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10 Fun Halloween Projects for Kids

casa_-_10_fun_halloween_projects_for_kids
Halloween doesn’t have to be about spending a fortune on decorations and costumes. We’ve put together a list of inexpensive and fun crafting projects for the family so you can enjoy the tricks and treats of the season.

Fun With Pumpkins

Give Pumpkins Character without Carving

Try this crafting idea this year with the kids. Instead of making all the mess from carving pumpkins, cut out features like mustaches or eyelashes from card stock or construction paper and attach them with double sided tape. It’s fun, easy, and the pumpkin lasts longer because you’re not cutting into it. If the pumpkin will be outside, try using craft foam instead.

Create a Pumpkin Caterpillar

Wondering what to do with those mini pumpkins? Make this fun decoration with the kids using mini pumpkins, black and white acrylic paint, and wooden skewers.

  1. Start off with the head. Find the largest of the pumpkins and paint two large white
    circles. Let the paint dry.
  2. While that’s drying, mix some of the white and black paint to create grey.
  3. Once the white is dry, outline the white circles with grey, then paint black circles inside those as the pupils.
  4. Using the skewers, attach the other pumpkins together. Try to add some curvature so the body looks like it’s crawling.
  5. The last step is to either position the head in front of the body allowing it to sit freely, or attach it to the body with skewers as well.

Pumpkin Hunt!

Who says the fun of an Easter Egg hunt has to wait until Spring? Have the kids decorate mini pumpkins with paint or markers. When they’re done, go hide them around the yard and let the fun begin!

Spooky Crafts

Create Cat String Lights

You’ll need black card stock, black-waxed twine, scissors, a hole punch, glue, and string lights.

  1. Draw out a template of a cat face 4” wide for the kids to trace on the card stock. Cut as many as desired.
  2. Using scissors, fray the sides and top (between the ears) of the face.
  3. Cut the twine into three 4” strips and knot them in the middle and glue the knot to the middle of the face.
  4. Using the hole punch, make two eyes, 2 ½ inches apart.
  5. Hang string lights, and put the cat faces on two lights, one light through each eye. That’s all there is to this spooky decoration!

Pumpkin Seed Necklace

Ever wonder what you could do with all those seeds from scooping out the jack-o-lantern?

  1. Separate them from the other pumpkin guts (try soaking it in water and the seeds will float to the top) and then let them dry for 6 to 8 hours.
  2. Using silk breading thread, thread a needle and string the seeds together.
  3. Place a knot between seeds for spacing. Try mixing up what direction you go through the seeds to add more pattern and character.

Fun Costume Accessories

Make a Witches Broom!

You’ll feel like you’re walking off the set of the Wizard of Oz with this authentic-looking witches broom. You’ll need a broom length stick, long decorative grasses or hay, rope, and scissors.

  1. Bunch the grasses around one end of the stick and tie them tightly with the rope.
  2. Cut any excess rope away and trim the grasses to be the same length.

It’s very quick to make and will have the neighbors looking!  This also makes a great decoration for the porch.

Homemade Trick-or-Treat Bags

To get the best candy on the block, you’ll need an 8X10” paper gift bag (no print), construction paper, glue stick, and scissors. Make sure you buy a bag to match the color of the monster or scary scene you want to create.

From the construction paper, cut out shapes of a face (eyes, nose, teeth or fangs, etc.), or spooky scene and glue it on the bag. If your kids want to draw or paint on the bag, let their creativity flow!

Easy Costumes The Kids Can Make

Last Minute Halloween Costume

If you’re running late on Halloween prep, or are on a budget, this costume is quick and affordable to make. You’ll need a paper plate, black marker, elastic string, scissors, kitchen skewer, and larger black cloth.

  1. On the back of the plate, draw a creepy face that fills the plate.
  2. Then, using the skewer, put two small holes in both sides of the plate to push the elastic string through.
  3. Knot the string on the face side of the plate so that the string can wrap around the child’s head.
  4. With the scissors, make two large holes for eyes. Make sure they are large enough that they can see safely through them!
  5. Then put their mask on and drape the black cloth over their shoulders, tying it loosely around their neck leaving enough material to drape over their head and the mask.

WHHHOOOO’s Ready for Halloween?

If your child wants just a mask or an understated costume, this one is perfect. All you need is a bit of yellow card stock, glue, feathers, and old brown glasses.

  1. Cut a beak shape from the card stock and crease it down the middle so it has dimension.
  2. Glue it to the inside of the nose bridge of the glasses.
  3. Then, glue the feathers to the inside of the glasses at the top so they stick out.

That’s it, very simple, but if done right, a lot of fun!

These crafts can be fun and easy to do. You don’t have to spend a fortune to get into the spooky spirit of the season. CASA Child Advocates hopes you have a fun Halloween this year and want to remind you to be safe!

Have a Safe and Happy Halloween!

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