Haunting Halloween Crafts for Seniors 2018

By Anna Hazard

Introduction

Here are a selection of five frighteningly fun Halloween themed crafts that are suitable for seniors and those with arthritis or other hand dexterity & strength issues. Some of the cuter crafts are also suitable for child crafters or for a whole family crafting event with none of the tutorials indulging in any of the more gruesome aspects of the holiday.
 
Besides the ample use of seasonal pumpkins, most of the tutorials use normal household supplies (such as jars, socks, paper, flowers) or basic crafting materials (such as felt, yarn, paint, various varieties of glue) as their bases. Special arthritis friendly crafting tools can be used for those senior loved ones who may have more trouble using normal scissors, brushes, and pens due to more extreme hand issues.

Terrifying Tutorials

Creepy Candy Holders

• These do-it-yourself candy jars and treat holders are a cute and classy way  to hold Halloween treats, act as party favors, or simply be a bit of spooky decoration for the upcoming holiday. Gluing, cutting, and painting (either via hand, sponge, or spray) are the main skills involved. Some preparation in advance may be required when it comes to certain styles of candy holders that require cutting plastic or wire. As many holders use breakable objects as their bases such as jars or terra cotta pots, these crafts are suitable for those with enough hand strength & dexterity to handle such items.
• A Pumpkin & a Princess | Gimme Crafts | Sassy Sanctuary | Real House Moms | Hello Scarlett Blog

Pernicious Pumpkins

• While many of these crafts use the fresh pumpkins that are readily available this time of year as their bases, fake craft pumpkins made of foam or plastic can easily be subbed in to create longer lasting decorations. The main skills required  here are painting, gluing/pasting, and cutting with a wide range of easily obtained craft materials such as felt, decorative paper, flowers(fake or real),  cheesecloth ore gauze, and glitter. Assistance or preparation in advance may be required for those seniors with more severe hand dexterity issues when it comes to steps such as poking or drilling holes in the pumpkins.
• Lia Griffeth | Gym Craft Laundry | The Merry Thought | Home Edit | HGTV

Spooky Spiders

• Here are an assortment of spider based crafts ranging from wreathes, wall or window decorations, plushes, to coasters. The main skills involved are cutting, gluing, painting, and manipulating yarn & string and thus are suitable for a wide range of hand strength & dexterities. Most crafts use basic materials such as pipe cleaners, yarn, cardboard, socks, and various varieties of paint, but some may require further embellishing with store bought spiders or by creating extra pompom spiders by hand.
• PBS.org | Angie's List | Delia Creates | Scratch & Stitch | Small for Big

Light-up Freaky Frighteners

• Here are a selection of light-up or glowing decorative crafts for the haunting Halloween season. They use a variety of materials as their bases including LED candles, tea lights, glowsticks, and glow-in-the-dark bands. Other supplies necessary depend upon the exact style of lantern but are items that can easily be found around the house or at a local craft store such as disposable gloves, pingpong balls, jars or water bottles, balloons, and Papier-mâché material. The main skills involved in these crafts include drawing, gluing, painting, and manipulating paper. Some crafts include handling breakable objects which may require crafters with more better hand dexterity or strength.
• Taryn Williford | Paging Fun Mums | Rhythms of Play | Adventure in a Box | Shelterness

Bloodcurdling Black Bats

• These bat crafts range from the cutesy to more artistically abstract and can be used as mere decorations or pull double duty as serviceable napkin holders or candy pinatas. Materials cover a wide range from fresh pumpkins and empty toilet paper or paper towel rolls to more common art supplies such as felt, paper, fur, foam, and yarn. The main skills required include cutting (both paper & fabric), painting, wrapping, and gluing which can be done by a wide variety of hand dexterity & strength levels (particularly if arthritis friendly crafting tools are used)
• Lia Griffeth | Red Ted Art | Eighteen 25 | Better House Keeper | Houzz