Easy HAlloween crafts for Preschoolers

Halloween is a great time to explore fun crafts and science activities with your children. The ideas below offer opportunities to talk about colors, shapes, static electricity, as well as develop small muscles that are used for writing later. Make a full day with adding a great Halloween Book - Scary Halloween Costumes - and themed snacks!

Color Changing Potion Bottle
Fill a small bottle with water almost all the way to the top (leave a little air space at the top.) Add a few drops green food coloring. Then add 1/2 tsp (approx.) of pink or light purple mica powder (craft stores or Amazon.) Seal the top of the bottle well.  Glue or tape it in place to make sure that when the bottle is shaken the liquid stays inside. Shake the bottle and watch the green turn purple. 
This fun activity is dual purpose. Not only is this a fun Halloween activity, but after the holiday, it serves as a way for your child to calm down when they are feeling emotionally dysregulated.

Floating Ghosts
This fun activity explores static electricity.  First cut out some ghost shapes from white tissue paper. Draw or cut shapes to make eyes and a mouth. Now blow up a balloon. Rub the balloon on your head to create the static charge on the balloon. Then move the balloon close to the the ghost shapes. Watch the ghosts move and cling to the balloon. 
Extend this activity by rubbing the balloon on your hair and sticking it to a wall. Use a timer or clock to see how long the balloon sticks to the wall.

Torn Paper Pumpkins
Your preschooler will love tearing strips of orange colored paper and gluing them down to a pumpkin shape to create their own collage pumpkin craft.  Use this FREE Black Line Pumpkin Printable and print the base pumpkin worksheet. Prepare strips of orange craft paper for your child to tear into pieces to glue to the pumpkin shape. (Strips are easier for little hands to tear.) 
Extend this activity by allowing your child to add googly eyes, chenille stems, pom-poms, or other decorative craft items. 

Free Download and Print Pumpkin 

Halloween Themed Sensory Bin
Sensory bins are a great way to provide an open-ended themed activity for your child. I use an under-the-bed rectangular plastic bin with a lid to create a sensory bin that can be easily stored. Place a blanket or plastic table cloth under the bin while your child plays to make clean up easier. 
Color rice with orange food coloring mixed into rubbing alcohol. After the rice dries, put it into the bin with colored cups, scoops, spoons, and other Halloween themed toys.  Allow your child to scoop and play with the rice and scoops. 

Pumpkin Spice Playdough
Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup salt
2 tablespoons cream of tartar
2 tablespoons pumpkin pie spice (or 1 tsp each of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1½ cups water
Optional:
A few drops of orange food coloring

Instructions:
Combine dry ingredients:
In a large saucepan, mix flour, salt, cream of tartar, and spices.  Stir in oil, water, and food coloring. Mix until smooth.
Cook:
Place over medium heat and stir continuously for about 3–5 minutes. The dough will thicken and pull away from the sides of the pan — that’s when it’s done! Remove from the pan and let it cool slightly. Then knead until soft and smooth.
Store:
Keep in an airtight container or zip-top bag. It stays fresh for up to 2 weeks (or longer in the fridge).

Grab this Halloween Book that is perfect for preschoolers!