October! I put a spell on you (and now your mine) or maybe you put a spell on all of us every year as we impatiently await your arrival!
In my humble toddler mom opinion, October is the official countdown month to the holiday season. And, yes, I look forward to them all. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve — which happens to hold a very sacred space in my heart and has for the last 4 years because it is my daughter’s birthday!
As for this year’s spooky Halloween craft project — I made DIY ghosts out of cheese cloth.
I think kids love this because it gives them full access to ick and stick and, let’s be honest, those are two words toddlers love and laugh at.
To set the mood, have Halloween-themed snacks, turn on a Halloween movie in the background (“Hocus Pocus,” “Halloweentown,” “Scared Shrekless,” “Nightmare before Christmas,” “Hotel Transylvania,” Spookley the Square Pumpkin”) or some Halloween-themed music (“Thriller,” “The Monster Mash,” “This is Halloween,” “Ghostbusters,” “Spooky Scary Skeletons,” etc)!
*Before you get started a disposable tablecloth will save you some time and mess.
What you need:
- Cheese cloth
- fabric stiffener
- balloons
- different size jars
- foil
- tape
- A full sheet of sticky felt (for the eyes)
- Accessories for your ghost (hat, bow, etc.)
Directions
Blow up a balloon. (Keep it small in size.)- Place balloon on the top of the jar. You may need to tape it.
- Tape foil to the back of jar and shape the arms to your liking
- Once everything is in place, cut the cheese cloth long enough to drape over the balloon, jar and arms.
- Dip the cheese cloth in the fabric stiffener or Modge Podge.
- Pull it out and drape it over the jar, balloon, arms.
- Cover the whole thing and add enough layers to appear ghost like.
- Unravel the bottom a bit and let it out as much as possible.
- Leave the ghost to sit overnight and allow to fully dry — I recommend at least 8 hours
- Style your ghost and give them felt eyes!!
Blow up a balloon. (Keep it small in size.)P.S. If you really want to create another memorable moment for your kids, do a simple Halloween tablescape! Keep it simple! Use what you have or go to the dollar store to create a spooky dining experience!! My kids love it. I change it up each year, but I mainly use what I have. I save decor and add to it when I can so that it’s always affordable. AND those ghosts you just made would be a perfect addition!
You may need to see this in action in order to do it. Let me suggest a couple social media who have created DIY ghost masterpieces!
@beautifulinspire.com
@abby_twinmom
@jennifervalentyne
