Halloween Ideas for Cutouts

Halloween cutouts make simple, eye-catching decorations for the ghoulish holiday.

Next to dressing up, decorating for Halloween can be one of the most enjoyable activities of the holiday. While carved pumpkins are the most well-known and traditional Halloween decorations, there are also many decorative craft projects involving materials as simple as construction paper. Halloween cutouts can be easily created by individuals of all ages, and they can be as simple or as creative as you want or have time for them to be.

Jack-O'-Lantern Paper Cutout

Jack-o'-lanterns are as symbolic to Halloween as Christmas trees are to Christmas. For this simple Halloween cutout craft, ideal for children, all that is needed are some different colors of construction paper, scissors and glue. Trace a large pumpkin shape on a sheet of orange construction paper and cut out the shape. Using another color of construction paper, cut out various shapes for the eyes, nose and mouth of the jack-o'-lantern. Glue the shapes onto your pumpkin cutout to create your own paper jack-o'-lantern. If you want to get more creative, you can add some hair, funny glasses or other paper adornments.

String of Ghosts

For this ghoulish cutout craft, you'll need some sheets of white paper and black paper, as well as some black string and adhesive tape. Start by drawing a large ghost shape on your white paper. Include a rectangular-shaped tab at the top of the ghost's head which will later be folded over and not visible. Cut some large, oval shapes out of the black paper for your ghost's eyes and mouth, and glue them to the white paper in the appropriate places to form a face. Repeat these steps, creating five ghosts. Cut a six-foot long piece of black string. When finished with the cutouts, fold the rectangular shapes at the top of each ghost's head over the string, spacing the ghosts about a foot apart, and secure the tabs with small pieces of tape. This forms a string of ghosts you can hang up anywhere to give onlookers a scare!

Halloween Lamps

This Halloween cutout is best left to adults, due to the use of breakable light bulbs. Purchase some inexpensive white Chinese paper lanterns that are equipped with electrical lighting, which can typically be found at craft stores. Using black construction paper, cut out any shapes that remind you of Halloween -- bats, pumpkins, ghosts, witches, etc. Tape your cutouts to the interior of the paper lanterns, then plug them in and watch as your cutouts are projected onto the nearest wall or flat surface.

Window Cutouts

Making window cutouts is perhaps the simplest and most cost-effective way to create a festive Halloween atmosphere in your home, office or classroom. This craft requires only construction paper, scissors and tape. Simply cut out a variety of large Halloween shapes, such as pumpkins, spiders or even witches and goblins, if your creative abilities allow for it. No drawing on the cutouts is necessary, as the cutouts will be seen from afar. You can also make some smaller cutouts in the shapes of candies. Arrange your cutouts and tape them to the window(s) of your choice, interspersing the large cutouts with the smaller shapes. Use a variety of colors for a festive look.

References

• DLTK Crafts For Kids: Jack-O-Lantern Paper Crafts
• Enchanted Learning: String of Ghosts
• Halloween Party Box: Ghoulish Lamps