There’s something magical about transforming everyday beans into hauntingly adorable ghosts.
The white beans create a textured, fabric-like effect, while the black beans pop against the pale background for eyes and mouths.
This is one of those projects where you can easily make multiples, hang them as a garland, or scatter them around the house for a handmade Halloween touch.
They’re festive, budget-friendly, and surprisingly stylish for such a simple craft.
Materials Needed
- Thick cardboard or foam board (cut into 8”-10” ghost shapes)
- 2 cups dried white beans (navy beans or cannellini)
- 1/4 cup dried black beans
- Pencil and scissors (to draw and cut ghost outline)
- Craft glue (4 oz bottle)
- Small paintbrush
- Clear acrylic spray (optional for sealing)
Step-by-step Guide
Step 1: Draw a simple ghost outline on cardboard or foam board. Then cut along the lines to create your base shape.
Step 2: Apply glue in small sections, beginning at the top. You can place white beans close together to fully cover the ghost shape.
Step 3: Once the body is filled, add black beans for the eyes and mouth. Play with expressions, make them look scared, silly, or surprised!
Step 4: Allow the ghost to dry completely. If you want to preserve them for next year, spray a thin layer of clear sealer.
Step 5: Hang your ghosts on walls, string them into a garland, or lean them against pumpkins for a playful Halloween setup.
Tips:
For variety, you can paint the cardboard background orange or purple before gluing beans, making the white ghosts stand out even more.