20 Easy Halloween Crafts for Toddlers That Will Create Magical Memories
From my experience as a mom of 5, there's something magical about watching your toddler's face light up, creating their first paper plate pumpkin or handprint ghost.
You want to make Halloween special without complicated projects that end in tears (trust me, I've been there!). These 20 easy Halloween crafts for toddlers are designed for tiny hands and short attention spans – something I've perfected through trial and error with my own kids.
With simple materials you probably already have at home, you can transform an ordinary afternoon into a spooktacular adventure your toddler will treasure.
And if you're looking for even more creative inspiration beyond Halloween, be sure to check out my complete guide to crafts for kids for year-round activity ideas that will keep your little ones engaged and happy.
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Easy Paper Plate Halloween Crafts for Toddlers
Paper plates are magic for toddler Halloween crafts. They're cheap, easy to cut, and forgiving when little hands get messy. Whether you're planning a Halloween-themed baby shower or just looking for fun activities to do with your little one, these crafts are perfect for creating memorable moments.
Craft 1: Paper Plate Pumpkin
This craft works well with 2-year-olds. Start with a white paper plate and let your toddler cover it with orange paint or glue orange construction paper pieces all over it.
Here's what you'll need:
1 white paper plate
Orange washable paint or orange construction paper torn into pieces
Green construction paper for the stem
Black marker for the face
Glue stick (non-toxic)
Washable paint is your best friend for these projects. Your toddler will probably paint their hands more than the plate anyway, so embrace the process rather than focusing on the outcome.
Once the orange part dries, help them add a simple jack-o'-lantern face with black marker. Keep it basic – two triangle eyes and a zigzag mouth work perfectly.
Craft 2: Paper Plate Ghost
This craft appears simple but always impresses people. Take a white paper plate – you're halfway done. Cut out two black circles for eyes and a black oval for the mouth, then let your toddler stick them on with a glue stick.
To make it extra special, attach white streamers or tissue paper strips to the bottom edge with tape. When you hang it up, it'll flutter and look like a floating ghost.
The best part? It's impossible to mess up. Even if the eyes are crooked or the mouth is sideways, it still looks like a perfectly acceptable friendly ghost.
Craft 3: Paper Plate Spider
This looks complicated but it's manageable. Paint a paper plate black or glue black construction paper over it. While drying, cut eight strips of black construction paper for legs.
Here's the step-by-step process:
Paint or cover your paper plate in black
Cut 8 black paper strips (about 1 inch wide and 6 inches long)
Glue 4 strips to each side of the plate
Add googly eyes or white paper circles for eyes
Watch your toddler carry it around making "scary" spider sounds
The legs always end up wonky and uneven. That's fine since real spiders probably have imperfect legs too.
Craft 4: Paper Plate Witch Hat
Cut a paper plate in half, form it into a cone shape, and tape it together. Paint it black or cover it with black construction paper.
Your toddler can shine during decorating. Star stickers, purple ribbon, foam shapes – whatever you have works well.
If you're making this as a wearable hat, measure your child's head first. Toddler heads are bigger than you might expect. For more costume inspiration, check out our guides for toddler boy Halloween costumes and toddler girl Halloween costumes.
Craft 5: Paper Plate Jack-o'-Lantern Mask
Take an orange paper plate (or paint a white one orange) and carefully cut out eye holes. You cut the eye holes, not your toddler. Then let them glue on black construction paper pieces for the nose and mouth.
Attach a popsicle stick as a handle, or punch holes on the sides and tie an elastic string. Fair warning – most toddlers wear masks for about 30 seconds before they're "done."
Handprint and Footprint Halloween Art
Handprint and footprint crafts create meaningful Halloween memories. They capture those tiny hands and feet while making amazing keepsakes.
Craft 6: Handprint Ghost
Cover your toddler's hand with white washable paint and press it on black or dark blue construction paper. The handprint creates an instant ghost shape.
Once the paint dries completely, use a black marker to add two dots for eyes and an "O" shape for the mouth. Some kids prefer their ghosts surprised, others want them smiling.
Write your child's name, age, and date at the bottom. In five years, you'll be amazed at how tiny those hands were.
Craft 7: Footprint Pumpkin
This gets tricky because toddler feet are ticklish and wiggly. Cover the bottom of your child's foot with orange paint and press it onto white paper. The footprint makes a perfect pumpkin shape.
Work quickly. Have wet paper towels ready before opening the paint. Most toddlers tolerate paint on their feet for about 15 seconds before giggling and trying to step everywhere.
After the orange paint dries, add a green stem at the top. Don't forget to label with the date – these footprint crafts are gold for memory books.
Craft 8: Handprint Spider
Paint your toddler's palm black and press it on white or yellow paper. Paint each finger with black paint to create spider legs.
Add a second handprint overlapping the first at a different angle to create all eight legs. Sometimes prints don't line up perfectly – that's completely acceptable.
Once dry, glue on googly eyes. Help your toddler with this unless you want googly eyes scattered everywhere.
Craft 9: Handprint Tree with Bats
Paint your toddler's arm and hand brown, then press onto white paper to create a tree trunk and branches. The arm makes the trunk, fingers become bare branches.
While drying, pre-cut small black paper bats. Let your toddler glue these around the tree. Add orange and red fingerprints as falling leaves if desired.
This takes more time and patience, so save it for when your little one is in a good mood and not overly tired. For more fall crafts and fall activities for babies and toddlers, explore our seasonal collection.
No-Mess Sensory Halloween Crafts
The holy grail of toddler crafts – the no-mess variety. Perfect for maintaining sanity while providing engaging Halloween activities. If you're looking for sensory activities for younger babies, check out our Halloween sensory play for babies guide.
Craft 10: Halloween Sensory Bag
Take a gallon ziplock bag and fill it with orange hair gel or clear gel mixed with orange food coloring. Add small plastic Halloween toys, foam shapes, or orange and black buttons.
Seal that bag properly – double-tape edges with packing tape or laminate if possible. You don't want gel escaping during playtime.
Your toddler can squish the bag and move toys around without making a mess. It's reusable and stores easily.
Craft 11: Pumpkin Playdough
Use store-bought orange playdough or make your own with orange food coloring. Provide Halloween cookie cutters, a small rolling pin, and a plastic knife.
This keeps busy hands occupied longer than most crafts. Set up on a tablecloth or plastic mat – playdough finds its way into carpet fibers permanently.
Craft 12: Halloween Suncatcher
Cut contact paper into pumpkin shapes and peel off one backing. Give your toddler small squares of orange and yellow tissue paper to stick on the sticky surface.
Peel off the second backing and stick another piece of contact paper on top to seal. Hang in a sunny window for a beautiful glowing effect.
If your toddler gets bored halfway through, save it and return later. The tissue paper stays stuck.
Quick 10-Minute Halloween Crafts
Perfect for those "we need to do something NOW" moments every parent recognizes.
Craft 13: Coffee Filter Pumpkins
Let your toddler color round coffee filters with orange washable markers – random coloring works best.
Spray the colored filter with water from a spray bottle. The colors bleed and mix, creating an interesting tie-dye effect.
While damp, scrunch the filter slightly and twist a green pipe cleaner around the top for a stem. Instant Halloween decorations in under 10 minutes.
Craft 14: Toilet Paper Roll Monsters
Paint empty toilet paper rolls with Halloween colors. While the paint's wet, your toddler can roll the tube in glitter for sparkle (prepare for glitter everywhere).
Once dry, add googly eyes and construction paper scraps for mouths and teeth. These monsters are sturdy enough for actual play.
Craft 15: Halloween Sticker Scene
Give your toddler black construction paper and Halloween stickers. Let them create their own spooky scene by placing stickers anywhere.
You'll be surprised at the stories that develop. Add crayons or markers for additional details if desired.
Craft 16: Candy Corn Painting
Cut triangle sponges and set out white, orange, and yellow paint on paper plates. Show your toddler how to dip the sponge in white, then orange, then yellow for the candy corn effect.
Don't worry about perfection. The process of learning color patterns is more valuable than creating perfect replicas.
Halloween Decoration Crafts
These create actual Halloween decorations you'll feel good about displaying. Still appropriate for toddlers, but results in something presentable. Looking for more Halloween crafts to complement your decorations?
Craft 17: Construction Paper Chain Garland
Pre-cut strips of orange and black construction paper (1 inch wide, 6 inches long). Show your toddler how to loop strips together and glue the ends to form a chain.
This provides excellent fine motor practice. Work on this over several days if needed – store the growing chain safely between sessions.
Hang across doorways or along mantels. Simple decoration that transforms a space.
Craft 18: Leaf Ghost Decorations
Collect large fallen leaves during a nature walk – maple leaves work best. Let your toddler paint leaves white with a foam brush. Work outside or on a newspaper.
Once the paint dries, add simple ghost faces with black permanent marker. These look sophisticated hanging from fishing line or displayed on a mantel.
Craft 19: Pumpkin Handprint Cards
Paint your toddler's hand orange and press it onto folded cardstock to create greeting cards. Add green marker stems and curly vines.
Write a sweet message inside or let your toddler scribble their own "message." These make grandparents' entire month and teach kids about creating something special for others.
Planning ahead for baby's first Halloween? Don't miss our baby's first Halloween costume ideas for inspiration.
Craft 20: Halloween Wind Sock
Roll orange or black construction paper into a cylinder and glue closed. Cut tissue paper streamers in Halloween colors and attach to one end.
Punch two holes at the top and thread yarn through for hanging. When hung outside or near a fan, streamers flutter beautifully.
This works well for kids who enjoy movement and action.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is appropriate to start Halloween crafts with toddlers?
Most toddlers can begin simple crafts around 18 months with heavy supervision. By age 2-3, they handle more independent activities. Start when they can sit still for 5-10 minutes.
How long should a Halloween craft session last?
Keep sessions short. 10-15 minutes for younger toddlers (18 months-2 years), 20-30 minutes for 2-3 year olds. Stop while they're still engaged rather than pushing until they're cranky.
What if my toddler doesn't want to participate?
Never force participation. Some toddlers prefer watching first. Try doing the craft nearby, or return later when they're more interested. Follow their lead to prevent negative associations.
Are there Halloween crafts without paint or glue?
Absolutely. Try sticker decorating, tearing paper, sensory bins, or sorting activities with Halloween items like mini pumpkins or colorful leaves.
How can I make Halloween crafts less scary?
Focus on friendly characters, bright colors, and happy expressions. Skip skulls and dark imagery. Emphasize "friendly pumpkins" and "silly monsters." Let kids decide if their ghosts should smile or look surprised.
What's the best way to display toddler Halloween crafts?
Create a Halloween gallery wall, use magnetic clips on the refrigerator, or make a Halloween craft book. Let your toddler help choose display locations. Rotate displays throughout the season.
Can these crafts be done with multiple toddlers?
Yes, most work well for small groups. Prepare extra materials and consider additional adult helpers. Simple projects like sticker decorating work best for groups.
Conclusions
Creating Halloween magic with your toddler doesn't require elaborate Pinterest boards or expensive supplies – just creativity and patience. These 20 easy crafts show that simple activities often create the most treasured memories.
Remember, the goal isn't perfection – it's connection and shared experience. Your toddler won't remember crooked ghost eyes or paint everywhere. They'll remember the laughter, encouragement, and special time creating together.
Gather those washable markers, roll up your sleeves, and make this Halloween memorable. Take lots of photos – these little hands grow up fast, and these crafty moments are worth preserving forever.
