Halloween Bookish Crafts for Tweens

Here at Once Upon a Book Club, we love bringing the bookish world into everything we do, and Halloween is no exception. Whether it’s reading spine-chilling stories that leave us jumping at every creak, or crafting the most terrifyingly delightful bookish decorations, Halloween is the perfect time to let your inner crafter shine! 

And let’s face it, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as making spooky decorations that would make even the Ghostbusters take a second look. So, grab your hot glue guns, dust off that old book you’re definitely never going to read again (don’t worry, we won’t tell), and let’s dive into some of the best Halloween bookish crafts for tweens!

The Ultimate Spooky Halloween Bookish Craft

Obviously, we had to include a spooky book craft! This is such a fun and simple way to turn an ordinary book into a mysterious masterpiece. It’s the kind of craft that might even have adults sneaking into the crafting zone because, honestly, who wouldn’t want a creepy, elegant book for Halloween décor? Plus, it’s a good excuse to use up that random bag of plastic spiders you’ve been hoarding since last Halloween.

Here’s everything you’ll need to get started:

What You’ll Need:

• An old hardcover book (the more battered, the better)
• Black acrylic paint (or for the fancy ones, dark shades like purple, gray, or even blood red)
• Hot glue gun (your trusty sidekick for everything crafty)
• Halloween-themed scrapbook paper or tissue paper
• Mod Podge (because what is a craft without Mod Podge?)
• Plastic spiders, bats, skeletons, and anything else that goes bump in the night
• Distress ink or brown paint (to make it look like this book survived a haunted house)
• Glitter, rhinestones, or other spooky embellishments (optional, but highly encouraged for the extra sparkle)

Instructions:

Step 1: Prepare the Book

Grab that old book that’s gathering dust on your shelf, or check out your local thrift store for some cheap options; it’s time to give those old books a second life as a haunted relic! Open it up to the middle, gently bend the pages, and crumple them slightly to give the book a “well-loved by creepy creatures” vibe. Bonus points if it already looks ancient!

Step 2: Paint the Cover

Time to get messy! Apply a nice thick layer of black acrylic paint all over the cover. Make sure to cover those edges too—nothing says spooky like a dark, mysterious book. Want to add more depth? Mix in some purple or gray. For an extra dramatic flair, dab a bit of brown distress ink around the edges for that “unearthed from a crypt” look.

Step 3: Add Creepy Layers

Now, here’s where the fun begins! Use Mod Podge to glue on torn pieces of Halloween-themed scrapbook paper or tissue paper to the cover. Go ahead and layer them unevenly for that authentic, old-world spellbook effect. This is the point where your book goes from "old and dusty" to "ancient and terrifying"—the kind of thing you’d expect to find in the basement of a haunted mansion.

Step 4: Create Raised Designs with Hot Glue

Hot glue guns are basically magic wands in disguise, and this is your moment to create some spooky designs! Draw on spiderwebs, creepy trees, or even haunted house outlines. For extra goosebumps, write eerie phrases like “Enter if You Dare” or “Beware” across the cover. Let the hot glue dry, then paint over it with black or metallic shades to blend it all together. The result? Pure spooky perfection.

Step 5: Turn Up the Scare Factor

Ready to turn up the scare factor? Hot glue your plastic spiders, bats, and skeletons onto the cover. Make it look like these creepy critters are escaping from the book! You can even glue a few to the spine or hide one inside the pages for an extra surprise. Trust us—this part is where your book really starts coming to life (metaphorically, we hope).

Step 6: The Final Touches

No haunted book is complete without some seriously aged pages. Use distress ink or cooled coffee, or dilute some brown paint with water and lightly brush it along the edges of the pages. Fan them out while they dry to create a timeworn effect. Feeling particularly wicked? Splatter a little red paint to mimic blood stains—don’t worry, it’s all in the spirit of Halloween!

Once everything’s dry, your spooky altered book is ready to take center stage in your Halloween décor! Place it on a mantel, your desk, or a bookshelf, and watch as it becomes the talking point of any Halloween gathering.

Creepy Candle Holders (No Fire Needed!)

Who says you need real candles to create a spooky atmosphere? For this craft, we’re swapping out the flames for battery-operated tea lights, so you can create a spooky glow without worrying about setting off the smoke detector. This craft is a breeze and a perfect way to upcycle those old mason jars or glass bottles you’ve been holding onto.

What You’ll Need:

• Mason jars or glass bottles
• Pages from an old book (nothing too precious, we promise!)
• Battery-operated tea lights
• Black acrylic paint
• Hot glue gun (to create that eerie dripping wax effect)
• Paintbrushes

Instructions:

Step 1: Prep the Mason Jar or Bottle

Start by selecting a mason jar or glass bottle that’s ready to become your haunted candle holder. Clean it up, dry it off, and prepare to get crafty!

Step 2: Add the Book Pages

Cut or tear out sections from an old book (if your bookshelves are packed with favorites you can’t bear to part with, then head off to your local thrift shop; they always have plenty to choose from!) Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge on the inside of the jar or bottle, and carefully press the book pages into place. This gives the holder a spooky, “haunted book” vibe as the pages glow from within when lit up. The torn edges of the pages will add to that rustic, haunted look!

Step 3: Paint a Ghost or "Boo"

Now for the fun part—painting! On the outside of your jar, use black acrylic paint to add a ghostly shape, or simply write “Boo!” in your spookiest handwriting. You can make the designs as simple or detailed as you want. Feel free to let your creativity run wild!

Step 4: Create Dripping Wax

To make it look like a spooky candle has been burning, grab your hot glue gun and carefully apply glue around the rim of the jar or bottle. Let the glue drip down the sides to mimic melted wax—it’s the ultimate eerie touch!

Step 5: Light It Up

Once your paint and “wax” are dry, pop a battery-operated tea light inside. The light will glow through the book pages, making your spooky design stand out. Plus, since it’s battery-operated, you can leave these lights flickering all night long without a worry!

Place your creepy candle holders next to your spooky book creation for a complete, haunting Halloween setup that’s sure to impress anyone who sees it.

Terrifying Toilet Roll Creatures

You didn’t think we’d leave out toilet paper rolls, did you? They’re a craft staple for a reason—easy to find and full of possibilities. This Halloween, let’s turn those leftover rolls into spooky decorations that will make your bookshelf or Halloween display extra eerie.

What You’ll Need:

• Empty toilet paper rolls (as many as you want!)
• Black acrylic paint
• Craft paper in various colors (especially black, orange, and white)
• Scissors
• Glue or tape
• Googly eyes (optional but adorable)
• Markers or colored pencils

Instructions:

Step 1: Paint It Black

Start by painting your toilet rolls black. This will serve as the base for all your spooky creatures, whether you’re making bats, cats, or whatever your imagination conjures up.

Step 2: Add Spooky Eyes

Once the paint is dry, it’s time to give your creatures some personality! You can use googly eyes for a fun touch, or draw spooky, glowing eyes with markers or colored pencils.

Step 3: Create a Creepy Cat

For a black cat, cut out two triangles from black craft paper for the ears, and attach them to the top of the roll. You can use markers to draw on a whiskery face, or add a tiny paper nose for a 3D effect. These creepy kitties can sit on your bookshelf or sneak around your Halloween display!

Step 4: Make a Bat

To create a bat, cut out wing shapes from black craft paper and glue them to the sides of the roll. Add some sharp little fangs to the face to make your bat look extra spooky. Hang these little guys around your room with string, or prop them on your bookshelf for a flying effect!

Step 5: Get Creative

You don’t have to stop at cats and bats. Toilet rolls can become mummies, ghosts, or even Frankenstein’s monster. Just grab some white craft paper to wrap a mummy, or green paint and black stitching for Frankenstein. Let your creativity run wild!

Pop-Up Ghosts for Your Books

Want to give your books a supernatural vibe? These pop-up ghosts will make it look like spirits are rising right out of the pages. They’re simple, spooky, and a fun way to combine crafting with your love of books!

What You’ll Need:

• White craft paper
• Black marker
• Craft sticks (popsicle sticks work great)
• Scissors
• Glue or tape

Instructions:

Step 1: Cut Out Ghosts

Start by cutting out ghost shapes from your white craft paper. You can make them as spooky or silly as you want! Use a black marker to draw on simple eyes and mouths—don’t forget to make some look surprised or mischievous.

Step 2: Attach the Craft Sticks

Glue or tape the bottom of each ghost to a craft stick. This will make it easy to pop the ghosts in and out of your books. Now for the fun part! Slip the craft sticks between the pages of your books, so the ghosts peek out. Place them in your favorite spooky stories for added effect, or use them as fun bookmarks.

The Best Tween Book Box

As you know, we love bringing books to life, and our tween boxes do just that! If you’re looking for a bookish treat for your tween this Halloween, then grab our “The Bayou Curse” box quickly before it sells out. It features The Monster Hypothesis by Romily Bernard, plus three gifts that bring this exciting adventure to life!

Last but not least, thinking of the Bayou Curse reminded us — what is Halloween without a bit of slime!

DIY Glow-in-the-Dark Slime for Halloween!

Thank you to Destination Science for this fabulous recipe!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup warm water
• 4 ounces clear non-toxic liquid glue (note: if you use white glue, the slime will be opaque!)
• 3 tablespoons glow-in-the-dark craft paint (or 1 teaspoon glow powder)
• 2 teaspoons borax (sodium tetraborate or sodium borate, not boric acid)

Instructions:

1. Stir the glue and 1/2 cup of the warm water together until the mixture is uniform.
2. Add the glow paint (or whatever glow product you’re using) to the glue mixture.
3. In a separate container, dissolve the 2 teaspoons of borax in 1/2 cup warm water. It’s fine if it doesn’t all dissolve.
4. Stir the borax solution into the glue mixture. Use your hands or a spoon to mix the ingredients together to make the glowing slime. You may have excess liquid, which you can discard.
5. Glow products store light and release it slowly, so expose the slime to sunlight or bright lights to see it glow in the dark. Store the slime in a sealed container when you’re not using it to make it last up to a couple of weeks.

Happy Halloween to all of you!! We would love to see all of your bookish Halloween crafts!