Creative Paper Plate Halloween Crafts Ideas

You know, the other day I was digging through my old holiday bins and stumbled on a stack of paper plates. Not the fancy kind—just the plain, everyday ones. And instantly, I remembered how, as kids, we’d turn them into masks, pumpkins, even spooky ghosts for Halloween. Funny how something so simple could keep us busy for hours. If you’ve ever felt that little panic—like, “What can I do to keep the kids entertained without spending a fortune?”—you’re not alone. I’ve been there too, especially around Halloween when decorations and treats already eat up the budget. That’s where paper plate Halloween crafts come in. They’re cheap, quick, and surprisingly fun (honestly, sometimes I enjoy them as much as the kids). In this article, I’m gonna share a bunch of easy ideas that’ll not only keep little hands busy but also add a personal, spooky touch to your Halloween decor.

Paper Plate Halloween Crafts Ideas

Paper plate Halloween crafts are a fun, budget-friendly way to get creative for the spooky season. These easy projects are perfect for kids and add festive charm to any party or home décor.

Paper Plate Jack-o’-Lanterns

I’ll be honest, paper plate jack-o’-lanterns were one of the first Halloween crafts I ever did as a kid, and they’re still one of my go-to projects. There’s just something about painting that plain white plate bright orange and then cutting out goofy little faces that makes me nostalgic. Sometimes I’ll go for the classic triangle eyes and jagged smile, but other times I’ll try something completely silly, like star-shaped eyes or a lopsided grin. It’s amazing how each one ends up with its own personality.

If you’re making these with kids, let them get messy with the paint—it dries fast enough, and even smudges look cute. I like to tape a string to the back and hang them on doors or windows, and honestly, a cluster of them looks like a little pumpkin family staring back at you. To be fair, I never get tired of these because they’re cheap, fun, and perfect for setting that Halloween mood.

Witch Hat Plates

Now, witch hat plates are where I usually let my imagination run wild. I’ll take a black paper plate, cut it into a triangle, and then glue on a brim made from another piece—it’s such a simple shape, but it instantly screams “witchy vibes.” Sometimes I jazz them up with glitter, sequins, or even leftover ribbon I find in my craft drawer. They always end up looking like they belong in a quirky Halloween shop window.

What I’ve noticed is that kids love decorating these hats because there are no rules—you can make them fancy, creepy, or downright silly. I once had my niece cover hers in stickers and neon pom-poms, and honestly, it looked like something a disco witch would wear. In my opinion, that’s the beauty of crafts like this—you don’t need perfection, just a bit of creativity and the willingness to play.

Ghost Face Plates

Ghost face plates are one of those crafts where less really is more. A simple white plate, some black cutouts for the eyes and mouth, and boom—you’ve got yourself a spooky ghost. I like to keep the expressions varied—some wide-eyed and scared, others with big oval mouths like they’re screaming “Boo!” It’s funny how just changing the size of the mouth can make the ghost go from cute to creepy.

I once hung a whole bunch of these from the ceiling with fishing line, and they swayed every time someone walked by. Honestly, it gave my living room the eeriest haunted-house vibe without much effort. The trick is to let them dangle at different heights—it feels like the ghosts are floating. To be fair, this is one of those crafts that proves you don’t need fancy supplies to make a huge Halloween impact.

Black Cat Masks

I’ve always had a soft spot for black cat masks because, well, I’m a cat person. To make them, I paint the paper plate black, cut out eye holes, and add little triangle ears on top. Sometimes I’ll glue on pipe cleaners for whiskers, which makes them look extra playful. Kids love putting them on immediately—it’s like instant Halloween dress-up.

One year, my friend’s kid wore his mask all night, even while eating pizza, and it cracked us up. Honestly, these masks are such an easy way to sneak in some costume fun without needing a full outfit. In my opinion, the best part is how customizable they are—you can go sleek and spooky, or add goofy googly eyes and make them more cartoonish. Either way, they always steal the spotlight.

Paper Plate Bats

Paper plate bats are a craft I never skip because they’re so simple and yet so effective. I usually fold the plate in half, cut out little wings, and then paint the whole thing black. Add some big eyes—googly or hand-drawn—and suddenly you’ve got a bat that looks like it’s about to swoop down. Hanging them around the house or on the porch just sets that spooky mood instantly.

Last year, I stuck a few on the walls, and when the light hit them at night, the shadows actually looked like flying bats. Honestly, it freaked out my guests in the best way possible. To be fair, I think this craft works because it’s versatile—whether you want cute, friendly bats or eerie, Dracula-style ones, you can make them however you like. They’re cheap, fun, and always get a reaction.

Frankenstein Plates

Every time I make Frankenstein plates, I can’t help but laugh. Something about those blocky green faces with the stitched-up foreheads just cracks me up. I usually paint the plate a bright green, cut out black hair with jagged edges, and glue it along the top. Add some bolts made from silver paper or even foil, and there you go—instant Frankenstein.

What I love is how expressive these can be. I’ll tilt the eyebrows to make him look grumpy or raise them for a more surprised look. Kids always get a kick out of making their Frankensteins look “scary but funny.” Honestly, I’ve found that these plates make great wall décor for a party, and they look even better when you line up a whole bunch together—like a Frankenstein family reunion.

Pumpkin Candy Holders

Pumpkin candy holders made from paper plates are such a game-changer for trick-or-treat parties. Basically, you staple two painted plates together (leaving the top open), and suddenly you’ve got a cute little pouch for candy. I usually paint them orange, draw a pumpkin face, and add a green paper stem on top.

One time, I handed these out to kids at a party, and they were more excited about the holder than the candy itself! Honestly, that’s when I realized how much charm these crafts can add to an event. To be fair, they’re practical too—you can use them as treat bags, decorations, or even little gift holders. They always bring a smile, and in my opinion, they’re one of the most underrated Halloween crafts out there.

Spider Web Plates with Yarn

Spider web plates are a little more detailed but so worth it. I poke holes around the edge of the plate and then weave black yarn back and forth to create that web pattern. It feels almost like stitching, and it’s actually kind of relaxing once you get into the rhythm. Add a little paper spider, and the whole thing comes to life.

I remember once running out of black yarn and using bright neon green instead, and honestly, it looked even cooler. The kids thought it was glow-in-the-dark! In my opinion, this craft is great because it works for all ages—smaller kids can do a simple weave, while older ones can try more complicated patterns. Either way, you end up with a spooky little web that looks great on a wall.

Paper Plate Owls

Owls might not be the first thing you think of for Halloween, but trust me, they fit the vibe perfectly. I usually cut out wings from another plate, paint everything dark brown or black, and then add those big round eyes that owls are famous for. Sometimes I go with classic Halloween colors—like purple wings or orange eyes—just to make them more festive.

One of my favorite memories was making a whole row of owls with a group of kids. Each one looked completely different—some goofy, some spooky, and one that honestly looked more like a chicken than an owl. But that’s the charm of it. To be fair, these owls work not just for Halloween but for fall in general, so you can leave them up even after October 31st without them looking out of place.

Monster Faces

Monster faces are where things get really wild. I grab a stack of paper plates, throw in every color of paint I have, and just let loose. Some end up with three eyes, others with fangs, and sometimes I’ll glue on yarn for hair or stick on crooked paper teeth. It’s basically a free-for-all, and that’s what makes it fun.

Honestly, the best part is seeing how different everyone’s monster turns out. No two ever look alike, and in my opinion, that’s what makes it so exciting. I once hosted a little “monster gallery” wall where everyone hung up their creations, and it was hilarious walking past all those weird, colorful faces. To be fair, these might be the messiest crafts, but they’re also the most creative ones.

Mummy Paper Plates

Mummy plates are ridiculously easy but look amazing when finished. I paint the plate white or just leave it plain, then wrap strips of tissue paper or gauze around it, crisscrossing until it looks like bandages. Then I pop on a pair of eyes peeking out from the gaps, and suddenly you’ve got a creepy little mummy staring back at you.

I once made a batch of these and taped them along the stairway, and guests couldn’t stop laughing at the silly expressions. Honestly, it’s a craft that looks way more impressive than the effort it takes. To be fair, it’s also a great way to use up scraps—old tissue paper, napkins, whatever you’ve got lying around. Mummies don’t need to look perfect—they look even better when they’re a little messy.

Haunted House Silhouette Plates

Haunted house silhouette plates are one of my favorites for creating real atmosphere. I paint the plate in a sunset or night-sky gradient—think orange fading into purple—and then cut out a black haunted house shape to glue in the middle. Add some bats or a crooked fence, and you’ve got a whole spooky scene on a single plate.

One year, I lined a wall with these plates, and it looked like a row of haunted houses against the sky—it was surprisingly dramatic for such a simple project. Honestly, I think this craft really shines when you let your background colors blend together in that eerie twilight way. To be fair, it takes a bit more time than some other plate crafts, but the end result feels like a mini piece of art.

Vampire Face Plates

Vampire plates are another craft that always makes me laugh. I’ll paint the plate pale white, add some slick black hair at the top, and then draw on a mouth with two sharp fangs. Sometimes I’ll add a red paper collar to really make it look like Dracula himself. They’re so over-the-top that they end up being more funny than scary.

I remember one time my nephew drew huge buck teeth instead of fangs, and it turned into more of a bunny-vampire hybrid—we couldn’t stop laughing. Honestly, these plates are best when you let people get silly with them. To be fair, you can keep them simple if you’re in a rush, but adding little details like fake blood or goofy eyebrows really makes them pop.

Skeleton Paper Plate Rattles

This one is part craft, part instrument, and it’s always a hit. I take two plates, decorate one with a skeleton face or bones, and then staple them together with a few beads or dry pasta inside. Shake it around, and suddenly you’ve got a creepy little rattle that kids absolutely love.

I once brought these to a classroom party, and the kids spent half the day shaking them like maracas—it was chaos but in the best way. Honestly, I think the sound effect makes them extra fun, especially during Halloween music or games. To be fair, they don’t last forever because of all the shaking, but they’re cheap and quick enough to replace that it doesn’t matter.

Glow-in-the-Dark Moon Plates

Glow-in-the-dark moon plates are such a magical touch for Halloween nights. I paint the plate with glow-in-the-dark paint (a pale green or blue works great), and then add little black bats or clouds to complete the scene. When the lights go out, that glowing moon effect looks incredible.

One Halloween, I stuck a few of these on the porch, and people kept asking how I made them—it honestly looked like glowing lanterns. In my opinion, this craft is perfect if you want something simple but striking. To be fair, the paint can be a bit tricky—you need a few coats to really get that glow—but it’s worth it for the reaction when the lights go off.

Tips for Crafting Success

When making paper plate Halloween crafts, a few simple tips can make the activity safer, easier, and more fun for everyone. These tricks will help kids enjoy the process while creating spooky and creative decorations.

• Use non-toxic paints and markers for kids to ensure safe crafting without harmful materials.

• Pre-cut shapes for younger children so they can focus on decorating and assembling without struggling.

• Add googly eyes, yarn, and glitter for extra fun, giving the crafts a lively and festive touch.

• Encourage kids to personalize their crafts by choosing their own colors, designs, and add-ons.

• Display finished crafts around the house or party space to celebrate their creativity and spread Halloween cheer.

FAQ

What age group is best for paper plate Halloween crafts?

These crafts are great for kids of all ages. Younger children may need help with cutting, while older kids can handle more detailed designs.

Do I need special supplies for these crafts?

No, you only need basic items like paper plates, paints, markers, glue, and simple decorations such as googly eyes, yarn, or glitter.

Can these crafts be used as party activities?

Yes, they are perfect for Halloween parties or classroom fun since they are simple, inexpensive, and keep kids engaged.

How can I make the crafts more durable?

You can laminate the finished plates, use thicker paper plates, or add a cardboard backing to make them last longer.