Halloween is slowly creeping up on us. It’s time to dress the house up with some spooky skeleton crafts. Or maybe you have a budding biologist who wants to learn about the human body and see how their bones connect together.
Either way, if you’re looking for some fun and easy skeleton crafts for kids, you’ll find plenty here. From fake skeleton bones to homemade skeleton hands, plus several Q-tip skeletons, you’re sure to enjoy this list.
So don’t be spooked, let’s get crafting!
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 when it comes to constructing a skeleton craft, 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 easy Q-tip skeleton crafts to chose from 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 skeleton arts and crafts below for ideas.
For all sorts of crafty creations using cardboard tubes, check out these fun toilet paper roll crafts.
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.
For more fun painting activities for little ones, try these easy arts and crafts. We also have some finger painting ideas for tiny tots, or for when you simply don’t want to use a paint brush!
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.
Once you’ve picked your skeleton craft of choice, why not check out these fun Halloween crafts and activities for more fun with little ones this spooky season.
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
For more fine motor practice, try this homemade twist-top board or how about this apple lacing 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 into a skeleton shape. Don’t you just love using materials found in nature?
Sticks and stones skeletons from brightbuttonschildcare.
If you love crafts inspired by natural elements, give these nature ornament crafts a try. Or if leaves have started to drop, we have these fun Fall-themed sensory activities for tiny tots. Plus these easy fall arts & crafts for toddlers. Plenty of rummaging outside for to keep little kids busy.
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?
Human skeleton craft from you_can_craft_it.
There are more fun and creative toilet paper roll crafts here.
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…”
Paper plate skeleton from wyah.creations.
If you enjoy a good paper plate craft (who doesn’t?!) try this paper plate Santa mask this Christmas. It was a sure hit in our house.
Super Easy DIY Kids X-Ray Skeleton Halloween Costume
Inverse Skeleton Painting
Here is a fun skeleton craft and art project for the kids. First, craft a skeleton using painter’s tape on top of 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 the best option for kids. Try this powdered tempera.
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
For Halloween decor of a more motherly nature (!) check out these fun mummy crafts. There are sure to be a few to your your liking.
Skeleton Craft Templates & Free Printables
Who doesn’t love printables? I, for one, love a free template. They’re such a time-saver and a great starting point for many crafts and activities for kids.
If you love simple and minimal prep when it comes to kids activities, check out these easy indoor toddler activities to do at home. Or take them outside and try these simple outdoor activities.
Paper Skeleton Kids’ Halloween Decoration
Play-doh Skeleton Activity
I think I have a love hate relationship with playdough! It’s a great sensory activity for kids, helping to strengthen and refine their fine motor skills while keeping them occupied and engaged. I just get fed up with finding crusty creations and playdough crumbs all over the place!
But still, this skeleton craft for kids looks lots of fun. Just print it out the free skeleton playdough mats then your little ones can construct their playdough skeleton on top. Fun fine motor while learning about the human body.
Play-doh skeleton from preschool_mama.
If you’re like sensory activities but don’t like the mess that often accompanies them, try one of these dry messy play ideas.
Skeleton Bone Chips
Easy Skeleton Halloween Craft
Sensory Bin with Bone Letter Worksheets
Once Halloween is over, we have more festive sensory fun. Try one of these Christmas sensory activities or how about some fake snow sensory bin.
Skeleton coloring pages
Printable Halloween Skeleton Play Dough Game
We also have our own free printables so you can make adorable love-themed artwork with your kids. Check out the Valentine’s handprint art templates here. Or try this 3d paper Christmas ornament this Christmas, with free template.
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 tasty treats to fill up those hungry tummies, check out these yummy and spookilicious Halloween treats for toddlers.
Which skeleton craft will you try first?
I hope you enjoyed this collection of skeleton-themed crafts and creative learning activities for kids.
Will you be making any of these projects this Halloween? I do hope so. Let us know in the comments how you get on.
Happy Halloween!
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Take a look at these fun crafts and activities for toddlers too, free printables included!
- 63 Spooky Cute Halloween Crafts For Kids
- 19 Scarily Fun Halloween Sensory Activities for Little Learners
- 35 Spooktacular Halloween Handprint Crafts for Kid
- 50 Free Printable Halloween Games & Activities (Kids & Adults)
- 6 FREE Halloween Coloring Sheets for Kids to Print & Color
- FREE I Spy Halloween Printables {3 Fun Activity Sheets for Kids}
- 13+ FREE Halloween Worksheets for Preschool – Number Fun, Puzzles & More!
For more seasonal arts and crafts for kids, take a look these:
- 55 cute Christmas crafts for toddlers & preschoolers
- 45 Cute Valentine’s Day Arts, Crafts & Cards for Toddlers
- 75 easy fun Easter crafts and activities for 3 years olds
- 45 Cute & Easy Mothers Day Crafts for toddlers & preschoolers to make
- 41 Easy Father’s Day crafts for toddlers (2 & 3 year olds)
- 31 Cute Handprint Birthday Card Ideas For Mom, Daddy, Grandma & Grandpa
