Whether you have a gaggle of kids at home, or in the classroom, you can instantly raise the level of fall fun with kid-friendly Halloween craft ideas.
This time of year, even adults love to make DIY decorations and show off their creativity, hosting an extra-spooky Halloween bash they can completely call their own.
Just up ahead check out great ideas for getting crafty at Halloween, along with a mixed bag of Halloween craft ideas around the Web.
Have fun!
To get you started, here's an easy group craft project that even toddlers can lend a hand with using different types of pasta to make a spooktacular homemade wall hanging:
Halloween Pasta Skeleton
You'll need:
• Different shapes of pasta
• Black construction paper
• Paper glue
Instructions:
1. Arrange the pasta on the paper before gluing to make sure you have the design you want.
2. Don't be afraid to improvise with different shapes of pasta. For example, a wagon wheel is perfect for the head, along with small tube pasta for the spine, and long spirals for the arm and leg bones.
3. Try bow tie pasta for the hips, or use two large shells. Small shells make great kneecaps, hands and feet. You can also break up thin strands of spaghetti to add fingers and toes.
4. Once you have all the pieces secured with glue, let dry and hang as a door or wall decoration.
Jack the Pumpkin Man
Just like Frosty the Snowman, Jack the Pumpkin makes for an eye-catching lawn or yard decoration. Jack's head can be either carved with a sharp knife or painted with a permanent marker.
You'll need:
• 3 pumpkins -- medium, large, and extra-large
• Barbecue skewers to steady the pumpkins
• Sharp knife or permanent marker to make the face
• Branches for arms, or other decorations to dress up Jack for the holidays
1. Trim stalks off of the extra-large pumpkin. Do the same with large pumpkin (so you can stack one on top of the other.)
2. Stick two barbecue skewers on the extra large pumpkin, then place the large pumpkin on top to secure it.
3.
Repeat the process by placing two barbecue skewers to the top of the large pumpkin. then "crown" with the medium-size
jack-o-lantern.
3.
Add branches for arms -- or get really
creative with small gourds for buttons and a hat and
scarf to help deck the halls for Halloween.
Glass Jar Halloween Luminaries
Light up the night at your next Halloween bash by re-purposing old mason jars to make these bright, colorful luminaries.
You'll need:
• Glass jars
• Craft paint and brushes
• Black permanent marker
• Votive candles or flame-less LED candles
1. Wash jars in soapy water and let dry thoroughly.
2.
Use brush and craft paint to coat the entire outsides of the jars in your favorite Halloween colors.
3. Use a template, or free-hand draw faces with the black permanent marker
4. Add votive lights to the bottom of the jars. If using wax votive candles, light carefully using a barbecue or stove lighter.
More about Halloween crafts around the Web:
Just up ahead, discover more tips, advice, and illustrated instructions for making more fun Halloween craft projects, along with coloring pages and related group activities to create a memorable hands-on Halloween celebration.