Do you hear that? It is the sound of tiny footsteps running toward a pile of glue, glitter, and paper plates. Halloween approaches quickly, and you need quick ways to keep your little monsters busy. Forget complicated DIY projects that require a degree in fine arts. You want simple, mess-friendly, and engaging activities that target those developing fine motor skills.
We gathered the ultimate list of 14 Easy Ghost Crafts for Toddlers for a Spooktacular Halloween. These activities use everyday household items, meaning you can skip the emergency craft store run. Ready to make some spooky memories? Let’s grab the washable paint and get crafting!
1. The Classic Cotton Ball Ghost
Toddlers love sensory textures, and nothing beats the fluffy feel of cotton balls. For this craft, cut a simple ghost outline out of black construction paper. Squirt a generous amount of non-toxic glue onto the shape, and let your toddler press the cotton balls down. They will love squeezing the soft cotton while practicing their pincer grasp.
Sensory Benefits
This project does more than just look cute on your fridge. Squeezing and pulling cotton balls builds hand strength. Add two black paper circles for the eyes, and you have a classic, tactile Halloween keepsake. FYI, this one is relatively low-mess, making it a huge win for parents!
2. Paper Plate Hanging Ghosts
Do you have spare paper plates in your pantry? Turn them into floating spirits in just five minutes. Hand your toddler a black crayon or marker to draw a silly ghost face directly onto the plate. You can help them tape white crepe paper streamers to the bottom rim.
Hang these finished creations from your living room ceiling or curtain rods. When the heater kicks on, the streamers dance in the breeze. Pro tip: use painter’s tape to hang them up so you do not damage your drywall.
3. Sweet Little Footprint Ghost Keepsakes
Tiny feet do not stay tiny for long. Capture this fleeting moment with a sentimental footprint ghost. Paint the bottom of your toddler’s foot with white washable paint and press it onto black cardstock. Keep a wet wipe nearby for instant cleanup!
Turn the paper upside down so the heel becomes the ghost’s head and the toes look like the bottom of the sheet. Use a black marker to add a tiny mouth and eyes. This craft makes the perfect Halloween gift for grandparents.
4. Tissue Paper Window Catchers
Catch the autumn sunlight with these transparent window ghosts. Cut a ghost outline out of contact paper and tape it sticky-side-up to your table. Let your toddler rip up pieces of white tissue paper and press them onto the sticky surface.
Ripping paper builds hand-eye coordination. Once your toddler covers the surface, place another sheet of contact paper on top to seal it. Cut around the border and stick it to a sunny window to watch it glow.
5. Nature-Inspired Leaf Ghosts
Combine outdoor play with craft time for this double-duty activity. Head outside for a quick backyard walk and collect the largest leaves you can find. Once inside, wipe the leaves clean and let your toddler paint them with white acrylic or washable paint.
Once the paint dries, draw simple spooky eyes with a permanent marker. This activity teaches toddlers to appreciate nature while exploring new painting surfaces. Plus, it costs absolutely nothing!
6. Handprint Ghost Puppets
Trace your toddler’s hand onto a thick piece of white cardstock. Cut out the shape, leaving the fingers pointing downward to resemble a floating ghost body. Let your child stick googly eyes onto the palm area.
Tape a wooden craft stick or a paper straw to the back of the handprint. Now, your toddler has a custom puppet for Halloween storytime. IMO, puppet play is one of the best ways to encourage early language development.
7. Sponge-Painted Spooky Ghosts
Ditch the traditional paintbrushes for this craft. Cut a standard kitchen sponge into a simple ghost silhouette. Pour some white washable paint onto a paper plate and let your toddler dip and stamp away on dark paper.
Texture Exploration
Sponge painting creates a cool, textured look that resembles a misty spirit. Toddlers enjoy the repetitive motion of stamping. You can join in the fun and stamp a whole family of ghosts across the page.
8. Glowing Mason Jar Ghosts
Create a safe, kid-friendly nightlight for the spooky season. Clean out an empty plastic jar or mason jar. Help your toddler brush watered-down school glue over the outside of the jar, then wrap it in white tissue paper.
Stick two black paper eyes onto the wet paper. Drop a battery-operated LED tea light inside the jar. Watch your toddler’s eyes light up when you turn off the room lights and reveal the soft, warm glow.
9. Floating Coffee Filter Ghosts
Coffee filters have a light, airy quality that makes them perfect for ghost crafts. Crumple a single cotton ball or tissue into a small ball and place it in the center of the filter. Wrap the filter around the ball and secure it with a white rubber band or string to form the head.
Let your toddler draw a face on the head with washable markers. You can hang these lightweight ghosts from the chandelier or staircase. They sway with the slightest breeze, creating a whimsical Halloween vibe.
10. Yarn-Wrapped Cardboard Ghosts
Cut out a ghost shape from thick, sturdy recycled cardboard. Cut small notches along the edges to help hold the yarn in place. Tape one end of a ball of white yarn to the back of the cardboard.
Show your toddler how to wrap the yarn around and around the shape. Do not worry about neatness; the messier the wrapping, the cooler the ghost looks! This excellent fine motor activity keeps toddlers focused and calm.
11. Paper Bag Ghost Puppets
Transform a standard white paper lunch bag into a silly talking puppet. Keep the bag folded flat. Let your toddler glue googly eyes and a black paper mouth onto the bottom flap of the bag.
They can also glue white yarn strings or paper shreds to the bottom opening of the bag. Slip your hand inside and put on a silly puppet show. Your toddler will giggle endlessly watching their handmade friend “boo” around the room.
12. Floating Balloon Ghosts
Need a high-energy activity for a rainy afternoon? Blow up a few white balloons. Use a black permanent marker to draw oversized ghost faces on them. Safety warning: always supervise toddlers around balloons to prevent choking hazards.
Let your toddler toss the balloons in the air and try to keep them from touching the floor. It is a fantastic way to burn off energy before naptime. You get a cute holiday decoration and a physical activity all in one!
13. Upcycled Egg Carton Mini-Ghosts
Do not throw away that empty cardboard egg carton. Cut out the individual cups and trim the edges so they stand upright. Have your toddler paint the outside of the cups with white paint.
Once dry, dot two eyes onto each cup with a black marker or paint pen. You can string these mini-ghosts together with a needle and thread to create a cute mantel garland. Upcycled crafts teach kids the value of reusing materials early on.
14. Marshmallow Stamped Ghosts
We saved the sweetest craft for last! Grab a bag of large marshmallows. Pour white paint onto a plate, and show your toddler how to use a marshmallow as a paint stamp.
They can stamp round, ghostly shapes onto black construction paper. Once the paint dries, add eyes using a black marker. Expect your toddler to sneak a bite of the unused marshmallows during this process—it is part of the fun!
Your Spooktacular Crafting Checklist
To make your crafting session as stress-free as possible, gather your supplies beforehand. Here is a handy list of essentials to keep in your closet:
- Washable paint (white and black are must-haves)
- Heavy cardstock (withstands heavy glue better than thin paper)
- Child-safe glue sticks and non-toxic school glue
- Googly eyes (self-adhesive ones save tons of time!)
- Safety scissors for cutting practice
Wrapping Up the Halloween Fun
Crafting with toddlers is never about perfection. It is about the sensory experience, the laughs, and the developmental milestones they hit along the way. Your toddler will feel so proud seeing their custom creations decorating the house. Which of these 14 easy ghost crafts will you try first with your little one this week?