13. Paper Plate Jack-o’-Lanterns with Tissue Paper
This classic craft is a wonderful way to explore shapes and colors with young children. Start with a standard white paper plate and cut out the center, leaving a wide outer ring, or simply use the plate as a solid canvas. Cut orange tissue paper into small squares. Have your child brush a mixture of school glue and water over the surface of the plate, then press the orange tissue paper squares down until the entire plate is covered in a vibrant, textured orange layer. While the glue is wet, they can add facial features cut from black construction paper—such as triangles for the eyes and nose, and a jagged, toothy grin. The layering of the tissue paper gives the jack-o’-lantern a beautiful, dimensional look that mimics the flickering texture of a real carved pumpkin.