Kid-Friendly DIY Halloween Decorations

Updated October 1, 2025

Looking for fun, budget-friendly DIY Halloween decorations the kids can help make? Same! At our house, decorating for Halloween feels like the kickoff to the holidays—crafting together, pulling out the bins, and adding at least one new piece each year. These easy Halloween crafts are spooky-cute (not super scary), use inexpensive supplies, and come together fast—perfect for weeknights or a cozy weekend project.

Below you’ll find 20 kid-friendly Halloween decor ideas (indoors and outdoors) using simple materials like paper, frames, yarn, glow sticks, and paint. Many of these homemade Halloween decorations can transition into general fall decor, too—so you’ll get more mileage out of your time and supplies.

DIY Indoor Halloween Decorations

1. DIY Halloween Frame + Free Printable

Upcycle inexpensive frames with festive paper and a free printable. It’s a quick mantle or entryway piece, and a great stash-buster for leftover scrapbook paper.

2. Spider Web Frame Decor

Turn any thrifted frame into a graphic spider web. Paint it black or orange, then string your “web” with yarn or twine. Add a felt spider for a playful touch.

3. Googly Eye Candle Holder

Stick-on eyes instantly transform plain glass candle holders into silly-spooky accents. Kids love this one (and yes, it’s as easy as it looks!).

4. DIY Spooky Halloween Banner

Print letters, glitter them up, and mod podge onto cardstock triangles. String with yarn for an easy statement piece over a fireplace or mirror.

5. DIY Countdown Chalkboard

“How many days until Halloween?” Solve it once and for all with a reusable countdown. Great for any holiday or birthday, too.

6. Tissue Paper Pumpkins

Crinkle, glue, done! These bright pumpkins are fun for little hands and look adorable clustered on shelves or windowsills.

7. DIY Canning Ring Pumpkin

Repurpose jar rings into a rustic pumpkin. Add a cinnamon-stick stem and ribbon leaves for a farmhouse-friendly centerpiece.

8. Paper Wrapped Pumpkins

Wrap faux pumpkins with patterned paper or book pages for chic neutral decor you can keep out through Thanksgiving.

9. Toilet Paper Roll Bat

Paint, fold, and glue on wings—these cute bats can hang from a garland or perch on bookshelves. Love TP roll crafts? Peek at our toilet paper roll craft ideas.

10. Boo Board

Wooden board + painted letters + felt spider = instant wall art. Customize colors to match your decor.

Kid-Friendly DIY Halloween Decorations for Outside

11. Glowing Ghost Balloons

Pop in a glow stick (or LED tea light), draw ghost faces, and hang from trees or the porch. Kids go wild for these!

12. Garbage Bag Spider Webs

Why buy when you can DIY? Cut webs from black trash bags and tape them to windows, doors, or garage.

13. Owl Pumpkins

Whooo’s ready for cute? Paper shapes and paint turn ordinary pumpkins into wide-eyed owls—great inside or out.

14. Yard Monsters

Big eyes + bushes = instant giggles. Use foam or cardboard to make oversized monster eyes for shrubs and trees.

15. DIY Hanging BOO Decor

String wooden letters vertically and hang on the front door. We love this on a dark-painted door for extra pop.

16. Lawn Ghosts

Classic, floaty ghosts made from fabric and foam balls. Cluster three for a simple, high-impact yard display.

17. DIY Wooden Pumpkin Decor

Cut, paint, and pattern wooden blocks into pumpkins. Display on porches, mantles, or entry tables; they store flat, too.

18. Spider Web Doormat

Stencil a web pattern onto a plain coir mat for subtle, stylish outdoor Halloween decorations that hold up to foot traffic.

19. DIY Halloween Wreath

Make a front-door showpiece for less than store-bought. Think ribbon, mesh, faux spiders, and a bold color scheme.

20. Floating Witch Hats

Hang lightweight witch hats with fishing line for a magical “floating” effect. Add battery tea lights for evening glow.

Bonus: Halloween Ghost Blow Pops

Wrap lollipops in white tissue, tie with string, and draw ghost faces. Perfect for class parties or trick-or-treat bowls.

Happy Halloween Decorating!

With these easy, kid-friendly DIY Halloween decorations, your home will look festive without a scary price tag. Short on time? Browse budget options here: Affordable Halloween Decorations on Amazon.

Planning food, too? See our Halloween recipes and our Halloween hub for activities, party ideas, and more.

Try These Fun Halloween Recipes

• Nutella Crescent Roll Mummies
• Adorable Bat Treats
• Ooey Gooey Monster Cookies
• Meatball Mummies
• Pumpkin Cuties

DIY Halloween Decorations FAQ

What are the easiest DIY Halloween decorations for kids?

Start with Tissue Paper Pumpkins, Googly Eye Candle Holders, and Toilet Paper Roll Bats. They use simple supplies and come together quickly.

How can I make outdoor Halloween decor that’s weather-friendly?

Choose projects like Garbage Bag Spider Webs, Lawn Ghosts, and Floating Witch Hats. Use outdoor-safe tape, fishing line, and battery lights.

What supplies should I keep on hand for Halloween crafting?

Black/orange cardstock, yarn/twine, hot glue, googly eyes, paint, faux spiders, foam balls, glow sticks or LED tea lights, and basic frames.

How do I keep decorations kid-friendly and not too scary?

Focus on cute faces, bright colors, and playful shapes (owls, pumpkins, friendly ghosts). Save realistic gore for adult parties.

About Stacy: I absolutely love fall—the cooler temps, the color, and all the chances to decorate. Halloween is one of my favorite times to get crafty with my family, and these are some of our most-loved kid-friendly Halloween decor ideas.