Toilet Paper Roll Ghost Craft For Kids

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Make this simple Halloween ghost craft with your kiddos using paint, paper, and a toilet paper roll. SO easy!

This is one of those crafts that always ends up on our mantle every October. It only takes a handful of supplies you probably already have on hand, and it’s a great way to use up your empty toilet paper rolls instead of tossing them. Plus, since it uses a traced handprint, it turns into a sweet little keepsake you’ll want to hang onto long after Halloween is over.

Halloween Ghost Craft Materials

Here is a list of the materials you’ll need to make this Halloween ghost craft:

Materials for a Halloween Ghost Craft - Toilet Paper Roll

1-2 sheets of white paper
1 paint brush
1 pen/pencil
1 toilet paper roll
1 pair of scissors
2 googly eyes or candy eyes
white paint
glue

I would recommend having some sort of craft mat, wax paper or butcher paper underneath you (especially if you are letting your kids do the painting!). This will just help protect your surfaces and make clean up easier! Because we all know how good kids are at keeping their paint on the project, haha!

Steps for Making this Halloween Ghost Craft

Step 1: To make this craft, start by gathering up all the items mentioned in the previous section and setting them on a craft mat.

Step 2: Then, use the white paint and paintbrush to coat the toilet paper rolls. Just know that you may need to do 2-3 coats to get a solid white finish. Alternatively, you could use white paper and glue it to the outside of the toilet paper roll if you don’t have paint or want to avoid it altogether.

Step 3: While the paint dries, trace your child’s hand and cut it out. I recommend using a pencil for this step and then using an eraser to get rid of the pencil marks once the hand shape has been cut out.

Step 4: Before using any glue, measure where to place the handprints. For ours, we chose to make the top come over the edge of the toilet paper roll. This way, those cute little traced fingers don’t get all bent out of shape when the toilet paper roll is stood up.

Making Halloween Ghost Craft - traced hand prints and painted toilet paper rolls

Step 5: Use the glue to attach the traced hand prints to the toilet paper rolls. Next add the eyes and facial features such as eyebrows and a mouth.

And just like that, you have a toilet paper ghost that is perfect for celebrating Halloween! Not only is it a simple craft that is quick and inexpensive, but it is also great for kids of all ages. This Halloween ghost craft is one you won’t want to miss!!

Tips for Success

A few things that make this craft go smoother, especially with younger kids:

Let the paint dry between coats. A quick pass with a hair dryer on the cool setting speeds this up if you’re working against nap time or a school pickup deadline.
Trace before you cut. Little hands wiggle, so hold their hand firmly at the wrist while tracing and have them spread their fingers wide for a classic ghost shape.
Use a glue stick for the handprint, not liquid glue. It dries faster and won’t warp the paper the way liquid glue can.
Stand the roll up before gluing the eyes. It’s much easier to get the face centered when the ghost is upright instead of lying flat on the table.

Fun Variations to Try

No-paint version: Wrap the toilet paper roll in white paper instead of painting it. This is a great option for toddlers or for a quick classroom project with a tight timeline.
Glow-in-the-dark ghost: Swap regular white paint for glow-in-the-dark paint so your ghost lights up once the lights go out.
Spooky face instead of cute face: Skip the googly eyes and use a black marker to draw a classic Halloween ghost face with hollow eyes and an open mouth.
Family of ghosts: Trace every family member’s hand for a set of ghosts in different sizes. It makes for a sweet keepsake and a fun size comparison from year to year.
Glitter ghost: While the paint is still wet, sprinkle on some white or iridescent glitter for a bit of sparkle.

Ways to Display Your Toilet Paper Roll Ghosts

Once your ghosts are finished, here are a few ideas for showing them off:

Line them up along a mantle, windowsill, or bookshelf for simple Halloween decor.
String a piece of twine through the top of each ghost to make a hanging garland.
Use them as a centerpiece down the middle of the table for a kids’ Halloween party.
Set one at each place setting to double as a Halloween-themed name card or favor.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I keep the toilet paper roll from tipping over? If your ghost keeps tipping, gently flare the bottom edge outward before the paint dries, or add a small ball of tape or reusable adhesive to the bottom for a bit of extra stability.

What kind of paint works best? Regular white craft paint or acrylic paint both work well. Craft paint washes out of clothes more easily if you’re working with younger kids.

How long does this craft take start to finish? Plan for about 20 minutes of hands-on time, plus drying time for the paint between coats.

What ages is this craft good for? This is an easy craft for kids aged 2-7. Toddlers can help with the painting and gluing, while older kids can trace and cut their own handprints.