Halloween is one of the most exciting times of the year for kids—but if you’re a teacher and a mom, you know that excitement can quickly turn into overwhelm. Between classroom parties, trick-or-treating, costumes, and candy overload, emotions can run high at school and at home. That’s why adding a few simple Halloween SEL crafts into the season can make all the difference—keeping the fun while helping kids manage big feelings.
That’s why this season is the perfect time to add social-emotional learning (SEL) into your celebrations. SEL helps kids notice their feelings, calm their bodies, and make positive choices—even when Halloween energy is at its peak.
The good news is that SEL doesn’t have to be complicated. These three Halloween crafts are simple, low-prep, and designed for busy teachers and moms who want fun, meaningful activities without hours of prep.
If you want an even easier option, you can grab my Halloween SEL Calm Choices Poster Bundle—five printable posters that bring calm and connection to both classrooms and homes.
Why Teacher Moms Need SEL at Halloween
As a mom, I’ve seen my own kids struggle with the sugar highs and costume discomfort. As a teacher, I’ve seen an entire classroom buzz with excitement before a party. The common thread is the same: big feelings that need guidance.
SEL gives kids tools to:
- Recognize their emotions such as excitement, nervousness, or frustration.
- Practice calming strategies like breathing or affirmations.
- Reconnect with their classroom, family, and community.
Adding SEL into Halloween helps you channel the excitement while giving kids the skills to self-regulate and thrive.
Craft 1: Pumpkin Breathing Pumpkins
This activity helps kids connect breathing with a visual, seasonal cue.
Supplies: orange paper, markers, scissors.
Steps:
- Cut out three pumpkins. Label one “Inhale,” one “Hold,” and one “Exhale.”
- Invite kids to decorate each pumpkin with a silly or spooky face.
- Tape the pumpkins in a row on a wall or floor.
- Practice together: breathe in at the first pumpkin, hold at the second, exhale at the third.
At home: Use before bedtime on Halloween night or before trick-or-treating.
In the classroom: Try before transitions or assemblies to help students reset.
Craft 2: Ghost Affirmation Chains
Affirmations build confidence and create a positive environment.
Supplies: white paper strips, markers, tape or stapler.
Steps:
- On each strip, write affirmations such as “I am kind,” “I am brave,” or “I am safe.”
- Kids decorate the strips with ghost doodles or stickers.
- Link the strips together to form a chain.
- Hang across a doorway, mantle, or bulletin board.
At home: Walk through the chain together and read the affirmations aloud.
In the classroom: Choose one link each day for the class to repeat during morning meeting.
Craft 3: Bat Safety Promises
This activity reinforces positive choices while tying into Halloween themes.
Supplies: black paper, bat templates or scissors, markers.
Steps:
- Cut out bat shapes or use printed outlines.
- Ask kids: “What promise can you make to help Halloween stay safe and kind?”
- Write their answers on the bats. Examples: Be respectful, use kind words, stay safe.
- Decorate and display.
At home: Review the bats before heading out to trick-or-treat.
In the classroom: Share the promises as a group before the Halloween party.
Bonus Support: Ready-to-Use SEL Posters
Crafts are wonderful, but sometimes busy moms and teachers just need a quick solution. That’s why I created the Halloween SEL Calm Choices Poster Bundle.
This bundle includes five printable posters in three sizes each (8.5×11, 11×14, 16×20). The posters feature:
- Pumpkin Breathing Poster
- Ghost “You Belong Here” Poster
- Bat “Spooky but Safe” Poster
- Werewolf “Howl About Good Choices” Poster
- Black Cat “You Are Purr-fect” Poster
These posters can be printed and used instantly. Hang the large size on a bulletin board or playroom wall, use the medium size in a calm-down corner, or place the small size on the fridge or in a binder.
You can grab your bundle today on Teachers Pay Teachers or Etsy.
Final Thoughts
Halloween should feel magical, not stressful. These three easy Halloween crafts give kids tools to manage big feelings while still enjoying the fun. Add in ready-to-use SEL posters, and you’ll have calm classrooms and happy homes even during the busiest season.
Download the Halloween SEL Calm Choices Poster Bundle today and give your kids the gift of calm, confidence, and community this October.
Looking for other unique ways to support SEL? Check out my blog post on Feelings Forecast + 4 More Unique SEL Routines For Your Classroom