Halloween is around the corner, and you know what that means—costumes, candy, and of course, crafts! Kids love getting their hands messy (in a fun way), and these DIY Halloween crafts are the perfect way to keep them busy while sparking creativity.

Whether your little ones love painting pumpkins, making paper ghosts, or trying hands-on projects, these ideas are perfect for cozy afternoons. 

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, simple crafts don’t just keep kids entertained; they also improve fine motor skills and spark creativity. Plus, most of these projects use supplies you already have at home, like paper rolls, yarn, and jars. No stress, no big mess (well, maybe just a sprinkle of glitter!). So grab your glue sticks and let’s dive into 28 cute and spooky Halloween crafts your kids will love.

1. Paper Plate Ghosts

Grab some paper plates, white tissue paper, and googly eyes. Glue strips of tissue to the bottom of the plate for a flowing ghost look, then stick on the eyes. Hang them with string for floating spooks!

2. Pumpkin Handprint Art

Orange paint + tiny hands = the cutest pumpkin art ever. Let kids dip their hands in orange paint, stamp them on paper, and add green stems with a marker. Perfect keepsake for Halloween memories.

3. Toilet Paper Roll Bats

Save those toilet paper rolls! Paint them black, fold down the tops to make bat ears, and add paper wings. Finish with googly eyes for a cute (not creepy) bat.

4. Monster Paper Rings

Need a fun accessory? Cut colorful paper strips, add little monster faces, and turn them into rings. The sillier the eyes, the better!

5. Candy Corn Treat Boxes

Turn paper rolls into candy corn-inspired treat holders. Paint in orange, yellow, and white stripes, fill with candy, and tie the ends with ribbon. Eco-friendly and adorable!

6. Yarn Pumpkins

Wrap orange yarn around a balloon, secure it with glue, and let it dry. Once hard, pop the balloon and add a green pipe cleaner for the stem. These make the cutest table decorations!

7. Paper Bag Monster Puppets

Lunch bags can turn into spooky fun! Paint or color them, then add funny faces, teeth, and googly eyes. Put on a monster puppet show afterward.

8. Spider Web Plate Craft

Take a black paper plate, punch holes around the edge, and let kids weave white yarn across like a spider web. Don’t forget the little paper spider in the middle!

9. Witch Hat Headband

Cut a witch hat shape from black cardstock, glue it to a strip of paper, and wrap it around your child’s head. Instant mini witch makeover!

10. Jack-O’-Lantern Jars

Collect empty jars, paint them orange, and draw spooky faces with black paint or a marker. Drop in LED tea lights for glowing pumpkins.
Use Joycat’s non-toxic, washable paints to keep things safe and stress-free!

11. Branch Spider Web Wreath

Go on a twig hunt! Glue sticks to a cardboard wreath base, wrap them with fake spider webs, and add plastic spiders. It’s spooky and nature-friendly.

12. Ghost Lollipops

Cover lollipops with white tissue paper, tie a ribbon, and draw ghost faces with a marker. A tasty little craft for trick-or-treaters!

13. Pumpkin Stress Balls

Fill orange balloons with rice or flour, draw pumpkin faces, and tie the ends. Great for little hands to squeeze while they wait for Halloween night.

14. Witch’s Lantern

Take an old jar, glue on bug or bat cutouts, and layer tissue paper with Mod Podge. Pop in a tea light for an eerie glow. Perfect for spooky stories!

15. Egg Carton Bats

Cut an egg carton into sections, paint black, and add wings and eyes. Hang them upside down for realistic little bats!

16. Pumpkin Painting

Carving can be messy—so paint instead! Give kids mini pumpkins and let them go wild with bright colors, glitter, or even stickers

17. Paper Ghost Garland

Cut ghost shapes from white paper, draw silly faces, and string them together. Hang on doors, walls, or windows for a cute touch.

18. Haunted House Craft

Use a shoebox to build your own haunted house. Add cut-out windows, spooky stickers, and little paper ghosts peeking out.

19. Black Cat Paper Craft

Cut out cat shapes from black paper, glue on green eyes, and bend the tail for a 3D effect. Hang them around the house for good luck (or bad!).

20. Pumpkin Paper Fan

Fold orange paper back and forth like a fan, glue the ends, and add a green stem. A quick, no-mess pumpkin craft for any age!

21. Q-Tip Skeletons

Draw a skull on black paper, then use Q-tips for the skeleton body. This one is great for teaching kids about bones while crafting!

22. Halloween Flower Pots

Transform plain flower pots into spooky little homes for mini plants or candy stashes. All you need is a small terracotta pot, some paint, and a steady hand (or a creative little helper). Paint cute pumpkins, ghosts, or even a black cat on your pot. Once dry, add a plant or fill it with wrapped candies for guests.

23. Ghost Ornaments

Add a little floating magic to your home with these simple ghost ornaments. Take white fabric or tissue paper, wrap it around a cotton ball or small Styrofoam ball, and tie with a string to form the head. Draw two black eyes, and voila, you’ve got spooky little ghosts! Hang them on branches or in windows for extra Halloween vibes.

24. Skull Lanterns

Light up your walkway or dinner table with these DIY skull lanterns. Use old glass jars or clear plastic containers, and paint creepy skull faces on them. Pop in a battery-operated tea light and watch your spooky lanterns glow. Kids will love helping paint each skull’s expression: happy, scary, or funny!

25. Pumpkin Suncatchers

Bring in that fall sunshine with pumpkin suncatchers! Cut out a pumpkin shape from black construction paper, leaving a hollow center. Then, fill the center with small bits of orange, yellow, and red tissue paper. Seal with contact paper on both sides. Hang them on your windows, and when sunlight shines through, it’s pumpkin perfection!

26. Bat Bottle Cap Magnets

Give your fridge some Halloween flair with bat magnets. Paint old bottle caps black, glue on two tiny googly eyes, and cut out bat wings from black cardstock. Attach a magnet on the back, and you’ve got yourself an army of bats ready to stick around all season!

27. Spider Paperweight

Turn ordinary rocks into creepy crawly friends! Find smooth stones, paint them black, and add googly eyes. For the legs, use black pipe cleaners glued on each side. These spider paperweights make fun desk decor or spooky little gifts for friends.

28. Mini Witch's Broom

Perfect for dollhouses or just for fun, these mini witch brooms are so easy to make! Bundle a few twigs together for the bristles, and attach them to a small stick with twine or raffia. Kids can even use them as props for Halloween pretend play.

Looking for year-round inspiration? Don’t miss our Thirty Plus Easy DIY Crafts for Kids

Ready to Try These Crafts?

Halloween is all about fun and imagination, and these crafts are perfect for creating spooky vibes without spending a ton. Gather the kids, grab your supplies, and start crafting!

Want more creative ideas year-round? Join the Joycat Club, where parents share tips, fun projects, and kids’ activity ideas.