How to Make a Halloween Ghost Craft with Toddlers: A Fun & Easy DIY Activity

Halloween is such a magical time for little ones. Toddlers may be too young for spooky haunted houses or trick-or-treat marathons, but they’re never too young to enjoy the festive spirit through crafts. This Halloween Ghost Craft is specially designed for toddlers aged 2–4 years old and is as easy as it is adorable. It’s a safe, hands-on project that promotes fine motor skills, creativity, and sensory exploration—all while giving you a chance to bond and create fun memories together.

The best part? You don’t need fancy materials or complicated steps. With just a few basic supplies you likely already have at home, your child can create a friendly ghost decoration that’s perfect for hanging on the wall, using as a photo prop, or displaying proudly on the fridge. Let’s dive into the full tutorial.

Materials You’ll Need

Here’s a simple, budget-friendly list of everything required:

White construction paper or cardstock (stronger than printer paper for durability)
Child-safe glue stick
Cotton balls or tissue paper (for a fluffy ghost texture)
Googly eyes (large ones are easier for toddlers to handle; can be swapped for paper cutouts)
Black construction paper (for the ghost’s mouth)
Child-safe scissors (optional, for adults to pre-cut shapes)
Non-toxic markers or crayons (for details)
String or tape (to hang your ghost)

Estimated Time to Complete: 20–30 minutes
Difficulty Level: ⭐ (1/5) – Perfect for beginners
Cost: Around $5–10 depending on what you already have at home

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Ghost Shape

Draw a simple ghost outline on white cardstock or construction paper. Think of a rounded head with wavy edges at the bottom—it doesn’t have to be perfect, toddlers love quirky shapes!
For very young toddlers (2–3 years), parents should cut out the ghost shape ahead of time. Older toddlers may enjoy helping with safe, child-sized scissors under close supervision.

Tip: To make the ghost sturdier, glue the paper onto thin cardboard (like from a cereal box) before cutting.

Step 2: Add the Fluffy Ghost Texture

Provide your toddler with cotton balls or small pieces of white tissue paper.
Show them how to dab glue across the ghost shape and press down the cotton balls. Encourage them to fill in the entire ghost body.
Let them explore! Some toddlers may love pulling apart cotton balls to make wispy textures, which adds extra sensory play.

Troubleshooting: If your toddler uses too much glue and the cotton balls clump, gently press them flat with your fingers once dry.

Step 3: Create the Face

Help your child glue two googly eyes onto the ghost. If you don’t have googly eyes, simply cut out black circles from construction paper or draw them with markers.
Cut out a small oval or round mouth from black paper and let your toddler glue it under the eyes. You can go spooky with an “O” mouth or keep it silly with a smile.

Variation: Use colored paper to add a bowtie, hat, or even a pumpkin bucket so the ghost looks ready for trick-or-treating.

Step 4: Add Details and Personality

Hand your toddler crayons or markers to add extra decorations. Maybe they’ll want to draw arms, stars, or even give their ghost rosy cheeks.
Encourage imagination: “Is your ghost a happy ghost or a silly ghost?”

Learning Element: This is a great chance to teach body part vocabulary (“eyes,” “mouth”) and encourage creative storytelling.

Step 5: Display Your Ghost

Once the ghost is dry, tape string to the top so you can hang it on a door, window, or wall.
You could also stick a magnet on the back to display it on the refrigerator.

Variation: Make several small ghosts and string them together to create a “ghost garland.”

Safety Considerations

Always supervise toddlers when handling small items like googly eyes, as they can be a choking hazard.
Use child-safe glue and scissors designed specifically for toddlers.
Keep markers non-toxic and washable for easy clean-up.
If using cotton balls, make sure your toddler does not attempt to put them in their mouth.

Clean-Up Tips

Crafting with toddlers is fun but can get messy! Here are some quick strategies:

Lay down old newspaper or a plastic tablecloth before starting.
Keep a pack of baby wipes nearby for sticky hands.
Have a small bin ready for scraps to make clean-up easy and fast.

Learning Benefits of the Ghost Craft

This ghost craft isn’t just adorable—it’s educational, too. Here’s what your toddler gains while having fun:

Fine motor skills: Gluing, sticking, and coloring all strengthen hand muscles and coordination.
Sensory play: Cotton balls and glue offer different textures for little fingers to explore.
Creativity: Choosing ghost faces and decorations helps kids express themselves.
Language development: Talking through the process (“Let’s glue the eyes here”) builds vocabulary.
Confidence: Completing the craft gives toddlers a sense of accomplishment.

Possible Variations

Friendly Family Ghosts: Make multiple ghosts and decorate each one to look like family members.
Glow-in-the-Dark Ghosts: Add glow-in-the-dark stickers or paint for a fun nighttime effect.
Paper Plate Ghost: Swap cardstock for a paper plate for an even simpler version.
Handprint Ghost: Trace your toddler’s hand, cut it out in white paper, and decorate as a ghost.

Final Thoughts

Making a Halloween craft with your toddler is more than just an afternoon activity—it’s an opportunity to spark creativity, practice fine motor skills, and share laughs together. The best part is how simple and affordable it is to set up, with no need for advanced crafting skills.

So this Halloween, skip the store-bought decorations and let your little one’s ghost take center stage on your wall or fridge. With a few basic supplies, a sprinkle of imagination, and lots of toddler giggles, you’ll have a handmade keepsake that will bring joy for years to come.

Happy crafting, and may your Halloween be filled with silly, friendly ghosts rather than spooky ones! 👻

How to Make a Halloween Ghost Craft with Toddlers: A Fun & Easy DIY Activity

Materials You’ll Need