Kids can make Halloween characters and decorations from paper rolls, scrap paper, old magazines, and other materials you may already have at home. For a group activity away from home, public libraries also run Halloween craft sessions; check your local calendar for dates, registration, capacity, and supply details.
Halloween crafts to make with materials at home
Turn a paper roll into a Halloween character
Save an empty paper roll as the base for a ghost, cat, witch, or bat. Add shapes cut from coloured paper, then draw or attach features to bring the character to life. A Toronto Public Library listing describes a hands-on activity for ages 4–12 using a recycled paper roll, coloured paper, and googly eyes; those are the organizer’s suggested ages for that event, not a universal age rating. See the Toronto Public Library activity listing.
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Make a Halloween collage from old paper
Offer children old magazines or books to cut, tear, or arrange into a Halloween picture. They might make a spooky self-portrait, tell a personal story through images, or create a decorative scene. The Free Library of Philadelphia describes a collage drop-in using repurposed books and magazines, showing how saved paper can be the main material rather than something bought for the occasion. See the Free Library collage listing.
Find a community craft activity
Library calendars can offer a scheduled alternative to store events, with activities ranging from paper crafts to pumpkin painting. For example, one community listing describes making paper bats and jack-o’-lanterns with construction paper, upcycled materials, pipe cleaners, and tissue paper. The program is listed as free, sponsored by the Friends of the Hercules Library, and best for ages 5+. That is a specific local event, not a guarantee that the same activity is available elsewhere. Check the Hercules Library paper-craft listing.
The Free Library of Philadelphia calendar has also listed a Halloween craft party for children of all ages, pumpkin painting recommended for school-age children, and a family black-cat decoration workshop for children ages 7+. In the pumpkin-painting listing, the library says, “All materials (including pumpkins!) provided”—a detail for that event only, not a general promise about library programs. Browse the Free Library calendar.
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Check event details before you go
- Confirm the date and location on the library or community calendar.
- Look for registration requirements, capacity limits, and any stated age recommendation.
- Check whether supplies are provided or whether children should bring materials.
Choose a craft by materials, age, and setup
| Option | Materials named in the example | Age guidance stated by organizer | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-roll character | Recycled paper roll, coloured paper, and googly eyes | Ages 4–12 for the Toronto Public Library event | At-home idea or scheduled hands-on activity |
| Scrap-paper collage | Repurposed magazines and books | Not stated in the Free Library of Philadelphia listing | At-home idea or drop-in activity |
| Paper bats and jack-o’-lanterns | Construction paper, upcycled materials, pipe cleaners, and tissue paper | Best for ages 5+ in the Hercules Library listing | Scheduled community event |
| Black-cat decoration workshop | Not stated in the Free Library of Philadelphia calendar listing | Children ages 7+ with families | Scheduled library workshop |
Use the age ranges as the event organizers’ recommendations, not as a measure of what every child can do. For any activity, caregivers should use age-appropriate supervision and follow guidance for the materials being used.
Keep the plan reuse-first
Start with what is already available: an empty paper roll, leftover paper, or old magazines and books. If a project needs extra supplies, the Hercules event listing names construction paper, pipe cleaners, and tissue paper as examples; they are options, not requirements for every craft. These event examples do not establish which activity costs least or a per-child budget, so treat savings as dependent on the materials you have and the supplies you choose to add.
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