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Halloween is just around the corner and we are busy making our home extra spooky! We have a bone wreath, heads in jars and even a scientists lab! I love that this time of year, your house is expected to have cob webs and can be a left a bit dusty!
As we add spider webs and strobe lights to every corner, the kids quickly get in the mood and want to make something super scary for a Halloween display. . This Cheese cloth ghost is the perfect Halloween DIY decorating idea for kids. This is quick and easy and will look amazing once it is on your mantel!
DIY Halloween Cheesecloth Ghost
The actual work you do on the cheesecloth ghost takes maybe a half an hour. Drying time will be 24-48 hours. Make sure to cover your work surface to protect it from messes.
Here is what you will need to make a Halloween Ghost:
Cheesecloth
A vase
Some wire
A balloon
Liquid starch
Construction paper and hot glue for eyes (or just use electrical tape for a safer option)
How to make a Cheesecloth Ghost
Check out our super silly video here!
First, you are going to want to create the frame for your ghost. We created ours with a wide vase.
For the look of arms, we taped wire on the inside of the vase and shaped two arms to look like a spooky ghost, holding out his arms.
Once we liked the silhouette of the ghost, we blew up a balloon for the head and rest it on top of the vase.
Check your ghost to make sure that you like his form and then you are ready to move on to the next step.
Measure out your Cheesecloth
Our ghost has three different layers of cheesecloth. To measure out the cloth, drape it over your form and make sure there is enough left over so it will easily flow and drape on the bottom.
Now would also be a good time to mention that you are going to want to out something down to protect your work space.
Measure out three pieces of cheesecloth. They can be varying sizes to add interest and depth.
Soak your Cheesecloth in Liquid Starch
Pour pure liquid starch into a bowl. Working with one piece of cheesecloth at a time, place them in the bowl to soak them.
My kids loved this part. I think anything that involves the tiniest chance for a mess, will always be the most fun for them!
Once the cloth is soaked, pull it out and unfold it so it is one flat cloth. (We didn’t do this, but wringing the cloth out first will save on drying time and the possibility of having the ghost stick to your work surface). Drape your first piece of cloth over the form.
Repeat these steps with the other two sheets of cheesecloth, making sure to change the angles and not place them evenly on top of each other, but stagger them instead.
Once you have all of the cheesecloth layered on top of each other, make any final adjustments to the form. Fan out and spread out any pieces of cloth that lumped together and make the bottom look extra spooky by making sure it has lots of long flowing drapes.
Let your Halloween Cheesecloth Ghost Dry
Now for the waiting part. Depending on how saturated your ghost is, it will take 24-48 hours to dry.
As ours was drying, it got stuck a few times to the foam board underneath it. I think this was because my kids over saturated the cloth as it was dripping wet to start out with. To unstuck it from the board, I just pulled it up and luckily no damage was done to it or the board.
Finishing up your Halloween Cheesecloth Ghost
Once your ghost is completely dry, it’s time for my favorite part! Popping the balloon! Stick a pin through one of the holes in the cheesecloth and poke the balloon. It will quickly shrivel up and you will be left with an empty space for the head.
Lift the ghost body up over the vase form and remove it. Your ghost will be left standing on his own, looking extra spooky.
Decorate your Cheesecloth Ghost
Personally, I like a blank face, but since my kids love decorating, we cut circle eyes out of electrical tape and stuck them on the ghost. (You can also use hot glue and felt or liquid glue and construction paper.)
My son proceeded to give him a red mouth made of construction paper. Your imagination is the limit when decorating these!
I love how our cheesecloth ghost turned out. There are some even scarier versions utilizing masks and faces that I have seen on Pinterest and may attempt next. We also may play with the lighting on him, maybe adding a mysterious blue light underneath.
I hope you and your kids enjoy making cheesecloth ghosts. This was definitely the perfect family friendly craft that was easily accomplished on a lazy Saturday afternoon! Please feel free to ask any questions and let us know what you think of this fun project!
If this has inspired you to get creating this fall, check out these awesome Cricut Halloween decorating ideas and some easy Fall decorating ideas!
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