Halloween Craft Ideas

Halloween is fast approaching, have the kids made a spooky Halloween craft yet? If you have been looking for some easy and inexpensive craft ideas, I have included 3 different craft projects that I think you will like. A spooky ghost, creepy spider and a jack o' lantern. Your child can easily craft one or all three of these with adult supervision. Both you and the kids will have so much fun making these craft projects. Just think how wonderful these decorations will be on Halloween.

Spooky Halloween Ghost

Materials
White round balloon
string
craft scissors
a large white plastic garbage bag (preferably 30 gal.)
black permanent marker.

Directions
Blow up the balloon and place it inside the bag, make a small hole to insert the tied portion of the balloon through it.. Gather the bag under the bottom of the balloon and tie off with string to make the ghost's head. Cut the garbage bag up each side about 3 inches from the head. Then cut the ghosts body into 3 inch strips all the way around, again about 3 inches from the head. Draw on a spooky ghost face with the black permanent marker. Tie a long piece of string to the balloon tie that is sticking out of the top. Your spooky Halloween ghost is ready to be hung in a tree or any place you choose to hang him. What a haunting Halloween decoration he will be!

Floating Halloween Ghost

Everything is the same as above, only use a white helium balloon for the head and omit the hole on top for the balloon tie. Instead make sure the balloon tie is facing down and the long string is already tied on before you wrap and tie the head. When you are finished with the ghost, the string should be dangling from the center from under the ghosts body. Now tie the ghost to something heavy on the ground or again anywhere you like and watch him float. Kids really love this floating Halloween ghost!

Creepy Halloween Spider

Materials
3" Styrofoam ball
black acrylic paint
8 black chenille stems
googly eyes
tacky glue
craft scissors
knife and fish line or transparent thread

Directions
Cut the Styrofoam ball in half and paint one half with black paint. Allow the paint to dry. Cut 8 chenille stems in half . Put a dot of glue on the end of each chenille stem and push the glued end of the chenille stem, into the foam, using 4 on each side to create legs. Glue on eyes in the appropriate places. Bend the chenille stems to make the spider's bent legs, then cut the ends of the chenille stems even. Poke a small hole in the center top of the foam, than glue a piece of fish line into the hole to create a hanger. Touch up any white that may be showing with the black paint. Now your creepy Halloween spider can be hung, or you can set him by the front door on Halloween for added excitement. .

Paper Mache' Halloween Jack O' Lantern

Materials
A round balloon
newspaper
flour
water
pan
wooden spoon
craft scissors
orange tempera paint or orange tissue paper
paint brush
black permanent marker

Paper Mache' Glue
Mix 1/2 cup of flour into 1/2 cup of water until the mixture is thin and runny. Stir into 2 cups of boiling water (the heating gives the glue a nice consistency, but is not necessary). Simmer for about 3 minutes, then cool.

Directions
Tear quite a lot of newspaper into strips. Strips should be about 1 inch wide, the length isn't real important. Cover your work surface with layers of newspaper (it gets a bit messy). Blow up and tie a round balloon. Place the balloon into a large bowl, to keep it stable while working. Dip a strip of paper into the flour glue, wipe off the excess, and wrap the strip around the balloon. Cover the entire balloon. Add at least three layers to the balloon. Let it dry overnight, after each layer. Let the paper mache' balloon dry completely (it may take a few days). Stick a needle all the way through the paper mache' and pop the balloon. To make the jack o' lantern sit flat on a surface, place a slightly damp cloth on the part that will be the bottom until it softens slightly, this may take a few hours. When it is a little soft, push the bottom in to make an indentation. This will allow your jack o' lantern to sit flat on a table. If you like you can cut a hole in the top of the jack o' lantern, to use it as a bowl for Halloween candy. If you do this, be sure to remove the popped balloon. Now you can paint the jack o' lantern orange or apply another layer of paper mache, using orange strips of tissue paper. Let dry. Draw the eyes, nose and mouth using the black permanent marker. Now display and enjoy your Halloween jack o' lantern.

If the children are young be sure to use blunt craft scissors and any knife cutting should be done by an adult only. I hope you and the kids enjoy these fun Halloween craft ideas. Have a safe and happy Halloween!