This easy Halloween craft is a little messy but super fun. Making balloon ghosts is a great activity for families to do together, and they make awesome Halloween decorations!

Why this project works

There are many fun ways to use these little balloon ghosts. Use as party favors and placeholders for your Halloween party, you can even light them up at the table!

They also make great decorations and are fun hanging in a tree.

Helpful Project Information:

• Age Level: 6 and up
• Mess Factor: Medium (decoupage)
• Level of Difficulty: Medium
• Time to Complete: less than 30 minutes, plus dry time
• Cost Estimate: Approximately $0.50 each (assuming you have an old t-shirt or white fabric on hand)

Craft supplies you will need

Get full list of supplies and directions in the printable version at the end of this post.

How to Make Balloon Ghosts

These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this project. Please scroll down to simply print out the instructions!

1. Partially blow up balloons, big enough to fit in one hand (about the size of a large orange).
2. Place balloon, tied end down, on top of a jar.

3. Mix 1 part water and 2 parts white glue to make a paintable mixture.
4. Tear or cut t-shirt material into strips long enough to drape over your balloon.

5. Paint the top of the balloon with the glue mixture. Place a strip of material across the balloon and paint more mixture over the top of the fabric.

6. Continue this process, crossing fabric over itself to cover all sides. Let it dry completely.
7. Have an adult use a sharp knife to pop the balloon. Carefully peel it out of the material mold.

8. Trim the ends of the material so that the ghouls will stand up by themselves.

9. Glue googly eyes on the front.

Wait until it starts to get dark and put the ghosts over a battery operated tea light and watch them glow.

Crafting Tips

• You can use a decoupage medium like Mod Podge if you prefer.
• If you don’t have an old white t-shirt you can cut up, old sheets or pillowcases will work as well.
• Grown ups may need to help with a couple of the steps.
• Be sure kids are wearing smocks or play clothes you aren’t worried about getting messy.
• Dollar store plastic tablecloths are great for containing messes and protecting your work surface.

What to do with your balloon ghosts

• Place a battery-operated tea light underneath a ghost on your party table and turn down the lights. Kids can take their ghost home as a party favor.
• Use a sewing needle and thread to poke through the top and create a hanger, then hang your ghosts in a tree.
• Use as a decoration on a shelf, in your table centerpiece, or on your fireplace mantel.

More Ghost Crafts

• Paper Plate Ghost
• Starched T-shirt Ghost
• Ghost Luminaries
• Salt Dough Ghost Family
• You’ve Been Booed

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Print Project

5 from 6 votes

Balloon Ghosts

There are many fun ways to use these little balloon ghosts. Use as party favors and placeholders for your Halloween party, you can even light them up at the table!

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Crafting Time20 minutes mins

Dry time3 hours hrs

Total Time3 hours hrs 30 minutes mins

Age Group: Crafts

Project Type: Halloween

Author: Amanda Formaro

Supplies

• White T-shirt material
• Round balloons
• Wide mouth jars to use as stands
• White craft glue
• Water
• Large googly eyes
• Battery operated tea lights

Craft tools

• Paintbrush
• Scissors
• Plastic bowl

Instructions

• Partially blow up balloons, big enough to fit in one hand (about the size of a large orange).
• Place balloon, tied end down, on top of a jar (see image).
• Mix 1 part water and 2 parts white glue to make a paintable mixture.
• Tear or cut t-shirt material into strips long enough to drape over your balloon (see image).
• Paint the top of the balloon with the glue mixture. Place a strip of material across the balloon and paint more mixture over the top of the fabric (see image).
• Continue this process, crossing fabric over itself to cover all sides. Let it dry completely (see image).
• Have an adult use a sharp knife to pop the balloon. Carefully peel it out of the material mold (see image).
• Trim the ends of the material so that the ghouls will stand up by themselves.
• Glue googly eyes on the front.
• Wait until it starts to get dark and put the ghosts over a battery operated tea light and watch them glow (see image).

Expert Tips & FAQs

• You can use decoupage medium like Mod Podge if you prefer.
• If you don't have an old white t-shirt you can cut up, old sheets or pillow cases will work as well.
• Grown ups may need to help with a couple of the steps.
• Be sure kids are wearing smocks or play clothes you aren't worried about getting messy.
• Dollar store plastic tablecloths are great for containing messes and protecting your work surface.

This post originally appeared here on Oct 2, 2009 and has since been updated with tips and new photos.