As a mom (and teacher), I strive everyday to engage, nurture, and expand the mind of my little one.
Here you will find the books, music, and activities most useful to me in my endeavors.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Footprint Ghosties

The perfect - easy and fun - Halloween craft!



Giving credit where credit is due ... this idea came from Chitown Momma ... and I modified it just a bit.

All you need:
  • Toddler's foot ... please leave it attached ;)
  • Package of baby wipes ... I was so glad I had these nearby! 
  • Black marker
  • Black Construction paper
  • Foam brush or paintbrush of some sort
  • White paint - I used this ...


  1. First strip down your little pumpkin down to her/his diaper ... the paint is washable, but I like to keep my mess and my laundry to a minimum. 
  2. Put down some newspaper and a sheet of black paper on top.  
  3. Sit down just behind the newly prepared "canvas" and put excited toddler in your lap.
  4. Use the brush to spread white paint all over the bottom of your toddler's foot and toes.  I chanted, "Tickle, tickle, tickle," while applying the paint, and NHV thought it was hilarious!
  5. Press the foot to the black paper - give it a little side-to-side roll - and lift if off.
  6. Turn that footprint upside down ... viola!  A cute little ghostie!
  7. Once it dries, grab a black marker and make a ghostie expression :)
  8. There are lots of options for what to do with your finished footprint, I trimmed off the excess black paper, glued it to a piece of orange paper, added initials and the date, and made it into a card for the grandparents.  I think Chitown made some sort of wreath with ghostie footprints and pumpkin handprints.
You have exactly one week until Halloween; plenty of time to make your own Footprint Ghosties!  Have fun!

14 comments:

mrs.alderman said...

CUTE!!! Love this idea!!

Nicole said...

Very clever. I love that it's so easy. We may have to try this today, if I can find some black paper.

Oliver'sMom said...

I am sooooo swiping some white tempra paints from school to make some cards Saturday!!!! Hey...Speaking of Saturday...if you're up for it, we're getting out of the house and hitting the Pacific Science Center in the AM (Dada has to work and I'm SICK to death of the inside of our condo!!!)to let Oliver run mad in the toddler area and go see some bugs. I have loads of guest passes if you and Natalie want to join us!

Emmett Joseph said...

So cute! I am definitely trying this next week!

Chi-town momma said...

The card is very cute!!!
I did make a little wreath as Dana said. I cut out a ring from an old pizza box and glued our little ghosts and pumpkins on it. Nanny got hers in the mail and gave it raves reviews! :)

Go Zesty with Dee! said...

What a great craft ... if your toddler cooperates :-) I'm still working on that! Thanks Dana!

Epiphius said...

cute idea! Are we doing this monday or should i do it ahead?! so cute!!

Anonymous said...

So cute! Thanks for the great idea (again!). You keep us busy and I love it! :)

BJ_Mama said...

Ooh...I think we might do this tomorrow! Thanks!

Oliver'sMom said...

OK, follow up comment. We went and got the same paint that you used, and I must say, LOVE it! Wayyyyy easy to clean up and use. Thanks for the idea, they turned out uber cute and I can't wait to see what the grands say!

maryanne said...

Very cute - I'll have to remember this for next year!

Katie from ABC&123: A Learning Cooperative said...

What a sweet idea. This would have been perfect for my little one who will just be turning one tomorrow. Since his birthday celebration is so close to Halloween, this would be a cute way to do invites next year!

Cassie said...

I did this same craft with my little one last week!

Adriana said...

Very cute! I love any craft with my little ones precious foot prints.