Some links on this blog may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Enchanted Kids Moment!
I have not seen people as active as children. They want to help with any and everything.
One October afternoon, I was putting up Halloween decorations while my nephew was in the room. He immediately dropped whatever He was doing and appeared right beside me with his hands out, ready to help. There was no going back after that.
Halloween decorating can become expensive when you buy every decoration ready-made. It can also feel like a lot of work when you have young children who want to be involved in every single step.
Making a few decorations together solves both problems. You can use paper, cardboard, paint, recycled materials, and basic craft supplies to create decorations that fit your home and your child’s age.
The best projects do not need complicated techniques. Kids can paint pumpkins, decorate paper ghosts, make bats, create Halloween signs, and help arrange the finished pieces around the house.
I have gathered 30 easy Halloween decorations that families can make at home. Some take only a few minutes while others work better as a longer afternoon craft project.
You do not need to make all 30. Choose a few projects that match your child’s age, attention span, and crafting ability. Then let the decorating become part of your Halloween celebration.
If you want to turn the whole space into a fun Halloween setting, you can also find inspiration in my 35 Spooky Halloween Party Decorations That Instantly Wow Kids, especially for larger decorative displays.
Before You Start: Choose Decorations That Match Your Child’s Age
Not every Halloween decoration works for every child.
Toddlers can help with painting, stamping, sticking large paper shapes, and choosing colours. Avoid giving them small pieces or asking them to use scissors without close adult supervision.
Preschoolers can handle simple projects such as paper ghosts, painted pumpkins, paper chains, and toilet paper roll characters. Give them simple instructions and let them make their own creative choices.
Older children can take on more detailed projects. They may enjoy cutting shapes, designing signs, creating window silhouettes, or helping assemble larger decorations.
Think about where the finished decoration will go before you start. A paper craft might work well on a wall, while painted rocks can sit on a shelf or windowsill.
You also don’t need to decorate every room. Choose one or two areas and let the children create a small Halloween display there.
Basic Supplies for DIY Halloween Decorations
You can make many of these projects with supplies you already have at home.
Paper and recycled materials
- Construction paper
- Cardstock
- Paper plates
- Cardboard
- Toilet paper rolls
- Tissue paper
- Craft paper
- Clean glass jars
Decorating supplies
- Washable paint
- Markers
- Crayons
- Glue
- Glue dots
- Stickers
- Googly eyes
- Ribbons
- Twine
- Craft foam
Helpful tools
- Child-safe scissors
- Adult scissors
- Hole punch
- Paintbrushes
- Pencil
- Ruler
You don’t need everything on this list. Check your craft supplies first and choose projects that use materials you already have.
Easy Halloween Decorations to Make With Kids
1. Paper Plate Pumpkins
Paper plates make an inexpensive base for simple Halloween pumpkins.
Paint each plate orange and let it dry completely. Add a green paper stem, then draw or paint a face on the front.
Younger children can decorate the pumpkin with crayons, washable markers, or stickers instead of using wet paint.
Hang several finished pumpkins together on a wall or place them around a Halloween party area.
Best for: Toddlers and preschoolers.
Kid’s job: Painting, colouring, and decorating the pumpkin face.
For another paper-plate project, try How to Make an Easy Paper Plate Shark Craft for Preschoolers.
2. Cardboard Bat Wall
Turn leftover cardboard into a simple group of flying bats.
Draw several bat shapes on thin cardboard and cut them out. An adult can handle the cutting for younger children.
Let kids paint the bats black or decorate them with crayons and markers. You can also leave the cardboard plain for a simple look.
Arrange the bats in a curved pattern so they appear to fly across the wall.
Best for: Preschoolers and older kids.
Kid’s job: Painting and arranging the bats.
3. Painted Pumpkin Jars
Save clean glass jars and turn them into tiny pumpkin decorations.
Clean glass jars can become small pumpkin decorations for shelves and tables.
Paint the outside of each jar orange and allow it to dry completely. Add simple pumpkin faces with black paint or markers.
Use the finished jars as decorative containers for craft supplies or wrapped treats.
If you want to add a light, use a battery-operated option rather than a real candle.
Best for: Older children with adult supervision.
Kid’s job: Painting and designing the faces.
4. Hanging Paper Spiders
Paper spiders are easy to make and can fill an empty Halloween corner.
Cut spider bodies from black construction paper and add eight paper legs. Children can draw the eyes or attach larger craft eyes.
Hang the finished spiders from a wall, shelf, or doorway using string.
Avoid placing hanging decorations where young children can easily grab or pull them down.
Best for: Preschoolers and older kids.
For another creative kids’ craft session, you can also explore 25 Fun & Easy Indoor DIY Activities and Crafts for Kids.
5. Halloween Handprint Banners
Turn children’s handprints into a Halloween banner that also becomes a keepsake.
Trace each child’s hand onto coloured paper and cut out the shapes. Turn the handprints into pumpkins, ghosts, monsters, spiders, or other Halloween characters.
Attach the finished pieces to twine with clips or glue.
Let every child create their own character instead of trying to make the banner look identical.
Best for: Toddlers and preschoolers.
6. Toilet Paper Roll Monsters
Empty toilet paper rolls make excellent bases for small Halloween characters.
Paint the rolls green, orange, purple, black, or white. Once dry, add paper eyes, ears, teeth, hair, horns, or other features.
Children can create monsters, vampires, pumpkins, witches, or friendly ghosts.
Display the finished characters on a shelf or windowsill.
Best for: Preschoolers.
Extra benefit: This project gives children a simple way to reuse clean household materials.
7. Pumpkin Face Wall Display
Create a wall full of pumpkins with different personalities.
Cut pumpkin shapes from orange cardstock. Let children decorate each one with markers, stickers, paper scraps, or craft foam.
Encourage different expressions. Some pumpkins can look happy, silly, surprised, or slightly spooky.
Arrange the pumpkins together on a wall or combine them with a Halloween banner.
Best for: Preschoolers and school-age kids.
If your kids enjoy decorating pumpkins, you may also like 31 Halloween Pumpkin Painting Ideas Kids Can Make Instead of Carving.
8. Tissue Paper Ghosts
Tissue paper ghosts are lightweight and easy for children to personalize.
Crumple a small piece of tissue paper into a ball and cover it with another piece. Tie the bottom gently with string or ribbon to form the ghost’s body.
Add eyes and a mouth using black paper or a marker.
Hang several ghosts near a doorway, window, or wall.
Safety note: Keep the hanging pieces out of reach of toddlers.
9. DIY Monster Door
Let kids transform an ordinary door into a giant Halloween monster.
Use colored paper to create large eyes, eyebrows, teeth, and a mouth. Attach the pieces to the door with removable adhesive.
You can create one giant friendly monster or several smaller faces.
This idea makes a great entrance for a Halloween party because children see the decoration as soon as they arrive.
For party planning inspiration, visit How to Plan a Magical Kids Birthday Party From Start to Finish.
10. Cotton Ball Spider Web
Cotton balls can become a simple homemade spider web.
Pull apart cotton balls and stretch them gently until they form thin, web-like pieces. Place the material across a wall corner, shelf, mirror, or table.
Add small paper spiders to complete the display.
Keep the web loose rather than perfectly arranged. The uneven texture makes it look more natural and gives kids freedom to decorate.
11. Paper Ghost Garland
Paper ghosts are one of the easiest Halloween decorations to make with kids because the supplies are simple and the finished garland instantly changes a room.
Cut white paper into small ghost shapes, then add eyes and funny mouths with a black marker. Punch small holes near the tops and thread the ghosts onto string.
Let kids create different expressions for each ghost. Some can look surprised, happy, sleepy, or completely silly. Hang the finished garland across a wall, doorway, shelf, or party table.
For more seasonal inspiration, take a look at these 35 Spooky Halloween Party Decorations That Instantly Wow Kids.
12. Hanging Witch Hats
Turn inexpensive black paper into floating witch hats.
Roll black cardstock into cone shapes and secure the edges. Cut circular brims from additional paper and attach them underneath.
Add purple, orange, or green ribbons around the hats.
Hang the finished hats from the ceiling using clear thread. Several hats at different heights create a playful floating effect.
13. Popsicle Stick Halloween Signs
Popsicle sticks can become tiny Halloween signs for shelves and tables.
Glue several sticks together to create a small signboard. Kids can paint the boards black, orange, purple, or white.
Then add messages such as “Boo,” “Trick or Treat,” or “Spooky Night.”
Place the signs beside pumpkins, jars, or small Halloween figures.
If your children enjoy hands-on decorating projects, these Easy Summer Crafts Kids Can Make in 10 Minutes offer more simple craft inspiration.
14. Halloween Balloon Faces
Plain balloons can become oversized Halloween characters.
Inflate orange, white, green, and black balloons. Draw faces on them using permanent markers or attach paper facial features.
Orange balloons can become pumpkins. White balloons can become ghosts. Green balloons can become monsters.
Group several balloons together to create a fun Halloween corner.
For more balloon inspiration, see 31 Beautiful Balloon Decoration Ideas for Kids’ Parties That Will Absolutely Wow Every Guest.
15. Monster Eyes Window Decoration
Make your windows look like friendly monsters are watching from outside.
Cut large eye shapes from white paper and create black pupils from cardstock. Add colorful eyelids or eyebrows for extra personality.
Attach the eyes to windows with removable adhesive.
Kids can create several pairs with different expressions and arrange them across the glass.
16. DIY Pumpkin Bunting
Pumpkin bunting gives a room a classic Halloween look without requiring complicated crafting.
Cut several pumpkin shapes from orange paper. Add black faces, green stems, and small decorative details.
Punch two holes in each pumpkin and thread them onto twine.
Hang the bunting above a doorway, across a wall, or behind a dessert table.
For another personalized party decoration, check out 31 Creative Birthday Banner Ideas That Add a Personalized Touch to Any Kids Celebration.
17. Painted Rock Monsters
Smooth rocks can become tiny Halloween characters.
Wash and dry the rocks before painting them. Kids can turn each one into a pumpkin, ghost, monster, bat, or spider.
Once the paint dries, place the rocks along a windowsill, entryway, shelf, or party table.
Rock painting also works well as a Halloween activity because children can decorate their own little characters.
For more inspiration, explore Easy Rock Painting Ideas for Kids (No Experience Needed!).
18. Paper Plate Ghosts
White paper plates make excellent ghost faces.
Turn each plate upside down and add two black eyes plus a wide mouth. Cut strips of white tissue paper or paper and attach them underneath.
The strips create the ghost’s flowing body.
Hang several together so they appear to float across the wall.
19. DIY Halloween Flower Pots
Give small plant pots a Halloween makeover.
Paint the pots black, orange, white, or green. Add faces inspired by pumpkins, ghosts, or monsters.
Place small artificial flowers, branches, or battery-operated lights inside.
The finished pots work beautifully on shelves, tables, or windowsills.
For another colorful project involving children, see How to Make a Colourful Patriotic Flower Arrangement With Your Kids.
20. Hanging Paper Lanterns
Paper lanterns can create a warm Halloween atmosphere when you use battery-operated lights inside.
Fold orange, black, or purple paper into simple lantern shapes. Add cut-out stars, bats, moons, or pumpkins.
Place battery-operated tea lights inside the finished lanterns and set them on a safe surface.
Never use real candles around children’s decorations.
21. Halloween Character Chain
A paper chain can become much more fun when every link represents a Halloween character.
Cut strips of colored paper and decorate each one before connecting them.
Use orange for pumpkins, black for bats, white for ghosts, and green for monsters.
Hang the chain across a wall, doorway, or table.
22. Popsicle Stick Pumpkin Patch
Create a miniature pumpkin patch using popsicle sticks.
Paint several sticks green or brown and use orange paper circles as pumpkins. Add small leaves and stems.
Arrange the pumpkins across a piece of cardboard.
Kids can create a little Halloween scene with trees, ghosts, houses, and bats around their pumpkin patch.
For another creative paper project, explore 15 Creative Fall Crafts for Kids Using Leaves, Apples, and Pumpkins.
23. Halloween Photo Booth Frame
A homemade Halloween frame gives children a fun place to take party pictures.
Cut a large rectangle from sturdy cardboard and decorate the border with pumpkins, bats, ghosts, spiders, and colorful paper.
Paint the frame black and orange or let kids choose their own Halloween color combination.
Place it near the party entrance or activity table.
For more ideas focused on memorable family moments, visit The Ultimate Guide to Creating Meaningful Childhood Memories With Kids.
24. Hanging Bat Branch
Bring a little Halloween woodland feeling indoors with a simple branch display.
Find a clean, dry branch and place it securely in a sturdy vase. Cut bats from black paper and attach them to the branches with string.
Kids can make bats in different sizes and arrange them across the branches.
Add small paper moons or stars for a magical finishing touch.
25. Halloween Paper Fans
Paper fans add texture to a Halloween wall without taking up much space.
Fold orange, purple, black, and white paper accordion-style. Connect the ends to create circular fans.
Layer different sizes together and add pumpkin or bat cutouts in the center.
Use the finished fans behind a snack table or as part of a Halloween photo area.
26. Friendly Frankenstein Wall
Create a giant Frankenstein face using colored paper.
Use green paper for the face, black paper for the hair, white paper for the eyes, and small strips of black paper for scars.
Let children choose the expression.
A smiling Frankenstein can make the decoration feel fun instead of frightening, which works especially well for younger children.
27. DIY Halloween Table Runner
Kids can create a simple paper table runner for a Halloween snack table.
Lay a long piece of black or orange craft paper across the table. Let children decorate it with pumpkins, stars, ghosts, bats, and spider webs.
They can draw directly on the paper or glue on paper shapes.
This decoration also protects the table from small spills during craft or snack time.
28. Halloween Window Silhouettes
Black paper silhouettes create a dramatic Halloween look with very little effort.
Cut out bats, cats, pumpkins, haunted houses, or witches’ hats.
Arrange the shapes across windows so they stand out against the light.
Kids can help choose the shapes and decide how the scene should look.
For more kids’ decorating inspiration, explore 33 Pinterest-Inspired Kids Room Decorating Ideas.
29. Mini Halloween Party Signs
Create small signs to guide guests around the party.
Use cardboard or thick paper and write simple labels such as “Treats,” “Games,” “Crafts,” or “Photo Spot.”
Kids can decorate each sign with drawings and stickers.
This makes the party space feel organized while giving children another chance to contribute to the decorating.
For more party ideas, you can also browse 27 Funny Halloween Party Games That Keep Kids Laughing.
30. DIY Halloween Paper Wreath
A paper wreath makes a welcoming decoration for the front door or an indoor wall.
Start with a cardboard ring. Cover it with black, orange, purple, and white paper leaves, pumpkins, bats, and ghosts.
Let kids decide how crowded they want the wreath to look.
Add a simple ribbon at the bottom and hang it on the door.
For another seasonal backdrop project that kids can help create, see 31 Timeless DIY Fall Backdrop Ideas for Kids’ Parties That Always Look Beautiful.
How to Make Halloween Decorating More Fun for Kids
Halloween decorating becomes much more enjoyable when children get real choices instead of simply being asked to help with adult decorating jobs.
Set out a small selection of paper, markers, paint, glue, scissors, ribbons, and recycled materials. Then give each child a decorating area to work on.
One child might create ghosts while another makes pumpkins. Someone else might prefer painting rocks or designing signs.
You can also turn decorating into a small family activity before the party. Put on some Halloween music, prepare the supplies, and let everyone work on a few decorations together.
For more simple creative activities, The Complete Guide to Summer Kids Crafts Activities for Creative and Curious Kids has plenty of ideas that can inspire year-round crafting.
How to Store Homemade Halloween Decorations
Some handmade decorations can become part of your Halloween collection for years.
Store paper decorations flat inside folders or large envelopes. Place small painted decorations in boxes with tissue paper between them.
Keep fabric decorations in labeled bags so you can find them next Halloween.
You can also write the year on a storage box. This makes it easy to see how your family’s collection grows over time.
For especially meaningful projects, take a photo before storing them. That way, you can preserve the memory even if a paper decoration eventually becomes damaged.
How to Decorate Without Making the Room Feel Crowded
Homemade decorations can quickly fill a room, especially when children are excited and want to display everything they create.
Start with a few larger pieces. A paper wreath, monster door, balloon display, or large pumpkin wall can become the main focal point.
Then add smaller decorations around it.
Keep walkways clear and avoid placing hanging decorations where children could easily grab or pull them down.
Shelves, tables, windows, and empty wall sections provide useful decorating spaces without taking away room for games and movement.
If you need ideas for keeping children’s spaces organized after the celebration, take a look at Toy Storage Ideas That Make Cleanup Easier for Kids.
Turn Halloween Decorating Into a Family Tradition
You don’t need to make dozens of decorations every year.
Choose two or three projects that your children enjoy and make them part of your annual Halloween routine.
You could make a new paper wreath each year, paint Halloween rocks together, or create one handmade decoration for the front door.
Take a photo of the children making the decorations and another photo of the finished display.
Over time, you’ll have a simple record of how their creativity changes as they grow.
If you want more ideas for creating meaningful moments together, The Ultimate Guide to Documenting Your Child’s Milestones can help you think about simple ways to preserve special childhood memories.
Final Thoughts
The best Halloween decorations for kids don’t need expensive supplies or complicated instructions.
A paper plate can become a pumpkin. A cardboard box can become a group of bats. A toilet paper roll can become a monster. Even a simple sheet of paper can become part of a Halloween garland.
Choose projects that match your child’s age and let them make real decisions about the colours, faces, and designs.
You don’t need to display every craft they make. Pick a few favourites and create one or two areas where their work can shine.
Most importantly, make the decorating process part of the fun. The finished decorations will only last for a season, but the experience of creating them together can become part of your family’s Halloween routine.
