Toddler Activities: Halloween Card

Description

A cute sponge painting activity with Halloween shapes to make a card. Perfect for kindergarten and 1st grade.

Materials

halloween card
  • White, Orange or Black Construction paper

  • Free Printable Ghost and Spider Stencil

  • Sponge

  • Paper Plate or small plastic palette for paint

  • Paint Brush

  • Tempera paint (white, black, orange or purple)

  • Masking tape

  • Wiggly eyes

  • Foam stickers to add decoration (optional)

  • Scissors

  • Glue Stick (if you plan to create a mat for your card)

Helpful Items

  • Newspaper to work on

  • Art smock or old shirt

  • Steps

    making a halloween card
    Select a stencil of your choice. Make your own, find foam shapes at a craft supply store or find pre-made holiday stencils at educational stores.
  • Cut your stencil out using construction paper or manila folders for a stronger stencil.
  • Select the color paint you want to use and then select a contrasting color of construction paper Black with white, orange with black, purple with white or orange are great combinations.
  • Make a loop with a small piece of masking tape and adhere your stencil to the paper to keep it from sliding.
  • Cut out a square or rectangular piece of sponge as shown in photo. The rectangular shape made it easy to hold.
  • Put paint on the palette. Dip sponge into paint lightly or use a brush to apply.
  • Gently stamp along all the edges of your stencil. Be sure to stamp around the entire shape to get a good outline when stencil is lifted.
  • Let dry for a few minutes and then gently lift stencil.
  • Repeat if desired in another location with the same stencil or use another stencil.
  • Let dry.
  • Add a couple Halloween stickers for additional decoration or some wiggly eyes.
  • Glue onto another construction paper for mat using a glue stick for best results.
  • Tips and Suggestions

    Practice on a piece of newspaper or scrap paper first to show your child how to print without pressing to hard.
  • For young toddlers, apply paint for them onto the sponge.
  • For older toddlers, let them dip into the paint or use a paint brush to apply. The paint brush minimizes excess paint.
  • If you plan to mat your card, use a glue stick to create a smoother effect. Sometimes Elmer's or other glues will create a slight wrinkle in paper glued together.
  • Educational Tip

    Read a Halloween story and talk about different Halloween characters or things that represent Halloween or traditions before making this toddler activity.