Looking for a fun and easy Halloween craft for kids? This adorable toilet paper roll ghost craft is perfect for preschoolers, kindergartners, and early elementary kids. It’s quick to set up, budget-friendly, and makes a great activity for the home or classroom!
Why You’ll Love This Ghost Craft
Ghost crafts are a classic Halloween favorite — and this one is simple enough for even the littlest hands to make. Plus, it’s a great way to reuse materials like toilet paper rolls for a little eco-friendly creativity.
🎨 Explore all of our Halloween Art Projects here.
- Encourages creativity and expression
- Easy setup using recycled materials
- Makes a fun ghost that “flies” when kids run or hang it up
- Perfect for discussing emotions while drawing faces
Supplies Needed
- Empty toilet paper roll
- White paint or white construction paper
- Paintbrush
- White crepe paper streamers or tissue paper
- Yarn or string (about 1 foot long)
- School glue, tape, or stapler
- Black marker
How to Make a Ghost with a Toilet Paper Roll
Step 1: Prepare the toilet paper roll.
Remove any leftover paper and check that the roll is clean. If using paint, give each child a paper plate to use as a base while painting and drying.
Step 2: Paint or cover the roll.
Apply a thin coat of white paint to the roll. Acrylic paint dries quickly and works well for kids’ crafts. Too much paint will take longer to dry, so encourage light brush strokes.
💡 No-paint option: Wrap the tube in white construction paper and secure with tape.
Step 3: Cut your streamers and yarn.
Cut three streamers about 12 inches long and one piece of yarn 8–12 inches long for hanging. White looks the most ghostly, but gray or light blue can look fun too!
Step 4: Attach the streamers.
Glue or tape the streamers to the inside of one end of the toilet paper roll. Slight overlap is fine — it gives your ghost more movement when it “flies.”
Step 5: Draw a face.
Use a black marker or paint to draw a spooky or silly ghost face.
🖍️ Variation: Add googly eyes for extra fun and talk about facial expressions and emotions.
Step 6: Add the hanger.
Attach the yarn to the top of the roll using glue, tape, or a stapler. Avoid glue sticks for this part — they aren’t strong enough to hold the yarn securely.
Let the glue dry, then hang your ghosts from the ceiling or a doorway. Kids will love watching their little ghosts float in the air like windsocks!
Tips and Variations
- Classroom Tip: Ask families to send in toilet paper rolls ahead of time for easy prep.
- Fast Finishers: Use tape instead of glue to speed up drying time.
- Streamers Substitute: No streamers? Use white tissue paper or paper towels cut into strips.
- Add Color: Try adding a light gray or pastel tint to your ghost for variety.
Learning Connections
This simple Halloween craft also supports early learning goals:
- Fine motor skills: Cutting, gluing, and painting
- Emotions: Expressing feelings through facial design
- STEM tie-in: Reusing materials and observing how the streamers move in air
More Halloween Crafts for Kids
Keep the spooky fun going with these easy Halloween projects for preschoolers:
- Paper Bowl Bat Craft
- Paper Plate Black Cat
- Witch’s Broom Handprint Craft
- Popsicle Stick Spider Web
- Popsicle Stick Spider Craft
- Bat Art for Kids
FAQ About This Ghost Craft
What age is this ghost craft best for?
This project is ideal for preschoolers through first grade. Older kids can add extra details to their ghosts or use markers to create colorful designs.
Can I prepare this craft in advance?
Yes! You can pre-cut streamers and yarn or pre-paint the rolls if needed for classroom use.
Can this craft be mess-free?
Definitely. Skip paint and use white paper to wrap the roll, then attach streamers with tape instead of glue.
How can I turn this into a science connection?
Hang your ghost in front of a fan or open window and talk about wind and motion — it’s a fun way to combine art and science!
