Last Minute Halloween Cotton Swab Skeleton Decoration

Make these quick and easy skeleton as craft projects for classroom Halloween parties. Display them on doors or hang from the ceiling to add some fun to your Halloween décor.

Supplies

• Black construction paper
• Cotton swabs
• Glue
• White paper
• Black marker
• Scissors
• Optional: pastel chalk

Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Cotton Swab Skeletons

1. Make the skeleton head using the white paper and black marker. The photo example uses a skeleton head that is 3.5 inches tall by 3 inches wide.
2. Trace the skull shape and cut it out.
3. Draw and color 2 circles for eyes, 1 triangle for the nose, and draw in a smile (with or without teeth).
4. Glue the skeleton head down to the paper, making sure it is in the top ¼ of the paper.
5. Assemble the skeleton body using the cotton swabs.
6. Glue 1 swab for the torso.
7. Bend 3 swabs slightly and glue across the torso, forming the ribs.
8. Glue 2 swabs slightly apart for the upper legs and 2 swabs for the lower legs.
9. Cut 5 swabs in half. Use 5 half pieces to form each foot and glue in place.
10. Glue 2 swabs for the lower arms and 2 swabs for the upper arms.
11. Cut 5 swabs in half. Use 5 half pieces to form each hand and glue in place.
12. Allow to dry.
13. Add Halloween themed drawings using the pastel chalks. For example, draw pumpkins, grave markers, spiders or bats.
14. Write your name and date on the back of your completed skeleton.

Cotton Swab Skeleton Options

1. Punch a hole in the top of the completed piece. Loop some string through the hole and hang it from a ceiling or doorway.
2. Use glitter to decorate a grave yard in the background.
3. Position the arms and legs so the skeleton looks like it is dancing, jumping, sitting, or some other motion for added interest.
4. Paint one tooth gold and color in a bandana around the skull to make it look like a pirate skeleton.
5. Make a dog or cat skeleton to accompany the main skeleton.
6. Take a cotton ball, pull it apart, and glue it to the background so that it resembles a spider web.