Gauzy Ghost Halloween Decoration

crayola supplies

household supplies

Why

Liven up your Halloween or Dia de los Muertos celebration with a not-so-ghoulish-ghost in front of a haunted background. Create a playful decoration to enjoy year after year!

Steps

  1. 1. Cover your craft area with newspaper. With Crayola Scissors, cut a large, ghost-size piece of gauze, cheesecloth, nylon net, or similar fabric.
  2. 2. Use foam balls and/or recycled plastic containers to build a form so that when you drape gauze over them it will take the shape of a ghost. Attach foam balls to each other with craft sticks or toothpicks. Use your imagination and experiment with the dry fabric!
  3. 3. This is how to make the fabric stiff. In a medium-sized bowl, combine one-quarter cup of Crayola School Glue with one-quarter cup of water. Mix well. Press the gauze into the glue mixture. Wring out the excess moisture. Drape the gauze over your foam form. The gauze will harden into the shape in which you position it. Air-dry your ghost overnight.
  4. 4. Use Crayola Markers to draw a ghost face. Glue one end of a thread to the top of your ghost for hanging. Air-dry the glue.
  5. 5. Here’s one way to create a background display for your Gauzy Ghost. Tape two pieces of foam board or cardboard together to hinge them. Decorate Crayola Color Explosion™ paper with the color-reveal markers. Create wild, colorful designs that express how much you enjoy Halloween! Glue them to the background.
  6. 6. Stand the scene upright. Tape cardboard across the top. Tape the ghost thread to the inside. Your ghost will float in your display!

When & Where

"We decorated our room for Halloween with Gauzy Ghosts and Color Explosion™. They were the perfect imagination combination!"
- Chris B., Saturday art club leader.

"Our family created traditional sugar skulls with the fabric. The kids couldn’t bear to take our creation down until long after Dia de los Muertos was over!"
- Maria R., mother of ages 7 and 9.

Interesting Info

Cheesecloth soaked in the glue and water mixture will take the shape of almost anything that it is dried over. Use your imagination to experiment and discover what you can create! Add washable paint to color the mixture.

Safety Guidelines

Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.

Sponges and Foam—Sponges, foam, and other expandable materials should not be used with children 3 years old and younger.

String-Like Materials—Includes string, raffia, lacing, yarn, ribbon, and other similar material. Children 3 years and younger should not be given any string-like material that is longer than 12 inches. Close adult supervision is essential whenever children use string-like material. When crafts are to be worn around the necks of children 8 years and younger, attach the ends of the “string-like material” with clear adhesive tape, which allows easy release of the bond if the craft becomes entangled or caught on equipment. For children older than 8 years, the ends of the “string-like material” may be tied and knotted.

Wood—By its nature, wood is rough and may contain splinters or sharp points

© 2000 - 2006 Binney & Smith, Inc.