In today’s post: Print + color Halloween masks are an easy and inexpensive Halloween craft for kids – perfect for class parties!
So many of you have let me know that you’ve used these DIY Halloween masks as an easy activity for your kids’ school Halloween parties. This craft works great for classroom parties because it’s super inexpensive, doesn’t take much prep work, and doesn’t create a giant mess! If you’re looking for another easy Halloween craft for kids, check out these printable Halloween origami bookmarks.
Printable Halloween masks
There are four Halloween mask designs which you can download from the blue box below this photo. A pumpkin, a cat, a sugar skull, and a Frankenstein:
VIDEO
Here’s a quick video that shows how to make the masks:
Instructions
- Download the template you want to use and print it out at 100% or full size on card stock or other heavy weight paper.
- Let kids color in the masks and cut them out.
- Use a 1-inch punch to punch out the eyes (if you don’t have a punch, you can let kids cut the eyes out with scissors – they won’t look as tidy, but the kids won’t care).
- To finish, cut a strip of 1/4 inch elastic to 15 inches and staple it to both sides of the mask.
What Punch Should I Buy?
Having a one inch hole punch is convenient for this project, but it’s not necessary! You can show kids how to poke their scissors in the middle of each eye hole and then cut the holes out themselves. In some ways that works best because then kids don’t need as much assistance to complete the craft.
If you do want to use a hole punch, you can get one of these options:
- The EK Tools Hole Punch is my favorite because it allows you to punch far enough away from the edge of the paper to easily make the eyes.
- This hole punch will also work in a pinch, although you will need to cut the nose bridge just a bit higher for the punch to reach the eye holes completely.
- A punch like this one, which works by tapping on the top with a mallet or hammer, is nice because it can be used anywhere on the paper.
Inexpensive Halloween Craft
These masks would be a great activity for a school Halloween party. The only cost involved is purchasing cardstock (if your school doesn’t already have some) and elastic. I used 1/4 inch elastic, and a 15 inch piece was just right for each mask for elementary school age kids. (The 1/4 inch elastic I purchased came in packages of 3 yards, which means you get 7 pieces from each pack. At about $1.50 a pack, that means elastic will cost around $6 for 28 masks.)
It’s also a fun activity to do at home. The masks are easy to make and low on the mess scale. We just used colored pencils, but you could use crayons, markers, or even paint, and then add stickers or glitter if desired. My kids had friends over when I printed out all these samples and everyone had a great time picking their favorite mask and then decorating it to their heart’s content.
Find even more Halloween fun:
Print + fold Halloween bookmarks
Candy dipped Halloween pretzels
lucia says
thank you so much. I love them.
Homeroom teacher (Colombia)
Sandra Hele says
I had the children choose a mask and color it. I then laminated it and cut the holes out for the eyes with scissors. A large popsicle stick was hot glued to the side so the children could hole the mask up to look through. Each child then graphed the number of different masks that were made.
Stephanie says
Where do you find that hole punch? The ones I find all don’t go as far in to punch the hole. These are adorable by the way. 🙂
Tracy says
Hi:) thanks so much for posting that free download for the mast. I was wondering about the 1 inch punch that you have. I have one but when I go to punch the eyes Out it doesn’t go all the way up to where the eyes are. Do you have a special one?
Claudette Legault says
I can’t wait to sew your swing tunic. I love the way it move around the body without giving a definite body shape. Great for those areas I don’t want to accentuate.
As for the Halloween masks the grand kids will love to colour those.
Kind regards, Claudette