Halloween is a magical time filled with colors, textures, and festive fun—but for parents with babies under 18 months, it can be tricky to find safe, age-appropriate activities. While traditional crafts often involve scissors, glue, and small pieces, infants thrive on sensory exploration and bonding experiences. Crafting with your baby doesn’t mean creating perfect decorations; it’s about enjoying textures, sounds, colors, and the joy of discovery together.
This guide brings you 15 Halloween-themed crafts designed with babies in mind. Each project is safe, simple, and developmentally appropriate, focusing on sensory play and motor skills. With a few household supplies and lots of supervision, you’ll create meaningful memories and keepsakes while nurturing your baby’s growth.
Important Safety Disclaimer
These crafts are designed for infants, but constant adult supervision is required. Always use non-toxic, baby-safe materials and avoid small or sharp objects that could pose choking hazards. The goal is sensory exploration, not independent play.
Pumpkin Handprint Keepsake
The Pumpkin Handprint Keepsake is a heartwarming craft that captures the tiny prints of your baby in a seasonal way. Using non-toxic orange paint for the handprint and a touch of green for the stem, this activity creates a keepsake that parents can treasure for years. It’s simple to make and perfect for marking your baby’s growth each Halloween.
Beyond being adorable, this craft engages your little one in sensory play. The cool, squishy paint introduces new textures and helps babies explore with their hands. For infants, you can gently guide their hands, while older babies may enjoy stamping multiple pumpkins on the page.
This keepsake also supports fine motor development and creativity as your child grows. Whether it’s their first Halloween or toddler years, the activity becomes a fun tradition. Parents can even add names and ages for a personalized seasonal memory.
Spooky Sensory Bag
The Spooky Sensory Bag is an easy Halloween-themed activity designed for babies to enjoy safe, mess-free play. A clear ziplock bag filled with non-toxic hair gel and confetti creates a squishy surface that fascinates little hands. Taped securely, it can be placed on a tray or mat for babies to press and explore.
This simple setup encourages visual tracking as babies watch the spooky shapes move under their fingers. They also develop coordination while poking and pushing the floating confetti around inside the bag. Since the bag is sealed, there’s no risk of mess, making it a stress-free play option for parents.
For different age stages, younger babies can enjoy tummy time with the bag, while older ones can experiment with pressing and patting. It’s a safe and stimulating way to bring the Halloween theme into everyday play without overwhelming little learners.
Cotton Ball Ghosts
Cotton Ball Ghosts are a soft and playful Halloween craft that babies will love to explore. With a simple ghost outline on paper, cotton balls become the fluffy filling that little hands can pat down. Pre-cut paper eyes complete the ghostly look while keeping the project baby-friendly and safe.
This craft introduces your baby to new textures while strengthening their finger grasp. The soft cotton provides a tactile experience, and sticking it onto glue spots is a fun way to practice coordination. Even the youngest babies can enjoy touching and feeling the cotton with your guidance.
Older infants can place the cotton more independently, creating a ghost that reflects their efforts. Parents often find this activity rewarding since it combines seasonal fun with skill-building. It’s a creative way to celebrate Halloween while encouraging sensory exploration and early motor development.
Halloween Sensory Bottle
The Halloween Sensory Bottle is a calming, visually engaging craft perfect for babies and toddlers. Made by filling a plastic bottle with colored water, glitter, and confetti, it creates a magical swirling effect that captures attention. Sealing the cap securely ensures safe play without any spills.
This activity supports early cause-and-effect learning as babies shake, roll, or tip the bottle. Watching the glitter float encourages visual tracking, and the gentle movements can even help soothe a fussy child. It’s an ideal sensory toy that parents can reuse during quiet time.
For very young infants, parents can move the bottle to show the sparkling effect, while older babies can handle it independently. It’s an easy DIY project that combines safety, creativity, and developmental benefits. The Halloween theme adds a festive twist, making it a seasonal favorite for both parents and little ones.
Pumpkin Stomp Painting
Pumpkin Stomp Painting turns little feet into creative tools for a fun seasonal craft. Using non-toxic orange paint, babies can make pumpkin prints by stomping or pressing their feet onto paper. Adding a green stem later completes the pumpkin look, making this activity both simple and adorable.
The process encourages gross motor skills while letting babies experience the cool texture of paint on their feet. For younger infants, parents can guide the stamping, while older ones can enjoy assisted or independent stomps. It’s a playful way to merge movement with creativity.
This craft also makes for a sweet keepsake, as the little footprints become seasonal art. Parents often enjoy framing or saving these pumpkin prints as a memory of their child’s early years. It’s messy, fun, and perfect for Halloween.
Baby-Friendly Jack-o’-Lantern Collage
The Baby-Friendly Jack-o’-Lantern Collage is a safe and creative Halloween project designed with little ones in mind. Using a large pumpkin cutout from orange paper and pre-cut black shapes for eyes, nose, and mouth, babies can explore arranging features without tiny choking hazards.
This activity builds fine motor skills as babies pat and press the shapes onto the pumpkin. Even if the face ends up upside down or uneven, it adds to the charm and creativity. Parents can supervise while letting their child take the lead in design.
For infants, the collage is more about sensory play, while older babies gain confidence in making choices and creating funny faces. It’s a wonderful way to introduce holiday crafting while ensuring everything remains safe and age-appropriate.
Spiderweb Tape Art
Spiderweb Tape Art is a simple but visually striking Halloween craft for babies and toddlers. Strips of masking tape are arranged in a web shape on black paper, and little ones get to finger paint over the surface with orange paint. Once the tape is peeled away, a bold spiderweb design appears.
This activity offers both sensory exploration and early cause-and-effect learning. Babies enjoy smearing and spreading paint with their fingers, and the big reveal of the web creates a sense of surprise. Parents can guide the process depending on the child’s age and ability.
For younger infants, hand-over-hand painting works well, while older ones can help peel the tape after the paint dries. It’s a festive way to combine creativity, sensory fun, and seasonal learning into one simple project.
Glow-in-the-Dark Ghost Sensory Play
Glow-in-the-Dark Ghost Sensory Play brings a magical nighttime twist to Halloween fun. By wrapping glow sticks in soft white fabric and securing them with a rubber band, you can create glowing little ghosts that capture a baby’s attention in dim light.
This activity encourages visual tracking as babies watch the glowing figures move. The soft fabric also provides a safe tactile element, making it easy for little hands to grasp and explore. Parents should always supervise closely, ensuring glow sticks stay sealed inside the fabric.
Younger infants will enjoy watching the ghost waved gently in front of them, while older babies can hold, shake, or carry the glowing figure. It’s a simple yet engaging sensory activity that makes Halloween evenings extra special for little ones.
Pumpkin Patch Texture Play
Pumpkin Patch Texture Play is a fun, hands-on craft that introduces babies to different textures while celebrating the season. Using large felt cutouts of pumpkins, stems, and leaves, parents can attach them with Velcro onto a poster board for safe, interactive play. Babies can pull the pumpkins off and stick them back on, creating their own mini pumpkin patch.
This activity is wonderful for developing grasp and release skills while encouraging problem-solving. The soft felt provides a gentle tactile experience, perfect for little fingers exploring new materials. Parents can guide infants, or let older babies explore independently.
It’s a simple setup that can be reused throughout the fall season. Whether during tummy time or highchair play, this sensory pumpkin patch offers both entertainment and developmental benefits for little ones.
Puffy Paint Ghosts
Puffy Paint Ghosts add a delightful 3D element to Halloween crafting with babies. Made by mixing shaving cream and white glue, the paint creates a soft, raised texture when spread onto black paper in ghostly shapes. Once dry, the artwork stands out with a fun, fluffy look.
This craft provides a unique sensory experience as babies smear and pat the squishy mixture. For infants, parents can guide the application, while older babies enjoy spreading it on their own. Adding eyes later completes the ghostly design.
The project encourages hand coordination and creativity while staying age-appropriate. With supervision, it becomes a safe and engaging way for little ones to explore textures and seasonal art. Puffy Paint Ghosts are a perfect blend of sensory fun and keepsake-worthy craft.
Baby’s First Pumpkin Drum
Baby’s First Pumpkin Drum turns an ordinary pumpkin into a playful musical instrument. By placing a small pumpkin on the floor and using a wooden spoon or baby-safe rattle, parents can introduce babies to rhythm and sound. The hollow thumping of the pumpkin adds a festive Halloween twist.
This activity encourages auditory exploration as babies listen to the different sounds produced by tapping. It also helps strengthen motor skills and hand-eye coordination as they learn to pat or drum. Parents can model rhythmic beats to engage their child even more.
Younger infants may enjoy watching and listening as parents play, while older ones can try drumming independently. It’s a simple, low-prep activity that combines sensory play with early music exploration.
Sensory Pumpkin Bin
The Sensory Pumpkin Bin is a seasonal sensory play activity that lets babies explore the inside of a pumpkin in a safe, supervised way. By scooping fresh pumpkin pulp into a shallow bin, parents create a squishy, textured play space perfect for curious little hands.
This activity introduces babies to rich tactile experiences, building fine motor skills as they squeeze, squish, or scoop with spoons and cups. Parents should supervise closely to ensure seeds aren’t swallowed, but the pulp itself is safe for messy play.
Younger babies may simply explore the feel of the pumpkin, while older infants enjoy transferring pulp between containers. It’s a wonderful way to mix sensory exploration with early science learning, all while keeping things festive and fun.
Halloween Footprint Art
Halloween Footprint Art is a keepsake-worthy craft that transforms tiny baby feet into festive seasonal designs. By gently painting a baby’s foot with washable, non-toxic paint and pressing it onto paper, parents can create pumpkins, ghosts, or monsters with ease. Once dry, simple marker details complete the artwork.
This activity provides fun sensory stimulation through the cool, slippery feel of paint while also creating cherished memories for parents. Babies get to explore the textures of paint and paper, while adults can guide the stamping process.
Younger infants need full assistance, while older babies may enjoy stamping multiple prints to create a playful pattern. It’s a quick, safe, and meaningful craft that doubles as both sensory play and a treasured Halloween keepsake.
Crinkle Paper Jack-o’-Lantern
The Crinkle Paper Jack-o’-Lantern is a bright and engaging Halloween craft that emphasizes texture and safe exploration. Parents prepare by sticking orange tissue paper pieces onto clear contact paper, then sealing with another sheet to create a smooth, baby-safe surface. Black paper eyes and a mouth turn the collage into a jack-o’-lantern face.
This project allows babies to pat and press the tissue through the contact sheet, feeling the crinkly texture without any risk of mouthing loose pieces. It helps build fine motor skills while also introducing early concepts of colors and shapes.
Infants can observe while parents arrange the design, while toddlers begin to participate in sticking and pressing. When displayed on a window, the light shining through makes this simple craft extra magical for little ones.
Halloween Ribbon Pull
Halloween Ribbon Pull is a simple yet engaging sensory activity that transforms a pumpkin into a playful toy. Parents poke small holes into a pumpkin and thread wide, colorful ribbons through, leaving enough length on both sides for pulling. Babies can then tug the ribbons back and forth for endless entertainment.
This craft is especially good for developing fine motor strength, bilateral coordination, and cause-and-effect understanding. The bright colors and movement keep babies engaged while parents supervise closely.
For younger infants, parents can demonstrate pulling the ribbons to capture attention, while older babies love experimenting on their own. It’s a safe, reusable, and festive activity that blends seasonal fun with developmental play.
Final Thoughts
Crafting with babies doesn’t have to mean scissors and glue—it’s about textures, colors, and shared moments. These Halloween activities encourage bonding while supporting your baby’s sensory, motor, and cognitive development. Whether you’re pressing tiny handprints into paint or watching glitter swirl in a sensory bottle, these memories are as valuable as the keepsakes themselves.
Halloween becomes magical not because of perfection, but because of joy-filled play with your little one.
