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How to Make Easy Coffee Filter Ghosts for Halloween Decor
Looking for a wickedly easy and cheap Halloween craft that won’t end in a glitter explosion or a complicated mess? Do you want to fill your home with spooky, cute decorations without spending a fortune or hours of your precious time? It can be a challenge to find a project that’s fun for all ages, quick to complete, and genuinely adorable.
As a parent who’s managed many chaotic craft sessions, I know the best projects are the ones that are quick, cheap, and deliver adorable results with minimal mess. The search for that perfect, low-stress activity that still feels festive and fun is real. You need something you can whip up for a last-minute school party, a rainy afternoon, or just to add a touch of handmade charm to your mantle.
Coffee filter ghosts are a super easy and wicked cheap Halloween craft perfect for all ages. You only need a few supplies like coffee filters, a marker, and lollipops or string to create spooky garlands, cute treats, or hanging decorations in just minutes. These little ghouls are my go-to every single year, and I’m excited to share my favorite methods with you.
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Looking for a Wickedly Easy and Cheap Halloween Craft?
Yes, coffee filter ghosts are one of the easiest and most budget-friendly Halloween crafts you can make. This project is perfect for all crafting levels, from toddlers to adults, because it requires just a few common household supplies. You can create a whole swarm of these spooky friends in under an hour, making it an ideal activity for classroom parties, last-minute decorating, or a fun family craft night. The charm of this DIY is its simplicity and the adorable results you get with minimal effort.
As a parent who’s managed many chaotic craft sessions, I know the best projects are the ones that are quick, cheap, and deliver adorable results with minimal mess. These coffee filter ghosts are my go-to every single year. They are proof that you don’t need a complicated plan or an expensive trip to the craft store to make your home feel festive and fun for the Halloween season.
3 Spooktacular Ways to Make Coffee Filter Ghosts (Updated for 2025)
There are three main ways to create coffee filter ghosts: as simple lollipop treats, as a no-glue garland, or as stiffened 3D hanging decorations. Each method uses the same basic supplies but results in a unique decoration perfect for different purposes. We’ll walk through the quick treat method, the easy garland for decorating your mantel, and the slightly more involved 3D version for creating a spooky mobile. I’ve tested all of these methods with my own kids, so I can promise they are genuinely easy and fun for various ages.
- The Simple Lollipop Ghost
- The Easy No-Glue Ghost Garland
- The Stiffened 3D Hanging Ghost
1. The Simple Lollipop Ghost (Perfect for Treats!)
Save this adorable treat idea to your ‘Halloween Fun’ board!
This is the classic, quickest version that doubles as a cute treat for classmates or trick-or-treaters. It takes less than two minutes per ghost!
Materials Needed:
- Standard basket-style coffee filters
- Round lollipops (like Dum Dums or Tootsie Pops)
- Black marker
- Small ribbons or rubber bands (orange, white, or black)
Step-by-Step Directions:
- Drape the Filter: Take one or two coffee filters (using two makes the ghost less transparent and a bit fluffier) and drape them over the head of a round lollipop.
- Secure the Neck: Pinch the filter paper around the base of the lollipop head, right where the stick begins. Tightly tie a piece of ribbon into a little bow or wrap a small rubber band around this “neck” to secure the coffee filter in place.
- Draw the Face: Use a black marker to draw a simple ghost face. Two ovals for eyes and a larger oval for a spooky mouth works perfectly. Let the ink dry for a minute.
- Fluff and Display: Gently fluff out the bottom layers of the coffee filter to give your ghost some body. Your lollipop ghost is now ready to be given as a treat or displayed in a jar!
Pro-Tip: Use a permanent marker like a Sharpie to prevent the face from smudging, especially if little hands will be grabbing these treats.
2. The Easy No-Glue Ghost Garland
Save this simple garland DIY to your ‘Halloween Decor’ board!
This method is perfect for creating long strands of floating ghosts to decorate a wall, doorway, or mantel without any sticky mess.
Materials Needed:
- Coffee filters
- Black marker
- String, yarn, or baker’s twine
- Scissors
- A sewing needle OR a hole punch
Step-by-Step Directions:
- Fold the Filter: Take one coffee filter and fold it in half, then fold it in half again to create a small, layered wedge shape.
- Draw the Face: Use your black marker to draw a small ghost face on the front of the folded filter. For a double-sided ghost that looks great from any angle, flip it over and draw the same face on the back.
- Prepare for Stringing (Two Ways):
- Needle Method: Thread your string or twine through a large-eyed sewing needle. Push the needle directly through the top point of the folded ghost. This is fast and easy for adults.
- Kid-Safe Method: Use a hole punch to make a hole at the top point of the folded ghost. This is a safer and easier option for younger children to do themselves.
- String and Repeat: Slide the ghost down the string, leaving a tail at the end for hanging. Repeat the steps with more filters, spacing the ghosts about 4-6 inches apart until your garland reaches the desired length. For the kid-safe method, simply have them thread the yarn through the punched holes.
Lesson Learned: If using the hole punch method, opt for a slightly thicker yarn or baker’s twine. A thin thread can sometimes rip the delicate paper when the garland is hung.
3. The Stiffened 3D Hanging Ghosts
Save this 3D ghost mobile idea to your ‘Elegant Halloween’ board!
This technique creates more durable, three-dimensional ghosts that hold their shape. They look fantastic hanging individually from the ceiling or clustered together on a branch to make a floating ghost mobile.
Materials Needed:
- Coffee filters
- White craft glue (like Elmer’s) or fabric stiffener
- Water
- A small bowl
- A foam paintbrush
- Something to shape the ghost on (e.g., a small styrofoam ball, the top of a dot marker, or even a crumpled ball of aluminum foil)
- Wax paper or a plastic bag to protect your work surface
- Black marker and optional googly eyes
- Needle and clear or white thread
Step-by-Step Directions:
- Prepare Glue Mixture: In a small bowl, mix two parts white craft glue with one part water until you have a smooth, milky consistency. If you have fabric stiffener, you can use that instead.
- Set Up Your Form: Place your shaping object (like a styrofoam ball or crumpled foil) on your protected work surface.
- Coat the Filter: Lay a coffee filter flat and use the foam paintbrush to completely coat it with the glue mixture. Make sure it’s fully saturated but not dripping excessively.
- Shape and Dry: Carefully lift the wet filter and drape it over your shaping object. Arrange the folds and ripples in the paper to look like a flowing, spooky ghost. Let it dry completely, which may take several hours or even overnight.
- Decorate and Hang: Once the ghost is stiff and dry, gently lift it off the form. It should hold its 3D shape perfectly. Use a black marker to draw a face, or for extra fun, attach small googly eyes with a dot of glue. Use a needle to poke a small hole in the top of the head and thread a piece of clear string through for hanging.
Pro-Tip: To speed up drying time, you can place the ghosts in front of a small fan on a low setting. Avoid using direct heat, like from a hairdryer, as it can cause the paper to yellow or warp.
@howwehost DIY COFFEE FILTER GHOST GARLAND 👻☕️ this diy was so simple and fun & the nostalgic floating ghosts are the cutest ever.🥹 We used foam balls, coffee filters, a mini hot glue gun, a black sharpie, stretchy fishing line, & and large sewing needle ☺️🤍👻 #diy #halloweendiy #ghostgarland #ghostcrafts #coffeefilterghost #diycrafts #halloweencrafts
Key Takeaways: Your Quick Guide to Coffee Filter Ghosts
Here’s a quick summary of why this is the perfect Halloween craft to try right now.
- Wicked Cheap: The main supplies—coffee filters and markers—are incredibly inexpensive, and you likely already have them in your kitchen.
- Super Fast: Each ghost, regardless of the method, only takes about 2-4 minutes to make. You can create a large batch in no time.
- Kid-Friendly: With simple steps and safe materials (especially the no-glue garland), this is a perfect craft for all ages, from toddlers to teens.
- Versatile Decor: You can create lollipop treats for parties, hanging garlands for your mantel, or elegant 3D mobiles from the same basic supply.
People Also Ask About Coffee Filter Ghosts
How do you make a DIY ghost easy?
The easiest way to make a DIY ghost is the lollipop method. Simply drape a white coffee filter or a tissue over a round lollipop, tie a ribbon around the “neck” to secure it, and draw a face with a black marker. It’s a no-mess craft that takes less than two minutes from start to finish.
How do you make a ghost with cotton balls?
To make a ghost with cotton balls, you drape a coffee filter or a piece of cheesecloth over a few cotton balls bunched together to form a head. Secure the fabric tightly under the cotton balls with a rubber band or a piece of string to define the head shape. You can then insert a BBQ skewer into the cotton balls for a handle or poke a needle through the top to hang it with thread.
Can I use something other than a lollipop for the head?
Absolutely! If you don’t want to use candy, you can create a head shape by crumpling up another coffee filter into a tight ball, using a few cotton balls, or even using a small styrofoam craft ball. Just place your chosen item in the center of a fresh coffee filter, gather the paper around it, and secure it underneath with a string or ribbon.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about handmade holiday decorations, and these coffee filter ghosts prove that you don’t need to be a crafting expert to create something wonderfully spooky and fun. Whether you’re making sweet lollipop treats for a class party or a ghostly garland to haunt your halls, this project is all about simple, creative joy. It’s a fantastic way to spend an afternoon and fill your home with a bit of festive spirit.
Which of these ghostly crafts are you excited to try this Halloween? Let me know in the comments below
Last update on 2025-10-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
