We all count down the days until Christmas, but this year, we are counting down the days until Halloween! This DIY Halloween Countdown is an easy, budget-friendly Halloween craft for kids! Made with just construction paper, glue, scissors, and a marker, you can create adorable jack-o-lanterns stuffed with treats to countdown the days until Halloween.
Want more Halloween fun? Make this bat mobile paper plate craft!
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Halloween Books For Preschoolers
Room on the Broom– How many animals can fit on the broom? After the witch drops some of her things, the animals return it but all want to ride on the broom.
The Pumpkin Thief– Bird’s pumpkins keep disappearing and the animals must use the clues to find out who the pumpkin thief is!
Supplies For The DIY Halloween Countdown
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How To Make A DIY Halloween Countdown
1. Cut the Orange Circles: Draw a circle on orange construction paper and cut it out. You will need 3 circles per jack-o-lantern.
2. Cut out the Green Top: Cut out a circle from green construction paper that is the same size as the orange circles.
3. Fold the Circles: Fold all circles in half, creating half-circle shapes. Crease the folds well.
4. Build the Pumpkin: Place the first orange half-circle with its folded edge running vertically. Tuck the second half-circle into the first with its folded edge running perpendicular to the other. Glue the overlapping sections together.
5. Add the Third Circle: Place the third folded circle opposite the first one. Tuck the bottom half circle into the third section and glue the overlapping pieces together. When opened, the pieces will create an envelope shape.
6. Create the Leafy Top: Cut a leafy or jagged pattern along the curved edge of the green half circle to create the pumpkin’s leafy top.
7. Attach the Top: Glue the green leafy piece to the back of the top portion of the orange pumpkin. Fold the flap over the front.
8. Add the Stem: Cut a small rectangle or stem shape from green construction paper and glue it to the top of the pumpkin.
9. Draw a Face: Use a black marker to give your pumpkin a fun Halloween face.
10. Make Your Countdown: Repeat the steps until you have as many pumpkins as you need for your countdown. Write a different number on each pumpkin.
11. Add the Surprises: Fill each pumpkin with a small piece of candy, a sweet note, a joke, or a fun Halloween activity. Open one pumpkin each day as you count down to Halloween!
Fun Ideas For Your DIY Halloween Countdown
I used Halloween candy inside our jack-o-lanterns, but you can also use:
Slips of paper with Halloween activities on them (i.e., go to the pumpkin patch, carve a pumpkin, decorate the house, watch a Halloween movie, etc.)
Slips of paper with Halloween jokes on them. Google is your best friend when it comes to kid-friendly Halloween jokes!
Slips of paper with a special note and treat for lunch boxes! Send one in your child’s lunch box to enjoy at school.
More Halloween Fun
PrintDIY Halloween Countdown
Make a DIY Halloween countdown for kids! This fun, easy activity builds excitement as children count down the days until Halloween.
- Prep Time: 15
- Total Time: 15
- Category: DIY, Halloween
- Method: Step-by-Step
Materials
- Orange construction paper
- Green construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue
- Black marker
- Pencil
- Small candies, notes, or activity ideas
Instructions
- Cut the Orange Circles: Draw a circle on orange construction paper and cut it out. You will need 3 circles per jack-o-lantern.
- Cut out the Green Top: Cut out a circle from green construction paper that is the same size as the orange circles.
- Fold the Circles: Fold all circles in half, creating half-circle shapes. Crease the folds well.
- Build the Pumpkin: Place the first orange half-circle with its folded edge running vertically. Tuck the second half-circle into the first with its folded edge running perpendicular to the other. Glue the overlapping sections together.
- Add the Third Circle: Place the third folded circle opposite the first one. Tuck the bottom half circle into the third section and glue the overlapping pieces together. When opened, the pieces will create an envelope shape.
- Create the Leafy Top: Cut a leafy or jagged pattern along the curved edge of the green half circle to create the pumpkin’s leafy top.
- Attach the Top: Glue the green leafy piece to the back of the top portion of the orange pumpkin. Fold the flap over the front.
- Add the Stem: Cut a small rectangle or stem shape from green construction paper and glue it to the top of the pumpkin.
- Draw a Face: Use a black marker to give your pumpkin a fun Halloween face.
- Make Your Countdown: Repeat the steps until you have as many pumpkins as you need for your countdown. Write a different number on each pumpkin.
- Add the Surprises: Fill each pumpkin with a small piece of candy, a sweet note, a joke, or a fun Halloween activity. Open one pumpkin each day as you count down to Halloween!
