Let's be real, mama – when Pinterest shows those "easy toddler crafts," they're usually anything BUT easy (and definitely not toddler-friendly). Between the inevitable paint explosions and the meltdowns over glue-sticky fingers, Halloween crafting with little ones can feel more trick than treat.
But here's the thing: your toddler doesn't need Instagram-worthy masterpieces to have a blast. They just want to get their hands dirty, make something "all by myself," and maybe sneak a few snacks along the way. So get your kiddo in their comfiest Nola Tawk Halloween outfit, and let's dive into three crafts that will actually work with your tiny tornado.
1. Ghost Handprint Pumpkins
There's something magical about capturing those tiny handprints before they grow up too fast. This ghost craft is the perfect mix of sentimental and spooky, and your toddler will love seeing their own hands turn into adorable little ghosts.
What You'll Need:
-
A pumpkin
-
White washable paint
-
Paper plates for paint
-
Baby wipes or damp cloth for cleanup
-
Black marker or pen
How to Make It:
Start by setting up a protected surface – a plastic tablecloth or even a cut-open trash bag works great. Pour a generous puddle of white paint onto a paper plate. Now here's the fun part: help your toddler press their whole hand into the paint, making sure those little fingers get coated. Press their hand firmly onto the pumpkin, fingers pointing down to create the ghost shape. Let them make as many handprints as they want – ghost families are the best!
Once the paint dries (give it about 20-30 minutes), draw on eyes & simple "ooo" mouths with your black marker. If your toddler is old enough, they can even stick on some googly eyes themselves!
Age Modifications: 18-month-olds might need hand-over-hand help with the pressing motion, while 3-year-olds can usually handle dipping and pressing themselves. Just have something ready to wash those hands immediately – toddlers have a sixth sense for finding their faces right after touching paint!
Pro Tip: Finished pumpkins are the perfect front porch decor, and the perfect prop for all of your Halloween photo ops!
2. Paper Plate Jack-o'-Lanterns
Nothing says Halloween quite like a jack-o'-lantern, but carving real pumpkins with toddlers is a recipe for a big mess. Enter the paper plate pumpkin – all the fun, zero knives required.
What You'll Need:
-
Orange paper plates (the sturdier, the better)
-
Black and green construction paper
-
Child-safe scissors (for you to use during prep)
-
Washable glue sticks
-
Optional: green pipe cleaners for vines
-
Optional: green tissue paper for texture
-
Tape
How to Make It:
Here's where a little prep work goes a long way. During nap time or before the kids wake up, cut out triangle eyes, nose shapes, and zigzag mouths from black construction paper. Make extras because some will definitely end up on the floor! Also cut a stem shape from green paper or fold a green pipe cleaner to create a curly vine.
When craft time comes, hand your toddler the orange paper plate and let them glue the face pieces wherever their heart desires. This is a great opportunity to talk about shapes, too! "Can you find the triangle for the nose?" "How many eyes does our pumpkin have?" Once they've placed all the face pieces, help them add the green stem to the top.
For an extra sensory element, let them crumple small pieces of green tissue paper and glue them around the stem for leaves. The crunching sound alone will keep them entertained!
Age Modifications: If your toddler is still in the "taste everything" phase, you might want to use tape instead of glue and supervise extra closely.
Pro Tip: This is a mess-free craft perfect for cozy Fall nights in wearing Nola Tawk’s comfy Halloween pajamas!
3. Viral Bubbling Witch Cauldron Craft
If you've scrolled through Instagram or TikTok lately, you've seen this one – and for good reason! This bubbling cauldron craft looks magical, and toddlers absolutely go wild watching the bubbles pop.
What You'll Need:
-
Black construction paper or cardstock
-
Washable kids' paint in Halloween colors (purple, green, orange)
-
Small bowls (one for each color)
-
Dish soap
-
Water
-
Empty toilet paper rolls
-
White paper for your background
How to Make It:
Cut out or draw a simple cauldron shape on black paper and glue it near the bottom of white paper. In small bowls, mix paint, a splash of water, and a squirt of dish soap – the soap is what makes the magic happen!
Dip the tube end into the paint mixture, lift it up, and stamp it above the cauldron. When you lift the tube, you'll see an actual bubble sitting on the paper like a real witch's brew bubbling over!
Keep stamping with different colors, layering the bubbles. Here's the best part – toddlers can gently pop the bubbles with their fingers as they dry! Some will pop right away, leaving cool textured circles. Others stay puffed up for a few minutes, which is mesmerizing to watch.
Setting Everyone Up for Success
Before You Start:
-
Protect your surfaces! Plastic tablecloths, newspaper, or even flattened cardboard boxes work great
-
Have cleanup supplies within arm's reach: baby wipes, paper towels, damp cloths
-
Remember: the process matters more than the product!
Age-Appropriate Expectations:
-
18-month-olds: Focus on sensory exploration, painting, and sticking things. They're learning cause and effect with every movement
-
2-year-olds: Can handle simple gluing, more controlled painting, and making basic choices about where things go
-
3-year-olds: Ready for more detailed work, can follow simple instructions, and have opinions about how things should look
The Real Talk: Some days, crafts go amazingly. Other days, your toddler will touch the paint once and declare they're done. Both are totally fine! The goal isn't to create gallery-worthy art – it's to spend time together, explore creativity, and make memories.
The Bottom Line
Halloween crafting with toddlers doesn't have to be perfect – it just has to be fun! These crafts are about those concentrated little faces when they're totally in the zone. The way they say "I did it!" with such pride. The sticky hugs afterward. That's the real magic of toddler crafting.
So grab those supplies, embrace the chaos, and remember: the goal isn't perfection. It's seeing that proud little face light up when they show you what they made "all by myself!"
Ready to get crafting? Make sure to dress your little artist in something comfy and cute from Nola Tawk's Halloween collection – because the best crafting happens when they're cozy, comfortable, and ready to get creative!
