Frights and Delights: 4 Thrilling Halloween Arts and Crafts Ideas

The days are getting shorter, the kids are heading back to school and you can almost smell the aroma of a fresh-brewed, pumpkin-spice latte wafting on the breeze. And all of that can mean’s only one thing: Spooky season is almost upon us. Halloween isn’t just a time for haunted houses and trick-or-treating, with the need for spine-tingling decorations and terror-ific treats, it’s also the perfect holiday for do-it-yourselfers. Whether you’re a novice or a certifiable crafting guru, there are plenty of projects for people of all skill levels.

There are, of course, tons of craft ideas for toddlers and small children. But why should the little ones get to have all the fun? And while crafting with kids is great, it’s also a spooktacular activity to enjoy on your own. Let’s take a peek at some thrilling Halloween arts and crafts ideas for adults.

1. Halloween Diamond Art

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Painting with diamonds is an exciting way to create beautiful, display-worthy art — even if you’ve never held a paintbrush or tried your hand at drawing. Appropriate for beginners and experts alike, this project enables virtually anyone to create art they’re proud to showcase in the home or give as gifts. You can’t go wrong with Halloween diamond painting kits if you’re looking for an easy and relaxing project this fall.

So, how does it work?

Diamond painting kits come in a multitude of designs and styles. No matter which one you choose, the kit contains everything you need to complete a sparkling masterpiece. Open up the box and you’ll find a soft, self-adhesive canvas imprinted with different symbols. Each symbol corresponds with a specific color of resin diamond drill. Completing a painting is as simple as matching each color up to its symbol and putting it in the appropriate place on the canvas. Your kit also includes a diamond placer tool, wax and other accessories to help you create your painting. Not many other craft kits come with absolutely everything you need to complete a project!

Once finished, Halloween diamond art is perfect for adding some spooky sparkle to your home. This is an enjoyable solo project, but it’s equally fun with friends. Painting with diamonds can help you unwind at the end of a stressful day and provide mental health benefits as well. Once you give it a try, you just might find you have a new favorite craft!

2. Adorable Macrame Ghosts

Macrame has made a big comeback in the last couple of years. From wall hangings and plant holders to handbags and jewelry, you can transform macrame cord into all sorts of fabulous items by simply tying specific types of knots. If you have been wanting to try your hand at it, making macrame ghosts is a perfect beginner’s project for Halloween.

To get started, you will need an embroidery hoop, white macrame cord, black paint, scissors, black felt, hot glue and a tape measure. Paint the embroidery hoops black. While waiting for the paint to dry, cut 12 to 14 equal sections of macrame cord that are about 50 inches in length. Then, when the paint is dry, secure the cord to the hoop using the Lark’s Head knot.

Tying a Lark’s Head knot is super easy. Hold two pieces of cord together and fold them in half. Then, pull the loop through the center of the embroidery hoop toward you. Pull the tails through the loop and pull tight to secure. Repeat along the top of the hoop. Once you’ve created your ghost, give it some personality by cutting eyes and a mouth from felt and hot gluing them in place.

3. Spooky Skeleton Hand Wall Art

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Looking for unique wall art that’s sure to turn heads at your Halloween get-together? Transform skeleton hands into spooky (and functional) wall displays. You’ll need two decorative skeleton hands, (these are readily available online) two wood plaques, black paint and four wood screws.

First, paint your plaques black. While they are drying, sand or cut the skeletons’ hands at the wrist to make them perfectly flat and even. Making them as even as possible ensures that they will rest flush against the plaque. Drill two small pilot holes through the plaques and the middle of each wrist bone. Then, screw each hand in from the back side so the fingers are curled upward on the front of each plaque.

To display, use removable self-adhesive strips or install a basic picture hanging kit. Once they’re up, each hand can hold a small pumpkin, dried flowers or other decorative items. You could even dangle small bats from the fingers using fishing line. And, of course, the bony fingers work well for holding keys and hats, too.

4. Floating Witch Hat Luminaries

Light up the night with some eerie floating luminaries using costume witch hats. Whether you’re hosting an adults-only Halloween party or just preparing to wow trick-or-treaters, you have to check out this easy-yet-impressive project.

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You’ll need:

• Inexpensive black witch hats (The ones at the Dollar Store are perfect)
• Fishing line
• A long needle
• Battery powered tealights
• Hooks for hanging each light

String about two or three feet of fishing line onto your needle (you can use more or less depending on the height of your ceiling). Run the needle through the point of the hat from the outside to the interior. Don’t pull all the way through. Tie the fishing line inside the hat around the wick of a battery-operated tealight. You can also use a glow stick or any other LED light as long as you have a way of attaching it to the fishing line. Tie a loop in the fishing line on top of the hat and hang it from a hook.

Closing Thoughts

This Halloween, why spend a fortune on the same store-bought decorations your neighbors have when you can make them from scratch instead? Whether you’re a newbie or skilled crafter, these spooktacular projects are sure to liven up your home.

Also read: Unique Halloween DIY crafts and treats for kids