Coffee Filter Ghosts – Easy Halloween Craft for Kids

This quick kids Halloween craft project shows you how to make little dancing ghosts out of coffee filters.

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What you need

Round coffee filters

White tissue paper or lightweight scrap paper

Twist ties, pipe cleaners or thin craft wire

Black permanent marker

Coloured washable markers, optional

Small bowl of water, optional

String or clear thread for hanging, optional

Scissors, optional

Instructions

How to Make Coffee Filter Ghosts

Step 1 – Make the Ghost’s Head

Scrunch a small piece of tissue paper into a loose ball. This will become the head of your ghost.

Try not to make the ball too large. A small head allows plenty of the coffee filter to hang down underneath and creates that lovely floating ghost shape.

Step 2 – Add the Coffee Filter

Place the tissue-paper ball in the centre of a coffee filter.

Gather the coffee filter gently around the ball so the tissue is completely covered.

The edges of the coffee filter should fall loosely underneath the head to form the ghost’s body.

Step 3 – Secure the Neck

Wrap a twist tie around the coffee filter directly underneath the tissue-paper ball.

Twist it firmly enough to hold everything together without tearing the filter.

You can leave the ends of the twist tie sticking out slightly on either side to resemble little ghost arms.

Step 4 – Add Extra Layers

For fuller ghosts, layer two coffee filters together before wrapping them around the tissue-paper head.

Different layers give the ghosts more movement and make them particularly effective when they are hanging.

You can also combine white and coloured filters.

Step 5 – Make Coloured Coffee Filters

If you’d like to add colour, draw over a coffee filter using washable markers.

Lightly dip or mist the coloured filter with water and allow the colour to spread through the paper.

Place it somewhere flat to dry completely before adding it to your ghost.

Orange, purple, green and black are perfect for Halloween, but younger children may enjoy experimenting with rainbow ghosts too.

Step 6 – Draw the Face

Use a black marker to draw your ghost’s face.

Try:

• Two round eyes and an open mouth
• A smiling ghost
• Sleepy eyes
• Surprised expressions
• Silly monster faces

Giving every ghost a slightly different expression makes a group of them look especially cute.

Step 7 – Join the Ghosts Together

If you want your ghosts to look as though they are dancing together, use the ends of the twist ties to connect their hands.

Arrange several in a row and you instantly have an easy Halloween decoration.

Step 8 – Hang Your Ghosts

Tie string, fishing line or clear thread around the top or neck of each ghost and hang them from:

• Windows
• Doorways
• Light fittings
• Classroom ceilings
• Halloween trees
• Mantels
• Party tables

A group hanging at slightly different heights creates a fun floating-ghost effect.

Coffee Filter Ghost Craft Ideas

Once you’ve made the basic ghost, there are plenty of ways to customise it.

Make a Ghost Garland

Create six to ten ghosts and attach them along a piece of string or ribbon for an inexpensive Halloween garland.

Make Mini Ghosts

Use smaller coffee filters or trim standard filters down to make tiny ghosts.

Add Colour

Try orange, purple or green marker-dyed filters underneath the white layer.

Turn Them Into Halloween Treats

Instead of tissue paper, some crafters place a wrapped lollipop inside the coffee filter to create a little ghost-shaped Halloween favour.

Create a Ghost Mobile

Hang several ghosts from an embroidery hoop or lightweight branch at different heights.

Crafting With Younger Children

For younger children, prepare the tissue-paper balls and twist ties ahead of time.

Children can then concentrate on arranging the filters and drawing the faces.

If you’re using markers and water to colour the filters, place a tray or plastic tablecloth underneath them because the colours can bleed through the paper.

Why Coffee Filters Work So Well

Coffee filters are perfect for ghost crafts because they’re lightweight, inexpensive and naturally drape into a soft floating shape.

They’re also easy to colour with washable markers and water, making this one Halloween project that can look completely different every time you make it.

Whether you create one little ghost or an entire spooky family, these DIY coffee filter ghosts are an easy Halloween decoration children can proudly help make.

Submitted by Michelle Moons.