Easy Ghost Craft: Halloween Squeegee Painting for Kids

Looking for an easy ghost craft that is just a little different from the usual Halloween projects? This ghost squeegee painting is simple, slightly messy, and so much fun because you never know exactly how each little ghost will turn out.

With some white acrylic paint, a squeegee, and a black canvas, you can make an entire group of spooky or silly ghosts in just a few swipes.

I love Halloween crafts that don’t require everything to look perfect, and this one definitely fits that category. Some ghosts turn out tall and skinny. Others are short, wide, wiggly, or a little crooked. That’s part of the fun.

This is an easy Halloween painting project for kids, teens, adults, or a family craft night. You don’t need any special painting skills, and once you get the hang of the squeegee technique, you’ll probably want to make more than one.

Why You’ll Love This Ghost Craft

One of my favorite things about this easy ghost craft is that there really isn’t a wrong way to make it.

Every swipe of the paint creates a slightly different ghost, so you don’t have to worry about making every shape exactly the same.

Here are a few more reasons to try it:

• It’s beginner-friendly. You don’t need any drawing or painting experience.
• It doesn’t require many supplies. You probably already have several of them in your craft stash.
• Every ghost is different. Crooked, wavy ghosts actually make the finished painting more interesting.
• Kids and adults can make it. It’s simple enough for older kids but still fun for adults.
• It’s easy to personalize. Change the ghost faces, background details, colors, and sizes.
• The finished canvas becomes Halloween decor. Display it on a shelf, mantel, entry table, or Halloween gallery wall.

And because this is squeegee painting, making the ghosts is almost as much fun as seeing the finished project.

What Is Squeegee Painting?

Squeegee painting is a simple painting technique where you place paint on a surface and drag a flat tool through it.

Instead of using a paintbrush to carefully create each ghost shape, the squeegee does most of the work.

As you drag the white paint down the black canvas, it spreads into a long ghost-like shape. A little wiggle of the squeegee can make the bottom of the ghost look even more playful.

The technique is easy, but the results are different every time.

That makes this a great Halloween craft when you want something creative without having to follow a complicated pattern.

Ghost Craft Supplies

You only need a handful of basic craft supplies to make these squeegee ghosts.

Supplies

• Black canvas or canvas painted black
• White acrylic craft paint
• Squeeze bottle for the paint, optional
• Small craft squeegee or scraper
• Paint markers
• Paper towels

Can I Use Paper Instead of Canvas?

Absolutely. I used a black canvas because I wanted the finished ghost painting to be sturdy enough to display with my Halloween decorations.

You can also make this ghost craft using heavy black cardstock or another thick craft paper.

I would avoid thin printer paper because the acrylic paint can cause it to wrinkle or buckle.

If you’re making this project with several kids, cardstock can also be a more budget-friendly option than individual canvases.

What Kind of Paint Works Best?

I like using acrylic craft paint for this project.

White acrylic paint gives you good coverage against the dark background and is thick enough to create the ghost shapes when you pull it with the squeegee.

If your white paint is extremely thick, you may want to test it before starting your final canvas. Paint that is too thick can create a heavy blob instead of spreading smoothly.

You also don’t need a huge amount of paint.

A little goes farther than you might think once you start dragging it across the canvas.

What Can I Use Instead of a Squeegee?

Don’t have a craft squeegee?

You can still make this project.

Try using:

• An old gift card
• An expired plastic card
• A small plastic paint scraper
• A sturdy piece of cardboard
• Another flat plastic crafting tool

The important part is having a flat edge that can pull the paint down the canvas.

I would avoid using anything sharp that could scratch or damage your canvas.

How to Make Squeegee Ghost Art

Once your supplies are ready, it’s time to make your ghosts.

The technique is simple, but I recommend making your first ghost toward one side of the canvas rather than directly in the center. That gives you plenty of room to experiment with the rest.

Step 1: Prepare the Black Canvas

Start with a black canvas.

If you’re using a canvas that isn’t already black, paint the entire surface with black acrylic paint and allow it to dry completely.

The dark background makes the white ghosts really stand out.

Step 2: Add the White Paint

Decide where you want your first ghost.

Add a small amount of white acrylic paint near the top of the area where you want the ghost’s head to begin.

You don’t need a giant puddle.

It may take a ghost or two to figure out exactly how much paint you prefer, so start with less. You can always add more paint for the next one.

Step 3: Pull the Paint With the Squeegee

Place your squeegee near the top of the white paint.

Gently drag the paint downward.

You can pull the squeegee straight down for a smooth ghost or move it slightly from side to side as you pull to create a wavier ghost shape.

Lift the squeegee when you reach the length you want.

And just like that, you have your first ghost.

Step 4: Make More Ghosts

Continue adding white paint and pulling it down the canvas to create more ghosts.

Try changing things up as you go.

Make some ghosts:

• Tall and skinny
• Short and wide
• Slightly crooked
• Wavy
• Close together
• Different heights

Don’t try to make them identical.

A group of mismatched ghosts gives the painting much more personality.

Save or pin this ghost craft for later so you have an easy Halloween painting idea ready when craft season arrives.

Step 5: Let the Paint Dry and Add the Faces

Allow the white acrylic paint to dry before adding the faces.

Once it is dry, use a black paint marker to give each ghost a face.

This is where you can really have fun with the personalities.

Try:

• Round eyes and an open mouth
• Tiny dot eyes
• A surprised expression
• A big smile
• Sleepy eyes
• A silly face
• A spooky face

You can make every ghost different.

Step 6: Decorate the Background

The background is completely up to you.

You can leave it simple and let the ghosts be the main focus, or use paint markers to add a few Halloween details around them.

I added simple decorations that helped finish the painting without taking attention away from the ghosts.

You could add stars, bats, spiderwebs, a moon, pumpkins, dots, or other small Halloween designs.

Watch the Ghost Craft Video Tutorial

Want to see exactly how I made these squeegee-painted ghosts? Watch the video tutorial below to see how much paint I used, how I pulled the squeegee across the canvas, and how each little ghost took shape.

Seeing the technique in action can be especially helpful the first time you try this ghost craft. Once you get the hang of it, you can experiment with different ghost sizes, shapes, and silly or spooky faces.

Watch the ghost squeegee painting video below, then grab your supplies and make your own!

Tips for Better Squeegee Ghosts

The technique is easy, but a few little tricks can make your ghost painting go more smoothly.

• Start with less paint. Too much white paint can create a large blob when you pull the squeegee.
• Wipe the squeegee between ghosts. A clean edge helps keep the next ghost looking crisp.
• Use gentle, even pressure. Pressing too hard can scrape away most of the paint.
• Experiment with the movement. Pull straight down for one ghost and wiggle the squeegee for another.
• Change the ghost sizes. Different heights make the finished Halloween painting more interesting.
• Wait before adding faces. Make sure the white paint is dry so your black paint marker doesn’t drag through wet acrylic.
• Don’t fix every imperfection. The irregular edges and unexpected paint streaks are what give this craft character.

If one ghost doesn’t turn out exactly how you pictured it, don’t worry about it.

Give it a funny face and make it part of the group.

Fun Ghost Craft Variations

Once you’ve made the basic version, there are plenty of ways to turn this into your own DIY ghost craft.

Make a Ghost Family

Create several ghosts in different sizes.

Make two taller ghosts with a few smaller ones between them and give everyone a different expression.

This would be especially cute for a family Halloween craft.

Make Colorful Ghosts

Who says every Halloween ghost has to be white?

Try purple, pink, blue, orange, or green paint for a colorful ghost painting.

You could also add a little color underneath the white paint and see how the shades blend as you pull the squeegee down.

Make Cute Ghosts

Your ghost craft doesn’t have to be scary.

Give your ghosts happy faces, rosy cheeks, funny mouths, or goofy expressions.

Cute ghosts are especially fun if you’re making this project with kids who aren’t interested in spooky Halloween decorations.

Add More Halloween Details

Use paint markers to create a little Halloween scene around the ghosts.

Try adding:

• Bats
• Spiderwebs
• Stars
• Crescent moons
• Pumpkins
• Candy corn
• Spooky trees
• Tiny witch hats

Keep the background fairly simple so your squeegee ghosts remain the main attraction.

Extra Idea: Make a Mini Ghost Painting

Instead of one large canvas, make several small ghost canvases.

Paint one, two, or three ghosts on each canvas and display them together.

They would look cute grouped on a shelf or tucked into your existing Halloween decorations.

Is This Ghost Craft Good for Kids?

Yes, especially for older kids who can control the paint and squeegee on their own.

Younger kids can also enjoy the project with some adult help.

Because the ghost shapes don’t need to be perfect, this is a nice Halloween craft for kids who may get frustrated with projects that require precise painting or drawing.

Let them experiment.

Their ghost might look completely different from yours, and that’s exactly how this type of art should work.

Ghost Craft FAQ

More Ghost Crafts and Halloween Painting Ideas

If you’re on a ghost-making streak, don’t stop with this squeegee painting.

For even more spooky inspiration, take a look at my 19 Hauntingly Fun Ghost Painting Ideas. It’s packed with different ways to paint ghosts using a variety of techniques and surfaces.

You may also like my Ghost Emoji Painted Rocks if you want another easy ghost painting project.

For more simple Halloween designs, check out my Halloween Step-by-Step Drawing Ideas. You can use many of the drawings on paper, canvases, painted rocks, and other craft projects.

And if you want even more seasonal inspiration, browse my collection of Halloween crafts and Halloween rock painting ideas for plenty of projects to keep you busy throughout spooky season.

Make Your Own Squeegee Ghost Craft

This easy ghost craft is one of those Halloween projects that proves you don’t need complicated techniques to make something fun.

A little white paint, a black background, and a few swipes with a squeegee are enough to create an entire group of ghosts.

Make them spooky, silly, cute, crooked, or completely different from mine.

That’s the best part.

Once you’ve made your first ghost, you’ll probably start looking around the canvas thinking, “I can fit one more.”

And usually, you can.