How to Make Easy Ghost Art for Kids
I’m always looking for new and engaging books for my girls, and I love discovering ones for the seasons and holidays. It just adds to the excitement and build up children have for these celebrations. So, when I came across Gustavo The Shy Ghost by Flavia Z. Drago, I knew the bold and vibrant patterns from the cover alone could translate into a fun Halloween or Day of the Dead project. And making adorable little Gustavo was a must.
THE BOOK
What’s not to love about the illustrations in this book? I noticed my 4 year old even slowed me down as we were turning pages so she could look at all of the details in the pictures. I loved how she could relate to Gustavo with feeling a little nervous about making friends having just started at a new school this fall. It’s definitely a keeper!
And there’s even MORE to love about this book when you take off the jacket… I mean HOW CUTE is this cover?
PREP
- 12″ x 18″ black paper
- 9″ x 12″ white paper for Gustavo
- Orange & bright pink liquid tempera paint (I mixed a little white into orange to make it brighter on the black paper and mixed a little white into the red to make it more of a pink)
- Paper plate or palette
- Printing tools (I used heart and circle sponges with handles & q-tips)
- Black crayon or pencil
- Black & pink Kwik Stix (you could also use crayons or oil pastels)
- Scissors
- Glue
CREATE
- Make stamped patterns with the sponges and q-tips with the orange and pink paint onto the black paper background filling as much space as you’d like.
- Draw a simple ghost shape on the white paper with a crayon and cut out. (I did this part for my daughter, but if your child is older, they can draw and cut themselves).
- Use black Kwik Stix for the ghost’s eyes, mouth, eye brows and arms. Use the pink for the cheeks.
- Glue ghost to background.
We hope you have a Happy Halloween!
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