Simple DIY projects using household items create spooky decor and lasting memories
Key Points:
- DIY art expert shares 10 easy Halloween crafts that children can make using everyday materials found around the house
- Projects include paper plate pumpkins, handprint ghosts, and painted jar lanterns that transform into party decorations
- Expert explains how parents can save money on expensive Halloween decor while creating memorable moments with their children
Halloween is just around the corner, and parents everywhere are facing the same challenge: how to keep excited little ones busy while preparing for the spookiest night of the year. Instead of rushing to the shops for expensive decorations, there’s a better way to get your home Halloween-ready, according to this expert.
DIY art expert Jessie Brooks, Product Manager at Davincified, a premium online platform offering custom paint-by-numbers kits, believes the answer lies in getting creative with your children.
“The best Halloween decorations are the ones made with love and laughter,” she says. “When kids create their own spooky masterpieces, they’re decorating your home but with the added benefit of making memories.”
Brooks has put together a collection of 10 simple Halloween crafts that serve a double purpose: keeping children entertained and creating beautiful party decorations that won’t break the bank.
10 Halloween Crafts That Double as Perfect Party Decor
1. Paper Plate Pumpkins
Transform ordinary paper plates into cheerful jack-o’-lanterns using orange paint and black markers. Simply paint the plate orange, let it dry, then draw on spooky or silly faces.
“Paper plates are brilliant because they’re lightweight and safe for little hands,” says Brooks. These decorations can be hung from walls, taped to windows, or used as table centerpieces. Stack different sizes together for a pumpkin patch effect.
2. Handprint Ghosts
White paint and little hands create the most adorable spooky spirits. Press children’s hands into white paint and stamp onto black or dark purple paper. Once dry, add googly eyes and a surprised mouth with black marker.
“Handprint crafts are wonderful because they capture a moment in time,” says Brooks. “Years later, you’ll look at those tiny ghost hands and remember exactly how small they were.”
Display these ghosts along mantels, doorways, or create a whole ghost family on your front door.
3. Painted Jar Lanterns
Empty glass jars become magical Halloween lights with just some paint and battery-operated tea lights. Let kids paint jars with orange, purple, or black paint, leaving some areas clear for light to shine through.
Once dry, pop in LED candles for a safe, glowing effect. These work beautifully as pathway lights for trick-or-treaters or clustered together as a spooky centerpiece.
4. Toilet Roll Mummies
Don’t throw away those cardboard tubes – they’re perfect mummy material. Wrap toilet paper rolls in white bandages or strips of white fabric, leaving gaps for googly eyes to peek through. Kids love the wrapping process, and parents love the recycling aspect.
“These mummies are brilliant because children can make dozens of them, creating a whole mummy army for your Halloween display,” explains Brooks. Line them up on windowsills or use them as table decorations.
5. DIY Bat Garlands
Black paper and scissors are all you need for dramatic bat decorations. Help children trace and cut out bat shapes, then string them together with thread or thin ribbon.
These garlands look incredible draped across doorways, along staircases, or hanging from the ceiling. The beauty is in the imperfection, since wonky bats look even more authentic.
6. Popcorn Hands
This clever craft combines snack time with decoration time. Fill clear plastic gloves with popcorn, tie at the wrist with orange ribbon, and attach to walls or use as table decorations.
Kids get to help make and eat the popcorn, while guests can enjoy the snacks later. It’s interactive decor at its finest.
7. Egg Carton Spiders
Cut egg cartons into individual cups, paint them black, and add eight pipe cleaner legs. These creepy crawlers can be scattered around the house, hung from the ceiling with fishing line, or clustered in corners for maximum spook factor.
“The great thing about egg carton spiders is that no two ever look the same,” notes Brooks. “Each child’s spider has its own personality.”
8. Creepy Candle Holders
Small glass jars or containers become eerie candle holders with some creativity. Kids can wrap them in fake spider webs, paint spooky silhouettes, or glue on plastic spiders and bats.
Always use battery-operated candles for safety. These work perfectly as pathway lights or grouped together for a haunting centerpiece.
9. Witch Hat Cones
Black construction paper rolled into cone shapes makes instant witch hats. Decorate with glittery stars, ribbon, or small Halloween stickers.
“Kids love anything they can personalize, and these hats become miniature works of art,” says Brooks.
These can be hung from the ceiling, placed on tables as mini decorations, or even worn by dolls and stuffed animals around the house.
10. DIY Slime Jars
Make colorful Halloween slime in orange, green, and purple, then display it in clear jars as bubbling potion decorations.
Kids love the sensory experience of making slime, and the finished jars look like something straight from a witch’s laboratory. Label them with spooky names like “Dragon’s Blood” or “Witch’s Brew” for extra effect.
Jessie Brooks, Product Manager at Davincified, commented:
“Halloween doesn’t have to drain your wallet to be magical. Some of my favorite childhood memories involve sitting at the kitchen table with scissors, glue, and construction paper, creating decorations that probably looked wonky but felt perfect to me. When children make their own Halloween décor, they’re invested in the celebration in a completely different way, and end up proud of what they’ve created and excited to show it off to trick-or-treaters.
“The best part about these crafts is that they’re forgiving. If the bat wings are uneven or the ghost face is crooked, it just adds character. Kids don’t need perfection, but fun, creativity, and the satisfaction of seeing their handiwork displayed around the house. Plus, when November comes and it’s time to pack away the decorations, parents often find themselves reluctant to throw away these precious handmade treasures.”
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About Davincified
Davincified is a premium online platform offering custom paint-by-numbers kits that transform your personal photos into beautifully accessible artworks along with AI-powered features. Their kits come complete with canvas, paints, and brushes designed for ease of use even by beginners.
The experience is crafted to be relaxing and therapeutic, making it an ideal creative outlet or thoughtful gift. With features like free previews before purchase, wrinkle-free canvases, thick paints, and worldwide shipping, Davincified delivers both convenience and quality. Overall, Davincified blends cutting-edge personalisation with a heartfelt, stress-reducing art experience.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
