Easy Preschool Jack-O-Lantern Craft Project

This simple Halloween jack o lantern paper craft for kids of all ages is fun because it combines construction paper and what looks like tie dyed coffee filters! A few easy steps and kids will have jack-o-lantern art that they are proud to display. Making this jack o lantern craft works well as an afternoon Halloween craft project at home or could be used for multiple students in a classroom setting…even preschoolers!

Halloween Jack O Lantern Craft Project for Kids

We have made this construction paper and coffee filter Halloween jack-o-lantern craft and it is easy and fun!  This jack o lantern art is an easy Halloween art project that will get your little one in a festive mood!

It’s not always easy to find one age appropriate for toddlers and preschoolers, but this one is perfect for them, yet older kids love this jack-o-lantern craft as well.

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Supplies Needed

Directions for Making Your Jack o Lantern Craft

Step 1

Grab an image online of a jack-o-lantern, pumpkin outline (or a ghost or anything Halloween themed).

Trace it on a piece of construction paper and cut it out.

Our example is super simple and I drew the easy triangle eyes and nose and drew the jack-o-lantern mouth with pencil first before cutting it out.

Step 2

Give your child a few markers and a coffee filter – have them scribble all over. They can use any color, any amount of color and scribbles literally work best!

Step 3

Hand them the spray bottle and let them spray the filter.  Watching the colors swirl is so fun!

More spray bottle fun: If you’re looking for something similar you may want to check out this spray bottle art craft. It helps better explain the science behind the color spray art.

Step 4

Let it dry.

Step 5

Tape or glue it to the back of your pumpkin outline.

Coffee Filter Craft for All Ages

The great thing about this Halloween craft project is you can do it over and over.  You can change the paper color, the outline and the markers and make new art for every season or holiday.

This craft can be modified for younger or bigger kids as well. It isn’t just for one age group and you’ll just need different supplies based on the changes you make.

Craft Modifications for Younger Kids

• Younger kids like small toddlers don’t necessarily have motor skills or finesse to use markers and a spray bottle. So an easy fix may be to omit those items completely.
• Instead you can create this jack o lantern for kids by allowing them to use water colors on the coffee filter or even finger paint with edible finger paints.
• The coffee filter won’t have the same effect, but it’ll still be fun and colorful.
• If you want to omit the potential mess completely, crayons on wax paper give a stained glass effect.

Craft Modifications for Bigger Kids

• This can be a fun craft for older kids too. Allow them to make these into masks. You can trace around the face until it is pumpkin shaped.
• You can let them use safety scissors to cut out the mask, add it to stock card, add a green stem, and use a hole puncher to make holes for a string.
• Now they have the cutest jack o lantern mask! The possibilities with this one are limitless!

More Jack-o-Lantern Fun from Kids Activities Blog

How did your easy jack-o-lantern craft turn out? What color did your kids tie dye their coffee filters?