She loads her brush with Ghost Paint and sweeps a big white ghost across the middle of the paper.
The paint doesn't spread very far. It piles up instead, leaving thick swirls behind. She adds more, pulling the paint into a wobbly ghost with a crooked little tail.
Her finger brushes across one of the ridges.
“It's cold.”
Soon there are ghosts all over the paper. Some are tall and skinny; others are little blobs with trailing bottoms, and none of them look quite the same.
Right now, they're wet, chilly, and thick with paint.
But these ghosts aren't finished changing yet.
If your kids are ready for more Halloween fun, there are plenty more ghosts, pumpkins, and spooky surprises waiting in our Halloween Activities for Kids collection.
For more colorful things to mix up at home, visit our Paint Recipes for Kids collection.
Mix Up Some Ghost Paint
Ghost Paint starts with three simple ingredients, and you may already have everything you need.
You'll need:
- Shaving cream
- White school glue
- White washable paint
- A bowl
- A spoon or craft stick
- Paintbrushes
- Black paper or cardstock
- Black marker
Make the Ghosts
1. Mix the Ghost Paint
Add equal parts shaving cream and white school glue to a bowl, then squeeze in a little white paint.
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Let the kids stir. The spoon disappears into the mixture and comes back covered in thick white peaks. They scrape it against the side of the bowl, stir again, and keep going until the Ghost Paint is smooth and fluffy.
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2. Paint the Ghosts
Set out the paper and pass out the brushes.
The first brushful becomes a ghost. Another appears beside it, then another as the kids pull the thick paint into tall ghosts, round ghosts, and wobbly little shapes of their own.
Let the paint stay thick, with the swirls and ridges left behind by the brush.
Then set the paintings somewhere to dry completely.
3. Bring the Ghosts to Life
Once the paint is dry, bring out a black marker.
The first ghost gets two eyes and a crooked little mouth. Another looks surprised. One gets an enormous smile that takes up half its face.
Soon, the paper is looking back at them.
Then someone touches one.
Go Feel Your Ghosts
A finger runs over the first ghost, following one of the thick swirls left behind by the brush.
“Feel this.”
Another finger reaches over.
Soon they're tracing the ghosts from top to bottom, bumping over little peaks and ridges before moving on to the next one.
One ghost gets traced from head to tail. Then someone finds an even bumpier one.
If the chilly surprise becomes the part everyone talks about, set out Ghost Eggs for another Halloween reveal that waits until little hands reach in.
Ghost Paint FAQ
Does Ghost Paint stay puffy when it dries?
Yes. The thick swirls and ridges stay raised as the paint dries. For puffier ghosts, let the kids pile on the paint rather than brushing it into a thin layer.
How long does Ghost Paint take to dry?
That depends on how thick the kids pile it on.
Leave the paintings somewhere undisturbed until the ghosts are completely dry. Extra-thick spots may need longer.
Can kids finger paint with Ghost Paint?
Absolutely. Some of those ghosts may end up being made with fingers instead of brushes.
Can we save leftover Ghost Paint?
Ghost Paint is best mixed and used fresh. Make enough for the ghosts you're painting that day and enjoy it while it's fluffy.
A Table Full of Ghosts
By the end, there are ghosts everywhere.
Tall ones, round ones, crooked ones with strange little faces. One has too much paint. Another has a smile that wandered halfway across its face.
No two look quite the same.
“Look at this one.”
Save These Ghosts for Later
Save Ghost Paint to Pinterest so you can mix up a batch of puffy little ghosts when Halloween rolls around again.
More Ghosts Are Waiting
One ghost has a funny way of leading to another.
Ghost Foam
Pile up fluffy foam, shape a few little ghosts, then bring out the vinegar and watch them disappear.
Ghost Slime
Stretch, squish, and pull a ghost right through your fingers with a batch of spooky white slime.
Ghost Rice
Reach into glowing blue rice, hunt for Halloween treasures, and discover the chilly surprise hiding inside.
Ready to find out what else Halloween can become? There are pumpkins, bubbling experiments, spooky sensory play, and plenty more waiting in our Halloween Activities for Kids collection.
