Three easy Halloween craft projects

By: Sadie Raddatz

Everyone wants to be a little festive in a creepy sort of way this time of year, so here are three projects to help you accomplish just that. 

 

Glow-in-the dark slime

Domestic Charm’s crafty blog explains how to make glow-in-the-dark slime. Doesn’t that sound fun? Well, it is very easy to make. Enjoy!

Materials:

1 - 4oz bottle of clear or blue gel Elmer's glue

1 cup of warm water

2-3 tablespoons of glow-in-the-dark paint

Neon food coloring

2 teaspoons of Borax

1/3 cup of warm water

Directions:

1.         Mix together the Elmer's glue and the 1 cup of warm water.

2.         Stir in the paint and food coloring.

3.         In a separate small bowl mix together the 1/3 cup warm water and 2 teaspoons of borax. 

4.         Stir until the borax is dissolved.

5.         Now add about two tablespoons of the Borax solution to the glue solution. You WILL NOT use all of the Borax solution.

6.         Stir continuously while adding the solution. The more Borax solution you add, the stiffer the slime will be. So if you want the slime to be runnier, then add less Borax solution. You can add more food coloring while stirring these solutions together to get your desired color of slime! It should start sticking together and you've got glow-in-the-dark slime.

7.         This recipe can make two small half jars of slime or you could package a smaller amount of slime into favor baggies.

TIPS: You can find glow-in-dark-paint at craft stores in the paint aisles, and Borax can be found at most grocery stores alongside the laundry detergents. Also, make sure to check the paint that you buy to see that it is safe to use for the project. This slime would not be suitable for small children who might put some in their mouth.

 

Candy Ghosts

Another craft site called “A Thrifty Mom” shows us how to make candy ghosts. This is a way to add that Halloween feel and be delicious at the same time! It is also a fun project to do with younger kids and make a game out of it when finished.

Materials:

1 single thick quarter white fabric 18x21in. (found at Wal-Mart or your local craft store in the fabric section.)

1 bag Tootsie Roll Pops assorted flavors 10.125 oz.

1/8 x 18 ft. orange ribbon

1/8 x 15 ft. black ribbon

6mm 72 piece wiggle eyes

Hot glue gun with glue

Scissors

Directions:

1.         Cut fabric into approx. 6 x 5 inch squares.

2.         Cut a strand of each orange and black ribbon; wrap fabric around lollipop and tie with ribbon.

3.         Glue on eyes.

Spider in a Jar

Here is a creepy way to add a little more Halloween feel to anyone’s home. Just add a fake spider! This “Confessions of an overworked mom” website shows how to do just that.

Materials:

Empty, clean glass jar with lid

Twig that fits into the glass jar

1 or 2 plastic spiders or other bugs

Moss or small stones

Hot glue and hot glue gun

White spray paint (optional)

Directions:

1.         Make sure the glass jar is clean, dry, and that the label has been removed completely.

2.         Find a stick that is slightly shorter and narrower than the jar itself.

3.         Hot glue it to the inside of the jar lid so it sticks straight up.

4.         Hot glue the plastic spider to the twig making sure it all fits inside the jar with the lid on.

5.         Spray paint everything but the jar white (optional). 

6.         Hot glue green moss to the lid or add small pebbles to the lid instead.

7.         Place the jar upside down over the lid and screw it on.

 

These three projects can help to add a more Halloween feel to any home or event  in yummy and fun ways. They are all fun and easy to make and not too scary. Enjoy the creepy but festive projects and you will be sure to be the favorite house on the block.