Make spooky decorations
Create spooky Halloween decorations using paper, glue, paint, and recycled materials; design ghost, bat, and pumpkin crafts while learning shapes, cutting, and decorating skills.
About this activity
Create spooky Halloween decorations using paper, glue, paint, and recycled materials; design ghost, bat, and pumpkin crafts while learning shapes, cutting, and decorating skills.
What you need
Step by step
- 1
Step 1
Gather all the materials from the list and put them on a clear workspace.
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Step 2
Decide which decorations you will make today: ghost bat or pumpkin or all three.
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Step 3
Use a pencil to draw simple templates on scrap paper for each design: a rounded ghost with a wavy bottom a bat with a round body and wing shapes and a circle for a pumpkin with vertical lines.
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Step 4
Trace each paper template onto recycled cardboard or the paper you will decorate.
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Step 5
Cut out the traced shapes carefully with scissors.
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Step 6
Glue each cut shape onto a sturdier piece of cardboard if you want them firmer.
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Step 7
Paint each shape its base color: white for ghosts black or dark for bats and orange for pumpkins.
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Step 8
Wait until the paint is dry before you touch the decorations.
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Step 9
Use colouring materials or a small brush to draw faces and details like eyes mouths wing veins and pumpkin ridges.
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Step 10
Glue on recycled bits like yarn for stems or small cardboard pieces for ears to add texture.
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Step 11
Make a small hole at the top of each decoration and thread string through to make a hanging loop then secure the knot.
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Step 12
Share a photo or description of your finished spooky decorations on DIY.org
Fun facts
How do I make spooky Halloween decorations with my child?
Start by choosing designs—ghosts, bats, and pumpkins—and sketch simple shapes on paper or cardstock. Cut shapes using child-safe scissors and reinforce with cardboard if needed. Glue recycled pieces (toilet rolls, bottle caps) for texture, then paint or color each piece. Add faces, googly eyes, and hangers made from string or pipe cleaners. Encourage your child to practice cutting, shape recognition, and decorating; celebrate work by displaying decorations on windows, walls, or a Halloween garla
What materials do I need for paper ghost, bat, and pumpkin crafts?
You'll need colored paper or cardstock, recycled cardboard, toilet-paper rolls, egg cartons, safe scissors, glue sticks or child-friendly white glue, washable paints and brushes, markers, crayons, googly eyes, pipe cleaners, string or ribbon, tape, and a hole punch if you have one. Optional extras: glitter (use with care), stickers, foam sheets, and battery-operated LED tealights. Substitute household recyclables to keep costs low and encourage creative upcycling.
What ages is this spooky decoration activity suitable for?
This activity suits a wide age range. Toddlers (2–3) can join with heavy supervision—stamping, sticking, and sorting shapes. Preschoolers (3–5) develop scissor skills and simple cutting with supervision. Elementary kids (6–9) can cut more complex shapes, paint details, and assemble decorations. Ages 10+ can design patterns, lead variations, and help younger siblings. Always match tools and tasks to a child's fine-motor ability and supervise any sharp tools or small parts.
What are some safety tips and fun variations for Halloween decorations?
Safety tips: use child-safe scissors, non-toxic washable paints, and glue sticks; avoid small parts for children under three; supervise any hot-glue or sharp tools; keep decorations away from open flames and secure hanging points. Variations: make window silhouettes with black paper, build a spooky garland, add battery LED lights, create 3D pumpkins from recycled cartons, or hold a family decorating contest. These changes add creativity while maintaining safety and fun.
Watch & Learn
Need help?
What can I use if I don't have recycled cardboard or a sturdier backing?
If you don't have recycled cardboard or a sturdier piece of cardboard (step: trace each paper template onto recycled cardboard / glue each cut shape onto a sturdier piece), substitute cereal boxes, empty file folders, old greeting cards, or thick cardstock to trace and glue your shapes.
My hole ripped when I tried to thread the string—how can I stop that?
If the hole rips when you thread the string (step: make a small hole at the top and thread string through), reinforce the spot first with a small glued scrap of cardboard or a strip of tape over the area before making the hole and knotting the string.
How can I adapt this activity for different ages?
For younger children (ages 3–5), have an adult do the tracing and cutting and let them paint and draw faces with washable paints and crayons (steps: cut out, paint base color, draw faces), while older kids can cut their own cardboard, paint detailed features, and glue on recycled bits like yarn for stems (steps: glue on recycled bits).
What are some ways to extend or personalize the spooky decorations?
To extend or personalize the decorations, layer glued cardboard shapes for a 3D effect, add battery tea lights behind pumpkin cutouts, or decorate with glitter, buttons, and yarn stems before making the hanging hole and threading string (steps: glue each cut shape onto sturdier cardboard, paint, glue on recycled bits, make a small hole).