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25 EASY HALLOWEEN CRAFTS AND ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS AND PRESCHOOLERS

Vee

Halloween is one of those times of the year when even the simplest activities can become special childhood memories.

From making funny paper pumpkins to creating friendly little ghosts, there are so many ways to help children enjoy the spooky season without spending a fortune on decorations or complicated craft supplies.

If you’re looking for easy Halloween crafts for kids, fun preschool activities, or simple ways to keep little hands busy at home, you’ve come to the right place!

You don’t need an expensive craft kit or a perfectly decorated playroom to make Halloween exciting.

A few sheets of colored paper, some glue, washable paint, and a little imagination can go a long way.

In this guide, you’ll discover 25 Halloween crafts and activities for kids and preschoolers, including simple DIY projects, creative art activities, sensory play, and fun Halloween games.

Whether you’re planning a quiet afternoon at home, a preschool classroom activity, or a family Halloween celebration, there are plenty of ideas to try.

Let’s get crafting!

Why Try Halloween Crafts and Activities With Kids?

Halloween crafts are more than just a way to pass the time.

They give children opportunities to explore their creativity, practice new skills, and enjoy making something with their own hands.

Here are a few benefits of incorporating Halloween crafts and activities into your family’s seasonal plans.

  1. They encourage creativity. Children can experiment with colors, shapes, textures, and different materials while creating their own Halloween decorations.
  2. They help develop fine motor skills. Activities such as painting, sticking paper shapes, and picking up large craft materials can help children practice hand control and coordination.
  3. They create opportunities for learning. Halloween-themed sorting games, counting activities, and simple art projects can introduce early learning concepts in a playful way.
  4. They encourage family bonding. Sitting together to make paper pumpkins or decorate friendly ghosts can become a lovely seasonal tradition.
  5. They can be budget-friendly. Many Halloween crafts use everyday materials you may already have at home, such as paper, cardboard, paper plates, and washable markers.

The best part? These activities don’t have to be perfect. Let children explore, make choices, and enjoy the process.

25 Easy Halloween Crafts and Activities for Kids

I’ve organized these ideas into crafts, sensory activities, and Halloween games to make it easier to choose something suitable for your child’s age, interests, and attention span.

Easy Halloween Crafts for Preschoolers

These first activities focus on simple, colorful crafts that young children can enjoy with adult assistance.

  1. Paper Plate Pumpkin Craft

A paper plate pumpkin is a classic Halloween craft that’s simple enough to adapt for preschoolers.

What you’ll need:

How to make it:

  1. Give your child a paper plate to decorate with orange paint or crayons.
  2. Allow the plate to dry if you’re using paint.
  3. Cut out a green stem and black shapes for the pumpkin’s eyes, nose, and mouth.
  4. Help your child attach the shapes to create a funny or friendly jack-o’-lantern.
  5. Display the finished pumpkin on a wall, door, or craft shelf.

Learning opportunity: Encourage your child to identify the colors and shapes used in the craft.

Best for: Preschoolers and young children with adult assistance.

  1. Cotton-Free Paper Ghost Craft

Create a friendly ghost using simple white paper rather than loose cotton balls.

What you’ll need:

How to make it:

  1. Draw a simple ghost outline on white paper.
  2. Let your child color the ghost or decorate it with crayons.
  3. Add two eyes and a smiling mouth using black paper shapes or washable markers.
  4. Help your child cut around the outline if needed.
  5. Display the ghost alongside your other Halloween decorations.

For extra fun, children can make several ghosts with different expressions.

Learning opportunity: Ask your child to give each ghost a name and describe its expression.

Best for: Preschoolers and early elementary-aged children.

  1. Paper Strip Pumpkin Craft

This three-dimensional pumpkin looks impressive but can be made using a few strips of colored paper.

What you’ll need:

How to make it:

  1. Cut several orange paper strips of equal length.
  2. Arrange the strips into a rounded shape, securing their ends together with glue or tape.
  3. Continue adding strips until you have a pumpkin-like shape.
  4. Attach a green paper stem to the top.
  5. Add a green leaf if you like.

An adult can prepare the paper strips in advance so younger children can concentrate on assembling the pumpkin.

Learning opportunity: Talk about the pumpkin’s shape and compare it with a real pumpkin.

Best for: Preschoolers with adult assistance and older children who can assemble the strips more independently.

  1. Halloween Handprint Art

Handprint art gives children a chance to turn their own hand shapes into Halloween pictures.

What you’ll need:

How to make it:

  1. Help your child apply a thin layer of washable paint to their palm.
  2. Press the hand gently onto the paper.
  3. Allow the print to dry.
  4. Turn the print into a Halloween picture by adding details with markers.

Depending on the direction of the print, you might create a ghost, a spider, a pumpkin-inspired picture, or another imaginative design.

Learning opportunity: Compare hand sizes or count the fingers in each print.

Best for: Toddlers and preschoolers with adult supervision.

  1. Paper Bat Craft

Paper bats are an easy way for children to create Halloween decorations without needing complicated supplies.

What you’ll need:

How to make it:

  1. Draw a simple bat shape on black paper.
  2. Help your child cut out the shape.
  3. Add two eyes using small white paper shapes or draw them with a suitable marker.
  4. Add a smile or other funny facial features.
  5. Attach the finished bat to a larger sheet of paper to create a Halloween scene.

Adults should handle cutting for children who aren’t yet able to use scissors safely.

Learning opportunity: Talk about bats and their role as nocturnal animals.

Best for: Preschoolers and older children.

  1. Halloween Paper Collage

A paper collage is a wonderful activity when you want children to explore their creativity without following a strict set of instructions.

What you’ll need:

How to make it:

  1. Place the colored paper and shapes on a table.
  2. Invite your child to choose the shapes they want to use.
  3. Help them arrange the pieces into a Halloween picture.
  4. Glue the shapes onto the larger sheet.
  5. Add details with crayons or washable markers.

Children might create a haunted house, a pumpkin patch, a group of ghosts, or a completely imaginary Halloween scene.

Learning opportunity: Encourage children to describe their artwork and explain their choices.

Best for: Toddlers and preschoolers, with adult assistance.

  1. Halloween Coloring Pages

Sometimes the easiest activities are the ones children enjoy the most.

Halloween coloring pages are a simple option for quiet afternoons, classroom activity stations, or a little creative time before dinner.

What you’ll need:

How to set it up:

  1. Choose age-appropriate pictures featuring pumpkins, friendly ghosts, bats, or Halloween treats.
  2. Give your child a few coloring materials.
  3. Let them choose their colors rather than insisting that everything look realistic.
  4. Display their favorite finished pictures.

You can also encourage older preschoolers to draw their own Halloween pictures after coloring.

Learning opportunity: Practice color recognition and creative expression.

Best for: Toddlers and preschoolers who enjoy drawing and coloring.

  1. Decorate a Paper Halloween Mask

Children can create simple Halloween masks featuring friendly animals, pumpkins, or other seasonal characters.

What you’ll need:

How to make it:

  1. Prepare a simple mask shape on paper or cardstock.
  2. Let your child decorate it with colors and large paper shapes.
  3. Have an adult cut out the eye openings.
  4. If the mask will be worn, an adult can attach a suitable strap or handle.
  5. Let your child use the mask during supervised pretend play.

Make sure the mask fits comfortably and does not obstruct vision or breathing. A handheld mask can be a good alternative for younger children.

Learning opportunity: Encourage imaginative storytelling and role-play.

Best for: Preschoolers and older children with adult assistance.

Fun Halloween Sensory Activities for Kids

Sensory play lets children explore different textures, shapes, and materials.

These activities can be especially engaging for preschoolers who enjoy touching, sorting, pouring, and investigating objects.

Always choose materials that are appropriate for your child’s age and supervise sensory play closely.

Avoid small objects that could cause choking, especially for children who still put objects in their mouths.

  1. Halloween Color Sorting

This simple activity combines Halloween colors with early learning.

What you’ll need:

How to play:

  1. Arrange the colored sheets or containers on a table.
  2. Mix the objects together.
  3. Ask your child to sort each object by color.
  4. Count the objects in each group together.
  5. Try sorting them again using a different color order.

Use large, safe objects rather than small pom-poms or tiny decorations for children who may put items in their mouths.

Learning opportunity: Practice color recognition, matching, sorting, and counting.

Best for: Preschoolers.

  1. Halloween Play Dough

Play dough can turn an ordinary afternoon into a creative Halloween session.

What you’ll need:

How to play:

  1. Give your child a few colors of play dough.
  2. Demonstrate how to flatten, roll, or shape it.
  3. Invite them to create pumpkins, ghosts, or funny Halloween characters.
  4. Encourage them to combine shapes to invent their own creatures.
  5. Let them describe what they have made.

Use commercially prepared, age-appropriate play dough according to its instructions, and supervise young children throughout the activity.

Learning opportunity: Strengthen hand movements while exploring shapes and imaginative play.

Best for: Preschoolers who can use play dough safely under supervision.

  1. Halloween Texture Hunt

A Halloween texture hunt encourages children to investigate safe, everyday materials.

What you’ll need:

How to play:

  1. Arrange the materials on a table.
  2. Invite your child to touch each material.
  3. Ask them to describe what they notice.
  4. Encourage them to group the materials by texture.
  5. Let them choose a favorite material to use in a Halloween collage.

Avoid sharp, prickly, irritating, or very small materials.

Learning opportunity: Introduce descriptive words such as soft, smooth, rough, and flexible.

Best for: Toddlers and preschoolers with adult supervision.

  1. Pumpkin Washing Station

A pumpkin washing station is a playful activity for children who enjoy water play.

What you’ll need:

How to play:

  1. Place the pumpkins or toys in a shallow basin.
  2. Give your child a damp sponge or cloth.
  3. Invite them to wash each item.
  4. Encourage them to rinse and dry the items.
  5. Count the pumpkins as you return them to their display.

Use a stable basin, small amounts of water, and constant adult supervision. Empty the basin immediately after the activity.

Learning opportunity: Practice counting, sequencing, and simple everyday routines.

Best for: Toddlers and preschoolers with close adult supervision.

  1. Halloween Shape Hunt

Turn learning basic shapes into a Halloween-themed game.

What you’ll need:

How to play:

  1. Cut out large shapes from colored paper.
  2. Ask your child to identify each shape.
  3. Invite them to use the shapes to create a Halloween picture.
  4. Help them arrange circles into pumpkins, triangles into eyes, and rectangles into doors or windows.
  5. Glue the shapes onto the paper.

Learning opportunity: Practice recognizing shapes and combining them to make pictures.

Best for: Preschoolers.

  1. Halloween Fine Motor Transfer Game

This activity gives preschoolers an opportunity to practice controlled hand movements.

What you’ll need:

How to play:

  1. Place the objects in one container.
  2. Put the empty container beside it.
  3. Demonstrate how to transfer one object at a time.
  4. Invite your child to move the objects using the scoop or their hands.
  5. Count the objects together when the activity is finished.

Choose large objects appropriate to your child’s developmental stage. Do not use small pom-poms, beads, buttons, or miniature Halloween decorations for children who may choke on them.

Learning opportunity: Practice hand-eye coordination, counting, and controlled movements.

Best for: Preschoolers, with supervision.

Halloween Games and Activities for Kids

Not every Halloween activity needs scissors, glue, or paint. These simple games are useful when children need a change of pace or when you’re organizing a small family gathering.

  1. Halloween Scavenger Hunt

A Halloween scavenger hunt encourages children to explore their surroundings and look for familiar seasonal objects.

What you’ll need:

How to play:

  1. Create a picture checklist featuring objects such as a pumpkin, a paper ghost, an orange item, and a black paper bat.
  2. Show your child the pictures.
  3. Invite them to find matching objects around the room.
  4. Let them place a tick beside each item they find.
  5. Celebrate when they complete the hunt.

Keep the activity within a safe, supervised area, and avoid hiding objects near stairs, electrical outlets, or other hazards.

Learning opportunity: Practice observation, vocabulary, and matching.

Best for: Preschoolers and older children.

  1. Pin the Face on the Pumpkin

This is a Halloween-themed variation of a familiar party game.

What you’ll need:

How to play:

  1. Attach the paper pumpkin to a wall at a suitable height.
  2. Give your child a paper facial feature.
  3. Ask them to place it on the pumpkin to create a funny face.
  4. Let them add more features until the pumpkin is complete.
  5. Take turns making silly pumpkin expressions.

For young children, keep their eyes uncovered and let them place the pieces without a blindfold.

Learning opportunity: Practice spatial awareness and describing facial expressions.

Best for: Preschoolers and school-aged children.

  1. Halloween Freeze Dance

If your children enjoy music, this is a fun way to get them moving.

What you’ll need:

How to play:

  1. Play a child-friendly Halloween song or another fun piece of music.
  2. Invite everyone to dance like a ghost, pumpkin, cat, or bat.
  3. Pause the music at intervals.
  4. Ask everyone to freeze in place.
  5. Start the music again and continue.

Keep the floor clear of toys and slippery objects.

Learning opportunity: Practice listening, body control, and following instructions.

Best for: Toddlers, preschoolers, and older children.

  1. Halloween Storytime

A quiet Halloween story session is perfect for winding down after a busy day.

What you’ll need:

How to enjoy it:

  1. Choose a story featuring friendly Halloween characters.
  2. Read aloud and show your child the illustrations.
  3. Pause occasionally to ask what they think might happen next.
  4. Invite them to describe their favorite character.
  5. Encourage them to draw a picture inspired by the story.

For children who find spooky characters frightening, choose gentle stories that focus on friendship, humor, or autumn adventures.

Learning opportunity: Encourage listening, vocabulary, imagination, and early literacy.

Best for: All ages, with age-appropriate books.

  1. Halloween Picture Matching

This activity helps young children practice observation and matching skills.

What you’ll need:

How to play:

  1. Prepare matching pairs of pumpkin, ghost, bat, and other friendly Halloween pictures.
  2. Mix the cards and place them face up.
  3. Ask your child to find matching pairs.
  4. Name each picture together.
  5. For older children, turn the cards face down and play a simple memory game.

Keep the pictures large and supervise younger children to prevent mouthing or swallowing.

Learning opportunity: Practice visual recognition, matching, and memory.

Best for: Preschoolers and older children.

  1. Halloween Color Hunt

This activity uses colors to make a simple indoor treasure hunt.

What you’ll need:

How to play:

  1. Choose two or three colors, such as orange, purple, and black.
  2. Ask your child to find safe objects that match each color.
  3. Place the objects in a basket.
  4. Sort them by color.
  5. Count how many objects you found in each group.

Make sure children understand which household objects they can handle and which ones are off-limits.

Learning opportunity: Practice color recognition, sorting, and counting.

Best for: Preschoolers.

More Halloween Art Projects for Kids

If your children enjoy making things, these final ideas offer additional ways to combine Halloween fun with creative expression.

  1. Haunted House Paper Craft

Children can create their own imaginary haunted houses using colored paper.

What you’ll need:

How to make it:

  1. Start with a large sheet of paper as the background.
  2. Help your child cut or arrange rectangles and triangles to form a house.
  3. Add windows, doors, a moon, and friendly ghosts.
  4. Draw stars, bats, or other Halloween details.
  5. Invite your child to tell a story about the house.

Learning opportunity: Explore shapes, spatial relationships, and storytelling.

Best for: Preschoolers and older children.

  1. Halloween Paper Chain

A colorful paper chain can decorate a child’s bedroom, play area, or classroom.

What you’ll need:

How to make it:

  1. Cut strips of orange, purple, green, and black paper.
  2. Form one strip into a loop and secure it.
  3. Thread another strip through the first loop.
  4. Continue connecting the strips until you have a chain.
  5. Hang the finished decoration where children cannot pull it down onto themselves.

An adult can prepare the strips in advance for younger children.

Learning opportunity: Practice sequencing, color patterns, and simple construction.

Best for: Preschoolers with adult help and older children.

  1. Friendly Monster Drawing

Let children create their own silly Halloween monsters.

What you’ll need:

How to make it:

  1. Invite your child to draw a monster’s body.
  2. Encourage them to add eyes, ears, legs, or funny hair.
  3. Ask them to choose a name for the monster.
  4. Invite them to describe what the monster likes to do.
  5. Display the finished drawings together.

There are no wrong answers here. A monster can have three eyes, purple hair, or six legs if that’s what your child imagines.

Learning opportunity: Develop creativity, storytelling, and descriptive language.

Best for: Preschoolers and school-aged children.

  1. Halloween Window Art

Create colorful Halloween-inspired window decorations using materials suitable for the surface.

What you’ll need:

How to make it:

  1. Cut out large paper pumpkins, bats, stars, and friendly ghosts.
  2. Let your child decorate the shapes with crayons or markers.
  3. Attach the finished decorations to the window using a suitable removable adhesive.
  4. Arrange them into a Halloween scene.
  5. Remove the decorations when you’re ready for a new seasonal display.

Use paper decorations rather than glass paint or permanent adhesives unless those products are specifically intended for the surface and appropriate for your situation.

Learning opportunity: Explore shapes, colors, and visual arrangement.

Best for: Preschoolers with adult assistance.

  1. Make a Halloween Craft Display

After trying several activities, bring your child’s favorite creations together into one little Halloween display.

What you’ll need:

How to make it:

  1. Gather the pumpkins, ghosts, bats, drawings, and paper decorations your child has made.
  2. Let them choose which pieces they want to display.
  3. Arrange the creations together.
  4. Invite your child to explain how they made each piece.
  5. Take a photo of the display to remember the activity.

You don’t need to make everything in this article. Even two or three crafts can create a lovely seasonal display.

Learning opportunity: Encourage reflection, pride in their work, and storytelling.

Best for: All ages, with adult assistance where needed.

How to Choose the Best Halloween Activities for Your Child

With so many Halloween crafts and activities to choose from, it helps to think about your child’s age, interests, and developmental stage.

Here are a few things to consider before setting up an activity.

For toddlers: Choose simple activities involving large paper shapes, washable crayons, supervised water play, and adult-led crafts. Avoid small objects and materials that may be swallowed.

For preschoolers: Try paper pumpkins, coloring pages, large-shape collages, play dough, and simple matching games. Offer help with cutting and gluing when necessary.

For older children: Introduce more detailed paper crafts, scavenger hunts, paper chains, and imaginative drawing projects that allow for greater independence.

For busy parents: Choose activities that use supplies you already have and require minimal preparation. Paper crafts and coloring pages are often good starting points.

Remember that children develop at different rates. Choose activities based on your child’s abilities rather than age alone.

Budget-Friendly Supplies for Halloween Crafts

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to enjoy Halloween crafts at home.

Here are some useful supplies to keep on hand:

You can also reuse clean cardboard packaging for certain craft projects.

Before using recycled materials, check that they are clean, free from sharp edges, and appropriate for your child’s age.

Avoid items that may contain hazardous residues or present choking risks.

If you’re preparing crafts for several children, set out the supplies in advance.

This makes it easier to supervise the activity and reduces unnecessary mess.

Halloween Craft Safety Tips for Parents

Halloween crafts should be enjoyable, but safety matters, particularly when toddlers and preschoolers are involved.

Keep these simple precautions in mind:

If you’re planning a preschool activity, check the classroom’s safety rules and make sure the materials are suitable for every child participating.

Frequently Asked Questions About Halloween Crafts and Activities for Kids

What are some easy Halloween crafts for kids?

Easy Halloween crafts include paper plate pumpkins, paper ghosts, paper bats, Halloween collages, coloring pages, and paper chains. These projects use simple supplies and can be adapted to different ages and skill levels.

What Halloween crafts can preschoolers make?

Preschoolers can make paper pumpkins, friendly ghosts, Halloween collages, handprint art, and simple paper bats. Adults can prepare shapes in advance and help with cutting, gluing, and other steps as needed.

What are some fun Halloween activities for kids at home?

Fun Halloween activities at home include a Halloween scavenger hunt, freeze dance, picture matching, a color hunt, storytime, and simple craft sessions. Choose activities that suit your child’s interests and provide appropriate supervision.

How can I keep Halloween crafts budget-friendly?

Use supplies you already have, such as paper, crayons, cardboard, and paper plates. Choose projects that don’t require specialized decorations, and reuse suitable materials where possible.

What are some Halloween sensory activities for preschoolers?

Preschoolers can enjoy supervised play dough activities, texture hunts, pumpkin washing, and color-sorting games. Choose age-appropriate materials and avoid small objects that may pose choking hazards.

How can I make Halloween fun for toddlers?

Choose simple, supervised activities such as coloring, large paper collages, pumpkin washing, music and movement games, and adult-led art projects. Avoid small craft supplies and activities that require toddlers to handle scissors or other unsuitable tools.

How many Halloween activities should I plan for preschoolers?

You don’t need to plan all 25 activities. One or two short activities may be enough for a young child’s attention span. Follow your child’s interests and allow time for breaks, free play, and cleanup.

Final Thoughts

Halloween doesn’t have to involve expensive decorations, elaborate costumes, or complicated projects to be memorable.

Sometimes, the simplest activities are the ones children enjoy most.

A paper plate can become a funny pumpkin, a few paper shapes can turn into a haunted house, and an ordinary afternoon can become an opportunity to create something together.

Whether you choose a simple ghost craft, a Halloween scavenger hunt, or a colorful paper collage, the goal is to let your child explore, learn, and have fun.

Start with one activity, use supplies you already have, and don’t worry about making everything perfect.

Save this list of 25 Halloween crafts and activities for kids so you can return to your favorite ideas whenever you need a little seasonal inspiration!

Happy Halloween crafting!

Safety reminder: All activities should be adapted to the child’s age and abilities.

Adult supervision is essential whenever craft supplies, scissors, water, or other potentially hazardous materials are involved.

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