Halloween is just around the corner, and it’s the perfect time to embrace the spooky spirit by getting crafty with your kids. Whether you have little ones or teenagers, these Halloween-themed DIY projects are perfect for some family bonding and creative fun. Local to Upland, CA? Well, we have an exciting event on Monday, October 30th at the Upland Recreation Center – the Stuffed Animal Costume Workshop. Get your creative juices flowing and join us to make this Halloween unforgettable! (Register here no later than 10/25/23).

Stuffed Animal Costume Party

Some families make their Halloween costumes, some families buy them. In any case, it is a time of great creative energy. Set out fabric scraps, cardboard, and other supplies and let your whole family make costumes for loved stuffed friends.

Supplies:

• Thin (cereal box) and thick (corrugated) cardboard
• Felt and other fabric scraps
• Construction paper
• Cardboard Tubes
• Foil, stickers, decorative papers
• Ribbons, pom poms, pipe cleaners
• Clear Tape, Glue, Stapler
• Needle and thread (optional)

Tips:

1. Brainstorm some costume ideas together. You don’t need to have a complete idea of how to accomplish your child’s vision. I bet they have any number of ideas. This is extremely low-stakes crafting. Your main role here is to make sure they only make a costume and not permanent changes to their favorite lovey.
2. If you find yourself wanting to tell your child how to make what they are making, consider MAKING YOUR OWN project. That way you can talk about what you are doing leaving your child free to follow your example or go their own way.
3. Stay with this project for as long as your child is interested. As simple as that. Don’t end it early and don’t make them sit there when they are done.

If you don’t want to go it alone, register for a TinkerSpace workshop. We have the supplies and the tools. You just bring your stuffed friend and your creativity. [Click to Register]

Spooky Worlds

Hanging Bats – 2 Ways

Nothing says Halloween like a colony of bats decorating your house. Make leathery wet-paper fold bats that will last for years or colorful festive bats to hang for a season. Either way, your kids will love seeing their contributions to your spooky decor!

Wet Paper Fold Bat Supplies:

• Black construction paper square. (Cut these to different sizes for a variety of bats.)
• Spray bottle with water
• Fishing line or thin string and clear tape

2D Hanging Bat Supplies:

• Bats cut out of black cardstock (see tips below)
• Oil Pastels
• Thin String (I use crochet thread) and clear tape
• Small hole punch (optional
• Beads

Tips:

1. Wet Paper Fold Bats – Watch the video above for step-by-step instructions to fold the bats. You’ll see in the video that, as the paper dries, you will need to keep tinkering with your detail folds. I usually fold one bat, set it aside, fold another, adjust the folds on the first bat, set both aside, make another bat, adjust the folds on the previous bats, etc.
2. Wet Paper Fold Bats – When the bats are dry, use fishing line or a thin thread attached behind the head with clear tape to hang your bats from the ceiling.
3. 2D Bats – You can draw your own template of a bat or do a quick internet search for “Bat Silhouette” or “Bat Line Drawing” to find one you want to use. You can print, cut it out, and trace it onto your cardstock (pencil shows up on black cardstock) or import the drawing into your cutting machine (Silhouette or Cricut) for ease of cutting.
4. 2D Bats – Invite your kids to create by setting out the bats and oil pastels. You can decorate one or two ahead of time if you would like. Be sure to cover your table since oil pastels can be difficult to wipe off surfaces.
5. 2D Bats – When you have a selection of bats to work with,  punch a hole near the ear on one side and the foot of the other (you can, of course, hang them straight but this angle helps them look like they are flying). Run your string through several bats (maybe alternate the direction of their tilt), placing a piece of tape over the string on the back side of the bat to keep it in place. You will need to weigh down the end of the string (with beads or something else) in order to keep the string taut and have the last bat hanging as intended.
6. If you find yourself wanting to tell your child how to make what they are making, consider MAKING YOUR OWN project. That way you can talk about what you are doing leaving your child free to follow your example or go their own way.
7. Stay with this project for as long as your child is interested. As simple as that. Don’t end it early and don’t make them sit there when they are done.