While you're setting out your seasonal decorations for Halloween, include your kids in the creation of a few spooky crafts they can add to the decor. Set up a work table with supplies and help your children get their imagination going as you turn your home into Halloween Central. Each of these projects are age appropriate from 5 years to adult, with adult supervision and preparation assistance for young children recommended.
Witch Hat Centerpiece
Use a foam cone and a recycled corrugated box to build the foundation for this cute witch hat centerpiece. After painting, decorate the hat as instructed or encourage your child to embellish as desired. This project is suitable for ages 5 and up.
Things You Need:
- Corrugated cardboard
- 9" foam cone
- Black craft paint
- 18" x 36" black tulle
- 4 silver pipe cleaners
- 3 orange pipe cleaners
- 1 yard purple ribbon-2" wide
- Glue gun and craft glue
- Compass (or 8" salad plate), paintbrush, craft knife, scissors, and pencil
What To Do:
- Using a compass or an 8" salad plate as a template, trace an 8" circle on corrugated cardboard. Cut out the shape using a craft knife. Apply hot glue to the bottom of a 9" foam cane and center it on the cardboard circle. Note: Adult prep and supervision required for this step.
- Paint the hat using black craft paint. Allow the paint to dry.
- With your hands, gather the 18" width of the black tulle together. Twist the 36" length several times to create a loose rope.
- Spiral the tulle around the peak of the hat from the bottom to the top. Attach both ends of the tulle rope using hot glue. Allow the glue to cool. Note: Adult supervision required for glue gun use. Craft glue can be substituted. Use straight pins to hold the tulle in place until dry.
- Wind a pipe cleaner around a pencil to create a coiled wire. Slide the coil off and repeat with the remaining pipe cleaners. Randomly insert the coils into the tulle rope.
- Cut the 1 yard length of 2" wide ribbon in half. Holding both lengths together, tie the ribbon into a bow. Determine which side of the hat is the front. Apply hot glue to the base of the cone on the front of the hat and attach the bow. Note: Adult supervision required for glue gun use. Craft glue can be substituted. Use straight pins to hold the bow in place until dry.
Mini Pumpkin Spider
Transform a miniature pumpkin into a creepy spider. The pumpkin can be real or fake, but a real one cannot be stored for future years. This project is suitable for ages 5 and up.
Things You Need:
- Mini pumpkin (real or fake)
- Black craft paint
- 4 black pipe cleaners
- 3/8" wiggly eyes (2)
- Paintbrush
- Glue gun and craft glue
What To Do:
- Paint all sides of a miniature pumpkin using black craft paint. Allow the paint to dry.
- Hold four black pipe cleaners together and twist them together in the center. Spread out each of the pipe cleaner legs in a fan shape.
- Apply hot glue to the center bottom of the pumpkin. Place the twisted center of the legs over the glue and allow to cool. Note: Adult supervision or assistance will be required for this step depending on the age of the child. Note: Adult supervision required for glue gun use. Craft glue or strong tape can be substituted.
- Place the spider right side up. Bend each pipe cleaner to form the shape of the legs.
- Decide which side of the pumpkin will be the front of your spider. Apply two dots of craft glue approximately 1/4" apart on the top-front of the spider. Place 3/8" wiggly eyes over the glue with a slight separation between them. Allow the glue to dry.
Oak Leaf Bat
Embrace the shapes of fall to make bats to hang in windows or on wreaths. The angles and points of oak leaves provide natural wings for a bat. With a few supplies, your child can craft a colony of bats in no time. This project is suitable for ages 5 and up.
Things You Need:
- 1 1/2" foam ball
- 2 silk oak leaves
- Black craft paint
- 1/4" wiggly eyes-two
- 1/8" wide black ribbon-12"
- Paintbrush
- Wooden skewer
- Wax paper
- Craft glue
What To Do:
- Spear a wooden skewer through the center of a 1 1/2" foam ball. Slide the ball to the center of the skewer. Holding one end of the skewer, paint the ball using black craft paint. Stand the skewer in a glass or cup and allow it to dry. Note: Adult supervision may be needed to insert the skewer in the right place.
- Lay out a sheet of wax paper on your work surface. Paint one side of two oak leaves using black craft paint. Allow to dry. Turn the leaves over and repeat.
- Remove the skewer from the ball. Apply craft glue to each of the skewer holes. Insert the stems of the leaves into the holes. Turn the leaves so each is facing the same direction. Allow the glue to dry.
- Bring together the ends of a 12" length of 1/8" wide black ribbon. Tie the ends together in a knot. This is you hanger.
- Turn the bat with the wings facing forward. Insert the skewer 1/2" into the top center of the head and remove. Apply glue to the hole. Place the folded end of the ribbon hanger over the hole and insert using the blunt end of the skewer. Remove the skewer. Note: Adult supervision may be needed to insert the skewer in the right place.
- Using craft glue, attach 1/4" wiggly eyes to the front of the face. Allow the glue to dry.
Keep It Kid-Friendly
Crafting with your children is a great way to celebrate Halloween while creating memories you will treasure for years. To make it fun for all, allow your child to make alterations and happy mistakes for one-of-a-kind keepsakes. Pre-cut and prepare elements for them before they begin and let them take it from there. Note: A glue gun and craft knife should not be used by small children.
