Spooky & Simple Preschool Halloween Crafts

Preschool Halloween Crafts are a wonderful way to bring the spooky season to life for little ones. These activities are not only full of fun but also help children learn and grow through creative play. From painting pumpkins to making friendly ghosts, preschoolers get to explore their imagination while improving fine motor skills. The bright colors, cute designs, and festive atmosphere make the experience even more exciting. Best of all, these crafts are designed with safety and simplicity in mind, using easy steps and child-safe materials so every child can join in without worry.

Preschool Halloween Crafts

Preschool Halloween Crafts are a fun and safe way for young children to enjoy the spooky season while learning new skills. Simple designs and easy materials make them perfect for little hands to create festive decorations.

Paper Plate Pumpkin Faces

I’ve always loved how paper plate pumpkins can go from cute to creepy in just a few marker strokes. The first time I made these with my niece, she insisted on giving hers “vampire teeth” and a mustache. Honestly, the best part is letting the kids take over—because their ideas are way funnier than anything I’d plan. All you need is a stack of paper plates, orange paint, and some black construction paper for the eyes and mouths.
Once they’re painted and dry, cut out different facial features and just mix-and-match. I like to lay out a “pumpkin face buffet” where the kids can pick their own eyes, noses, and mouths. To be fair, sometimes the glue ends up everywhere, but that’s half the fun. And if you hang them all on a wall, you get this goofy, mismatched pumpkin family staring back at you—it’s a guaranteed conversation starter.

Handprint Ghosts

There’s something magical about turning messy little handprints into friendly ghosts. The first time I tried this, I accidentally smudged one, and it ended up looking like a ghost in mid-swoop—it was even better than planned. Just white paint on tiny hands, pressed onto black paper, and a couple of googly eyes can completely change the vibe.
I’ve found that kids love the “ghost reveal” moment—when they pull their hand away and see the shape. It’s like they made something out of thin air. You can add little speech bubbles like “Boo!” or “Eek!” for extra fun. And honestly, even if the handprints aren’t perfect (which they never are), that’s what makes them so charming. I still have one from five years ago tucked in my scrapbook, and every Halloween, I pull it out and smile at how small those fingers used to be.

Cotton Ball Spider Webs

If there’s one craft that never fails with preschoolers, it’s spider webs. Cotton balls are ridiculously cheap, and when you stretch them out, they look so real it’s almost spooky. I remember one rainy afternoon when my son and I sat at the kitchen table pulling apart cotton balls until we had a fluffy pile—it felt like we were making clouds, but creepier.
We just glued them onto black paper in messy patterns and added a big plastic spider right in the middle. To be fair, the glue part is the trickiest because cotton likes to stick to everything except where you want it. But the end result? A slightly fuzzy, slightly eerie spider web that looks amazing in a window. I usually let the kids sprinkle on a little glitter—because in my opinion, even spooky things can sparkle.

Popsicle Stick Bats

These little bats might be my favorite Halloween craft because they’re quick, cheap, and surprisingly sturdy. The first time I made them, I was convinced the wings would flop, but nope—they hold up great. Just glue three popsicle sticks into a triangle, paint it black, and add felt wings on the sides.
I’ve found that preschoolers love giving their bats personalities—googly eyes, tiny bow ties, even pink wings (because why not?). We once made an entire “bat colony” and hung them from fishing line across the living room. The way they swayed when the fan was on made it look like they were really flying. Honestly, for such a simple project, these bats get a lot of love in my house. And bonus: they’re small enough to store for next year without taking up half your craft closet.

Toilet Paper Roll Monsters

If you’ve got a preschooler, chances are you have at least one empty toilet paper roll lying around. I keep a stash just for crafts, and Halloween is their time to shine. Paint them any color—green, purple, orange—and then go wild with eyes, teeth, and fuzzy pipe cleaner hair.
The best part is there are no rules. One time, my daughter made a “three-headed disco monster” with glitter eyebrows. It looked like it belonged at a monster dance party. I’ve noticed kids love stacking them into little monster towers, too. And honestly, this is the craft I suggest when you want something low-prep but still ridiculously cute. Just be warned—googly eyes tend to migrate around the house for weeks afterward.

Leaf Print Pumpkins

This one feels like autumn and Halloween had a baby. You just grab some real leaves (the crunchier the better), paint them in fall colors, and stamp them onto paper in the shape of a pumpkin. The textures you get are gorgeous.
The first time I tried it, I underestimated how much paint a leaf could hold—my table looked like a sunset exploded. But the kids didn’t care; they just kept stamping. I love adding a little green stem and maybe outlining the pumpkin shape in black marker. It’s messy in the best way, and to be fair, it’s one of those crafts that doubles as a fall decoration. I’ve hung mine on the fridge and even framed a couple for the hallway.

Q-Tip Skeletons

Q-tips make surprisingly adorable skeleton bones, especially for little hands that can’t cut perfectly straight strips of paper yet. I like to draw a simple skeleton head on white paper, then let the kids glue down Q-tips for arms, legs, and ribs.
One time, my son made his skeleton doing jumping jacks, and it still cracks me up. I’ve found that this project works great for teaching simple body shapes too—it’s sneaky learning wrapped in Halloween fun. If you want to make it even sillier, you can give the skeleton a bow tie or a top hat. Honestly, these end up looking way better than you’d expect from something made out of cotton swabs.

Yarn-Wrapped Mummies

Something about wrapping yarn around a cardboard cutout feels weirdly satisfying. I cut out little mummy shapes and let the kids wrap white yarn around them until they’re all bundled up. You can even add a pair of big googly eyes peeking through.
In my opinion, this is the kind of craft that’s perfect for calming a hyper group of kids—it’s repetitive in the best way. I remember doing this at a Halloween playdate, and the room went from loud chaos to quiet concentration in minutes. Plus, no two mummies ever look the same. Some end up tidy and neat, others look like they’ve been through a wild sandstorm. Either way, they’re hilarious to hang up.

Egg Carton Spiders & Bat

Cutting up an egg carton to make little spider bodies is a total classic. Paint them black, add pipe cleaner legs, and stick on some googly eyes. The first time I made these, I underestimated how wobbly pipe cleaner legs can be—they have a mind of their own.
But that’s part of the charm. I’ve found that kids love making “spider families” with different numbers of legs and eyes. Some even give their spiders names and backstories, which is honestly adorable. You can hang them from yarn so they dangle, or just let them crawl around the table. They make surprisingly good party decorations too.

Tips for Displaying Crafts

Showing off children’s creations is a great way to make them feel proud and excited about their work. With Preschool Halloween Crafts, displaying them adds to the festive mood and encourages creativity. Whether in a classroom or at home, these ideas will help you showcase the spooky fun in style.

• Create a Classroom or Home “Halloween Gallery” – Dedicate a wall or corner where all crafts are displayed together, turning the space into a mini art exhibition.

• Hang Crafts on Bulletin Boards or Walls – Use pins, clips, or string with clothespins to hang artwork where everyone can see and enjoy.

• Send Them Home as Keepsakes for Parents – Pack crafts neatly so children can take them home, allowing families to treasure the creative memories.

FAQ

What are Preschool Halloween Crafts?

Preschool Halloween Crafts are easy and fun art activities for young children to celebrate Halloween using safe and simple materials.

Are these crafts safe for preschoolers?

Yes, they use non-toxic supplies and easy tools, but adult supervision is always recommended.

What are the benefits of doing these crafts?

They help children develop fine motor skills, learn colors and shapes, and express their creativity in a festive way.

Can I make these crafts at home?

Yes, they are perfect for both classrooms and at-home family activities.