28 Fun Halloween Crafts for Families

Halloween is one of those holidays that brings out the inner child in all of us. It’s not just about candy or costumes—it’s about creating memories together. One of the best ways to do that is by making Halloween crafts for families. These projects are fun, affordable, and let everyone, from kids to grandparents, join in. Whether you’re decorating your home, making something for a party, or simply spending cozy time together, crafting is the perfect way to bond. In this article, I’ll share 28 fun Halloween craft ideas that you can try at home. Each idea is simple, budget-friendly, and designed to keep the spirit of Halloween alive.

1. Paper Plate Ghosts

Paper plate ghosts are a classic and super easy Halloween craft. All you need are white paper plates, black markers, and some tissue paper or streamers. Cut out long strips of tissue paper and tape them to the back of the plate. Draw a spooky or funny ghost face in the center. When you hang them up, the tissue strips float like a ghost in the breeze. This craft is especially fun for little kids since it doesn’t require sharp tools. Plus, you can make a whole “ghost family” to hang around the house.

2. Popsicle Stick Pumpkins

Grab some orange paint, glue, and popsicle sticks for this one. Line up the sticks to form a pumpkin shape, then paint them orange. Add green paper leaves or pipe cleaners for the stem. You can glue on googly eyes to give your pumpkin a silly personality. These little pumpkins can be used as magnets, wall hangings, or even party favors. It’s a great way to let kids personalize their pumpkin craft without carving.

3. Handprint Spiders

Handprint crafts are wonderful keepsakes. To make handprint spiders, paint your child’s hands black (without the thumbs). Press them on white or orange paper with palms overlapping. Once dry, draw eyes on the body. You can add a string so it looks like the spider is dangling. Parents often keep these as sweet mementos, because a handprint never stays small for long. It’s creepy, cute, and heartwarming all at once.

4. DIY Bat Garland

Cut bat shapes from black cardstock and string them together with yarn. Hang the garland across your fireplace, doorway, or wall. Kids can help trace bat shapes, while adults do the cutting. To make it more fun, let each family member design their own “bat personality”—smiling bats, scary bats, or silly ones with googly eyes. This project transforms your home into a spooky bat cave without spending much money.

5. Pumpkin Mason Jar Lanterns

Paint old mason jars orange, then add black cut-outs for faces. Place a small LED candle inside, and you have glowing pumpkin lanterns. Families love this craft because it mixes painting, designing, and a final “wow” moment when the lanterns glow at night. Line them up along your porch or windowsill for a cozy Halloween vibe.

6. Mummy Candle Holders

Take a glass jar, wrap it with strips of white gauze or fabric, and glue googly eyes near the top. Place a tea light inside, and it glows like a little mummy. This is one of those Halloween crafts for families that’s easy enough for kids but stylish enough for adults to enjoy as decor. They look fantastic in groups, almost like a family of glowing mummies.

7. Paper Bag Monsters

Use brown lunch bags, markers, yarn, and craft paper to make monster puppets. Each family member can design their own monster character. Once finished, you can put on a puppet show together. This craft isn’t just about making something—it’s about storytelling and laughter. The sillier the monsters, the better the fun.

8. Sock Pumpkins

Got old socks lying around? Fill them with rice, tie the top with twine, and paint them orange. Add green felt leaves, and you have adorable sock pumpkins. This craft is soft, squishy, and safe for younger kids. They make cute decorations for tables or shelves and are a great way to upcycle old clothing.

9. Haunted House Silhouette Art

Take black paper and cut out haunted house shapes. Glue them onto a sheet of orange or yellow paper to create a glowing background. Add bats, trees, and a moon to make it spookier. Frame the artwork and hang it on your wall. This family craft doubles as a seasonal art project and a keepsake for years to come.

10. Ghost Footprints

Paint the bottoms of your kids’ feet white and press them on black paper. Add googly eyes and a mouth to turn the footprint into a ghost. It’s both spooky and sentimental. Parents love keeping these as memory pieces. Imagine comparing the ghost footprints year after year—it’s like watching your little ghosts grow up.

11. Pumpkin Stress Balls

Fill orange balloons with flour or rice. Tie them off and draw pumpkin faces with a marker. These DIY stress balls are not only fun to make but also fun to squish. Kids love playing with them, and parents secretly enjoy the stress relief too. Just make sure to double-layer the balloons so they don’t break easily.

12. Toilet Paper Roll Bats

Save those toilet paper rolls! Paint them black, fold the tops into ears, and glue on paper wings. Add googly eyes, and you have adorable bats. These can be hung with string or placed on shelves for decoration. This craft is budget-friendly and perfect for recycling materials you already have.

13. DIY Witch Hats

Cut black construction paper into cones to make mini witch hats. Decorate with glitter, ribbons, or even fake spiders. These hats can be worn by dolls, used as party decorations, or even as place settings for dinner. The best part is seeing how each family member personalizes their hat.

14. Candy Corn Garland

Cut triangles from orange, yellow, and white paper to mimic candy corn. String them together for a colorful Halloween garland. Kids love this one because it feels cheerful rather than spooky. It adds a sweet touch to your decor and looks especially fun in the kitchen or dining area.

15. Monster Rocks

Collect smooth rocks from outside and paint them as monsters. Add goofy eyes, sharp teeth, or silly smiles. Monster rocks are durable crafts that can be placed in your garden, front porch, or even used as paperweights. Each rock becomes a mini piece of family art.

16. DIY Spider Webs

Using black yarn, create spider webs on paper plates or sticks. Add a plastic spider in the center to complete the look. This project teaches kids about patterns while also doubling as a spooky decoration. You can hang them in windows or on doors for extra effect.

17. Painted Pumpkin Faces

Instead of carving pumpkins, grab some paint and brushes. Each family member can paint their pumpkin however they like—scary, silly, or stylish. Painted pumpkins last longer than carved ones, so you can enjoy them all month long. Plus, no mess with pumpkin guts!

18. Felt Ghost Garland

Cut out ghost shapes from white felt and glue on eyes. String them together to make a soft and spooky garland. This one’s perfect for families with little kids because felt is safe and easy to work with. The garland looks adorable over doorways or on a mantel.

19. Paper Cup Spiders

Turn paper cups upside down, paint them black, and add pipe cleaner legs. Glue on googly eyes, and you’ve got spiders that can sit anywhere in your house. Kids especially love making these because they’re cute and movable.

20. Glow Stick Broomsticks

Take glow sticks and tie some brown raffia or string around one end to make them look like tiny broomsticks. These glowing crafts are perfect for Halloween night walks or as party favors. It’s a mix of fun and function—kids love waving them around in the dark.

21. Egg Carton Bats

Cut egg cartons into sections, paint them black, and add wings and eyes. Hang them upside down with string to mimic bats hanging in a cave. This craft is eco-friendly, affordable, and surprisingly realistic.

22. DIY Pumpkin Piñata

Use a balloon and layers of tissue paper to create a pumpkin piñata. Once dry, pop the balloon, paint it orange, and add a jack-o’-lantern face. Fill it with candy for a family party. Making it is just as fun as breaking it open.

23. Scarecrow Faces

Use paper plates, paint, and craft paper to create scarecrow faces. Add straw or raffia for hair, and let each family member design their own unique scarecrow expression. These cheerful faces balance out the spookiness of other crafts.

24. DIY Monster Bookmarks

Cut strips of paper and fold them into corner bookmarks. Decorate them as monsters with teeth, eyes, and silly features. These make reading extra fun during Halloween season, especially for kids who love spooky stories.

25. Pinecone Spiders

Collect pinecones and add pipe cleaner legs and googly eyes. These natural crafts bring a rustic Halloween vibe to your home. They’re great for families who enjoy mixing outdoor activities with indoor creativity.

26. Haunted Mason Jar Snow Globes

Fill mason jars with water, glitter, and small Halloween figurines. Seal the lid, and you have a spooky “snow globe.” Shake it up and watch the glitter swirl like magic. This is one of those crafts that feels magical for both kids and adults.

27. Paper Lantern Ghosts

Make simple lanterns from white paper bags. Cut out eyes and mouths, then place LED candles inside. The glowing ghost effect is perfect for lining a walkway or decorating a porch. Safe, affordable, and endlessly fun.

28. Family Pumpkin Tree

Instead of a Christmas tree, create a Halloween “pumpkin tree.” Use a small branch in a vase and hang paper or foam pumpkins decorated by each family member. It becomes a seasonal centerpiece filled with your family’s creativity.

Final Thoughts

Crafting together makes Halloween more than just a holiday—it makes it a tradition. These 28 fun Halloween crafts for families are simple yet memorable. Whether you’re hanging bats, painting pumpkins, or making glowing lanterns, each project becomes a memory stitched into your family’s story. The joy isn’t just in the final product but in the laughter, teamwork, and messy hands along the way. This year, skip the store-bought decor and create something that tells your family’s Halloween story.