How to Make A Ghost Out of Clay for Halloween

This Halloween craft for kids and adults allows you to make your very own ghost. You can display this ghost next to the candy bowl for when trick or treaters drop by. You could make a whole ghost family to display on your mantel. Take this craft and add your very own special personal touch.

Things You'll Need

• Clay
• Paint
• Paint brush
• Newspapers or grocery bags
• Cup of water
• Butter knife

Instructions

1. Lay out some newspapers on your workspace so you don't damage any surfaces. If you don't have any newspapers you can always use grocery bags. The brown paper ones work the best, but you can still use the plastic if need be.

2. Get out the clay and begin to mold it in the shape of a ghost. You can start with the traditional ghost, which is round at the top, straight down the sides and then up and down diagonals across the bottom. You could also go with a more creative ghost which would include arms and instead of the diagonally shaped bottom you could have the bottom look more like a tail dragging toward the back. Just start playing with the clay and and idea will come to you. You may need to add a little bit of water from time to time to help make molding a little easier. It will also help to create smooth edges.

3. Use a butter knife to create any dents or marks in the ghost. For example, you can draw in some eyes, cut out some fingers or draw some clothes on the ghost. The knife is just available to help you make some marks that you can't make with your fingers. They do make carving tools for clay if you are interested in purchasing them, but it is just as easy to use some kitchen utensils.

4. Give your clay time to harden. Depending on the type and brand, it could take a few hours to a few days to dry.

5. Paint your ghost. You can do the traditional white with black eyes or you can color it any way you want. If you gave your ghost clothes you may need some other colors. Maybe you want to give your ghost a scary face. Maybe your ghost is a female and you want to give it purple hair and red lipstick. If the clay is dark be aware that you may need to give your ghost two coats of white paint. Continue painting until the ghost is just the way you want it.

6. Let the ghost's paint dry and then display for all to see.

Tips & Warnings

• Feel free to use play dough instead of clay if that is all you have.

• Wear a smock or apron when it is time to paint so you protect your clothes.