Halloween crafts and science experiments for kids
Peabody's Haunted Workshop has 10 free Halloween crafts and science experiments for kids, from a paper bat that flaps to a pumpkin that erupts. Each one has drawn picture steps that Peabody reads aloud, a list of things from the kitchen and the recycling, a test to measure, and every grown-up step marked.
10 Halloween crafts and science experiments
| Build | Grades | The science | Time | A grown-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dancing Tissue Ghost | K–8th | Rubbing a balloon gives it static electricity, and static pulls on a light paper ghost. | 20 min | blows up the balloon and ties it |
| Flapping Paper Bat | K–6th | Each wing is a lever: a small pull on its short end makes a big flap at the long end. | 30 min | pokes a hole in each wing's tab and in each shoulder with a sharp pencil |
| Bubbling Witch's Cauldron | K–8th | An acid and a base make a gas, and soap turns the gas into a foaming potion. | 15 min | nothing sharp or hot: stay close by |
| Pumpkin Volcano | K–8th | Baking soda and vinegar make a gas inside the pumpkin, and soap turns it into oozing lava. | 30 min | cuts a lid off the top of the pumpkin |
| Ghost in a Bottle | K–8th | Baking soda and vinegar make a gas, and the gas blows up a balloon all by itself. | 15 min | blows up the balloon once to stretch it, then lets the air out |
| Floating Marker Ghosts | K–8th | Dry-erase ink doesn't stick, and it's lighter than water, so a drawing can float away. | 10 min | nothing sharp or hot: stay close by |
| Skeleton Hand | 1st–8th | Fingers bend when a muscle pulls a tendon, a strong string that runs to each fingertip. | 40 min | nothing sharp or hot: stay close by |
| Candy Corn Science | K–8th | Sugar dissolves in water, faster when it's warm, but not in oil. | 40 min | nothing sharp or hot: stay close by |
| Spooky Shadow Theatre | K–8th | Light goes in straight lines, so a puppet that blocks it throws a shadow. | 45 min | cuts a big window in the bottom of a shoebox |
| Glowing Jack-o'-Lantern Card | 4th–8th | A circuit is a loop: close it and the light glows, open it and it goes dark. | 40 min | tapes the coin battery onto the first line, plus side up; takes the battery out and puts it away up high |
Halloween science experiments
Every build here is a real experiment dressed for Halloween, and each ends with a number to measure, so a child can change one thing and try again:
- Fizz and foam: the bubbling witch's cauldron, the pumpkin volcano and the ghost in a bottle all run on baking soda and vinegar, which make carbon dioxide gas. Soap turns the gas into foam; a balloon catches it and blows itself up.
- Static electricity: the dancing tissue ghost stands up and dances under a balloon rubbed on hair.
- Floating and sinking: floating marker ghosts lift off a plate, because dry-erase ink doesn't stick and is lighter than water.
- Dissolving: candy corn science races candy corn in warm water, water, vinegar and oil, then charts the results. It's a good use for some of the Halloween candy.
- Light and shadow: the spooky shadow theatre shows why a puppet near the flashlight casts a bigger shadow.
- Circuits: the glowing jack-o'-lantern card is a paper circuit of copper tape, an LED and a coin battery.
- Levers and the body: the flapping paper bat flaps on paper-fastener levers, and the skeleton hand bends its fingers with string tendons, the way yours do.
Easy Halloween crafts for little ones
dancing tissue ghost, flapping paper bat, bubbling witch's cauldron, pumpkin volcano, ghost in a bottle, floating marker ghosts, candy corn science and spooky shadow theatre start at kindergarten. A 5-year-old can draw, cut paper with kid scissors, spoon, pour and tape; a grown-up does the few steps marked for them, like blowing up a balloon or cutting a pumpkin's lid.
Halloween STEM activities for older kids
skeleton hand and glowing jack-o'-lantern card suit older kids: more cutting and threading, a results chart, and a circuit to wire. The jack-o'-lantern card starts at 4th grade because of its coin battery.
What you need
Mostly things already in the house: a balloon, tissue paper, crayons or markers, black paper or card, a white crayon or white pencil, paper fasteners (brads), string or yarn, a pencil, a plastic cauldron or a dark bowl, a baking tray or big plate, baking soda, white vinegar, dish soap, food colouring, a spoon and a measuring cup. Each build lists its own, with amounts.
Safety
- A grown-up does every sharp step: cutting the pumpkin's lid with a kitchen knife and the theatre's window with a box cutter.
- Goggles on for the fizzy builds: vinegar stings if it splashes in an eye.
- Balloons: a grown-up blows them up for younger children, and picks up popped pieces straight away. A latex allergy needs a latex-free balloon.
- Coin batteries are for grown-ups. One swallowed can badly hurt a child within hours. A grown-up puts the battery in and takes it out, and keeps spares out of reach. If one is ever swallowed, call the National Battery Ingestion Hotline (1-800-498-8666) and go to the emergency room.
- Candy corn is a choking size for children under 4, and the science candy isn't for eating afterwards.
- Light a carved pumpkin with an LED tea light, never a candle. The Pumpkin Patch has faces to carve and paint.
More Halloween at Peabody
- Halloween HQ: the countdown and everything Halloween in one place.
- Easy pumpkin carving ideas and pumpkin painting ideas, with stencils to print.
- Halloween treats for kids from the Spooky Kitchen.
- Halloween coloring pages to print: bats, a black cat, a haunted house, a friendly monster and more.
- Halloween stories for kids to read when the crafts are drying.
Questions parents ask
What Halloween crafts can a 5-year-old make?
The flapping paper bat, the dancing tissue ghost and floating marker ghosts need only paper, tape, a balloon or a marker and a plate. The fizzy ones work at that age too, with goggles and a grown-up close by.
What's an easy Halloween science experiment?
The bubbling witch's cauldron takes about fifteen minutes: baking soda in a pot, then vinegar with a squirt of dish soap and green food coloring poured on top. It foams up and over the rim.
Do I need special supplies?
Most builds use kitchen and recycling things. The glowing card needs copper tape, a small LED and a coin battery, and the shadow theatre a shoebox and a flashlight.
Are they free?
Yes, free through the end of 2026, with no ads and no sign-up. What a child picks and builds stays on their device.
More to make all year: STEM projects for kids from the Workshop, and science games for kids.
Checked against how Peabody works on 26 October 2026. Written with help from AI, from Peabody's own code and library. Peabody is a learning app, not an assessment: if you're worried about your child's learning, talk to their teacher.