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With spooky season on the horizon, you may be searching for Halloween crafts for kids that will keep them engaged without breaking the bank. In addition to keeping kids busy and entertained, there are some social and educational benefits to crafting.
“Arts and crafts play a very big role in developing critical skills for school and social functioning, as well as for life beyond the school years,” pediatric neuropsychologist Laura Phillips wrote on Martha Stewart.com
“Arts and crafts help kids learn how to coordinate the movements of two hands together,” Phillips continued. “For example, when they draw by using one hand to secure a piece of paper, or when cutting by holding a piece of paper with one hand while using the other to manipulate the scissors. Bilateral coordination is really helpful [later] for typing.”
So break out the glue sticks and get started on these Halloween crafts kindergarten-aged students are sure to enjoy.
Construction paper Halloween crafts
Construction paper is one of those craft cabinet staples that you don’t want to be without. It’s inexpensive and a large stack will last several months. Construction paper has a lot of great uses and these Halloween crafts for kids are no exception.
As construction paper is to the craft cabinet, cereal is to the kitchen pantry. If you’re not keen on analogies, the bottom line is that if you have kids, you’ll have an ample supply of both. Cereal box Halloween luminaries are the perfect way to marry the two staples to create a project you can make alongside your kids. When you’re done, you’ll have adorably spooky luminaries to display in your home or in a covered area outdoors.
For Halloween crafts that kindergarten-aged students can do with minimal assistance with construction paper, try this paper Jack O’Lantern, or a paper bobble-head black cat. If you really want to impress your kids with your crafting skills, this Halloween craft-paper spider web is the perfect decor focal point.
Create Halloween crafts with toilet paper rolls and other household items
No one wants to spend a lot of money during the Halloween season, especially with winter holidays right around the corner. Use what you’ve already got at home to make it a magical fall season — your kids won’t mind a bit.
Mason jar Halloween crafts like these DIY Halloween jars from Jamie over at Splendry are the perfect upcycle craft. These come together quickly with just a few simple products around the house. If you don’t have mason jars, you can always reuse pickle and pasta sauce jars. Then all you need is a paintbrush, some tissue paper, and Mod Podge. If you don’t have Mod Podge, diluted school glue will work in a pinch!
Posicle sticks are another craft-cabinet staple. “These popsicle stick monster bookmarks are cute and easy Halloween bookmarks your kids will love. Monster crafts don’t have to be scary and this simple bookmark craft is perfect for encouraging reading,” said mom of two, Darcy Zalewski.
Zalewski shares kids’ activities, crafts, and recipes on her blog, Life with Darcy and Brian, using simple objects, like this bat made out of a coffee filter that requires a few washable markers, some coffee filters, clothespins, googly eyes, and black and white paint.
Toilet paper rolls are the perennial kid’s craft favorite; you can make anything and everything with them with just a few craft items like glue, construction paper, googly eyes, and markers. The Best Ideas for Kids website includes instructions to help you make classic Halloween-themed toilet paper roll characters like pumpkins, vampires, and mummies.
No-prep easy Halloween craft ideas
If you’re running short on time but still want to pack in some fun this spooky season, printables and pre-made crafts are a great way to go. All you need is a color printer or if you’re organized, you can purchase a craft kit ahead of time and tuck it away for an afternoon when you need a little help keeping little hands busy.
The Oriental Trading Company catalog has been the hero to summer school counselors, Bible camp organizers, and teachers for almost 90 years. This year Oriental Trading Company offers fun Halloween crafts for kids like a 3D haunted house kit, no-mess pumpkin decorating kits, masks, bat ornament kits, and everything in between.
Printables are always a good idea because there’s no prep and you can find many free ones online. This list of 14 free Halloween printables from The Spruce, includes coloring pages, BINGO cards, greeting cards, word searches, and even a fun You’ve Been Booed printable that lets you leave a few sweet surprises for your friends and neighbors.
Couple some of these easy Halloween crafts for kids with a few new socially distanced Halloween traditions and you’ve got a recipe for a fun and safe celebration.
