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 skeleton crafts 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.
So don’t be spooked!
Table of Contents
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 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.
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?
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?
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…”
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?
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
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.
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. A fun, sensory experience and a great way to strengthen fine motor skills all while learning about the human body.
Play-doh skeleton from preschool_mama.
Skeleton Bone Chips
Easy Skeleton Halloween Craft
Sensory Bin with Bone Letter Worksheets
Skeleton coloring pages
Printable Halloween Skeleton Play Dough Game
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.
Related post: 77 Spookylicious Halloween treats for toddlers
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.
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 Halloween & Fall crafts and activities, check out:
- 37 Not-so-spooky Halloween crafts & activities for your toddler
- Puffy paint spider web craft – fine motor control for kids
- Paper plate apple craft – simple fine motor activity for toddlers (2 min prep!)
- Leaf monster craft for toddlers: super-friendly and perfect for Fall
- 55 toddler Halloween party ideas (that preschoolers will love too)
- 77 Spookylicious Halloween treats for toddlers
- 28 CUTE and SUPER SIMPLE Fall crafts for toddlers
- Super simple cutting activity for toddlers: 3D apple or pumpkin craft
- Fall activities for toddlers – simple, low prep & educational
Is it too early to think about Christmas? Definitely not! Check out:
- 55 cute Christmas crafts for toddlers & preschoolers
- 50 Christmas crafts for preschoolers: fun, cute and mostly VERY simple
- 43 easy-peasy Christmas activities for toddlers & preschoolers
- Salt dough Christmas tree ornaments to make with toddlers
- 45 adorable Christmas ornaments for kids of all ages
- Homemade snowman Christmas card to make with your toddlers
- Silver pasta Christmas tree ornaments – a cute and simple toddler craft and keepsake
For more easy toddler activities to keep your little ones busy indoors and out check out:
- 39 simple & sanity-saving activities for toddlers & preschoolers to do at home
- 49 Simple & fun outdoor activities for preschoolers
- Marble rolling: easy art activity for toddlers & preschoolers
- 50+ Indoor gross motor activities for toddlers & preschoolers
- 40 Fun & easy dinosaur activities for preschoolers
- 50 Fun Transportation Crafts & Activities for Toddlers and Preschoolers
- 100 fun & easy toilet paper roll crafts for toddlers 2 & 3 years old
- 39 Fun & easy arts & crafts for 1 – 2 year olds
- 21 Easy Finger Painting Ideas For Babies 1-2 Years Old
- 10+ Fun & simple dry messy play ideas for 1 and 2-year-olds
