For children, there’s no question about how to celebrate Halloween; trick-or-treating is the name of the game. But as we grow older, we have to find other ways to enjoy this spooky and silly holiday. You could hand out candy to costumed kiddos on the 31st, of course — and perhaps enjoy some of your personal favorite candy. And when darkness falls, you might enjoy some scary movies. These are both excellent options, but if you’re the creative sort, we encourage you to add one more item to your to-do list: festive arts and crafts. Scroll down to explore some Halloween crafts for seniors.
Fun & Easy Halloween Crafts
Painted Pumpkins
Painting pumpkins can be a wonderful yearly tradition. It’s best to use acrylic paint, as it’s quick-drying, easy to apply, and easy to clean up. You could paint spooky (or silly) faces, on-theme creatures (bats, ghosts, witches), or abstract designs. Feel free to add embellishments like glitter and googly eyes as well. Let your imagination run wild!
Mod Podge Halloween Lanterns
For a charming craft that doubles as an atmospheric lantern, try these Mod Podge Halloween Lanterns. To get started, you’ll need a mason jar, tissue paper in your color of choice, black cardstock, Mod Podge, a sponge brush, scissors, and LED tealight candles. Follow the simple instructions to create an excellent alternative to traditional jack-o’-lanterns. Place them outside your front door to greet visitors or set them inside so they can keep you company.
Haunted Birdhouses
How about giving your feathered neighbors a new place to rest by crafting a haunted birdhouse? All you have to do is purchase a wooden birdhouse from your local craft store, paint it with acrylic paint, and add whatever embellishments you like. And if you’d rather not expose your birdhouse to the elements, you could also keep it inside as holiday decor, adding some LED tealight candles to give them a lovely glow.
Yarn Ghost Garland
If you want a cute, inexpensive Halloween craft idea that will add oodles of charm to your home this October, try this Easy Yarn Tassel Ghost Garland. All you need is some white yarn, a piece of cardboard, a hole punch, black paper, glue, a pack of googly eyes, and scissors. By wrapping the yarn around the cardboard and snipping one end, you’ll create your adorable tassel ghosts. String them together to form a festive garland.
Leaf Vampire Bats
The next time you go for a neighborhood walk, gather some leaves from the ground. Maple leaves are ideal due to their spread-out, hand-like shape, which resembles a creature spreading its wings if you use your imagination. Take the leaves home and cover them in black paint. Then, paint a white face on the upper center section, complete with evil eyes and a fanged smile. Voila! You’ve created leaf vampire bats. Hang them in your window or on your door to give neighbors a spooky surprise.
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Not only are these Halloween crafts for seniors lots of fun to create, but they’re also a lovely way to spend quality time with friends and family this autumn. Plus, they’re a perfect opportunity to add some festive flair to your home.
Are you looking for an assisted living community in Tennessee? Check out Hearthside Senior Living in Collierville and Bartlett. Our warm and inviting communities make it easy for seniors to embrace a healthy lifestyle with home-cooked and restaurant-style meals, exercise classes, and a nurse devoted to residents’ wellness. We would be happy to schedule a tour so you can explore the community, speak with the Community Director, meet some of the residents, and ask any questions you might have. To learn more about our amenities and services, please call 901-459-3853 (Bartlett) or 901-446-2532 (Collierville), schedule a tour, or send us a message online. We look forward to meeting you!