Looking for a fun and spooky Halloween craft that also doubles as a cute keepsake? Handprint ghosts are a perfect way to get your kids involved in some Halloween crafting while creating memories you’ll cherish for years. Not only are they a simple and fun activity for little ones, but they also make for an adorable keepsake, allowing you to capture the size of your child’s hands in a unique, creative way.
This handprint ghost craft is easy to set up and lets kids get messy with paint while making something memorable. Whether you’re looking for a fun rainy-day activity or something festive to celebrate Halloween, these handprint ghosts are a hit with toddlers and preschoolers alike. Plus, there are two different ways to make these ghosts, so you can choose whichever version works best for your family—or try them both!
Scroll down to see how to create your own spooky handprint ghosts and discover the step-by-step instructions for each version of this easy and adorable Halloween craft. And don’t forget to save the artwork—they make for fun decorations and are a great way to look back on how small those little hands once were!
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Materials
- Free printable (scroll down to get it!)
- Paper (we used orange construction paper)
- Scissors
- Glue
- White paint (or another color if using white paper)
- Googly eyes
- Black marker
- Paintbrush
The free printable includes a large letter “B” and a “Boo!” speech bubble that adds a fun touch to the handprint ghosts. For our project, we used orange construction paper to make the white ghosts stand out, but you can use black paper or any other color you’d like. If you’re using white paper, be sure to use a different color paint for the ghosts so they pop against the background. Let your kids get creative with their color choices for a unique, spooky masterpiece!
Ghost Handprint Painting Option 1
For this version, your child will create the word “boo” using the letter “B” from the printable and two handprint ghosts as the “O’s” in the word. Here’s how to do it:
- Paint your child’s hand: Help your child paint their hand with an even layer of white paint. Make sure the entire palm and fingers are covered.
- Press the hand onto the paper: Have your child gently press their hand down on the paper. To make it easier, place the paper in front of them and have them press their hand with their fingers facing up. This way, you can just rotate the paper afterward rather than having them try to place their hand upside down.
- Repeat the handprint: Repeat the process to create a second ghost handprint right next to the first one.
- Cut and paste the “B”: Cut out the letter “B” from the free printable and paste it to the left of the handprints, creating the word “boo” with the two handprint ghosts as the “O’s.”
- Add the finishing touches: Once the handprints are dry, you can add googly eyes and draw a mouth on each ghost with a black marker to bring them to life!
Ghost Handprint Painting Option 2
For this version, your child will create as many handprint ghosts as they want on the page. Here’s how to do it:
- Paint your child’s hand: Start by painting your child’s hand with an even layer of white paint. Make sure to cover the palm and fingers.
- Press their hand onto the paper: Have them press their hand down gently on the paper, with their fingers facing up. To make it easier, you can rotate the paper instead of having them place their hand upside down with fingers facing down.
- Repeat the handprint: Repeat this process as many times as your child wants! They can create as many ghost handprints as they can fit on the page.
- Cut and paste the “boo!” speech bubble: Once the handprints are done, cut out the “boo!” speech bubble from the printable and paste it next to one of the ghosts for a fun touch.
- Add details: Once the handprints have dried, add googly eyes to the ghosts and use a black marker to draw their spooky mouths.
More Fall and Halloween Themed Activities
Looking for more fun fall and Halloween-themed crafts to keep your little ones entertained this season? Check out these other easy and creative activities that are perfect for celebrating autumn and all things spooky!
How to Get the Free Printable
Ready to create some adorable handprint ghosts with your little ones? Simply enter your email below to get access to the free printable! This includes the letter “B” and the fun “boo!” speech bubble to make your ghost creations even more special. Once you’ve signed up, you’ll receive the download instructions right in your inbox—just print, cut, and start crafting!
Leave a Reply