4 Fabulous Halloween Craft Ideas for the Whole Family

Halloween is always loads of fun for kids.  They have a blast choosing their costumes, dressing up, and collecting free candy.  But if you're looking for an occasion to create some fun crafts as a family, Halloween is a wonderful time for that as well.

There are all sorts of decorative crafts that are perfect for Halloween.  You can also make masks, treat bags and lots of other goodies.  Here are a few easy projects to get you and the kids started.


Halloween Pop-Up Cards

These make great Halloween greetings or party invitations.  Here's what you'll need:

* Construction paper (orange and black are good colors)
* Glue
* Scissors
* Markers

1. Fold a piece of construction paper in half to make a card shape.

2. Make a 2 1/2 inch cut perpendicular to the fold, about 2 1/2 inches from the edge.  Make another 2 1/2 inch cut 1/2 inch from that one, and make two more cuts 2 1/2 and 3 inches from the other side.  This will leave two narrow flaps in the card.

3. Open the card and push the flaps up into the inside of it.  Close the card and press with the flaps to the inside so that they are creased.

4. Cut two ghosts, spiders, or other scary items out of construction paper.  Open the card and glue each one onto the front of one of the folded flaps.

5. Glue another piece of construction paper to the outside of your card, taking care not to glue where the flaps are.  Let dry.

6. Using markers, write a message on the card.


Paper Plate Masks

These are great additions to Halloween costumes, or just for playing pretend.  You'll need the following materials:

* Paper plate
* Elastic
* Scissors
* Hole Punch
* Markers
* Glue
* Sequins, pom-poms or other embellishments (optional)

1. Use markers to decorate the back side of a paper plate.  Be sure to make the eyes big enough to see out of.

2. Cut out the eyes.

3. Add embellishments if desired.

4. Use the hole punch to make a hole in each side of the mask, taking care to keep them even.

5. Cut enough elastic to secure the mask to the wearer's head, plus a couple of extra inches.  Thread each end through one of the holes you just made and tie it securely.


Ghost Wind Socks

These spooky decorations are perfect for the front porch!  Here's what you'll need to make them:

* Small white poster board
* Black permanent marker
* Stapler
* Glue
* White crepe paper streamers
* String, yarn or twine

1. Draw a ghost face on the white poster board using the black marker.

2. Roll the poster board into a tube shape and staple the overlapping ends together securely.

3. Cut long strips out of the crepe streamers.  Glue or staple them all around the bottom of the wind sock.

4. Cut a piece of string about 2 1/2 feet long and staple the ends to opposite sides of the top of the wind sock to hang.

Try This Free Downloadable Skeleton Craft from toucanBox:

We love getting spooky and if you do, too, you’d love the toucanBox Dancing Skeleton Puppet. You can make the craft at home, with your kids and share it with your audience! It’s super simple, lots of fun to play with and makes a great party decoration. SO LET’S MAKE IT!




YOU WILL NEED

Template print out, available below: Download Skeleton Template
4 x Split pins
String
Hole punch
Scissors


WHAT TO DO

Print out template and cut out the skeleton pieces.
Use a hole punch or push a pencil through the holes on the skeleton template.
Place the skeleton template face down. Lift the body piece and slot
split pins through the holes of the body facing upwards. 4 Thread some string (approximately 10cm long) through one of the arm holes and tie a knot to secure it. Once you have tied the knot flatten the split pin to make it secure.
Thread through the other arm and tie a knot. Again flatten the split pin and make sure the string is taut. Trim off any excess string.
Repeat the process on the legs. Tip: Try and make sure the knot is positioned above the hole - this will make your skeleton dance better.
Attach a piece of string approximately 40cm long to the arms and legs, tying a knot in the middle of both pieces of string as shown.
Attach a piece of string through the hole above the head and hang your skeleton. Pull the bottom string to make it dance.


Go to the toucanBox website to see picture-led instructions, read the joke of the day or find more craft inspiration.