Halloween Glue Ghosts

Halloween glue ghosts are one of those simple ideas that remind us Halloween crafts don’t have to be complicated. When you’re looking for Halloween activities for preschoolers that don’t involve cutting tiny shapes or printing patterns ahead of time, this one checks every box.

There’s no template to trace and no prep to set out the night before. Just grab a bottle of glue, a sheet of wax paper, and let your child squeeze and swirl to their heart’s content. Kids get the joy of creating their own ghost shape, decorating it with googly eyes and glitter, and then peeling it off once it dries.

It’s creative, it builds fine motor skills, and the texture of dried glue adds a fun sensory surprise.

Why Kids Love Making Glue Ghosts

There’s something magical about handing a preschooler a bottle of glue and letting them take over. Squeezing glue onto the wax paper gives that deeply satisfying “squish” feeling while also building hand strength in a playful way. Add in googly eyes and a sprinkle of glitter, and suddenly each ghost has its own goofy personality.

Once the glue dries, kids get to do their favorite part—peel it up. That stretchy, slightly sticky texture turns into a full sensory moment they’ll want to repeat again and again. Best of all, there’s no perfect outline to follow or adult-drawn template to stay inside. Kids get to decide what a ghost looks like, and that independence makes the craft even more fun.

Ghost Craft for Kids

Before you begin, set the tone for play instead of perfection. This preschool craft is all about letting preschoolers explore texture, movement, and creativity with zero pressure to make it look a certain way. Once everything is set out, step back and let the ghost-making begin.

Supplies You’ll Need

Most of these are probably already in your craft drawer:

• Wax paper
• White school glue
• Googly eyes
• Optional: white or silver glitter
• Scissors
• Small cup of water + paintbrush (or a damp sponge)
• String (optional for hanging)

If you’re missing something, don’t stress—kids can still enjoy this craft with just glue and wax paper. The magic is in the process, not the extras.

How to Make This Preschool Ghost Craft

Lay Down the Wax Paper
Place a sheet of wax paper on a flat surface. A tray or cookie sheet underneath makes it easy to move while drying.

If you’re crafting with multiple kids, give each child their own section to avoid accidental smudging.

Squeeze the Glue Ghost Shape
Let your child squeeze the glue directly onto the wax paper, starting with a bumpy ghost outline, then filling it in completely.

If the glue bottle is hard to squeeze, loosen the cap slightly to increase flow.

Decorate While Wet
While the glue is still shiny and wet, sprinkle glitter over the top and gently press googly eyes into place. Kids can add one eye, two eyes, or five—ghost rules are flexible.

Let It Dry
Set the ghost aside to dry completely. Overnight is best to make sure it peels cleanly and doesn’t tear.

Thicker glue layers take longer to dry but are easier to peel and handle.

Peel and Cut
Once fully dry, let your child peel the ghost from the wax paper (if you want a clear look) or leave the wax paper backing for extra sturdiness. Trim around the shape with scissors if desired.

Display Your Ghost
There are two fun ways to show off your glue ghost:

• To stick to a window: Dab a little water on the back with a paintbrush or sponge and press it against the glass.
• To hang it up: Tape or glue a piece of string to the back and hang it for a floating ghost effect.

Let kids choose how their ghost “lives”—on the window, hanging from a doorknob, or floating from a branch.

Tips for Success (and Less Mess)

A few small tweaks can make this craft smoother for everyone:

• Place the wax paper on a tray or baking sheet so you can move it to a safe spot while it dries.
• Encourage your child to use plenty of glue—thicker ghosts are less likely to tear when peeling.
• For a clear, see-through ghost, gently peel off the wax paper once it’s fully dry.
• Want a sturdier decoration that’s easier for little hands to carry around? Just leave the wax paper backing on and cut it out with the ghost.

Learning Through Play

This simple craft sneaks in plenty of skill-building without feeling like schoolwork. Squeezing the glue bottle and placing googly eyes works those fine motor muscles in a playful way. Waiting for the ghost to dry gives kids a chance to practice patience and anticipation. And once the ghosts are finished, most preschoolers naturally jump into pretend play—naming their ghosts, giving them personalities, and telling little stories along the way.

Display Ideas for Your Halloween Glue Ghosts

Once your ghosts are dry, let your child decide where they should “live.” Here are a few fun options:

• Stick them to a window and let the light shine through for a spooky, stained-glass look.
• Hang them from a branch or stick to create a simple Halloween centerpiece.
• Tape them to the fridge, a bedroom door, or the playroom wall for instant festive cheer.

Kids love seeing their artwork displayed—it makes the craft feel even more special.

Optional Extension Ideas (If You Want to Add More Play)

If your child is still engaged and you want to stretch the activity a little further, try one of these simple extensions:

• Let kids name their ghosts—older preschoolers can “label” them, and younger ones can dictate while you write.
• Turn it into a counting game: “How many ghosts can we fit on the window before they start touching?”
• Use the ghosts in pretend play by lining them up for a “ghost family parade” or making spooky voices for each one.

These little additions keep the activity playful without adding extra setup for you.

More Easy Halloween Crafts to Try Next

If your kids loved making Halloween glue ghosts and you’re looking for another simple idea to keep the fun going, try one of these next:

• [Insert craft or sensory bin link here] – another low-prep activity kids can do mostly on their own.
• [Second link option] – perfect for keeping the Halloween excitement going without pulling out a ton of supplies.

Keeping a couple of easy crafts on hand can stretch one fun afternoon into a whole week of Halloween play.

Preschool crafts don’t need to be picture-perfect to be valuable. A squiggly glue ghost made with enthusiasm matters just as much as anything staged for Pinterest. These small, messy moments of creativity count—and your child will remember the fun more than the finished product.

Want a free printable tutorial?