Fun and Easy Halloween Crafts for Toddlers

Last year, I sat on the living room floor with my little one, glue stick in one hand and a pile of orange construction paper in the other, thinking, “Why did I plan this?” Toddlers and Halloween crafts sound like such a Pinterest dream, right? But in reality—sticky fingers, glitter explosions, and about three minutes of attention span. If you’ve ever tried to keep a wiggly toddler entertained with scissors and glue, you know exactly what I mean. Still, here’s the thing: those messy little moments end up being the sweetest memories. That’s why I wanted to put together some super simple, Halloween Crafts for Toddlers that won’t leave you stressed or knee-deep in supplies. Think quick, fun, and almost foolproof ideas that bring more giggles than groans. So if you’ve been hunting for Halloween crafts for toddlers that actually work in real life—you’re in the right place.

Halloween Crafts for Toddlers

Halloween crafts for toddlers are a fun and safe way to celebrate the spooky season. These simple activities boost creativity, fine motor skills, and family bonding.

Paper Plate Pumpkins

Honestly, I’ve found that paper plate pumpkins are just such a fun, messy, and simple craft to do with toddlers. One day, I set up a little pumpkin-making station with some orange paint, paper plates, and a handful of black markers. My niece, who’s two, was instantly fascinated by dipping her fingers into the paint and smearing it all over the plate. It was chaotic, sure, but the giggles made it completely worth it. I like to fold the plate a bit and let them press down with their hands to create a rounded pumpkin shape—it feels so hands-on for them. Once it dries, we add a little green paper stem or even a googly-eyed face. I’ve seen the tiniest hands hold a marker like a pro, and honestly, seeing their pride when their pumpkin is “done” is the best part. It’s super easy, low stress, and perfect for little attention spans.

Cotton Ball Ghosts

To be fair, cotton ball ghosts might just be my favorite for a super cute, tactile activity. I usually give my toddler a small piece of black paper or cardboard and a pile of cotton balls, along with a glue stick. The magic happens when they start squishing the cotton balls and placing them wherever they like—it’s like little ghosts popping up everywhere! I remember one time my nephew tried to “make a ghost army” and ended up covering the entire page; it was a mess, but we laughed so hard. I also like to add googly eyes after the glue dries; it gives the ghosts so much personality. What’s fun is that toddlers feel like little artists because they get to decide the shape, size, and placement, and it’s forgiving—nothing has to be perfect. Honestly, the whole process is more about exploring textures and creativity than following instructions, and that’s what makes it so adorable.

Handprint Bats

Handprint bats are kind of a classic, but honestly, they never get old in my opinion. I usually paint my toddler’s hand black and press it onto a piece of paper to make the bat’s wings—it’s messy, yes, but the reaction when they see their hand turned into a bat is priceless. One Halloween, my niece actually clapped in excitement and kept saying, “Bat! Bat!” for like five minutes straight; it was so cute. After the handprints dry, I cut out small circles for eyes and a tiny mouth, or sometimes we just stick on some googly eyes—it depends on our mood. I’ve found that toddlers love lifting their hands out of the paint and “flapping” them like wings before placing them on the paper, which adds a little pretend play. Honestly, it’s simple, interactive, and fun, and it gives you this cool keepsake to hang up or gift to family. It’s messy, it’s chaotic, and it’s perfect for little hands.

Tissue Paper Jack-o’-Lanterns

Toddlers enjoy tearing and gluing tissue paper to make colorful jack-o’-lanterns. This craft is bright, tactile, and introduces shape recognition. It’s also a great activity to develop patience and focus.

• Cut a pumpkin shape from cardstock

• Provide orange and green tissue paper squares

• Help toddlers apply glue and press on the tissue paper

• Pre-cut black eyes, nose, and mouth to glue on top

• Hang on a window for a stained-glass effect

Monster Paper Bag Puppets

Let toddlers create their own silly or spooky monsters using paper lunch bags. This puppet craft encourages pretend play after crafting. It’s easy, mess-free, and great for groups or Halloween parties.

• Use paper bags as the monster base

• Provide foam shapes, googly eyes, and yarn for decoration

• Let them draw or glue teeth, horns, and spots

• Use child-safe glue sticks for easy clean-up

• Afterward, encourage monster puppet shows

Pom-Pom Spiders

These soft and fuzzy spiders are toddler-friendly and far from scary. With just a few materials, kids can make colorful spiders that bounce around. It’s great for Halloween fun without the fright!

• Use large black pom-poms for the spider’s body

• Attach pipe cleaners as bendable legs

• Glue on big googly eyes

• Tape a string on top so it “hangs”

• Let toddlers gently crawl their spider on the table

Painted Rock Monsters

Toddlers love painting, and rocks make a fun and different canvas. These monster rocks are colorful and perfect for decorating your porch or garden. Each rock becomes a one-of-a-kind character!

• Wash and dry rocks before painting

• Use washable, non-toxic paint

• Add stickers or googly eyes after drying

• Help them draw a silly face or monster mouth

• Seal with a child-safe clear coat for outdoor use

Halloween Sensory Bottles

Sensory bottles are calming and fun for toddlers to shake and explore. You can fill them with spooky-colored glitter, beads, and Halloween trinkets. They’re great for quiet time and fine motor engagement.

• Use empty plastic bottles with tight lids

• Fill with water, glitter, and orange/black beads

• Add mini spiders, bats, or confetti

• Use hot glue to seal the lid (adults only)

• Let toddlers shake and watch everything float

Sticker Pumpkins

Stickers and pumpkins are a toddler’s dream combo. This craft is all about self-expression using stickers and simple shapes. It’s great for young toddlers still learning to handle glue.

• Cut a large pumpkin shape from orange paper

• Provide a variety of Halloween stickers

• Let toddlers decorate however they want

• Encourage them to tell a story about their pumpkin

• No mess and easy clean-up

Footprint Ghosts

Footprint ghosts are fun to make and keep as adorable Halloween memories. Just a little paint and paper can create cute keepsakes of your toddler’s tiny toes. It’s also a sensory-rich activity!

• Use white washable paint on feet

• Stamp the foot onto black or purple paper

• Let it dry, then draw ghost faces

• Write the child’s name and year as a keepsake

• Make several for gifts or cards

Foam Cup Spiders

These silly spiders are made using upside-down foam cups and pipe cleaners. It’s a hands-on craft that toddlers enjoy because of the textures and the wiggly legs.

• Turn the cup upside down for the body

• Poke or glue on 4 pipe cleaner legs on each side

• Add big, fun googly eyes

• Let them decorate the cup with stickers or paint

• Create a mini spider army together

Halloween Bead Bracelets

Making simple bracelets helps toddlers with hand-eye coordination and color recognition. Choose Halloween-colored beads and let your child make wearable art. It’s creative and fun!

• Use soft, stretchy cord or pipe cleaners

• Choose large beads in black, orange, purple

• Let them string beads in any pattern

• Talk about colors and counting as they go

• Wear it as a costume accessory

Spooky Shape Collages

This craft uses basic shapes to make Halloween characters like pumpkins, ghosts, and bats. It’s educational and fun, helping toddlers learn while they create.

• Pre-cut shapes from colored paper

• Let toddlers match shapes to pictures or be creative

• Use a glue stick to attach shapes to background paper

• Talk about shapes and colors while crafting

• Turn it into a Halloween picture book

No-Carve Pumpkin Decorating

Carving is too tricky for toddlers, but decorating pumpkins with stickers, markers, and paint is just right. It’s safe, creative, and perfect for toddlers to feel involved.

• Provide small pumpkins or gourds

• Use washable paint, foam stickers, and washi tape

• Help them draw faces or designs

• Add googly eyes for fun

• Display on the porch or table

Halloween Crown or Hat

Toddlers love dressing up, and a handmade Halloween crown or hat makes it even more fun. This wearable craft lets them be creative and show off their spooky style.

• Cut a strip of cardstock to fit their head

• Decorate with bat, pumpkin, or ghost cutouts

• Add stickers, glitter, or colored paper

• Staple or tape the crown into a circle

• Wear it proudly at home or a Halloween party

Tips for Crafting with Toddlers

Crafting with toddlers is all about having fun together, not creating perfect masterpieces. At this young age, kids are still developing motor skills, learning how to use materials, and exploring colors and textures. Keeping things simple and encouraging helps make craft time stress-free and joyful for everyone.

Here are some helpful tips to keep in mind:

• Keep it short and sweet
  Toddlers have short attention spans, so plan crafts that take 10–15 minutes. Simple, quick activities are more enjoyable and less overwhelming.

• Focus on the process, not the product
  Let toddlers explore, make mistakes, and get messy. The experience of crafting is more important than what the final result looks like.

• Praise their effort and creativity
  Celebrate their choices—whether it’s a purple ghost or upside-down pumpkin. Positive words boost their confidence and love for creativity.

• Use toddler-safe supplies
  Always choose non-toxic glue, washable paint, blunt scissors, and larger craft items that aren’t choking hazards.

• Be patient and flexible
  Allow them to do things their way—even if it’s not how you imagined. The goal is exploration, not perfection.

• Prepare a simple setup and easy clean-up
  Use trays, smocks, or old t-shirts to contain messes and make post-craft clean-up quick.

• Craft together and talk about it
  Join in the fun! Narrate what they’re doing and ask questions like “What color are you using?” or “What will your monster say?”

With these tips, Halloween crafting can be a magical and meaningful time for you and your toddler to enjoy together.

FAQ

What age is best to start Halloween Crafts for Toddlers?

You can start simple Halloween Crafts for Toddlers around 18 months to 2 years old. At this age, kids enjoy sensory play, stickers, and painting. Just make sure to supervise closely and use toddler-safe materials.

What supplies do I need for easy toddler crafts?

Basic supplies include construction paper, glue sticks, washable paint, cotton balls, googly eyes, stickers, crayons, and safety scissors. Always opt for non-toxic and age-appropriate tools.

How can I keep my toddler engaged during crafts?

Keep activities short (10–15 minutes), choose fun themes like pumpkins or monsters, and let them lead the way. Music, storytelling, or doing the craft together also helps hold their attention.

What if my toddler doesn’t want to follow the directions?

That’s totally fine! Toddlers learn best through exploration. Focus on the experience, not the end result. Let them use their imagination, even if the craft looks different from the example.