Kid's Halloween Bat Craft (and Dancing Prop)

These little bats with streamers make the perfect prop to dance with at Halloween

What you need:

black cardstock

crepe paper streamers

tape

Trace the bat pattern below onto the cardstock and cut out the shape. 

Cut about 5 or 6 streamers that are about 2-3 feet in length, and attach them to the back of the cardstock with tape. 

I made this with my preschool music class.  We danced to this song:  http://youtu.be/r9y4r-VI_qY?list=PLFA9C3648CDCA747C

This is also a catchy tune if you want to discus echolocation and how bats get around: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAvoz_ofoeo

The streamers even make a "wing flapping" sound which the kids thought was pretty cool!


View the bat template here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3mVQkOWNM4ocmtEOXRPNEE1Qkk/view?usp=sharing

Add Tulle to a Chandelier or Mirror for Halloween

Add a few yards of black tulle to a chandelier or light for Halloween! It should be pretty inexpensive at your local fabric or craft store! 

Also works great on mirrors!

Kids Ghost on a String Craft

Kids Ghost on a String Craft

These make great Halloween props for dancing or "floating" with! 

Supplies needed:

Coffee Filter

Tissue

String

Marker

Glue

1. Smooth out the coffee filter and make a small hole in the center. I just happened to have a puncher that makes a very small hole, but you could also poke a pencil through the center or a toothpick to make the hole. 

2. Fold the coffee filter in half and draw a face with marker. 

3. Take a tissue and crumple it up into a ball. Take a string about 3 feet long and knot one end around the tissue ball. 

4. Pull the other end of the string through the small hole in the center of the coffee filter until the tissue is inside.  Put a little glue (I used regular Elmer's school glue) on the coffee filter center then press the tissue against it to dry. 

5. If you wish you could make a large loop on the other side of the string for a handle or to go around the wrist, or a small loop to go over a finger.  

DIY Halloween Silhouette Window Clings

These are made from saran wrap and permanent marker.

Step 1. If you are using a pattern, lay the piece of paper down on a table, then spread the saran wrap over top.  You might want to secure edges so that the saran wrap doesn't move, but I didn't and just adjusted it as I went.
I did a Google search for "Halloween Silhouette" to find a pattern to print.
Here was the witch I used.
Here are some owls that would make good window clings.

Step 2. Trace the outline of the pattern with permanent marker, then remove the pattern from underneath.

Step 3. Color in the insides, then let dry completely.

Step 4. Remove all child, cat, and dog nose prints, mouth prints, and hand/paw prints from the window. Carefully press the saran wrap onto window!

And at night from the outside...

**Update: You can also put the saran wrap on the window first and do the drawing while it's on the window so you don't have to worry about transferring it afterward and edges getting stuck together! 

Here is a large one I drew free-hand while the saran wrap was already on the window:

DIY Halloween Decorations- Simple & Black

I love the simplicity of all-black silhouette decorations for Halloween. I simply got random cheap items from a thrift store (all about $1 or less) and a spray painted everything black. 

Here are some close up examples:

   

And an entire wreath spray painted black: 

This one was an old painting (also a thrift store find) in a beautiful, but beat up frame. The frame was exquisite once spray painted black, then I covered up the painting in aluminum foil that I just slightly crinkled before applying it. The tree silhouette was a clear plastic transparency print that I just happened to find at a craft store on clearance. 

And one of my favorites, a fruit bowl with fake grapes spray painted black:

 Using black craft foam, I cut out this witch silhouette and used white sewing thread to string through the top and hang it from the ceiling hook for the light. 

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These old wooden candle sticks from a thrift store were painted with a layer of silver acrylic paint first, then a layer of crackle paint primer (like found here or at your local craft store for a few dollars), then black acrylic paint on top!

Add bloody candles to the candlesticks by dripping wax from a red candle over a white candle. Here's a video tutorial.