Exploding potions and glowing slime: 10 sensory Halloween activities for kids
Halloween offers lots of opportunities for hands-on fun, from oozing oobleck to pumpkin-themed science experiments and sparkling potions fit for any witch or warlock.
These 10 Halloween activities will engage kids in sensory play and get them into the spooky spirit. Roll up your sleeves, and get started!
1. Spooky slime
Make monstrous slime that glows, sparkles, and comes alive with googly eyes! Kids of all ages will love playing with this gooey, stretchy, creepy creation.
2. Great gooey green ghosts
Craft a papier-mâché ghost using simple materials like newspaper, glue, and green tempera paint! Young artists will love exploring different textures and bringing their DIY monsters to life.
Plus, the linked companion activity teaches kids about the letter G, tying it to the words “green” and “ghost” for some eerie educational fun.
3. Pumpkin play dough
Combine your senses of smell and touch!
Use this simple recipe to make fragrant pumpkin play dough—just add a can of pumpkin puree! Kids and adults alike will enjoy kneading the sweet-smelling dough into jack-o’-lanterns, ghosts, and halloween treats.
4. Bubbling potions
Put on your witches’ hats, grab your cauldrons, and brew up some Halloween magic using ingredients like dish soap, food coloring, baking soda, and vinegar. This bubbling potion recipe is a sensory-rich activity that inspires kids to cast a variety of bewitching spells.
5. Exploding pumpkins
This is a spooky science experiment with a bang! Give your child a memorable Halloween surprise by pouring a couple of household ingredients into a jack-o’-lantern and watching as foam comes out of its eyes and mouth.
Tip: Put on aprons and lay down parchment paper to contain the foamy mess to a determined play space.
6. Pumpkin apple stamps
This art project is simple and easy! Split apples in half, dip them in paint, and paint a pumpkin patch on paper. Kids will strengthen their fine motor skills as they position their homemade stamps on the page.
7. Halloween boba witches’ brew
Double, double, toil and trouble!
Mix up a bubbling brew filled with boba and gummy treats. Children will enjoy combining tapioca pearls, food coloring, seltzer water, and their favorite candy to make one-of-a kind potions they can drink.
8. Gummy worm ice cubes
Add a squirmy surprise to drinks with gummy worm ice cubes! Your child will delight in freezing these creepy crawlies and adding them to beverages this Halloween.
9. Handprint spiders
Get their hands messy with paint, and press them onto paper to make handprint spiders—their fingers are the spider’s legs! Attach googly eyes, and hang their creations on the wall for some festive Halloween-themed decor.
10. Spider rings
Twist up this kooky craft using pipe cleaners and googly eyes! Bending the soft pipe cleaners will help build finger strength and dexterity. The end result is a cute, wearable ring for even the tiniest fingers!
Go beyond these 10 sensory Halloween ideas with our full list of hands-on activities and themed educational worksheets for the spooky season! Narrow in on your search, and filter by grade level and subject on the left-hand side.
Plus, you can explore all 37,000+ worksheets, games, and activities for grades PreK-8th in the Education.com Learning Library.