Halloween has become a tradition in our household, in that we tend to do the same halloween activities each year.
There is something very satisfying about re-visiting a craft you have been doing since the children were small!
This year we began early! The children were bemused! 'But it isn't Halloween yet!' they said.
'No' I agreed - 'but I need the pictures for my website!!'
Enjoy! I hope you have as much fun with these ideas as we do.
Halloween Craft Ideas
Apple Head Witches
Every year make some ‘apple head witches’. My friend put me onto this one (thank you, friend!).
Carefully peel an apple and carve a face into it(eye-sockets, nose and mouth). It’s better if you exaggerate the features and make them quite deep. We usually poke cloves in to act as eyes.
Stick your apple onto a stick and fasten on a cloak (paper or cloth) with an elastic band. Make your witch a hat out of black paper.
Now - sit back and over the next week or so, watch your beautiful apple head witch become shrunken and hideous!!
Halloween Stick Dolls
Stick dolls are easy to make and give great results.
Use the instructions for making the dolls, but use orange and black yarn.
You could use these as 'bodies' for your apple head witches!
Halloween Slime
Halloween slime making always goes down well!!
For little people a mix or cornflour, water and food coloring gives a good yucky experience.
For older children you can make a revolting mix from Borax and PVA glue. Here is my favourite Silly Putty Recipe including the science behind it.
Making hand-shadows is a great Halloween activity. You need a strong torch, a dark room and a clear wall. If you have more space then hang a sheet in the centre of the room with the torch behind it. Then the 'performer' can work between the sheet and the torch - with the audience out front.
I have a free book for you with hand shadow ideas in it. Just click on the book picture to download it.
Pumpkin Carving
Yes - I realise this isn't the most original idea ever!!!
BUT.. Did you know you could get patterns!!
The Pumkin Lady provides free patterns (scroll down to find them) that you can print, and use as a template when carving.
And after halloween?
A time lapse photography film would be a perfect use for that pumpkin you have carved after halloween is over.
Looking for some books about pumpkins? There are some lovely ones on my children's halloween books page.
Homeschooling Tips
Of course, Halloween is also a great time to sneak in a little homeschooling too! Try out these ideas.