Cute Ghost Craft: Super Easy Cardboard Tube Mobile for Kids to Make

This super easy cute ghost craft is ideal for preschoolers and young children alike. All you really need is a few toilet paper rolls and lets be honest, what family doesn’t go through a whole heap of these each week?

Every year, we try to make some seasonal art that will be displayed in the play space. Last year, we made cute mixed media pumpkins from old pizza boxes and this year, we’ve gone for a mobile. These make great (and authentic) artistic additions to the kid’s space. 

One of the things that often annoys me about Pinterest and Instagram crafts is that the ideas shared are obviously made by adults. Yes, we all objectively know that, but perfectly finished crafts can also feel a little off-putting. That’s why you’ll notice in our photos of this cute ghost craft differences between the faces made.

This is because our craft was made by myself, my seven-year-old daughter and five-year-old son. Each of us had a slightly different spin on the cute ghost craft and I personally love the fact that they all look a little different.

I’ve talked about the importance of process art many times before both on this page and via my membership How I Drink my Coffee Hot. I believe that it is vital to get children interested in creating and experimenting with resources and art materials first, before you bombard them with heaps of instructions.

the image shows a cute ghost craft for kids. 4 ghosts made from toilet paper tubes have been turned into a mobile that have been hung from a branch using yarn.

 

How to Make your own cute ghost craft

This cute ghost craft couldn’t be simpler to make and is suitable for children aged 4+ to do independently (but under supervision) Not only is it a fun craft, but a great way to work on scissor skills too!

a 7 year old girl uses a pink marker to put the finishing touches to the cute ghost craft mobile

Materials:

  • non-toxic white paint
  • paintbrushes
  • 4-6 toilet paper tubes
  • sharpie pens or art markers
  • needle
  • yarn / thread
  • branch
  • scissors

 

Instructions:

  1. Round off the top of the toilet paper tube with a scissors
  2. Make a wave or zigzag shape at the bottom
  3. Paint the toilet paper tubes with white paint – you may need to repeat this process
  4. Once dry, add the ghost faces. We used black and pink art markers to create eyes, a mouth and cheeks on both sides of the tube
  5. Use a needle to poke a hole in the top of the toilet paper tube
  6. Thread some yarn through the hole and tie a knot
  7. Affix the other end of the yarn to a branch
  8. Cut off another length of yarn to tie onto both ends of the branch
  9. Hang your mobile from a window or by using a picture hook
  10. Stand back and admire your handy work!

 

a closer picture of all 4 ghosts which have different expressions on their faces - happy, sad, shy and silly

At Home Autumn Art & Sensory Camp

If you wanted to find more fun Autumn themed activities after trying this cute ghost craft, check out the At Home Autumn Art & Sensory Camp in my membership group. If you would like to access the content, you can check it out here. 

 

Halloween Posts to read next

If you enjoyed this cute ghost craft idea, have a look at our other Halloween themed post ideas.

Halloween themed play space ideas

Simple Pumpkin Collage

10 Pumpkin Ideas for Toddlers and Preschoolers 

Room on the Broom Playdough Activity 

Halloween Playdough Kit 

Monster Soup

The Easiest Sensory Bin for Halloween 

 

Autumn Blog posts to read next:

You might also  like some of our other Autumn posts. Most are suitable for both toddlers and preschoolers:

Autumn Art Ideas for Preschoolers

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt Mask

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt story basket

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt pre-writing skills  activity 

21 Autumn Ideas for the Entire Family

Autumn Activities for Kids: 25 Playful Prompts

Autumn Loose Parts Play

Autumn Preschool Leaf Cutting Tray

Apple Playdough Activity

Farm Playdough Ideas

Sunflower Sensory Play Activity 

Pumpkin Hammer Art 

Pumpkin Gloop 

Simple Autumn Sensory: Pumpkin soup

You can also search the keyword ‘Autumn’ in the blog search bar for the most up-to-date Autumn blog post listing.

Sian Thomas
an image of This Playful Home founder, Sian Thomas. The photo includes a photo of her daughter when she was around 18 months old

I’m Siân (rhymes with yarn), a play advocate, proud parent to three, and former teacher. My mission is to infuse more joy and less overwhelm into the lives of parents. Discover play-based activities with me that not only make learning FUN but also forge deep connections with your young learners, creating memories to cherish forever.