Make Some Halloween Wall Decor
Make spooky Halloween wall decorations using paper, scissors, tape, and markers; cut bats, ghosts, and pumpkins, then arrange and hang them safely.
About this activity
Make spooky Halloween wall decorations using paper, scissors, tape, and markers; cut bats, ghosts, and pumpkins, then arrange and hang them safely.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Gather all the materials and find a flat workspace to make your decorations.
- 2
Step 2
Choose which shapes to make like bats ghosts pumpkins or all three.
- 3
Step 3
Use a pencil to draw simple bat ghost and pumpkin outlines on the matching colored paper.
- 4
Step 4
Ask an adult to help with cutting the paper shapes.
- 5
Step 5
Carefully cut out each shape along your pencil lines with scissors.
- 6
Step 6
Use markers to add spooky faces and fun details to each cutout.
- 7
Step 7
Attach a small piece of tape or a loop of string to the back of each decoration for hanging.
- 8
Step 8
Place all your cutouts on the floor and try different arrangements to find a layout you love.
- 9
Step 9
Stick the decorations to the wall using tape or removable putty in the arrangement you chose.
- 10
Step 10
Step back and adjust any pieces so they sit straight and look spooky together.
- 11
Step 11
Share your finished Halloween wall decor on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do I make spooky Halloween wall decorations with my child?
Start by choosing simple shapes: bats, ghosts, pumpkins. Trace or fold paper for symmetrical bats, then cut shapes with child-safe scissors. Decorate with markers, add details like eyes and mouths, and reinforce with cardstock if needed. Attach string or use removable mounting tabs to arrange on the wall. Let kids experiment with layering and spacing, then step back and rearrange until the spooky display looks right.
What materials do I need to make Halloween wall decorations?
Gather black, white, orange paper or lightweight cardstock, child-safe scissors, tape or glue, removable adhesive strips, washable markers, pencils, and printed templates. Optional extras: glitter, hole punch, string, construction paper scraps, stickers, and a craft mat. For durability, have cardstock or foam board for backing. Keep non-toxic supplies and a small tray for scraps to reduce mess and choking hazards for young children.
What ages is this Halloween wall decor activity suitable for?
This craft suits a broad range: toddlers (2–3) can stick pre-cut shapes with supervision; preschoolers (4–6) practice cutting simple shapes and decorating; children 7–10 can cut detailed shapes and arrange displays independently; tweens (11+) can design complex scenes and use templates. Always supervise younger kids with scissors and adhesives, and adapt tasks to each child’s skill level for a safe, enjoyable project.
What safety tips should I follow when making Halloween wall decor with kids?
Supervise scissor use and provide age-appropriate, blunt-tip scissors. Avoid pins or sharp tacks—use removable adhesive strips or painter’s tape. Keep small embellishments away from toddlers to prevent choking. Use non-toxic markers and flame-safe decorations; choose battery candles over real flames. Test adhesives on a small wall area and involve an adult for cutting or hanging heavy pieces. Store supplies safely when finished to prevent accidents.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can we use instead of matching colored paper or removable putty if they are hard to find?
Use plain white printer paper colored with crayons, markers, or paint to match colors and replace removable putty with small loops of clear tape or poster tack to stick shapes to the wall.
What should we do if shapes tear while cutting or decorations won't sit straight on the wall?
If shapes tear, reinforce the back with clear tape or glue two sheets together before cutting, and if pieces tilt on the wall add a second small piece of tape or a bit of poster tack to the top edge to keep them straight.
How can this activity be adjusted for younger children or older kids?
For younger children, pre-draw large simple bat, ghost, and pumpkin outlines and let them color and stick with adult cutting help, while older kids can freehand detailed silhouettes, use scissors themselves, and design a more complex arrangement to post on DIY.org.
How can we enhance or personalize the Halloween wall decor beyond the basic instructions?
Personalize by layering cutouts for a 3D effect, adding googly eyes or stickers with markers for unique faces, attaching ribbon loops for hanging, or stringing multiple shapes into a garland before arranging on the wall.