Create Halloween Wall Decor
Make spooky Halloween wall decorations using construction paper, scissors, tape, and string; cut shapes like bats, ghosts, and pumpkins and arrange them creatively.
About this activity
Make spooky Halloween wall decorations using construction paper, scissors, tape, and string; cut shapes like bats, ghosts, and pumpkins and arrange them creatively.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Clear a flat workspace and lay out all Materials Needed so everything is easy to reach.
- 2
Step 2
Choose which shapes to make (bats ghosts pumpkins) and decide how many of each you want.
- 3
Step 3
Pick one sheet of construction paper and fold it in half so you can cut a mirrored shape.
- 4
Step 4
Draw the outline of a bat a ghost or a pumpkin along the folded edge with your pencil.
- 5
Step 5
Cut along the pencil line through both layers of paper while an adult watches or helps.
- 6
Step 6
Open the paper to reveal the shape and repeat Steps 3 to 5 with other sheets until you have the number of shapes you planned.
- 7
Step 7
Use the black marker to draw spooky faces and details on each paper shape.
- 8
Step 8
Cut the string into several different lengths so your decorations will hang at various heights.
- 9
Step 9
Tape one end of a string to the back center of each paper shape so it hangs straight.
- 10
Step 10
Tape the top ends of the strings to the wall or door at different heights and spacing to arrange your spooky display.
- 11
Step 11
Take a photo and share your finished Halloween wall decor on DIY.org.
Fun facts
How do I make spooky Halloween wall decorations?
To make spooky Halloween wall decorations, start by choosing simple shapes like bats, ghosts, and pumpkins and trace templates on construction paper. Have children cut shapes (use child-safe scissors), add details with markers, glue on eyes or paper teeth, then layer pieces for depth. Attach string for garlands or use removable tape/poster putty to arrange a scene on the wall. Supervise cutting and let kids help decide placement for a fun, creative display.
What materials do I need to make Halloween wall decor?
Youll need construction paper in black, orange, white, and other colors; child-safe scissors; pencils and erasers for tracing; markers or crayons for details; glue sticks, tape, or poster putty; string and a hole punch for garlands; and basic templates or printables. Optional items include googly eyes, glitter, glow-in-the-dark paint, battery tea lights, or recycled cardboard for sturdier shapes. Keep small decorations away from toddlers and supervise scissors and glue use.
What ages is this Halloween wall decor activity suitable for?
This craft fits ages roughly 310+ with tweaks: preschoolers (35) can decorate and stick pre-cut shapes while practicing scissor skills under supervision; early elementary (68) can cut simple templates, layer pieces and assemble garlands; older kids (912+) can design templates, use precise cutting and add lighting or mixed materials. Toddlers under 3 can join by finger-painting with close adult help. Always match tasks to fine-motor ability and supervise cutting.
What are the benefits, safety tips, and variations for making Halloween wall decorations?
Benefits include boosting creativity, fine-motor skills, planning, and seasonal pride. Safety tips: use child-safe scissors, work on a protected surface, keep small items out of reach of young children, and use removable adhesive to avoid wall damage. Variations: try glow-in-the-dark paint, layered 3D pumpkins, recyclable materials (cardboard, cereal boxes), themed scenes (haunted house, graveyard), or a family garland where each child contributes different shapes and colors.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use if we don't have construction paper or string?
If you don't have construction paper, substitute plain printer paper, colored cardstock, or cereal-box cardboard for sturdier shapes, and use yarn, ribbon, or clear fishing line in place of the string called for in Step 8.
My shapes keep tearing or look uneven when I cut them—what should I do?
When following Steps 3–5, make a sharp crease on the fold, use age-appropriate sharp scissors with an adult's help, cut slowly along the pencil line, or trace and cut single layers to avoid tears and uneven edges.
How can I adapt this activity for younger or older children?
For preschoolers have an adult complete Steps 3–5 and let the child do Step 7 and help with Steps 8–10, while older kids can design detailed stencils, add layered shapes, or replace tape with a hole punch and knots for a more advanced hanging method.
How can we make the Halloween wall decor more creative or long-lasting?
After Step 7 personalize shapes with glitter glue, stickers, or glow-in-the-dark paint, reinforce each shape's back with extra cardstock before taping the string in Step 9, and consider arranging them into a cascading mobile and then taking the photo to share on DIY.org as in the final step.