Halloween is just around the corner, and it’s one of the most exciting times for kids to get creative. Nursery-age children love Halloween for all the fun crafts, activities, and dress-up opportunities it brings. If you’re looking for simple yet engaging ways to get your little ones involved in the spooky spirit, we’ve got you covered with easy Halloween craft ideas and fun activities that are perfect for kids at nursery.
Whether you’re a parent planning a party or a nursery teacher organising a fun day for your class, these Halloween activities are guaranteed to keep the kids entertained and boost their creativity!
Before diving into the crafts and activities, it’s good to understand the meaning of Halloween. Halloween, celebrated on October 31st, originates from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. It marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, a time when people believed the boundaries between the living and the dead became blurred. Over time, it evolved into the Halloween we know today, filled with costumes, trick-or-treating, and fun activities for kids.
Now, let’s explore some exciting Halloween activities for nursery kids that can bring joy and learning to their day.
Crafting is a great way for children to express their creativity, improve their motor skills, and have some spooky fun!
A simple yet classic craft! All you need are paper plates, orange paint, and some black paper for the eyes and a mouth. Let the kids paint the plates and then stick on the facial features to create their very own Jack-o’-lanterns. This craft is perfect for nurseries as it requires minimal materials and can be done with large groups of children.
One of the most adorable Halloween craft activities for kids is making ghost handprints. Have the children dip their hands in white paint and press them onto black paper. Once dry, draw little eyes and a spooky mouth. It’s a fun, simple craft that makes a great keepsake for parents.
Take a regular drinking straw, attach some paper wings and a little bat head, and you’ve got a bat rocket! Kids can blow through the straw and watch their bats fly. This activity teaches the concept of air pressure while also being a fun way to play.
Grab some old paper bags and turn them into creepy monsters! With just some coloured paper, glue, and markers, children can create monster faces on the bags. Once done, they can use them as puppets for a little Halloween puppet show!
Using black construction paper, create a hat with long, dangling spider legs. The kids can wear these as part of their costumes at the nursery Halloween party. They’ll love walking around pretending to be spiders!
Halloween isn’t just about crafts – it’s also an opportunity to sneak in some learning while having fun! These activities will keep children entertained while helping them develop important skills.
For a fun and educational Halloween activity, use small toy pumpkins (or printouts) to teach counting and simple math. Ask the children to count how many pumpkins they have or group them into different sets. This game is an engaging way to practice counting while keeping the Halloween spirit alive.
Play the classic Halloween song, “Dem Bones,” and let the children dance along. It’s a great way to teach them about the bones in the body while they move and groove to a catchy Halloween tune. A fun, physical activity that helps children burn off some energy!
Create “ghost pins” by drawing spooky faces on white plastic cups. Stack them up, and have the kids bowl with a small ball to knock them down. This activity helps children with hand-eye coordination while also having tonnes of fun!
Halloween is a fantastic time for storytelling, and there are plenty of kid-friendly spooky tales that can capture their imagination. A favourite is Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson. Read the story aloud and get the children to join in by acting out the characters. This is a great way to develop listening skills while embracing the Halloween spirit.
Set up a pumpkin sensory bin where kids can explore the texture and feel of pumpkin seeds, pulp, and other autumn-related items like leaves and acorns. Sensory play helps young children develop motor skills, encourages language development, and boosts their curiosity.
While all of these Halloween activities for kids are great options, the best one depends on the interests of the children. For some, making crafts like paper plate pumpkins or ghost handprints might be the highlight of their day, while others may enjoy physical activities like ghost bowling or the skeleton dance. The key is to balance creative crafts with active play and learning-based games to keep all the little ones engaged and entertained.
If you’re looking for a place where your child can enjoy these types of Halloween activities in a safe and nurturing environment, Nurseries in Wimbledon offers excellent programs designed to encourage creativity and learning.
Halloween is more than just a holiday – it’s a time for children to develop social skills, teamwork, and their imaginations. Halloween activities for nursery kids are an excellent way to promote:
If you want your child to experience these fun, safe, and educational Halloween activities, look no further than Wimbledon Day Nursery. We offer a wide range of seasonal crafts and activities designed to stimulate creativity, learning, and fun! Our professional staff ensure your child is always engaged in age-appropriate, exciting activities that foster development in a caring environment.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your child have a Halloween full of spooky fun and creativity!