Spooky Fun for All Ages: 8 Easy Halloween Crafts for Homeschool
Halloween is a magical time of year when creativity knows no bounds. For homeschooling families, it’s the perfect opportunity to combine learning with crafting. By making hands-on projects, children can not only enjoy the holiday but also improve motor skills, explore new materials, and express their creativity. This guide is packed with Halloween homeschool crafts suitable for different age groups and skill levels, ensuring a spooky yet educational experience for everyone.
Whether you have toddlers eager to finger paint or older kids ready to tackle more intricate projects, this collection of easy Halloween crafts for kids will bring joy to your homeschool this season. We’ve broken down our projects by age group, so you can easily find the perfect fit for your child’s developmental stage. Plus, we’ll introduce you to some helpful products that make crafting more enjoyable and stress-free.
Halloween Homeschool Crafts
Table of Contents:
- Crafts for Toddlers (Ages 2-4)
- Crafts for Early Elementary (Ages 5-7)
- Crafts for Upper Elementary (Ages 8-10)
- Crafts for Preteens & Teens (Ages 11+)
- Best Materials and Products for Halloween Crafts
- Using Halloween Crafts in Homeschool Curriculum
Crafts for Toddlers (Ages 2-4)
1. Pumpkin Handprint Art
Materials needed:
- Orange washable paint
- Green and black construction paper
- Glue
- Googly eyes (optional)
- Paintbrushes
Instructions: This craft is perfect for toddlers as it combines sensory play and creativity.
- Begin by helping your toddler paint their palm and fingers orange.
- Press their hand onto a piece of construction paper, and once dry, cut out a small green paper stem to glue onto the top.
- Let them draw or glue on a spooky face using googly eyes or markers.
Why it’s great for toddlers:
- Promotes sensory exploration.
- Builds fine motor skills.
- Quick and easy to clean up!
Pro tip: Use non-toxic washable paint like Crayola Washable Kids’ Paint to ensure easy cleanup.
2. Paper Plate Spiders
Materials needed:
- Black paper plates (or paint them black)
- Black pipe cleaners
- Googly eyes
- Glue and tape
Instructions:
- Have your toddler glue googly eyes onto a black paper plate to create a spider’s face.
- Next, help them attach four pipe cleaners to each side of the plate to create the spider’s legs.
- You can hang these little spiders from your ceiling or stick them to the windows for extra Halloween ambiance!
Why it’s great for toddlers:
- Simple yet engaging.
- Helps develop fine motor coordination by twisting and placing pipe cleaners.
Crafts for Early Elementary (Ages 5-7)
3. Pumpkin Suncatchers
Materials needed:
- Black construction paper
- Orange, yellow, and green tissue paper
- Scissors
- Clear contact paper
Instructions: This craft helps younger children explore colors and shapes while developing their fine motor skills.
- First, cut out a large pumpkin shape from black construction paper, leaving an open space in the middle.
- Your child can tear small pieces of orange and yellow tissue paper and layer them inside the pumpkin shape, creating a stained-glass effect.
- Stick the pumpkin to clear contact paper and cut away the excess.
- Hang it on your windows for a glowing Halloween effect when the sun shines through.
Why it’s great for this age group:
- Teaches color recognition.
- Introduces the concept of light refraction.
- Develops scissor skills.
Product recommendation: For quick and precise cutting, you can use the Fiskars Kids’ Safety Scissors, which are perfect for small hands learning how to cut safely.
4. Toilet Paper Roll Monsters
Materials needed:
- Empty toilet paper rolls
- Paint or markers
- Construction paper
- Googly eyes, pom-poms, and other decorations
- Glue
Instructions:
- Let your kids turn a simple toilet paper roll into a monster masterpiece!
- Paint or color the roll first, then add decorations like googly eyes, pipe cleaner arms, and construction paper horns or wings.
- The possibilities are endless with these quirky creatures!
Why it’s great for early elementary:
- Encourages imaginative play.
- A great introduction to 3D art and sculpture.
Crafts for Upper Elementary (Ages 8-10)
5. Glow-in-the-Dark Ghost Lanterns
Materials needed:
- Mason jars or plastic cups
- Glow-in-the-dark paint
- Black construction paper
- LED tea lights
Instructions:
- Start by painting the outside of the mason jar with glow-in-the-dark paint (you can find this at any craft store or online).
- Once dry, cut out ghostly faces from black construction paper and glue them onto the jar.
- Place an LED tea light inside, and your lantern will glow eerily at night!
Why it’s great for upper elementary kids:
- Combines science (how light works) with art.
- Allows for a little more advanced crafting.
Bonus tip: The Crayola Glow Paint found on Amazon works exceptionally well for this project.
6. Halloween Slime
Materials needed:
- White school glue
- Contact lens solution
- Baking soda
- Green or purple food coloring
- Small plastic spiders or eyeballs
Instructions: This is always a hit for kids around this age! Create a slime mixture by combining glue, baking soda, and contact lens solution, then add your choice of food coloring. Let your kids mix in plastic spiders or googly eyes for a creepy touch. This sensory craft is fun, educational, and perfectly Halloween-themed!
Why it’s great for this age group:
- It’s tactile and sensory-rich.
- It also teaches basic chemistry, particularly the concept of polymers.
Crafts for Preteens and Teens (Ages 11+)
7. DIY Mummy Mason Jars
Materials needed:
- Mason jars
- Gauze or cheesecloth
- Hot glue
- Googly eyes
- Tea lights
Instructions:
- Wrap a mason jar in gauze or cheesecloth, securing it with hot glue as you go.
- Attach googly eyes to create a spooky mummy face, and place a tea light inside.
- These mummy jars are perfect for Halloween night decorations or to set the mood for a scary movie marathon.
Why it’s great for teens:
- Encourages independence and creativity.
- They can create a more mature and sophisticated craft that’s still festive.
Pro tip: Use battery-operated tea lights for a safe yet eerie glow.
8. Dia de los Muertos Skull Painting
Materials needed:
- Ceramic or plastic skulls (found at most craft stores)
- Acrylic paints
- Brushes
Instructions:
- Introduce your teens to the beautiful art of Dia de los Muertos by letting them paint their own sugar skulls.
- Whether they go for a traditional colorful design or something more spooky and Halloween-themed, this craft is perfect for older kids looking to create a keepsake.
- It also opens the door to learning about the cultural significance of this holiday.
Why it’s great for preteens and teens:
- Develops painting skills.
- Introduces a cultural learning opportunity.
Where to get the materials: Amazon has a wide selection of ceramic skulls ready for painting.
Best Materials and Products for Halloween Crafts
Crafting is fun, but having the right materials makes all the difference. Here are some recommended products to make your Halloween homeschool crafts as smooth and enjoyable as possible:
- Crayola Washable Paint – Perfect for young crafters who love to get messy. Easy to clean up, and the colors are vibrant.
- Fiskars Kids’ Scissors – These safety scissors are perfect for all ages and offer a clean, precise cut every time.
- LED Tea Lights – Safe for kids and great for crafts like glow-in-the-dark lanterns or mummy jars.
- Crayola Glow Paint – For upper elementary crafts like glowing ghost lanterns, this glow-in-the-dark paint is a must-have.
By incorporating high-quality, kid-friendly craft products, you’ll create a safe, fun, and creative environment that fosters learning while celebrating the spookiest time of the year!
Using Halloween Crafts in Homeschool Curriculum
Halloween crafts aren’t just for fun—they’re also an opportunity to enhance your homeschool curriculum. Here’s how to integrate these crafts into different subjects:
1. Science
Pumpkin Slime can be used to teach about polymers and chemical reactions.
Glow-in-the-Dark Lanterns offer a lesson in how light and pigments work.
2. History and Culture
Dia de los Muertos Skull Painting can be tied into lessons on Mexican history and cultural celebrations.
3. Language Arts
Have your children write a short story or a poem inspired by their craft. For example, a spooky ghost story to go along with their lantern craft, or a biography of their DIY monster.
4. Math
Incorporate measurement into your craft prep by having children measure fabric, cut construction paper, or estimate how much glue is needed for a project.
Learning Objectives for Each Craft
Crafting isn’t just about having fun—it’s a great way for kids to develop crucial skills.
Each of the Halloween crafts in this post has a hidden learning opportunity.
Here’s what your child can gain from these activities:
Pumpkin Handprint Art:
- Builds fine motor skills.
- Teaches color recognition.
- Encourages sensory exploration through touch and paint.
Toilet Paper Roll Monsters:
- Stimulates imagination and creative problem-solving.
- Improves hand-eye coordination when adding decorations.
Glow-in-the-Dark Ghost Lanterns:
- Introduces basic physics and the science of light.
- Strengthens artistic skills, especially in painting and design.
Halloween Slime:
- Provides a fun lesson in chemistry, introducing kids to polymers and non-Newtonian fluids.
- Enhances tactile sensory development through hands-on squishy play.
By knowing the specific skills being developed with each craft, you can better tailor your homeschooling lessons to your child’s needs while still having spooky fun.
Tips for Crafting with Multiple Kids
Homeschooling often means juggling the needs of children of different ages and skill levels.
Here are a few tips to make these Halloween crafts accessible for everyone, even if you’re working with toddlers and teens at the same time:
Set Up Age-Specific Craft Stations: Create different areas for various age groups.
For example, set up simpler crafts (like handprint art) in one area for younger kids and more intricate ones (like Dia de los Muertos skull painting) for older kids.
Use Break Times Wisely: While older children are waiting for paint or glue to dry, give them the chance to assist younger siblings with their crafts, encouraging cooperation and leadership skills.
Have Extra Materials on Hand: Stock up on simple, mess-free activities like coloring pages, stickers, or pre-cut shapes to keep little ones occupied if they finish their craft early.
By keeping things organized and providing separate stations, your children will stay engaged, and the crafting process will be much smoother.
Time Management & Clean-Up Tips
We all know that crafting with kids can get messy!
But that doesn’t mean it has to be stressful. Here are a few time and clean-up tips to keep things manageable:
Use Disposable Tablecloths: Protect surfaces by covering your table with disposable plastic tablecloths.
Once the craft session is over, just fold it up and throw it away—no scrubbing required!
Have a Clean-Up Station Ready: Set up a designated area with baby wipes, paper towels, and a bin for scraps.
Teach kids to place their used materials in this station once they’ve finished their craft.
Quick Craft Time Estimates: Sometimes you need to fit in crafts between lessons.
Here’s a quick guide on how long each project might take:
- Pumpkin Handprint Art: 20 minutes
- Paper Plate Spiders: 15 minutes
- Glow-in-the-Dark Ghost Lanterns: 30 minutes (including drying time)
With these tips, you can enjoy the process of crafting without worrying about the mess afterward!
Printable Templates for Halloween Crafts
Looking for an easy way to simplify your crafting setup? I’ve got you covered with free Halloween printables!
Whether you need a spooky ghost face for your mason jar lantern or a pumpkin outline for your suncatcher, these downloadable templates will make crafting even more enjoyable. I’ve also added a few extra activity pages for your little ones.
How to Get the Printables: Subscribe to my newsletter, and I’ll send you access to all of my free Halloween craft templates straight to your inbox. These printables are perfect for homeschool families who want to get started quickly and easily.
Sign up here to get your free printables!
Templates include:
- Pumpkin suncatcher outline
- Ghost face cutouts for lanterns
- Activity pages for the young kiddos
Safety Tips for Crafting with Kids
Safety is key when working with younger children or more complicated craft supplies. Here are a few safety tips to keep in mind:
Supervise the Use of Scissors and Glue Guns: For toddlers and younger children, always provide safety scissors and consider using liquid glue instead of a hot glue gun.
Avoid Small Parts for Toddlers: Keep small materials like beads, googly eyes, and buttons out of reach from very young children who might put them in their mouths.
Use Non-Toxic Supplies: When working with little ones, always use non-toxic and washable materials like Crayola Washable Paint and Elmer’s Non-Toxic Glue.
Taking these simple precautions ensures that your Halloween homeschool crafts are fun and safe for everyone.
Alternative Materials & Modifications
Don’t have mason jars or special crafting supplies on hand? No problem! Here are some easy substitutions to make these crafts budget-friendly and accessible:
Instead of Mason Jars: Use recycled plastic cups or even empty food containers for lantern crafts. You can easily paint over them or cover them in tissue paper.
Alternative for Glow Paint: If you can’t find glow-in-the-dark paint, use regular paint and insert a battery-powered tea light inside for a similar glowing effect.
No Googly Eyes? Draw or cut out paper eyes to use on your toilet paper roll monsters or spiders.
Crafting doesn’t have to break the bank, and with a little creativity, you can use what’s available around the house to make incredible Halloween decorations!
Seasonal Craft Variations
Love these Halloween crafts? Many of them can be adapted for different holidays and seasons! Here are a few ideas:
Turn Mummy Jars into Christmas Snowmen: Swap the gauze for cotton balls or white felt, and turn your spooky mummy into a cute snowman.
Holiday Slime Variations: Make Christmas slime by using red and green food coloring with glitter, or create Valentine’s Day slime with pink and purple shades.
By switching up the colors and materials, you can reuse these same fun crafts throughout the year, making them part of your homeschooling routine for every season!
Additional Subject Integration Ideas
Want to get even more out of these crafts? Here’s how you can tie them into different subjects in your homeschool curriculum:
Art History: While crafting Dia de los Muertos skulls, teach your children about famous Mexican artists like Diego Rivera or Frida Kahlo. Encourage them to incorporate some of these artistic styles into their craft.
Literature & Writing: Ask your child to write a short spooky story inspired by their craft. For example, after making their ghost lantern, they could write a haunted house tale. For younger kids, have them describe their monster creation with adjectives or a short paragraph.
Math Activities: Incorporate math by measuring materials, cutting out shapes, and estimating supplies. You can ask your kids to estimate how many pieces of tissue paper they’ll need for their suncatchers or count how many eyes their spider should have.
Bringing other subjects into crafting not only makes it educational but also keeps your homeschool lessons exciting and engaging.
Final Thoughts: Let’s Get Crafting!
Crafting for Halloween is a wonderful way to combine fun and education in your homeschool. These projects are easy, budget-friendly, and packed with learning opportunities for kids of all ages. Whether you’re crafting with a toddler or a teen, these Halloween homeschool crafts will keep everyone engaged and excited about the spooky season.
Don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter to get your free printable templates and other homeschool resources.
If you enjoyed these crafts, check out my seasonal homeschooling guides for more fun ideas!
Pin This Post for Later
Loved these ideas? Make sure to pin this post so you can come back to it whenever you’re ready to start crafting!
Just click the image below and save it to your favorite homeschooling or Halloween Pinterest board.
Share Your Halloween Creations!
I love seeing what you and your kids create! Whether you’re crafting spooky monsters or glowing ghost lanterns, share your projects with me on social media.
Use the hashtag #HomeschoolHalloweenCrafts and tag me in your posts so I can feature your amazing work on my page!
This is a great way to engage with other homeschooling families and share your own creative ideas.
With these Halloween homeschool crafts, your kids will not only get into the Halloween spirit but also benefit from hands-on learning.
From toddlers to teens, every age group will find something to enjoy in this list of easy Halloween crafts for kids.
Plus, with the right materials and a dash of creativity, you can make these crafts part of your homeschool curriculum, providing both fun and education in one spooky package.
So get those glue sticks and paints ready—it’s time for some spooktacular homeschool crafting!
Halloween Homeschool Crafts
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