My kids had such an amazing time with the Pumpkin Scratch Art we shared yesterday that they couldn’t wait to do another one. In fact, they had so much fun that they asked for a Haunted House version! I was happy to oblige, so we decided to make our very own Haunted House Scratch Art. With just a few simple supplies and a free printable template, you and your kids can recreate this spooky and fun Halloween craft, too! Keep reading to find out how, and don’t forget to grab the template at the end of this post!
What You’ll Need for Haunted House Scratch Art
Before we get started, you’ll need to gather a few basic supplies. Don’t worry—most of these are probably things you already have lying around the house. Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
White Cardstock or Construction Paper
Crayons (broken crayons are perfect for this)
Black Paint
Dish Soap
Large Paint Brush
Scissors
Glue
Pencil
Scratch Tool (chopsticks work well)
Printable Template (found at the end of this post)
Now that you have everything together, you’re ready to start crafting! This is a perfect rainy day activity or just something fun to do to get into the Halloween spirit.
Step 1: Prepare Your Template and Paper
Once you’ve gathered all your supplies, go ahead and print out the free Haunted House template that’s located at the end of this post. Carefully cut out the template, making sure to follow the lines as closely as possible. After you’ve cut it out, set the template aside for now—you’ll need it a little later on.
Next, grab a piece of white cardstock or construction paper. This will be the base of your scratch art, so make sure it’s a solid color. Now comes the fun part! Use your crayons to completely fill in the piece of paper. You can choose Halloween colors like orange, green, and purple, or you can use a rainbow of colors to make your Haunted House even more vibrant when it’s scratched away. Either way, make sure to cover every inch of the paper with crayon—no white spaces should be showing.
Step 2: Mix the Paint and Cover the Paper
In the next step, you’re going to mix up your black paint to create the scratchable surface for your Haunted House. Grab a small bowl and mix a bit of black paint with a few drops of dish soap. The dish soap helps the paint adhere better to the crayon-covered surface and makes it easier to scratch away later.
Once your paint is ready, use a large paintbrush to cover the entire piece of crayon-colored cardstock. Make sure that you don’t leave any crayon colors peeking through. It’s important to completely coat the surface with the black paint. After the paper is entirely covered, set it aside to dry. This part can take a little while, so be patient and let it dry completely before moving on to the next step.
Step 3: Trace and Cut Out Your Haunted House
Now that your painted paper is dry, it’s time to bring your Haunted House to life! Flip the black-painted paper over so the crayon side is facing up. Lay the Haunted House template you cut out earlier on top of the painted paper and use a pencil to trace the shape. Be sure to press lightly, but firmly enough to leave a clear outline.
Once you’ve traced the template, carefully cut along the lines. You should now have a black Haunted House cutout with vibrant crayon colors hidden underneath, just waiting to be revealed!
Step 4: Start Scratching Your Design
Here’s where the real magic happens. It’s time to start scratching away the black paint to reveal the colorful crayon layer underneath! Grab your scratch tool—whether it’s a chopstick, toothpick, or something similar—and gently begin scratching away the black paint. You can create whatever design you like—there’s no right or wrong way to do it. Feel free to experiment with different patterns, lines, or even little doodles. The colorful crayon layer will start to peek through as you scratch, adding a cool, vibrant touch to your Haunted House art.
Step 5: Add Extra Details
Want to take your Haunted House scratch art to the next level? Use any leftover scraps from the black-painted paper to cut out additional elements, like a spooky fence, a glowing moon, or even some eerie trees. You can scratch off designs on these pieces, too, and add them to your scene.
Once you’re happy with your Haunted House and any extra details, it’s time to assemble everything. Glue your Haunted House and any extra pieces onto a new piece of cardstock or construction paper. You can use black cardstock for an even spookier look, or choose a bright color to make the colors pop.
Final Touches and Download the Free Template
And there you have it—your very own Haunted House Scratch Art! Super cute, right? This easy Halloween craft is such a fun way to spend time with your kids and get creative together. Plus, it’s a great activity to help them practice their fine motor skills while having fun.
Ready to make your own? Click the button below to download the free Haunted House template and start crafting today! Don’t forget to share your creations with us—we’d love to see how your Haunted House Scratch Art turned out!
