Jack-o-lantern Craft for Kids with Ghost (Print and Play!)

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This jack-o-lantern craft is so fun and simple to make. Inside find a special surprise…a ghost!!! Download, print, color and cut. That’s all it takes to create this sweet Halloween craft. We used traditional colors, but feel free to mix things up and really make it your own! Who says a ghost needs to be white? Maybe yours different colors, like purple with pink polka dots.

You’re going to want to make several of these cute little jack o’lantern crafts. This would be so much fun to create any time of the year and use them as Halloween decorations or just for fun. Make even more seasonal craft like this black cat, these monster crafts or this spooky skeleton craft.


Craft Memories Together with this Collection of 100 Craft Flashcards


Fun Facts about Jack-o-Lanterns:

  • Jack-o-lanterns used to be carved from turnips, not pumpkins.
  • In the United States, the carved pumpkins were first associated with harvest season and then became a symbol of Halloween.
  • The tradition of carving competitively can be traced back to 19th century Ireland.
  • The name of jack-o’-lanterns comes from an Irish folktale about a man named Stingy Jack.

To learn more about jack-o-lanterns, check out this article from Crafty Moms Share.

Save this Jack O’lantern Craft for later. Pin it to your favorite Pinterest board…

jack-o-lantern craft with ghost inside printable Halloween craft for kids

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How to make Your Easy Pumpkin Craft

This craft tutorial is meant to be a starting place. Making a jack-o-lantern is lots of fun, and this one is definitely no exception. You could even use it as part of the activities at your next Halloween party.

SUPPLIES FROM THE BAG

Kids craft ideas are no good if they only sit exist on the internet but are never actually made by kids. We want to make crafting with your kids something that you do regularly and enjoy together. So, we’re removing some of the roadblocks, like too much prep time, lots of mess and hefty pricetags.

Fill your bag using our master list of simple craft supplies, and you’ll be ready to make any of the fun and simple crafts you see here. We stick to this list so that you can get right to the good stuff. Grab these items and fill your bag so that you’re ready to craft some memories at a moment’s notice whenever the opportunity strikes. And have a Happy Halloween!

Check Out the Video Tutorial for This Halloween Craft:

Instructions for This Easy Pumpkin Craft:

Step 1: Start with the Free Printable

  • Download the pdf file and print the pumpkin template. Printing onto heavy card stock is best.
  • Use crayons or markers to color the jack-o-lantern and ghost. Don’t forget the green stem. A great way to promote fine motor skills even more is to break those crayons to encourage a mature grasp.
  • Optional: You can add tiny little googly eyes if you choose to your spooky ghost.
pumpkin and ghost printable craft for kids step 1 coloring

Step 2: Cut Out the Halloween Printables

  • Now that you’ve colored your jack-o-lantern and ghost, cut them out.
  • Be sure to cut across the zig zag line to detach the top of the pumpkin too.

*This is a great project for kids of all ages, but when crafting with young children, precut the pieces since the shapes are a little bit too complex for little ones just learning to use scissors.

jack-o-lantern craft step 2 cuttint it out

Step 3: Make a Pocket

  • From the scraps, cut a strip of paper about 1/2 inch wide and a little longer then the bottom of your pumpkin.
  • Use your glue stick to attach it on each end to the back of the bottom of your jack-o-lantern to create a “pocket” for your friendly ghost.
  • Trim away the excess from the edges of the pumpkin.
Pumpkin craft step 3 making a pocket for the ghost

Step 4: Add the Hinge

  • Grab the top of your pumpkin and overlap it slightly on the bottom section. You will need enough room to punch a hole where they intersect.
  • Punch the hole on the side of your jack-o-lantern, going through the top and bottom sections.
  • Place a metal brad through the hole you created and bend back the tongs so that your pumpkin is now hinged and can open and close.
Halloween printable pumpkin and ghost craft for kids step 4
adding the brad to the jack-o-lantern so that the top opens on a hinge

Step 5: Assemble Your Adorable Pumpkins

  • Slide your little ghost into the pocket that you created in step 3.
  • Turn the pumpkin over to the front and open the top it to reveal your ghost inside.
  • The paper ghost can be take in and out of the jack-o-lantern as desired.
placing the ghost into the pumpkin final step of craft

What if I Don’t Have Cardstock?

If you don’t have cardstock, use the template as a guide to cut out the shapes from construction paper or paper plates. By just using it as a template, you can also create your own pumpkin faces.

What if I Want to Make Different Jack-o-lantern Faces?

If you want to change up your jack-o-lantern face, just get out a black marker. Draw over the existing face and create your own version.

Here are even more Cute Pumpkin Crafts to make…

Stuffed Halloween Pumpkins Craft
BEST FALL CRAFTS FOR KIDS STUFFED PUMPKIN
Mandala Paper Pumpkin Craft
DIY PAPER PUMPKINS 3D
Pumpkin Game
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