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    Home » Blog

    Easy Cardboard Spinning Ghosts

    Published: Jan 18, 2022 by Heidi Fowler. This post may contain affiliate links 53 Comments

    If you are looking for a super cheap, super easy decorating idea for Halloween, then look no further.  These spooky ghosts only cost me $.90!!!  (3 posterboards/$.30 each)  These simple spinning ghosts were a hit with the kids and made a great statement for our party.  The hardest part of the project was keeping the kids from spending all day climbing through the ghosts and making them spin! In this post, you'll find easy directions for giant ghosts, and free printable templates for mini spinning ghosts.

    These cardboard spinning ghosts are such a quick and easy decorating idea for Halloween -- and they are so cheap to make! {OneCreativeMommy.com} #halloweendecor #frugal #ghosts

    Cardboard Spinning Ghosts Craft

    RELATED: Adorable Sock Pumpkin Craft, Mini Frankenstein Bunting

    Ready to make some?  Just cut a spiral shape, add a face, hang it up . . . and you're done!

    DIY Spinning Ghosts

    In case you need just a little more instruction, here goes . . . (If you're nervous, don't worry--I've made you a pattern!)

    • For the long ghost, use an entire sheet of poster board.  For the shorter ghosts, use half sheets of poster board.  (I made one full-sized ghost and four half-sized ghosts).  If you can't quite tell how to cut the spiral, I've made you a pattern.  Click on the link at the end of the post to download a letter-size version of the spinning ghost.  Print it on card stock and cut it out to give yourself an idea of how to cut the larger cardboard shapes.  (Bonus--enjoy the cute tiny ghosts to hang somewhere else!  I hung mine over the kitchen table.)
    • Create the faces by cutting shapes out of black card stock.  (For those of you who are a little insecure about your face-cutting skills, I've included five sets of eyes and mouths in the download (1 large and 4 small faces).
    • To hang the ghosts, punch a hole near the top of the head, off center toward the spiral.  If you punch the hole directly in the center, the ghosts won't hang quite right.  Hang with thread or fishing line.

    If you're feeling a bit craft challenged, and you're not interested in making the ghosts all on your own, just skip the steps above. Head straight to the free printable to make tiny ghosts. I've included a ghost with a face and one without. That way you can copy mine or create your own.

    Attention teachers and room moms: This is a simple craft with very little prep that works great for elementary school classrooms. I love to use the tiny ghosts at class parties. They're always a big hit!

    Click the download button with the three dots below to get your free printables. (Clicking will open the pdf files in a new window. You can print from there or save the files to your computer for later.

    Click to download file from One Creative Mommy

    Mini Spinning Ghosts Decor Idea

    Is your living space to small for the huge ghosts?  Try this table-top version.  Mine are hanging over my kitchen table.  (If you need a little motivation to clean your kitchen--just create a project that requires taking pictures in the kitchen!  I dusted that chandelier for the first time in four years today!  What would I do without my blog to motivate me?)

    Mini Spinning Ghosts and Free Pattern

    This idea came from Parents Magazine.  You can see the original project here.

    Thanks for visiting, and have fun creating!

    Cardboard Spinning Ghosts with free Patterns

    Thanks for stopping by today.  If you're looking for more Halloween ideas, be sure to check out a few of these!  (Images below are linked.)

    Halloween Word and Action Games

    Canvas Halloween Pennants Tutorial

    25 Corny Projects to Brighten Your Day {OneCreativeMommy.com}

    Heidi

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    About Heidi

    Hi! I’m Heidi, the sometimes scatterbrained, but always creative mind behind One Creative Mommy. I'm a retired teacher, wife, and mom of three beautiful teenage girls and one adorable fur baby. In my spare time, I love to share my ideas (mistakes and all) with anyone who will listen.

    Learn more about me →

    Comments

    1. Jill

      October 23, 2012 at 9:59 pm

      This is so cute. I remember making spirals like this in grade school and hanging them above light bulbs as a science experiment to prove that hot air rises. As the lights heat up, the spiral would spin!

      Reply
    2. Jessi @ Practically Functional

      October 24, 2012 at 1:42 pm

      Awesome, those are so fun! Thanks for sharing at The Fun In Functional!

      Reply
    3. Peggy

      October 24, 2012 at 6:31 pm

      I love this. Please link it to my linky party & anything else you have to share. :) Thanks, Peggy. http://diycraftyprojects.com/2012/10/whatcha-work-up-wednesday-5-linky-parties-are-back.html

      Reply
    4. Debi Recipes For My Boys

      October 24, 2012 at 9:06 pm

      I love these and have been wanting to make them. Thank you for sharing on Thursday's Treasures. <3 and hugs! http://www.recipesformyboys.com/2012/10/thursdays-treasures-week-57.html

      Reply
    5. louise

      October 25, 2012 at 12:59 pm

      These are great! Makes total sense. As soon as I saw them I knew how to do them, becuase it's almost like making felt flowers the windy cutting.. COol! Thanks!

      Reply
    6. Tanya Runkle on Facebook

      October 25, 2012 at 10:29 pm

      Hi Heidi! Thank you so much for coming by twelveOeight today, this project is sooooo cute, following you now :)

      Reply
    7. Jaimee @ Craft, Interrupted

      October 26, 2012 at 6:50 am

      So cute! Clever way to make an easy Halloween decoration : ) Saw you on One Artsy Mama linky and came to say hello : )

      Reply
    8. Irina

      October 27, 2012 at 11:47 am

      These look so cute! Will deffinitely make them! Thanks for sharing

      Reply
    9. Susie at Earning-My-Cape

      October 31, 2012 at 1:14 pm

      Congratulations! Your spinning ghost tutorial is featured at my Super Link Party! Come on by, check it out, and grab a featured button! :-)
      http://earning-my-cape.blogspot.com/2012/10/super-link-party-25.html

      Reply
    10. Carrie

      November 02, 2012 at 2:52 pm

      Oh, how fun! We tried something similar but I love yours. We will try it this way next year! Thank you for sharing at Sharing Saturday!!

      Reply
    11. Rose :: Fine Craft

      November 07, 2012 at 2:34 pm

      you know, simple is always best... Thank you for sharing this fun mobile idea at http://www.finecraftguild.com . A new linky party opens today! Come join. We'd love to see your creative pursuits from this week.

      Reply
    12. Veronica

      October 07, 2013 at 6:34 pm

      Oh these ghosts are too cute and super easy too! Thank you so much for linking up this great craft to our Halloween/Fall Party! I am one of the co-hosts from MorningNooNight! :)

      Reply
      • Heidi

        October 07, 2013 at 8:09 pm

        Thanks for stopping by, Veronica! These really are easy.

        Reply
    13. Cindy {crazylou}

      October 28, 2013 at 10:18 am

      Super cute. Totally pinning to do this next year! LOVE IT!

      Reply
    14. Marilyn

      September 11, 2014 at 7:09 am

      This is such a fun idea..I LOVE how easy and inexpensive it is too! :D

      Reply
    15. Mae

      October 04, 2014 at 9:03 pm

      Love this, and I now have three of my own ghosts hanging in the living room. They are adorable, and yes quite easy to make! Mentioned you over at my blog as well. Look forward to checking out several of your other crafts as well.

      Reply
    16. Kristy

      October 15, 2014 at 9:37 pm

      I love this! Halloween is such a fun holiday for kids and there are so many fun activities here.

      Reply
    17. RemeiGG

      October 20, 2014 at 4:10 am

      Hi!!! I know it's been a while since you posted this craft, but I just wanted to tell you I included it in my favorite Halloween crafts post because I just love it!
      Thanks a million for sharing ❤ I'm really grateful!

      Hugs from Spain ♫

      Reply
    18. Suman

      November 03, 2014 at 1:54 am

      This is really an interesting and funy idea. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    19. Mada

      October 10, 2015 at 1:59 pm

      I like it!

      Reply
    20. bev

      November 03, 2015 at 9:13 am

      OH DARN!! Such a cute idea that I missed. Well, I'll just have to save it for next year. Thank you.

      Reply
      • Heidi

        November 03, 2015 at 11:36 am

        Thanks, Bev. That's why we love pinterest, right? Easy to save things for next year!

        Reply
    21. Jamie

      September 24, 2017 at 8:29 am

      The link didn't work. All I saw was a bunch of weird code.

      Reply
      • Heidi

        September 25, 2017 at 4:59 pm

        I just checked the link, Jamie, and it's working just fine. I'm sorry you are having trouble. It just worked for me in Chrome. It should open a download of a zip file. Maybe try another browser?

        Reply
      • Heidi

        October 03, 2017 at 3:45 pm

        Hi, Jamie. I just updated this post with a new file that you should be able to download from any browser. No more zip file. Enjoy!

        Reply
    22. Chrissi

      March 01, 2018 at 12:17 am

      Very nice idea, I ll use then for our Harry Potter party!

      Reply
    23. Kaylene Crawley

      October 17, 2021 at 8:40 pm

      Thanks for sharing this cheap and fun looking craft idea, I have just printed your 'stencils' off as I am far from artistic and just want to make the evening more interesting.

      Reply
      • Heidi

        October 17, 2021 at 8:41 pm

        Have fun Kaylene. I hope the ghosts turn out well for you. Happy Halloween!

        Reply

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    Hi! I’m Heidi, the sometimes scatterbrained, but always creative mind behind One Creative Mommy. I'm a retired teacher, wife, and mom of three beautiful teenage girls and one adorable fur baby. In my spare time, I love to share my ideas (mistakes and all) with anyone who will listen.

    More about me →

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