Halloween Art Projects for Elementary (K–5): 6 Low-Prep October Lessons Kids Love
Teach 6 Halloween art projects for K–5—oil pastel, watercolor, paper weaving. Low prep, high engagement. Perfect for October art lessons.
Halloween Art Projects for Elementary (K–5): 6 Low-Prep October Lessons Kids Love
I still remember the first October I spent teaching art. The air was crisp, pumpkins appeared on doorsteps, and my students arrived buzzing about costumes, haunted houses, and trick-or-treating. The moment I mentioned we’d be creating “spooky art,” the room practically vibrated with excitement. That electricity is the magic of teaching art in October—kids are primed for imagination, and it’s the perfect time to channel that energy into meaningful creative projects.
Of course, with excitement comes its own set of challenges. For teachers and homeschool parents, October can feel like a whirlwind: field trips, assemblies, candy-fueled energy, and classrooms bursting with distractions. That’s why having engaging, low-prep art projects ready to go can be a lifesaver. You need lessons that don’t just entertain, but also reinforce essential art skills—line, shape, color, texture—while capturing all that spooky-season joy.
Halloween art doesn’t have to be complicated or messy. In fact, some of the best lessons use just a handful of supplies—oil pastels, crayons, watercolor, or construction paper—and still deliver results that make kids beam with pride. The key is finding projects that balance skill-building with fun, letting students create artworks that are both seasonal and truly display-worthy.
That’s exactly what I’ve gathered here: six Halloween art projects for elementary grades that blend skill-building with seasonal themes. From monster jack-o’-lanterns and cute ghosts to spooky jars and woven skeletons, these lessons are flexible enough for classrooms, art rooms, or homeschools. I’ll walk you through each idea so you can DIY it yourself—or, if you’re short on time, you can preview the ready-to-teach lesson plans linked after each section.
Monster Jack O’ Lantern Project (Grades 1–4)
Few things say “Halloween” like jack-o’-lanterns, and this lesson gives the classic pumpkin a monster twist. Students design their own bold and expressive jack-o’-lanterns, layering oil pastel mark-making with tempera paint to create high-contrast, textured artworks. It’s a project that blends seasonal fun with real art skills—line, shape, color blending, and expressive faces.
To teach this lesson, start by discussing different types of mark-making. Demonstrate how oil pastels can be used to make swirls, zigzags, dots, or crosshatching, then have your students practice filling a page with as many textures as they can. Next, introduce the pumpkin outline and encourage kids to design a unique monster face—sharp teeth, one big eye, or even goofy, lopsided expressions. Once the design is drawn, students use their oil pastels to layer textures inside the pumpkin before painting over the background with tempera paint. The resist effect makes the jack-o’-lantern glow against the dark, spooky night.
This project works beautifully for grades 1–4 because it’s flexible. Younger students can keep their designs simple and focus on experimenting with line and color, while older students can lean into detailed faces and layered mark-making. Teachers can connect this lesson to literacy by pairing it with Halloween read-alouds, while homeschool parents might use it as a seasonal family activity.
The finished pieces look spectacular as a classroom display—rows of glowing monster pumpkins make the perfect hallway gallery for October. Best of all, the prep is minimal and the payoff is big: kids learn about expressive mark-making while creating something that feels exciting and festive.
If you’d like this project fully planned with step-by-step instructions, student handouts, and visuals, you can preview the Monster Jack O’ Lantern Halloween Art Lesson.
Cute Ghost Project (Kindergarten–Grade 3)
Halloween can sometimes feel a little too spooky for younger students, which is why this lesson is such a hit—it’s playful, friendly, and perfectly designed for primary grades. Instead of focusing on fright, students create adorable little ghosts using oil pastels and tempera paint. The combination of a light, whimsical subject with bold art-making techniques makes this lesson a confidence-builder for Kindergarten through Grade 3.
To teach this lesson, begin by showing students how simple shapes can create characters. Demonstrate drawing the ghost’s rounded form with smooth lines, then encourage students to add fun details like smiling faces, wavy arms, or accessories (a bow tie, a hat, or even a pumpkin candy bucket). Once their outline is complete, use white oil pastel to draw the ghost on dark paper or resist against a painted background. Next, add tempera paint washes behind the ghost—purples, blues, and blacks work beautifully for a nighttime effect. The contrast makes the ghost stand out while keeping the artwork cheerful, not scary.
This project is developmentally perfect for primary students because it reinforces the element of contrast in a way that’s easy to see. Kids learn how light and dark work together, all while creating something that feels festive and fun. Teachers can connect the lesson to storytelling—what is your ghost’s name? What is it doing on Halloween night? Homeschool families can make it part of a larger October theme unit, mixing art with seasonal reading.
The finished artworks make a sweet classroom or home display, especially when grouped together as a “parade of ghosts.” They’re approachable enough for even the youngest learners but still give that big “wow” moment kids love when their ghost seems to glow against the night sky.
If you’d like to grab the complete, ready-to-use version of this project with templates, handouts, and step-by-step instructions, you can preview the Cute Ghost Halloween Art Lesson.
Owl Witch Project (Grades 1–4)
Every October classroom needs a touch of whimsy, and nothing captures that better than this Owl Witch art lesson. Students design a wide-eyed owl complete with a witch’s hat, then bring the scene to life using wax crayon and watercolor. The crayon resist technique creates bold outlines and patterns that pop against the vibrant, painted night sky, making this project both magical and skill-building.
To teach this lesson, begin with a simple owl shape—circles for the eyes, a rounded body, and a triangle beak. Once students have drawn the owl, guide them in adding a tall witch’s hat, stars, or even a crescent moon in the background. Using wax crayons, have them outline their design and add details like feather patterns, stripes, or textures on the hat. After that, introduce watercolor washes. Students paint directly over their crayon lines, watching as the resist effect makes their owl and hat stand out against the colorful night sky.
This project is ideal for Grades 1–4 because it balances structure with creative choice. Younger students can focus on drawing simple shapes and watching the crayon resist “magic,” while older students can dive deeper into pattern-making and more complex night-sky washes. Teachers can extend the lesson by connecting it to seasonal stories about owls or witches, while homeschool parents might weave it into a week of Halloween-themed learning.
When finished, these owl witches create a stunning seasonal display. Rows of owls perched under starry skies add charm and character to any classroom wall or homeschool art portfolio. Plus, the crayon resist technique is one of those instant crowd-pleasers that students never get tired of experimenting with.
If you’d like the full version of this project—with lesson plan, templates, and student examples—you can preview the Owl Witch Halloween Art Lesson.
Spooky Jar Project (Grades 3–5)
Older elementary students love art projects that feel a little mysterious, and the Spooky Jar project delivers just that. In this lesson, students design jars filled with eerie contents—floating eyeballs, ghostly shapes, creepy crawlies, or even their own invented monsters. Using watercolor and colored pencil, they learn how to layer color, create transparency, and use design choices to tell a story inside their jars.
To teach this lesson, begin by showing students the basic outline of a jar and discuss what makes glass look transparent. Encourage them to brainstorm a list of “spooky contents” they might include. Once their designs are sketched, introduce watercolor washes for the background and the jars themselves, reminding students to use lighter washes where glass would naturally appear translucent. After the paint dries, layer colored pencil on top to add crisp details, textures, and highlights that make their creepy creations pop.
This project is especially effective in Grades 3–5 because it blends imagination with technical skills. Students aren’t just filling space—they’re making artistic decisions about what to include in their jars and how to present it. Teachers can extend the project by connecting it to creative writing prompts (What story does your jar tell?), while homeschool families can tie it into October journaling or Halloween storytelling.
The finished artworks are as fun to display as they are to create. Rows of spooky jars lined up in a classroom or on a bulletin board become an instant seasonal gallery, sparking curiosity and conversation. Best of all, this project teaches real art skills—like transparency, layering, and detail work—while letting kids lean fully into the Halloween spirit.
If you’d like the step-by-step lesson plan, templates, and visuals ready to go, you can preview the Spooky Jar Halloween Art Lesson.
Skeleton Paper Weaving Project (Elementary/Upper Elementary)
Sometimes the best Halloween art projects are the ones that let kids get hands-on, and this skeleton weaving lesson is exactly that. Students combine the tactile fun of paper weaving with cut-paper skeleton shapes, creating artworks that are as engaging to make as they are to display. It’s a fantastic way to balance seasonal excitement with fine motor skill development.
To teach this lesson, start by preparing strips of construction paper in contrasting colors. Demonstrate the over-under weaving technique, encouraging students to keep their weavings tight and neat. Once the base is complete, students cut out skeleton shapes—skulls, bones, or full skeleton figures—and glue them on top of their woven background. The contrast between the bold, colorful weaving and the stark white skeleton creates a high-impact finished piece.
This project works especially well in upper elementary because it challenges students to coordinate cutting, weaving, and composition. Younger grades can keep it simple with basic skeleton cut-outs, while older students can design more detailed bone structures or even add embellishments like hats, bows, or speech bubbles for extra humor. Teachers can use this as a collaborative project, hanging multiple woven skeletons together in a hallway display, while homeschool families can adapt it as a fun seasonal craft that still teaches important art skills.
The finished results are vibrant, textured, and unmistakably Halloween. They make for an unforgettable October bulletin board or even a collaborative “bone parade” strung across the classroom. The best part? Students get to practice weaving—a fundamental skill in the art curriculum—while celebrating the season.
If you’d like the complete lesson plan with templates, student handouts, and instructions, you can preview the Skeleton Paper Weaving Halloween Art Lesson.
Jack O’ Lantern Project (Elementary)
The jack-o’-lantern is the ultimate Halloween icon, and this art project takes it to the next level by combining oil pastel with bold black paint or India ink. The result is a dramatic, high-contrast piece that feels both spooky and striking. Students get to design their own expressive pumpkins while practicing texture, line quality, and contrast—all essential skills in the art curriculum.
To teach this lesson, begin with a simple pumpkin outline and guide students in sketching a unique jack-o’-lantern face. Encourage creativity: crooked grins, triangular eyes, or even silly, exaggerated features. Using oil pastels, students fill in their pumpkins with vibrant colors, experimenting with blending to achieve depth and texture. Once the pumpkin is complete, introduce a layer of black paint or India ink for the background. The resist effect makes the bright jack-o’-lantern pop against the dark, spooky night.
This project is highly adaptable for elementary students. Younger learners can focus on bold outlines and simple color fills, while older students can experiment with shading and adding details like glowing backgrounds or textured surfaces. Homeschool parents will appreciate how easy it is to set up with just a few basic supplies, and classroom teachers will love how dramatic the results look in a hallway display.
The finished artworks make a powerful seasonal gallery—rows of glowing pumpkins that instantly transform the classroom into Halloween central. The project is simple enough to prep quickly, yet the results look polished and professional, giving students a real sense of pride.
If you’d like the step-by-step version of this project—with templates, rubrics, reflection sheets, and teaching notes—you can preview the Jack O’ Lantern Halloween Art Lesson.
Conclusion
When I think back to that first October in the classroom, I can still feel the energy—the chatter about costumes, the rustle of candy wrappers in backpacks, and the wide-eyed joy when students realized they’d get to make “spooky art.” That spark is what keeps me coming back to Halloween projects year after year. It’s more than just seasonal fun; it’s a chance to take all that excitement and channel it into meaningful art-making.
These six projects—monster jack-o’-lanterns, cute ghosts, owl witches, spooky jars, skeleton weavings, and bold jack-o’-lanterns—show how October lessons can go beyond simple crafts. They teach real art skills: line, texture, contrast, composition, blending, and even weaving. They’re low-prep, flexible for classrooms or homeschool tables, and they create stunning displays that turn hallways and kitchen walls into mini art galleries.
Most importantly, they remind kids that art is magical. It’s about taking an idea—whether that’s a pumpkin with monster teeth, an owl in a witch’s hat, or a jar full of creepy surprises—and bringing it to life with their own hands. And that feeling, of watching something you imagined become real on paper, is what makes art unforgettable.
So as the pumpkins appear on porches and the leaves crunch underfoot, I hope you’ll try one (or all!) of these Halloween projects with your students. Whether you DIY them or grab the fully planned lessons, you’ll be giving kids more than just an activity—you’ll be giving them a memory that will glow just as brightly as their jack-o’-lanterns.
About Ms Artastic
Ms Artastic is run by Canadian artist and educator Kathleen McGiveron, who is passionate about making art education accessible, inspiring, and stress-free for teachers and homeschooling families. With years of experience in the classroom and a deep love for creativity, she designs engaging, ready-to-use art resources that help students of all ages build skills, explore their imagination, and connect with the world of art.
In her TeachersPayTeachers Store, Ms Artastic offers hundreds of resources—from fully planned art units and seasonal projects to sketchbook prompts, art history lessons, and assessment tools. Each resource is carefully crafted to save teachers time while still delivering meaningful, high-quality art experiences for students. Whether you’re looking to teach the Elements of Art, integrate art into core subjects, or spark joy in the classroom with creative projects, Ms Artastic has everything you need to bring art to life with confidence and ease.
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