Watch your haunted house come to life with this symmetrical smoosh haunted house art! A fun and easy Halloween project that teaches symmetry through spooky, creative play.
- Raise the roof with symmetrical smoosh haunted house art
- The math behind the symmetrical smoosh in this haunted house art
- Materials
- Let’s make symmetrical smoosh haunted house art
- Smoosh-tastic tips and tricks for extra fun
- What is mixed-media art and how does it enhance your symmetrical haunted house?
- Why this symmetrical smoosh haunted house art is a must-try this Halloween
- Spook-tacular ways to display your haunted house
- Frequently Asked Questions
Raise the roof with symmetrical smoosh haunted house art
I am beside myself over this haunted house art project, friends.
BE.SIDE.MY.SELF.
Preschool teachers have been making smoosh art since the beginning of time with our kids, and they’re a favorite for good reason.
But, it wasn’t until I learned about this Christmas car art project from Deep Space Sparkle years ago that I realized we could use the concepts of symmetry in other (super) fun ways.
In the video I posted on Instragram, you can see me come up with this project on the spot (including some trial and error) and I couldn’t be more thrilled to share this with you!
The math behind the symmetrical smoosh in this haunted house art
The “smoosh” technique isn’t just fun—it’s a great way to teach symmetry (an important math skill).
When you paint one side of the haunted house and fold the paper, the paint transfers, creating a mirror image.
This introduces kids to the concept of symmetry, showing them that both sides of the haunted house are identical.
Don’t miss these other fabulous Halloween art projects that kids love!
- Step-by-Step Frankenstein Art
- Haunted House Printmaking with Foam Blocks
- Spider Play Dough Activity
- Puffy Cotton Ball Ghosts
Materials
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The necessities
- White paper
- Black paint
- Paintbrush
- Crayon or pencil
The extras – you decide what items work best for you
- Drawing materials
- White oil pastel to draw ghosts
- Colored paper
- Googly eyes
- Scissors
- Glue
Let’s make symmetrical smoosh haunted house art
- Start by folding a piece of white paper in half, then open it up.
- On one half of the paper, draw one half of a haunted house using a crayon or pencil. An adult can assist with the drawing!
- Use black paint to paint the inside of your haunted house half.
- While the paint is still wet, fold the paper in half again and gently press the two sides together.
- Open the paper to reveal your symmetrical haunted house.
- Add details like paper windows with googly eyes, stickers, and drawings to bring your haunted house to life.
Smoosh-tastic tips and tricks for extra fun
- Try using different colors for the haunted house instead of just black for a colorful twist.
- Add a spooky moon or stars in the background using stickers or cut-out paper shapes.
- Use a white oil pastel to draw some ghosts or bats flying out of your haunted house.
- Create a haunted neighborhood by making multiple smooshed haunted houses.
What is mixed-media art and how does it enhance your symmetrical haunted house?
Mixed-media art refers to using different materials to create a single piece of artwork.
In this symmetrical smoosh haunted house art project, we combine paint, paper, stickers, and googly eyes to create a haunted house that jumps off the page.
Using different materials gives kids the chance to experiment with textures and layering, making their artwork more engaging and visually interesting.
This technique also teaches kids that art can be made from just about anything, not just paint or pencils.
Why this symmetrical smoosh haunted house art is a must-try this Halloween
This project blends creativity, math, and fine motor in one easy activity.
Creativity: Seeing how kids choose to decorate their haunted houses will be the very best part! The sky is the limit.
Math: Watching their haunted house double in size introduces symmetry in a meaningful, hands-on way.
Fine motor: By drawing, painting, folding, and decorating, preschoolers strengthen their fine motor skills.
Spook-tacular ways to display your haunted house
- Frame it: Create a little “Halloween Art Gallery” in your home or classroom by framing your symmetrical haunted house art.
- Hang them on a string: Use clothespins to hang multiple haunted houses on a string like a creepy, crafty bunting!
- Turn it into a card: Fold your haunted house in half again and turn it into a spooky Halloween card for friends or family.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely, one billion percent yes!
Any! I used 12×18″ construction paper because I wanted these to be big.
It certainly depends on the paint you use, so make sure to paint in relatively quickly so it’s wet when it’s time to smoosh.
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