It’s spooky season, which means getting those fall and Halloween decorations up. I always like to add some homemade stuff to our holidays, especially stuff made by the kids. This week we put together this adorable outdoor hanging ghost craft for kids, and they’ve been catching the wind in our yard ever since.
We all have colds this week, which means none of my kids can go to school so I am making the best of everyone being home.
My mom actually saw a version of these on Pinterest and brought over the materials… Thanks mom!
Anyway, we had fun making a spooky Halloween decoration that (so far) holds up to the weather outside.
Tips For Making This Outdoor Halloween Ghost Craft
Is There an Easier Way to Make This Craft?
If you were planning on keeping the ghosts inside, then you could easily make these with less durable materials. Personally, I’d use white paper cups for the ghosts and then crepe paper or white streamers for the dangling bits.
This craft would be a lot easier for the kids to do on their own with those materials. You could use regular glue for the crepe paper, and won’t need permanent markers for the ghost faces.
How Much Did These Spooky Hanging Ghosts Cost to Make?
I hate when I pull up a craft idea and there’s $50 worth of materials to pick up. Since we used the drill, this craft only cost about $6. Everything was from the dollar store!
Can You Use Glue Instead of Tying?
Yes! We actually were just out of hot glue sticks. One thing I find, though, is it can be tricky to get plastic to stick together with hot glue. Super glue might work better.
If you’re keeping them inside then it’s less of a concern.
Supplies Needed to Make this Ghost Craft for Kids
- Drill with a drill bit that can make holes large enough to string your sheeting through, but not too big to crack the cup
- Sturdy plastic disposable cups
- White vinyl tablecloth (find this in the party section)
- Black permanent marker
- String (for hanging)
How to Make This Outdoor Halloween Ghost Craft for Kids Step by Step
Step 1 – Drill a Hole at The Top
First of all, drill a hole in the top for the string. You can do this ahead of time if you’re doing this craft with a group of kids.
Step 2 – Drill Holes at the Base
Next, drill holes around the rim of the cup. Space them out as close or far apart as you want.
If your holes are too small, circle the drill a bit to make the hole wider. Also make sure you rub off all the sharp plastic pieces before giving the cup to a child to work with.
If pieces are stubborn, a gentle nail file or piece of sandpaper can help.
Step 3 – Draw Faces
Once they’re drilled, have the kids draw ghost faces on the cups. Make sure they turn the cups upside down so the faces are the right way!
Step 4 – Cut Out Vinyl Strips
While they’re drawing cut the vinyl tablecloth into strips. You can make them as long or short as you’d like, but leave enough room for tying.
Older kids can do the cutting too.
Step 5 – Attach the String
Next, attach the hanging string. We used ribbon but twine would work better. Tie a knot on one end and then pull it up through the top of the cup.
Step 6 – Add the Hanging Parts to the Bottom
Now this is the tricky part. Roll the ending up so it’s narrower and feed it through the holes around the bottom of the cup. Tie knots, but don’t pull them too tight because the cheap tablecloth will rip.
Step 7 – Hang
You’re done! Hang it on a tree outside for a spooky outdoor decoration.
Is it Weatherproof? Will it Hold Up Outside?
By using sturdy plastic cups and vinyl you’re going to get a more durable decoration than something made of paper. Ours got forgotten outside all winter and a couple made it through until spring! Still, if you have particularly bad weather these might not last.
If you’re concerned about them breaking, hang your ghosts under a covered porch away from the rain.
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