 1. She creates free printables and interactive learning tools for kids, helping parents and teachers generate activities instantly with no prep. Her work has been featured in Parade, HuffPost, Business Insider, Motherly, AOL, and Yahoo. Read more.