Halloween is slowly creeping up on us – time to decorate the house with some spooky skeleton crafts! Or maybe you have a budding biologist who wants to learn more about the human body and how their bones connect together.
Either way, you need to learn how to make a skeleton and in this roundup of easy Halloween crafts and activities for kids, we will show you how.
From fake skeleton bones to homemade skeleton hands, not to mention several Q-tip skeleton crafts, you’re sure to enjoy this list.
You could also try these Halloween arts and crafts for kids, this list have tons of scary (but super cute) Halloween ideas too!
So don’t be spooked!
What can I make a skeleton out of?
If you’re super-duper crafty, the answer is probably anything. If you’re here, I’m guessing you’re otherwise, in which case q-tips are going to be your best friend.
Q-tips are a popular choice for skeleton crafts – they’re long and spindly with fatter, bulbous ends, perfect for a long bone, like a fibula or tibula. (That’s pretty much where my bone knowledge ends I’m afraid.)
But there are plenty of other choices, from straws and toothpicks to cardboard tubes, just read on and take a look.
How do you make a skeleton out of Q-tips (a cotton swab skeleton)?
For a Q-tip or cotton swab skeleton, the easiest option is to create a 2D skeleton by laying out the Q-tips and sticking them on paper. There are few different easy Q-tip skeleton crafts below.
Alternatively, create a 3D model by combining your Q-tips with pipe-cleaners – scroll down to see exactly how.
How do you make a skeleton out of cardboard tubes?
Cardboard tubes or toilet paper rolls can be used to make a life-sized skeleton. The kids are going to love that! Simply glue them on to big black sheets of construction board paper.
Or for a more challenging task, tie your cardboard tubes together using string.
Kids can paint the tubes if they want to as well. Check our list of arts and crafts below for ideas.
How do you make a skeleton out of paper and straws?
What better way to use paper straws than to make an adorable straw skeleton craft. Much like the q-tip skeletons, simply cut the straws to size, arrange them into a skeleton shape and stick to black construction paper.
You can use straws with a stripe of color for a unique touch or just the plain white ones.
How do you make a skeleton out of toothpicks?
You’re going to need a lot of glue, time and patience to make a skeleton out of toothpicks! As a result, there are no toothpick skeletons on this list, yet, that is.
Q-tip skeleton crafts for kids
If you want to learn how to make a skeleton out of Q-tips, you’ve come to the right place. Here are plenty of cotton swab skeleton crafts for kids, old and young.
Fun Skeleton Craft for Kids
Thumbprint Skeleton Craft
QTip Skeleton craft
Skeleton Handprint
Paint your child’s hand and forearm and make a white hand and arm print onto black paper. Then just add q-tips for the finger and arm bones. A fun skeleton craft for kids of all ages.
Skeleton handprint craft from our.playfullife.
This is going to be a fun painting activity for the kids and there’s more where that came from. Take a look at these toddler-approved finger painting ideas for some fun and exploration.
GOT A BUSY TODDLER OR PRESCHOOLER IN TOW? NEED MORE SUPER SIMPLE ACTIVITIES, GAMES & PRINTABLES TO KEEP THEM BUSY THIS HALLOWEEN? CHECK OUT THE FAB-BOO-LOUS HALLOWEEN ACTIVITY PACK:
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD THE ACTIVITY PACK & BONUS NOW
Silly Skeleton Craft
Is this silly skeleton cute, or not? Oh yes, he is! Kids are sure to be excited to try this adorable skeleton craft. Use playdoh for the base, stick a straw in the middle, then add pipe cleaners and q-tips, to construct the skeleton. They can form it in any way they want, in the silliest pose they can think of!
Silly skeleton craft from teaching_juniorexplorers.
Other fun & easy skeleton crafts for kids
More skeleton craft ideas for Halloween coming up. And if you’re wondering how to make a simple homemade skeleton hand, there are some right here.
Skeleton straw craft for kids
An easy skeleton straw craft, made with, of course, straws! Simply glue to paper and add a skull. Who knows, this activity might spark an interest in science!
Skeleton straw activity from waterfordupstart.
X Ray Handprint Craft
Human Body: Skelton Pasta Craft
Sticks and Stones Skeletons
Sticks and stones may break my bones but Halloween won’t spook me! It’s time to go outside and pick up some loose sticks and stones – throw in some dried acorns too! Then simply get the kids to arrange them to form a skeleton. Don’t you just love using these materials found in nature?
Speaking of nature, how about giving these nature ornament crafts a try? The kids will have tons of fun collecting acorns, stones, twigs, etc. – just like they did with this skeleton activity.
Sticks and stones skeletons from brightbuttonschildcare.
Easy Skeleton Handprint X-Ray Craft for Kids
Moving Hand Model – a STEM Project
Human Skeleton Craft
This life-sized skeleton craft is a great Halloween craft and activity for kids of all ages. Use small and large toilet paper rolls to make the skeleton frame and Qtips for the hands. Big black cardboard was used as a canvas. How incredible is this?
For more fun and creative ways to use toilet tube rolls. take a look at these cute toilet paper roll crafts for toddlers.
Human skeleton craft from you_can_craft_it.
Paper Plate Skeleton Craft
Turn paper plates into an adorable skeleton craft! Cut different bone shapes out of the paper plates. Then punch holes and tie together with string or yarn. The kids might want to sing along as they go – “The head bone’s connected to the neck bone…”
Toddlers will enjoy this paper plate craft activity for sure, much like this paper plate Santa too! It was a sure hit at home.
Paper plate skeleton from wyah.creations.
Super Easy DIY Kids X-Ray Skeleton Halloween Costume
Inverse Skeleton Painting
Here is a fun skeleton craft art project for the kids. First, make a skeleton using painter’s tape stuck to white paper. Then paint over the whole skeleton with black paint and allow to dry. Remove the tape slowly to reveal the skeleton. Don’t these skeletons look great?
Baby safe paint would be a better option for the kids, try using powdered tempera or non-toxic acrylic paints
Inverse skeleton painting from threeintwoblog.
Mr. Skeleton
Hello there Mr. Skeleton! This skeleton craft for kids cleverly uses cotton swabs, plastic forks and a spoon with a cardboard backing. So simple and effective.
Mr. Skeleton craft from you_can_craft_it.
Simple Halloween Skeleton Craft for Toddlers
Hanging Skeleton Bird Cage
If you need more Halloween decors, check out this list mummy crafts for toddlers. Surely there’s one (or two) that will fit your liking.
Skeleton Craft Templates & Free Printables
Who doesn’t love printables? I, for one, love printable templates – especially if they’re free. They’re such a time-saver and a great starting point for any crafts and projects for kids.
For some simple and minimal prep fun, check out these easy toddler activities to do at home. Or give these easy arts and crafts a try to keep the little ones entertained.
Paper Skeleton Kids’ Halloween Decoration
Play-doh Skeleton Activity
Let your kids make their own skeleton using white play-doh. Just print out the free outline template and then they can construct their play-doh skeleton on top. This will make a fun sensory activity and a great way to strengthen fine motor skills all while learning about the human body.
Play-doh skeleton from preschool_mama.
For more ideas to practice their fine motor skills, check out this list of sensory activities. Or if you want minimal-prep activities, try one of these dry messy play ideas.
Skeleton Bone Chips
Easy Skeleton Halloween Craft
Sensory Bin with Bone Letter Worksheets
Halloween is over? Don’t worry, we have more! Try one of these Christmas sensory bins and these fake snow sensory activities for the kids to do at home.
Skeleton coloring pages
A big fan of free printable templates and would love to make more of these cute art activities with your toddler? Check out our free Valentine’s handprint art template.
Printable Halloween Skeleton Play Dough Game
Once done with these indoor crafts and activities, take the kids outside for some fun outdoor activities. This will be a good exercise for their gross motor skills!
LOOKING FOR MORE HALLOWEEN PRINTABLES & ACTIVITY SHEETS? CHECK OUT THE FAB-BOO-LOUS HALLOWEEN PACK:
CLICK TO DOWNLOAD THE ACTIVITY PACK & BONUS NOW
Edible skeleton crafts for kids
If you’re planning a festive Halloween party this year, what better way than some edible skeleton treats. You can prepare them in advance or make them during the festivities. A perfect way to keep kids entertained while creating something they can eat.
You could also add in some exciting games and activities for the kids, take a look at these super fun Halloween party ideas.
Marshmallow Skeleton
Here’s an easy edible skeleton craft for your toddler. Simply stack a couple of white chocolate pretzels on a stick, then, top it with a big white marshmallow. For the face, melt a few chocolate pellets in a dish and draw on eyes, nose and mouth with a toothpick, that’s if the kids can be patient enough! So adorable, right?
Marshmallow skeleton from krissie_sweet_shoppe.
Bloody Bone Breadsticks
Skeleton Veggie Tray
Skeleton Sugar Cookies
Here’s another yummy treat to make for Halloween. First, bake some skeleton-shaped sugar cookies (you can use any recipe for this). Your kids can then decorate them with royal icing. And enjoy!
Skeleton sugar cookies from preschool_mama.
For more spooky treats to fill up those hungry tummies, check out these yummy Halloween treats for toddlers.
Which skeleton craft will you try first?
I hope you enjoyed this collection of skeleton-themed crafts and learning activities for kids.
Will you be making any of these projects this Halloween? I hope you do! Let us know in the comments which your favorite is.
For more arts, crafts and activities for preschoolers and toddlers, take a look these:
- Fall activities for toddlers – simple, low prep & educational
- STUPIDLY EASY pipe cleaner spider craft for toddlers (no prep & no mess!)
- 55 cute Christmas crafts for toddlers & preschoolers
- Marble rolling: easy art activity for toddlers & preschoolers
- 50+ Indoor gross motor activities for toddlers & preschoolers
- 45 Cute Valentine’s Day Arts, Crafts & Cards for Toddlers (Heart & Handprint Crafts Too)
- 31 Cute Handprint Birthday Card Ideas For Mom, Daddy, Grandma & Grandpa (Footprint Ideas Too)