This colorful garland of ghosts is a quick and easy way to decorate for Halloween. The project includes printable patterns for ghosts and illustrated instructions for making the garland based on a paper chain in Halloween colors. Make the garland any length you like, and add to its creativity by creating ghosts of your own design.
Patterns for two types of ghosts are included in the project—one that is simpler to cut and one with more detail. Both types are cute and can be mixed on a single garland.
Choose ghosts to make. Download and print the pattern(s) on computer
paper or cardstock.
If you are printing on paper, use any pattern except Two
Ghosts and then follow
the instructions for paper ghosts. All of the patterns can be
printed on cardstock.
The happy and mad ghosts are simpler to cut than the ghostly ghosts, so keep that in mind when selecting a pattern to print. Also, the ghostly ghost pattern comes in white, bluish and green. If you want any of the ghosts in other colors, print the black & white patterns on colored paper, or color them with crayons or markers. For the most creativity, use either the Plain Ghosts or Plain Ghostly Ghosts patterns—both are blank and ready for you to draw a scary (or funny) face!
Patterns are Adobe PDF files. The Adobe Reader is available for free.
All of Aunt Annie's project patterns are designed to be printed on standard letter-size paper (8.5"x11" or A4). When printing from Adobe Reader, you may need to select Auto-Rotate and Center or Choose paper source by PDF page size to ensure the best fit.
Ghosts made from paper need to have two layers. Score the dashed line on the Happy Ghosts, Mad Ghosts or Ghostly Ghosts patterns with an empty ballpoint pen, then fold on the scored line. Apply glue inside the fold to completely cover the back of one ghost. Press the two sides together and rub to remove air bubbles.
Set the glued ghost aside for a few minutes before cutting it out.
Cut out each ghost on the outer black line. Try to make smooth, neat cuts. If you printed on cardstock, turn the ghost over and draw eyes and mouth on the reverse side with a black marker.
Tip: You can trace the printed eyes and mouth if you hold the cardstock up to a window with light shining through.
Cut 1" (2.5 cm) strips from one 9" by 12" sheet each of black and orange construction paper. Set aside one paper strip for each ghost. Glue the strips into rings. As you glue, link one ring into another to form a chain.
Tip: Alternate orange and black rings as you make the paper chain.
Cut a slit near the top of each ghost that is a bit wider than your paper strips. Thread a paper strip through the slit, link the paper strip with a ring on the paper chain, and glue the ring together.
Tip: Place the ghosts evenly along the paper chain, leaving at least two empty rings between ghosts.
Make the ghost garland any length you like! Just make more ghosts and cut more strips. Hang the garland with thumbtacks or tape it in a doorway or window, over a bulletin board, or from the ceiling.
That's it! Your garland is ready
to hang!