Halloween Crafts

The Halloween holiday provides some great inspiration for crafts that are fun, whether for you and your friends or with the kids. Even if you are not one to feel creative, go ahead and give crafts a try. Who knows—you might end up with something great.

• Jack-o'-lanterns: Carving pumpkins will always be a standard Halloween decoration. It's a great family activity and tradition that is something to look forward to each year. However, if you're tired of carving the same old Jack-o'-lantern face year after year, try something different. Buy a stencil kit (which can usually be found at your local grocery store), or make your own design, tracing with a pen before you cut. Try carving a miniature pumpkin. Or, instead of carving, decorate a pumpkin using other materials. Googly-eyes, buttons, pipe cleaners, and other craft materials can be glued onto your pumpkin for a new sort of jack-o'-lantern. Or, use paint or permanent markers and paint a face. Another idea is to make small holes in a small pumpkin, and use a Mr. Potato Head set to give your jack-o'-lantern eyes, nose, ears, and a smile.
• Other uses for pumpkins and gourds: Carve a hole in the top of a miniature pumpkin or gourd and use it as a candleholder. Or, even on their own, pumpkins and gourds make great decorations and centerpieces. You can also make a miniature pumpkin into another animal, such as a bat or black cat, using scissors, cardboard, pipe cleaners and a little bit of creativity. Search online for other ideas to get you thinking.
• Candy corn pot: Since gardening pots are shaped similarly to candy corn, paint a pot to look like one (yellow on the lip of the pot, orange in the middle, and white on the bottom). You can either turn them upside down to look like a candy corn, or keep them right side up and fill them with candy.
• Get the kids involved: Most kids really like making crafts and actually have quite a few creative ideas themselves. Gather odds and ends and other craft materials from around the house, and see what they can come up with.

Remember that not every craft turns out exactly like you have planned, and that you probably won't be creative on the first try. Just have fun and don't give up—you're bound to eventually create something that you're proud of.