Check out this Halloween papercraft that doubles as a cool STEAM project too! Our Halloween craft is a terrific way to explore how 3D images can be created. Take your two dimensional Halloween activities up a notch with our printable 3D templates. Create a Halloween papercraft project that is perfect for older kids too!
Make 3D Art For Halloween
What is 3D art all about? A three dimensional craft explores height, width, and depth in the space that it occupies. There are two important processes for creating a 3D craft. These processes are called additive and subtractive (there’s a bit of math for your STEAM)!
Additive is the process of using your materials to build up the craft, Subtractive is the process of removing pieces of material to create depth. This 3D Halloween papercraft uses the additive process to build up the materials and create the three dimensional effect.
ALSO CHECK OUT: Thanksgiving Papercraft in 3D
More 3D art characteristics include balance, proportion, and rhythm which you will see as you build this Halloween craft! Rhythm refers to the repetitive lines or shapes which you can see with the frames.
Balance is how the pieces work with one another (not stand up) and proportion is all about how the elements work with one another and look like they belong together.
The frames you will create are also considered forms. They are solid, geometric shapes or organic shapes that take-up space and create volume and mass for the project. More awesome math to add into your Halloween STEAM project!
What Is The Difference Between 2D and 3D Art?
Two dimensional art is what we typically think of when we think of arts and crafts. These include photography, paintings, drawings and most of the hand print and paper plate crafts as well.
Why Do Halloween Art With Kids?
Children are naturally curious. They observe, explore, and imitate, trying to figure out how things work and how to control themselves and their environments. This freedom of exploration helps children form connections in their brains, it helps them learn—and it’s also fun!
Art and crafts are a natural activity to support this essential interaction with the world. Kids need the freedom to explore and experiment creatively. Adding a seasonal theme such as Halloween creates a sense of excitement for the holiday season!
Simple, easy Halloween art projects allow younger kids to practice many valuable skills for life and learning. These include the aesthetic, scientific, interpersonal, and practical interactions that can be discovered through the senses, intellect, and emotions.
For elementary and middle school grades and older kids, art is fantastic for relaxation and a good outlet to express themselves through creativity. From process art to exploring famous artists, fall art activities are a valuable resource to have on hand.
Making and appreciating art involves emotional and mental faculties!
Creative work, whether making it, learning about it, or simply looking at it – offers a wide range of important experiences. In other words, it’s good for them!
Helpful Art Resources To Get You Started
Here are a few resources to help you introduce art more effectively to your kids or students and feel confident when presenting materials. You’ll find helpful free printables throughout.
- Free Color Mixing Mini Pack
- Getting Started with Process Art
- Preschool Art Projects
- How To Set Up An Art Cart
- How to Make Paint
- Easy Painting Ideas For Kids
- Free Art Challenges
- What Are The 7 Elements Of Art?
- What is STEAM?
- STEAM Activities (Science + Art)
3D Halloween Papercraft Project
Below you will find everything you need to make this unique Halloween paper craft to explore three dimensional crafting. Add it to your STEAM club, library group, classroom project, or home activity.
Think about how you can use basic elements from this 3D paper activity to create unique scenes of your own.
Supplies:
- Colored craft papers
- Pencil
- Scissors
- X-acto knife
- Craft glue
- Craft foam board
- Ruler or measuring tape
- Free Downloadable Printables
How To Make A 3D Halloween Papercraft
While you are going about assembling your three dimensional Halloween paper craft keep in mind what you read above about forms, balance, proportion, and rhythm. This neat STEAM activity checks off all the boxes along the way!
STEP 1: Choose Your Layers
First, you will want to decide on the color for each layer. You may want to use different shades of black and grey craft papers to create the balance. This 3D Halloween craft has 4 layers, so you’ll need 4 different color shades of paper.
Cut all 4 sheets the same size, 5.5 inches X 3.5 inches.
If you plan to do this with a group and your time is limited or skill level is limited, you may want to cut these pieces out beforehand.
STEP 2: Draw Your Templates
Take the sheet of craft paper you have selected for the front layer. Use a pencil to draw the front layer pattern on the sheet from our printable template or simply draw a pattern (organic shape) you want.
Remember you want to create form, balance, proportion, and rhythm. These four frames you will be making create form.
Once you have the front layer down, one by one trace the layer patterns on each sheet to create all four forms. Make sure to keep an ombre color sequence while tracing the patterns.
STEP 3: Cut Out Your Layers
Use an x-acto knife to cut out the traced patterns.
The front layer cutout should be the biggest and the rest of patterns should get smaller towards the bottom layer. This gradual size change creates a nice proportion.
Note: This part may be best done by an adult.
STEP 4: Create Your Foam Frames
Next, you need to set up the materials for creating depth! Grab some craft sheets of foam, trace and cut out the canvas frame layout from them. You will need four frames for this paper craft.
This is where you are exploring the additive process that is an important part of 3D craft making. Remember a 3D paper craft project is defined by height and depth!
STEP 5: Glue The Frame
Time to create the depth you will need for your 3D Halloween craft!
Next, you want to grab the bottom paper layer and a foam board frame. Apply thin lines of glue along the edges of the foam board frame.
Carefully place the bottom layer paper on the glued frame, making sure to match all four sides of the paper with the foam board frame.
STEP 6: Glue The Remaining Layers
Next flip the frame attached paper to the frame’s end. Apply a layer of glue along the frame and carefully attach the second bottom paper layer.
Place the second bottom layer on the frame as you did in the previous step.
Attach another frame on the second bottom layer and then attach the 3rd bottom layer on the frame.
At last, attach the front layer, making sure to attach a frame between each paper layer.
You can really see how you added height to the project and created depth with the forms.
STEP 7: Cut Out Your Halloween Pieces
Trace and cut out the other items (leaves, grasses, bat, moon, haunted house, plants, etc.) from paper.
STEP 8: Attach Halloween Items
Take any one of the plant or grass cutouts and attach them to the backside of any layer with a dab of glue.
Continue to attach them to each layer to create your 3D Halloween scene.
STEP 9: Create The Background
Select a paper for the empty background. Pick a color that pops for the layer behind the house!
You can either cut the paper to the layer size (5.5 inches X 3.5 inches) or cut to the size to fill the background space (the bottom layer cutout).
Then cut out a thick paper layer for the backside of the 3D art.
Glue the background paper on the backside paper.
Allow the glue to dry, frame your Halloween paper craft, and hang it up for a terrific Halloween decoration year after year. What a fun way to spend an afternoon with a Halloween STEAM project!
More Spooky Halloween Art Projects For Kids
Check out our list of Halloween art and craft projects, or try one of these ideas below…
More Fun Halloween Ideas To Try
Click on the photos and links below for more awesome Halloween activities for kids.
- Halloween Science Experiments
- Candy Science Experiments
- Preschool Halloween Activities
- Pumpkin Books & Activities
- Halloween Slime Recipes
Printable Halloween Art Project Pack
Everything you need is included in this Fall Art Project Pack. Just add art supplies! Perfect for kids of all ages to enjoy with a variety of techniques. Whether in the classroom, at home, or with groups, there is a fantastic variety of art activities to try!
Find all the instructions and templates necessary for over 40 art projects this Fall.
Apples, pumpkins, leaves, Halloween, and Thanksgiving!
Explore process art, STEAM, and even famous artists with these very doable art activities that won’t break the budget or the time you have available!
