Floating Ghosts – Halloween Decor

Last year we took the kids trick or treating for the first time and invited kids to our door with a small pumpkin on the front pathway a signal that we welcomed trick or treaters. We set it out just as dusk fell and then brought it in by the kids bedtime so as not to disturb them. This year we’ve decided to make our door a little more spooky so I wanted to create some Floating Ghosts which could hang from our hanging basket hooks and float in the breeze. These Halloween Decor Floating Ghosts were so easy for the kids and me to make I can’t wait to make some more to accompany them greeting trick or treaters on Halloween night.

Materials needed

A muslin square or other light piece of cotton

Starch Spray – in the UK the aerosol one is the one available. I believe in the US you can get powdered starch that you can make into an empty spray bottle and may or may not work.

Black Paint

Balloon

Paper Clip

Needle

Cotton

Step by Step

Blow up a balloon and find a tall container plus a cup of some description to hold the balloon in place.

Lay a muslin cloth over the top of the balloon and head outside

My youngest had a go at spraying the starch onto the muslin

Then I handed the camera over to her and she took a picture of me doing it. I found it easier to rest it on my hand and spray all around it. You do need to get it really wet but it will dry.

Once it was soaking wet we took it inside and put it in the airing cupboard – any other warm dry room will work and left it over night.

Then we used some black paint and added eyes to the ghost

To make it float attach a paper clip to a piece of cotton.

Thread the cotton through the head of the ghost making sure that the paper clip is on the inside. This will secure it.

Then create a knot and loop at the top.

Find somewhere to hang it and get making more.

Some more great Halloween Activities for kids and families

Potato Print Spider Craft by Frogs Snails and Puppy Dog Tails

Halloween Chalk Art by Craftulate

Halloween Sensory bottle by Little Bins for Little Hands

Spanish Halloween Activities by All Done Monkey

Bat Yarn Craft by Sugar Aunt

Pumpkin Ice Painting by Crayon Box Chronicles

Floating Ghosts by Rainy Day Mum

Author

Cerys Parker

Cerys is a marine biologist, environmental educator, teacher, mum, and home educator from the UK. She loves getting creative, whether it is with simple and easy crafts and ideas, activities to make learning fun, or delicious recipes that you and your kids can cook together you'll find them all shared here on Rainy Day Mum.