Halloween is just around the corner, and that means it’s time for spooky stories, cosy nights and lots of creative fun. If your children love colouring and cutting, then they are going to adore this free printable haunted house paper set. With a friendly haunted house, happy ghosts, mischievous pumpkins and all sorts of Halloween‑themed characters, this printable makes a delightful afternoon activity and a charming decoration for your autumn table.
Imagine building your own spooky scene: the moon shining overhead, bats fluttering across the sky and your very own haunted tree waving in the autumn breeze. Whether you set up the house on the mantelpiece, create a centrepiece for a Halloween party or let the kids invent stories with the characters, this craft promises lots of laughter and plenty of imaginative play.
Like all of our printables, this haunted house set is designed to be printed on sturdy card stock, coloured in and then assembled using simple craft supplies. It’s suitable for a wide age range – little hands can enjoy colouring while older children can tackle folding the tabs and creating a 3‑D scene. Read on for a list of supplies, simple instructions and tips for getting the most out of this free download.
What You Will Need
To create your own haunted house scene, gather the following supplies:
- Printable haunted house template – download and print the PDF at the end of this post.
- Heavy card stock (around 160 gsm) – this adds durability and stops markers bleeding through.
- Printer – any colour printer will work; if you don’t have one at home, many libraries offer low‑cost printing.
- Markers, crayons or coloured pencils for decorating the house, pumpkins, ghosts and other pieces.
- Scissors – child‑safe scissors are ideal for little crafters.
- Glue or tape to attach tabs and stands.
- Optional extras: cotton wool for “fog”, battery‑operated tea lights, glitter, or glow‑in‑the‑dark paint to add a magical touch.
The idea of using basic craft supplies such as coloured paper, glue and scissors is echoed in many children’s craft projects. These skills – cutting along lines, folding tabs and manipulating glue – will be put to good use when you make your haunted house.
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I always print my printables directly onto 160 gsm cardstock using my Epson Ecotank Printer rather than regular paper, this way they are a little more durable and the pens do not bleed through to the other side. However, if you do not have a home printer then just pop to a library and use theirs.
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How to Make Your Haunted House
- Download and print the templates. At the bottom of this post you’ll find a link to download the PDF. Print the pages onto heavy card stock so they’ll stand up once cut out. If you’re printing at a public library, ask if they can print on thicker paper.
- Colour the pieces. Use markers, crayons or coloured pencils to decorate the haunted house, pumpkins, ghosts, witches and trees. Encourage children to experiment – the mummies could be rainbow coloured, the witch’s hat might be polka‑dotted and the pumpkins could be any shade they like. Colouring and customising crafts helps children develop creativity and makes each haunted house unique .
- Cut out the pieces. Carefully cut along the solid outlines of each element. Younger children may need help with this step, especially around intricate shapes like bats or witches’ brooms.
- Fold and assemble. Fold along the dotted lines and glue the tabs to form 3‑D shapes. The haunted house has a base that can be folded under to stand upright. Attach tombstones, trees and characters to small paper stands or cardboard rectangles so they’ll stand up in your scene.
- Create your spooky scene. Arrange the house and characters on a piece of cardboard or a tray. Add cotton wool for fog or a strip of tissue paper as a winding path. Placing a battery‑operated tea light behind the house will cast eerie shadows through the windows.
- Add extra magic. Sprinkle a little glitter on the pumpkins, stick on googly eyes or use glow‑in‑the‑dark paint for the ghost’s eyes. Simple embellishments like these are wonderful for fine‑motor practice and sensory play
Why This Craft Is Great for Kids
This haunted house paper build isn’t just fun – it offers plenty of developmental benefits too:
- Fine motor skills: cutting out shapes, folding tabs and gluing pieces together all require precision and coordination .
- Creativity and imagination: kids decide how to colour their characters and arrange the scene, fostering creative thinking and problem‑solving. The “colourful and customisable” nature of printable crafts encourages children to make each project their own .
- Storytelling: once assembled, the house and characters become props for imaginative play. Children can make up spooky stories, practise dialogue and develop language skills.
- Patience and focus: completing a multi‑step craft teaches kids to follow instructions and see a project through to the end. Taking the time to cut accurately and fold neatly builds perseverance.
Using It as a Collaborative Classroom Project
This free printable haunted house also works beautifully as a group activity in classrooms or community clubs:
- Teamwork and collaboration: assign different students to colour specific elements (house, trees, characters). Bring everything together for a spectacular display.
- Seasonal décor: the finished house and graveyard make a wonderful bulletin‑board or library display, celebrating Halloween across the classroom.
- Interdisciplinary learning: combine the craft with lessons on autumn, Halloween traditions or local folklore. You could also tie in storytelling exercises where children write or act out spooky tales.
- Inclusive activity: the simple shapes and clear instructions mean children of all skill levels can participate. Some may prefer colouring while others focus on cutting or assembling.
Tips for Success
Personalise Your Haunted House
Encourage your children to add their own touches. Maybe the haunted house needs a pumpkin patch, or perhaps the ghosts are wearing hats. Let kids experiment with different colours, patterns and embellishments – it’s their creation after all.
Create a Spooky Scene
Use a large piece of cardboard or a baking tray as the base. Draw pathways with markers, add hills with scrunched tissue paper or make a tiny graveyard out of card. Cotton wool makes excellent fog, and strips of black paper can be cut into bats to hang above the scene.
Incorporate Learning
Talk about why we celebrate Halloween, explore the history of haunted houses or even read a ghost story while you craft. Combining crafts with storytelling helps children understand cultural traditions and sparks curiosity.
Download Your Free Printable Haunted House
Ready to start crafting? Click the link below to download your free printable haunted house PDF. These printables are provided for personal, non‑commercial use. Mass production, even for non‑profit events, isn’t permitted. If you’d like to share this craft with friends or on social media, please link back to this post rather than sharing the PDF directly. Pinning is always appreciated!
How to access the printable: Simply add the free haunted house template to your cart in our shop (don’t worry, it’s £0.00!). When you check out, the PDF file will be available to download immediately, and we’ll email it to you for safe keeping.
Why We Love This Craft
- Keeping kids entertained: it’s the perfect activity for a rainy October afternoon or a weekend leading up to Halloween.
- Decorating your home: the finished haunted house makes a whimsical centrepiece or mantel display. Add battery candles for an extra glow.
- Party favours or gifts: package the cut‑outs in a small box with crayons and give them as a unique Halloween party favour.
- Classroom collaboration: working together to build a spooky scene builds a sense of community and brings lots of smiles.
Share Your Creations
We would love to see how your haunted house turns out! Snap a picture and share it on social media – don’t forget to tag us @mum_themadhouse or use the hashtag #HauntedHouseCraft so we can admire your spooky village. Download the template, gather your supplies and get ready to bring your haunted house to life!