Halloween Crafts Published in October 2026

Mason jar Halloween lanterns are one of the easiest ways to add a warm, spooky glow to a porch, mantel or party table. A few clean glass jars, some paint or tissue paper and a battery tea light are all it takes to turn kitchen recycling into a row of grinning jack-o'-lanterns, wrapped mummies or glowing stained glass luminaries. This tutorial walks you through one basic method step by step, then shows you five different designs you can make with the same technique. The projects suit adults and older children, and younger kids can join in with the decorating once the jars are prepared.

Carving a jack-o'-lantern is a Halloween tradition, but it is not the only way to decorate a pumpkin. No-carve pumpkin decorating ideas are perfect for young children who are too little to handle knives, for anyone who wants their pumpkins to last longer, and for crafters who simply enjoy painting and embellishing more than scooping. An uncut pumpkin stays fresh far longer than a carved one because the skin is still sealed. That means you can decorate early in October and still have a great display on the 31st. Below you will find how to choose and prepare your pumpkins, ten creative no-carve ideas, and tips for keeping your designs looking good all month.

Coffee filter ghosts are a classic Halloween craft for a good reason: they cost almost nothing, they take only minutes, and children of nearly every age can make them. With a few round paper filters, some cotton wool and a black marker, you can create a whole crowd of friendly little spooks to hang in windows, string into a garland or float above a party table. This guide shows you how to make a basic coffee filter ghost step by step and then shares several ways to take the idea further, from glowing ghosts to colorful watercolor spirits.

Empty toilet paper rolls are one of the most useful free craft supplies in the house. With a little paint, paper and imagination, a plain cardboard tube can become a bat, a mummy, a black cat or a goofy monster. Toilet paper roll Halloween crafts are ideal for rainy October afternoons, classroom activities and party tables, and they are a fun way to show children how everyday recycling can be turned into something new. Below you will find how to prepare your tubes, eight easy cardboard tube projects and some tips for getting the best results with children of different ages.

Salt dough is a wonderful, inexpensive craft material that most families can make from ingredients already in the kitchen cupboard. Rolled out, cut into pumpkins, bats and ghosts, baked hard and painted, it turns into charming salt dough Halloween ornaments you can hang on a Halloween tree, string into a garland or keep as handmade keepsakes for years. This guide covers a simple salt dough recipe, how to shape and dry your ornaments, how to paint and seal them so they last, and plenty of spooky design ideas.

A Halloween craft party is a brilliant alternative, or addition, to trick or treating. Children get to be creative, everyone goes home with something they made, and you avoid the sugar overload of a traditional party. Whether you are planning a small get-together for a few friends or a busy afternoon for a whole class, a little preparation makes all the difference. This guide covers everything you need to plan and host a Halloween craft party for kids: guest numbers, choosing crafts, setting up stations, a sample schedule, snacks, safety and take-home favors.