Hanging Paper Ghosts: A Simple Halloween Craft for Aged Care

This is one of those crafts that looks fancy on the wall and still works on a busy afternoon. We cut a friendly ghost from paper, follow the spiral, and hang it so it twirls gently in the doorway or lounge.

It suits mixed abilities. Some residents can cut the outline. Others can colour the face, hold the string, or choose where each ghost should hang. Staff can pre-cut the spiral for anyone who finds scissors tiring. Keep the mood light and cheerful rather than scary. Plenty of people enjoy a paper ghost even if Halloween was never a big tradition for them.

If you are building a fuller Halloween week, this pairs well with our Jack-O-Lantern jar craft, a pumpkin toss game, or ideas from hosting Halloween celebrations in aged care. You can also pull more October options from the Halloween activities calendar.

If Halloween is not celebrated in your home, the same method works for a simple “friendly ghost” display any time you want a low-prep hanging craft.

QUICK SETUP

White A4 paper or card • Scissors • Black marker • String or fishing line • Tape or Blu Tack • Optional: the Premium printable template

What You Will Need

Item	What to use
White A4 paper or light card	Printer paper is fine. Light card hangs a little sturdier.
Scissors	Sharp enough for paper, but comfortable for older hands. Staff can pre-cut where needed.
Black marker	For two simple eyes and a mouth. Keep features large and friendly.
String, cotton, or clear fishing line	About 30–40 cm per ghost so it can twirl freely.
Tape, Blu Tack, or a small paperclip	To fix the string to a doorway, curtain rail, or branch display.
Premium template (optional)	Print the spiral ghost outline so residents can cut without freehand drawing.

The printable file is linked at the bottom of this page

How to Make a Hanging Paper Ghost

1. Print or draw the ghost

Print the Premium template on white A4, or draw a simple ghost head with a large spiral body underneath. Leave a small circle at the top of the head for hanging.

2. Cut the ghost and spiral

Cut around the outer outline first so everyone has a clear ghost shape to hold. Then, starting from the outside, cut slowly along the spiral line toward the centre. Take your time — this is what turns a flat ghost into a hanging decoration that spins.

Time-saving option: If scissors are hard work for your group, pre-cut the spirals in the staff room and leave the face and hanging for the activity table. Residents still get to personalise the ghost and help hang it, without the fiddliest cutting.

4. Add the face

Draw two oval eyes and a round mouth with a black marker. Keep it friendly. Residents who prefer can leave the face blank or add rosy cheeks with a coloured pencil.

5. Hang and display

Thread string through the small hole at the top (or tape it firmly to the back of the head). Hang from a doorway, curtain rail, mobile frame, or a bare branch in a vase. A few together look lovely as a gentle Halloween display.

Make It Work for Your Group

Resident need	Easy adaptation
Limited hand strength	Staff pre-cut the spiral; resident colours the face and chooses where it hangs.
Low vision	Use thicker card, a bolder marker, and larger eye/mouth shapes.
Restless or short attention	Offer one small ghost, or just the decorating and hanging steps.
Prefers not to use scissors	Tear a soft ghost shape from tissue or coffee-filter paper and hang that instead.
Enjoys helping others	Invite them to hold string, count ghosts, or show newcomers where to start the spiral.

Floor tip: Set out only what you need on the table — paper, scissors, one marker pot, and string ready-cut. A clear table keeps the session calm and makes it easier for people living with dementia to see what comes next.

Where This Fits in Your Halloween Week

Pair the craft with a short sing-along, a printable from the Halloween activity book for seniors, or another low-prep activity so the afternoon feels full without a scramble:

Premium Printable Template

Premium members can download the A4 hanging paper ghost template from this post — the spiral cut-out ready to print, cut, and hang.

If you are not a member yet, you can still freehand a simple ghost, or join Premium for the full printable library and regular aged-care activity ideas.