Whenever I need an easy Halloween water table activity, I make jack-o-lantern cups! They come together in seconds, and you can use them year after year.
Why try this Halloween water table activity?
Halloween is around the corner, which means it’s time for Halloween activities!
This activity is a standout because it is so easy. I mean SO EASY.
It’s the kind of easy that your children can help prep it with you.
Related: Your boys and ghouls will love our GIANT 10-foot Halloween coloring page banner!
This Halloween water table activity can be used for years
The stars of the show are the jack-o-lantern cups.
They’re fun, engaging, enticing to little hands, and can be used over and over again.
In fact, you can use them for years. Dry them out at the end of the season, store them with your Halloween things, and use them again the following year.
Here are some other fun Halloween activities to try:
- Sizzling Science Pumpkins
- Drip Paint Pumpkins
- Halloween Coloring Pages
- Spider Ice Halloween Activity
Materials
Friends Art Lab is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about these links in my disclosure policy.
- Clear plastic cups
- Black permanent marker
- Water
- Large shallow container
- Orange coloring – optional (we use paint, liquid watercolors, or food coloring)
Directions
First, make the jack-o-lantern cups
Begin by drawing the Jack-o-Lantern cups because they’ll need about a minute to dry completely.
To make a jack-o-lantern face, draw two triangle eyes, a triangle nose, and a mouth.
Have fun with your faces, and consider inviting your child to draw some!
Next, fill with water and play
Add water to a shallow container, add a splash of coloring (if using), and it’s playtime.
Invite your child to pay attention to what they hear while playing. (The sound of water moving around is soothing.)
What do you play with in a water table?
The jack-o-lantern cups and water are fun all on their own.
After a few days of setting up this play invitation, we like to add extra props or modify the tools to keep kids engaged and excited.
Changing one “ingredient” can make this project feel brand-new to kids.
- Poke holes into the bottom of the jack-o-lantern cups for extra fun
- Toss in pom poms for your kids to scoop and pour while playing
- Make several buckets of colorful water for your kids to choose from, adding in a layer of color mixing and science
- Throw in ice cubes as a way for kids to explore temperature changes
Welcome spooky season with this Halloween water table activity
Celebrating holidays with kids brings so much joy and fun, especially with simple activities for everyone to enjoy.
Have a spooktacular time with jack-o-lantern cups!
FAQ
Any that can safely use the materials! If you worry that your child might try to mouth the permanent markers, do that step without them.
The water is sooooo diluted that it doesn’t stain hands.
You have to use permanent markers so that the faces don’t wash off in the water.
LEAVE A COMMENT