Mummy Mason Jars

As I have mentioned before, Pinterest has been a creative inspiration for my 12-year-old daughter (thanks Pinterest!). Here is a festive Halloween craft she made with her aunt and brother that she found on Pinterest by various bloggers. Mummy Mason Jars add a spooky, but cute accent to our home’s Halloween decor.

What you will need: mason jars, roll of white party streamers, Modge Podge, paint brush or sponge brush, google eyes, battery powered flickering tea light (we found these for $1.00 for 2 at The Dollar Tree)

Instructions: 

1. Add modge podge to the mason jar with a paint brush.
2. Wrap the white party streamers around the mason jar, like a mummy.
3. Brush modge podge on top of the streamers.
4. Add google eyes.
5. Once dried, add a battery powered flickering tea light.

Have a safe, and spooky Halloween!

Craft Box : Lacing a Spider Web and Flying Ghosts

In today’s  Craft Box… Fun Halloween craft ideas for your children both using white paper plates – Spider Webs and Ghosts!

Lacing a Spider Web Craft

Here’s a Lacing Spider Web Craft I created with my son’s 1st Grade class last year. I found the idea on Pinterest (Thanks to Pinterest posts!). I also added a spider counting/comparing activity sheet I found online, as well as, reading Eric Carle’s The Very Busy Spider to the class. It was a fun way to celebrate Halloween (the school does not allow holiday parties), while adding an educational twist to the craft. I thought it would be a fun craft to share with my blog followers who enjoy making crafts with their little ones at home.

What you will need: white (or black) plate, yarn ( black or orange), plastic spider or plastic spider rings, tape, hole puncher, ribbon (or left over yarn), bobby pin (optional for easier lacing)glue or glue dots, scissors

Instructions:

1. Cut a hole in the center of the plate. Mom Tip: Folding the plate may make it easier for little ones.
2. Using a hold puncher, children (or parents) can make approximately 8-10 holes around the plate.
3. From the back of the plate, lace the yarn through 1 hole and add a small piece of tape to keep it in place. Mom Tip: If lacing the yarn is too hard for little children, use a bobby pin at the top of the yarn and tie a small knot as a sewing needle.
4. Continue to lace the yarn in one hole and then another hole located across the way. This lacing technique will create a “spider web”. Cut and tape the end of the yarn to the back when the web is complete.
5. After you created your web, use glue dots and stick the spider (s) on the spider web.
6. Punch 1 more hole at the top of the plate, add ribbon or yarn and display on your door for all of the trick or treaters to enjoy!

Flying Ghosts on Halloween Night

Here’s a simple and decorative craft I shared with the Preschool aged children that  I work with and I also used to make these ghosts with my own children. It is an easy ghost decoration using items you already have around the house! Hang them from the ceiling for a spooky Halloween decoration!

What you will need: white paper plate, toilet paper (or white party streamers), black construction paper, hole puncher, ribbon or yarn, glue (or tape or stapler), scissors

Instructions:

1. Cut out 2 circles (eyes) and 1 oval (mouth) out of black construction paper.
2. Glue them to the  back side of the plate.
3. Tape, staple or glue 3-4 strips of white toilet paper (or white party streamers) on the back side of the plate.
4. Punch 1 hole at the top of the plate and add ribbon or yarn to hang your ghost up and watch it “fly”!

Fun Halloween Activities for Kids and Families

Looking to make this Halloween a holiday to remember? Here are a few fun activities our family enjoys before Halloween night, try some with your family this year!

1. Carve out a pumpkin to make a jack o’ lantern.
2. Decorate your home with spooky or cute Halloween décor.
3. Hit the costume store and pick out a costume.
4. Bake Halloween shaped cookies or cupcakes and add frosting and sprinkles.
5. For those that like frightening events (not our family!)- check out local haunted hayrides, corn mazes or houses to make is a spooky night!
6. Host a get-together and play fun Halloween themed games with friends and family (See Halloween Game Ideas described below). Mom Tip:Check out the dollar section of various retailers (ex. Target, Michael’s, Walmart) and find cheap Halloween themed classic games (Halloween bingo, pin the nose on the pumpkin, memory, etc.)
7. Make easy Halloween crafts. https://homesweetmamamia.wordpress.com/2015/10/15/craft-box-lacing-a-spider-web-and-flying-ghosts/
8. Start the “You’ve Been Booed” activity in your neighborhood! Don’t know how to play? Fill treat bags with treats/prizes and attach a “You’ve Been Booed” poem to it. Drop it off at your friend’s or neighbor’s home, ring the doorbell and run/drive away without anyone seeing you. Just search “You’ve Been Booed” poem on Google or Pinterest and the poem will be available to print.

Halloween Games Ideas (Ideas compliments of American Girl)

Mummy Toilet Paper Game – Set up 2 teams. Give each team 2 rolls of toilet paper. Have a race to see who can wrap up one of the teammates like a mummy the fastest!

Cotton ball Ghosts Game – Have an adult hide many white cotton balls (the ghosts) in a room. Shut the lights off. Provide each player with a flashlight. In the dark, have the players find, grab and count how many ghosts they can find.This game can be played with individuals or teams. The one with the most ghosts…wins!