Seasonal art for kids

How to Make a Halloween Garland

October 2, 2024

Create a custom Halloween garland for kids using colored paper. Draw out a design, cut it out and hang for a cute DIY Halloween decoration.

Halloween decorations bring a lot of excitement in our house. The air is already crisp and cool, the leaves are quickly changing and it’s the perfect time of year to get crafting.

My son and I made this Halloween garland out of paper; a spinoff of this felt bat garland. My kids love cats, so we used a kitty, pumpkin and ghost for our repeating pattern.

This garland leaves a lot of room for flexibility as your kids can draw their own templates and really make it their own. Read on for all the steps to get started!

halloween garland pin — Photo by Rachel Withers

How to Make a Halloween Garland

MATERIALS

cardstock
scissors
cardboard
baker’s twine
tape

Time needed: 45 minutes

INSTRUCTIONS

Draw cardboard template
Sketch out a design shape to use for the Halloween garland. You might choose a pumpkin, bat, witch or ghost! Repurpose the inside of a cereal box for a stiff, but flexible template material.
Trace designs on colored paper
Choose which colors of cardstock paper you’d like to use. Then start to trace the designs onto the paper with the cardboard template.

If you’d like your design to be connected (see photos) you will first accordion fold the paper, then trace your design.
Cut out designs
Now cut out your designs and be sure to leave two points connected similar to when cutting out a snowflake, otherwise your designs will be individual shapes.

We tried both ways and found the individual shapes left more flexibility when hanging the garland.

It’s also fun to add eyes, faces and other embellishments, if desired, to the designs.
Make the garland
It’s time to tape your paper designs to some string or baker’s twine. Use clear tape, colored masking tape or seasonal washi tape for this step.
Hang garland
Now look around your house for a great spot to display your Halloween garland. Maybe across a doorframe or at a window for others to see when walking by your place?

I hope you enjoy creating your own Halloween garland. Be sure to check out more Halloween books, Halloween crafts, costume ideas, cozy snacks, and pumpkin decorating ideas for kids. We’ve got you covered this season!

halloween garland for kids — Photo by Rachel Withers

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Rachel Withers

Rachel is the Editorial Manager at The Artful Parent. She is passionate about engaging with kids through art, whether at art groups or through teaching photography at a local elementary school. Rachel lives in Portland, Maine, and loves going on adventures with her family. As a mother of two young kids, she is excited to explore how nature, art, and play combine in a child’s learning and development. Creating art with her kids and hosting a toddler art group are current highlights.

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