For toddlers, the fun is in the making, not the finished product. For little ones it’s all about trying things out such as squishing, smearing and experimenting. Art projects can be a great activity to get away from screens at home and also a good thing to do on a rainy day.

Here’s our guide to how to get stuck in.

East art projects for toddlers: Finger painting

It can be challenging for toddlers to grip onto paintbrushes at first, so why not go straight in for finger painting, hand painting, or even foot prints? This can get really messy so make sure you’ve laid down a plastic sheet, or taped paper to the floor for an easy clean-up. Use non-toxic paints that are suitable and safe for toddlers. For an extra sensory experience, try finger painting on different materials, such as foil or cling film.

Nature collaging

Combine an art project with getting outside. Encourage your little one to collect items from nature such as leaves, pine cones, flowers and twigs. These can be glued onto card to make nature collages. Another option is to use items from nature to make interesting prints with paint on paper.

Sponge printing

Cut bigger sponges into shapes or get shaped sponges to experiment with printing different shapes in paint on big pieces of cardboard, boxes, or even try unwanted fabric. This activity helps toddlers recognise or talk about different shapes as they go.

No-mess painting

If you’re worried about mess, pop some paint into a ziplock bag, then sellotape it to a window so your toddler can push the paint around with their finger to make different shapes. Just make sure that ziplock bag is nicely sealed! Another option is to tape it down to a table on a wipeable cloth in case of unexpected spillage.

Edible paints

We all know toddlers love putting things in their mouth so you could make your own edible paints with yogurt, food colouring and squirty cream. A really safe way to do art, if your toddler is going to put everything in their mouth and maybe even get some nourishment too if you include fruit!

Paper plate silly faces

Paper plates are such a simple and cheap way to create art projects for toddlers. With googly eyes and string, paints or pens, they can be decorated to make silly faces. Different materials can be collaged, or shapes cut into plate (by an adult) to make fun fish or other creatures. If you cut shapes in advance then your toddler can charge ahead with sticking and decorating.

Sticker collage

I haven’t met a toddler who doesn’t love stickers so why not get a big piece of paper or card and lots of stickers and encourage your toddler to create a picture. Random shapes can make fun patterns or more themed stickers can make all sorts of scenes – from zoos to under the sea. An easy way to do this can also be to buy a sticker book, where the scenes are already laid out for children. But it could be fun to combine different themes as an art project for toddlers.

Key supplies for art projects for toddlers

When you suddenly realise your baby has become a toddler, it may be time to get stocked up on all sorts of fun materials for creative and messy play. Here are some essentials to get you started.

• Washable, non-toxic paints (Crayola and Little Brian Paint Sticks are great)

• Chunky crayons and markers

• Child-safe scissors

• PVA glue or glue sticks

• Paper, card, and stickers
  

You can also start collecting boxes and cardboard packaging such as toilet rolls. The opportunities are endless.

How to encourage your toddler to thrive with their art project

If you have an inner perfectionist, this is time to let go. The best gift you can give your child is to encourage them, join in, take their lead and give guidance if they want it and enjoy the process. Reflect back what you see to help them learn: “You’re using a lot of red,” or “What a big circle you’ve drawn.” Celebrate their work by hanging it in pride of place on the kitchen cupboards or in the play room if you have one. Toddler art projects can result in cards for family, friends and especially grandparents! Your toddler will feel special to see their art project being celebrated this way, even if you sometimes sneakily throw some of them away.

Why art projects are great for toddlers

The benefits of art play for toddlers include:

• Fine motor development: Holding crayons, squeezing sponges and sticking shapes help strengthen small hand muscles.
  
• Sensory exploration: Toddlers learn through touch, texture and colour, which is vital for cognitive and emotional growth.
  
• Language skills: Talking about colours, shapes and what they’re doing builds vocabulary.
  
• Confidence and independence: Toddlers love making their own creative choices (and mess!)

Art for toddlers in Jersey

There are many places offering messy play for toddlers in Jersey. Messy play can be a great opportunity for your toddler to make art in a bigger space than home, mix with other children, while you have the opportunity to connect with adults too!

The Creation Station Jersey is a children’s party service in Jersey: https://thecreationstation.co.uk/activities/jersey/

Toddler Sense offers adventure play classes in Saint Martin, Jersey: https://www.toddlersense.com/jersey/

Jersey Methodist Church also offers a ‘Messy Church’: https://www.jerseymethodist.org.uk/churches/messy-church/ 

Buy art supplies for toddlers in Jersey

Buy art materials for your toddler at:

The Entertainer in St Helier for art supplies and creative kits

TGJones,  for stickers, paper and markers

Amazon or Early Learning Centre (ELC) for toddler-specific, washable art sets.

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Best Halloween Movies for young kids aged three to six

Our top picks of the best Halloween films for toddler and young kids up to the age of six include:

1. Room on the Broom (2012)

Inspired by Julia Donaldson’s beloved book, this short film follows a kind witch and her cat who make room on their broom for a growing group of friends. It’s gentle, beautifully animated and full of teamwork and kindness.
Available to watch on: BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video.

2. Monsters, Inc. (2001)

A pixar classic that is great for infant school aged children. Meet the monsters who are supposed to be scared of children but are scared of children themselves.Available to watch on: Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV

3. The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad (1949)

This is Disney’s whimsical take on The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and isn’t too scary for little viewers.
Available to watch on Disney+.

4. Curious George: A Halloween Boo Fest (2013)

Curious George goes trick-or-treating and learns about the “Legend of No Noggin.” A cheerful, non-scary story that celebrates curiosity and fun.
Available to watch on: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV.

5. Super Monsters Save Halloween (2020)

A Netflix special where super monsters use their powers to get their neighbours into the Halloween spirit.
Available to watch on: Netflix

Best Halloween Movies for kids aged seven to 10

You know your own kids so some may like scary stuff more than others. The best plan is to watch with them in case they get scared. Around this age, kids may be up for something a little more scary. Our top picks include:

1. Hotel Transylvania (2012)

A humorous animated series about Count Dracula with a simple, heartwarming plot that’s great for family viewing.
Available to watch on: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video.

2. Hocus Pocus (1993)

This witchy live-action film is a cult classic for Halloween.
Available to watch on: Disney+.

3. Coraline (2009)

From the makers of The Nightmare Before Christmas, Coraline is s stop-motion animated dark fantasy horror film, based on the novella by Neil Gaiman.
Available to watch on: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video.

4. Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (2005)

A claymation comedy about the eccentric inventor Wallace and his loveable dog Gromit, who accidentally create a giant vegetable-devouring beast.
Available to watch on: BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video.

5. Casper (1995)

Our favourite friendly ghost is sent to school to learn how to scare people.
Available to watch on Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV

Best Halloween Movies for kids aged 10 to 13

Older children may enjoy a bit more tension and mystery. Try these Halloween movies out.

1. KPop Demon Hunters (2025)

KPop Demon Hunters is the film of the moment. This Netflix comedy also has a sing-a-long version.
Available to watch on Netflix.

2. ​​The Addams Family (1991)

Before the Netflix series, there was the cult classic film from the 90s: The Addams Family. An unmissable movie this Halloween.
Available to watch on Netflix.

3. Goosebumps (2015)

Remember the classic book series from the 1990s. Well this film is a great one for older kids. Reader beware, you’re in for a scare.
Available to watch on NOWTV, Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video

4. ​​The House with a Clock in Its Walls (2018)

A gothic adventure starring Jack Black and Cate Blanchett, following a boy who discovers his uncle’s magical secrets. Mysterious but heartwarming, with just the right level of spookiness.

Available to watch on: Amazon Prime Video, NOW TV.

5. The Witches (1990)

The original adaptation of the Roald Dahl novel is known for its memorable and frightening witches. There is also a 2020 remake.

Original available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.

Best Halloween Movies suitable for teens

1. Beetlejuice (1988)

This supernatural comedy by Tim Burton centres on a recently deceased couple who hire a mischievous ghost to scare away the new living residents of their house. It is rated PG but is more suitable for older tweens due to some of its gags and themes.
Original available to watch on Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV.

2. Ghostbusters (1984)

A classic comedy that follows three parapsychologists who start a ghost-catching business in New York City. Who ya gonna call? Ghostbusters!
Available to watch on Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV.

3. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)

Classic stop-motion musical by Tim Burton suitable for Christmas or Halloween!
Available to watch on Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV.

4. Corpse Bride (2005)

A gorgeous motion picture also by Tim Burton. Expect witty songs as a nervous groom accidentally marries a deceased woman.
Available to watch on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV.

5. Frankenweenie (2012)

In this twist on the Frankenstein story, a boy named Victor uses a science experiment to bring his beloved dog Sparky back to life.
Available to watch on Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV.

Where to Watch Halloween Kids Movies in Jersey

If you’re in Jersey, you can catch Halloween family films both at home and on the big screen:

The Cineworld Jersey in St Helier often screens family-friendly Halloween favourites in October half term: https://www.cineworld.co.uk/cinemas/jersey/

Digital streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer and Amazon Prime Video all have dedicated Halloween collections for kids.

Jersey Library sometimes hosts seasonal film events or storytime sessions inspired by Halloween books and movies: check the latest listings: https://www.gov.je/Leisure/Libraries/pages/whatson.aspx 

Halloween is a time for celebration. Check out our other posts on Halloween craft activities and Halloween Kids Activities. We hope you have a wonderful movie night. Grab the popcorn, dim the lights and get cosy!

The post Halloween Kids Movies: Ideas and Where to Watch in Jersey appeared first on Mums in Jersey.

Parenting is a rewarding experience but it can also wear us down, tire us out and place demands on us we never imagined. Being a parent is demanding, from sleepless nights and school runs, which alongside demands from our workplaces and responsibilities round the house, can feel like a lot… sometimes too much. It can be very hard to find time for ourselves when other responsibilities usually take priority.

What does self-care look like for parents?

While self-care may at some point have been thought of as bubble baths and spa days, it is far from that, although they can be nice! Self-care for parents is about finding ways to resource yourself by replenishing our physical, mental and emotional energy. Self-care for anyone is about paying attention to your needs by regularly checking in with yourself about how you’re doing and what you need. Self-care for parents might include rest, connection, nourishment, movement and boundaries.

Self-care might feel overwhelming but it doesn’t have to take hours, which might feel impossible in a busy parenting schedule. It could look like taking some deep breaths before responding to your child or taking five minutes outside for fresh air after bedtime.

Why parents deserve self-care

Parenting is a full-time job and we can often end up putting everyone else’s needs before our own. But we matter too! If we are under-resourced we might end up being snappy or easily irritable, we might resent others, we might struggle to enjoy things or lose patience easily with members of our family. We might feel guilty about taking time for ourselves, but honestly, we deserve it.

Running on empty can make life feel overwhelming. Taking time to recharge, even in small, manageable pockets, can really change things, and make our lives and our family’s lives happier. And as mentioned before, modelling these healthy habits to our children teaches them that everyone, including their parents, deserve care.

Self-care ideas for parents

Small consistent steps to protect our basic needs can really start to make a difference if we’re feeling depleted.

1. Get enough sleep. This may be difficult if you have a baby or your child has sleep issues, but if it is something you can control, then try to go to bed, say half an hour earlier, and like you probably do for your child, limit screen-time and create a gentle and nurturing evening routine. If you have a baby or your child isn’t sleeping, take naps when you can and lean on your partner if you have one or support network to look after your baby or child while you catch up on a good night’s sleep. You know yourself best but try to aim for at least seven to eight hours of quality sleep a night. If you’re a light sleeper or have a snoring partner, it might be worth treating yourself to ear plugs, an eye mask or even a weighted blanket.

2. Get enough movement. It’s amazing what a difference moving your body can make to your mental wellbeing. Check in with your body and move it in a way that feels joyful. Allow yourself a big stretch or a kitchen dance. If you can only steal pockets of time, try a brisk 10 minute walk outside to get some fresh air or do a 20-minute yoga or exercise class on YouTube. Movement is essential in boosting your mood, releasing tension or increasing energy. If you’re feeling sluggish or struggling with a challenging emotion, movement can really shift your energy.

3. Nourish yourself. It’s so easy as a parent to get by on your toddler’s uneaten leftovers or lots of coffee, but you deserve to feel nourished as much as your child. Stock your fridge with easy go-tos like overnight oats, soups and chopped fruit. Hummus is a great slow-energy release option and sharing a meal at the same time as your child can be a bonding experience.

4. Create calm. There are so many free meditation or breathwork resources on apps such as Insight Timer or free on YouTube for you to create pocket moments of calm. Maybe you get up earlier than your children and can really enjoy the first cup of coffee of the day, while doing some journaling. If you have younger kids, how can you create a mindful or calm moment once they have gone to bed. Instead of rushing to do chores, could you sit and listen to your favourite music, even just for five minutes.

5. Connect with adults. As parents, we might find ourselves spending a lot of time with children, especially if we don’t have a partner. Parents with young babies can also often feel isolated. Reach out to trusted friends and family, schedule a coffee, walk or phone call with other parents. Look out for local parenting groups so you can meet people going through the same thing as you. Maybe you can find a hobby that is completely separate from your family life – joining a choir or a specific exercise class where you have time just for you.

6. Ask for help. Don’t force yourself to run on empty. Parenting is hard! If you are struggling, reach out to friends, family, local groups or charities for support. If you have a partner, keep checking in with each other on how you can support each other’s self-care. Maybe you can take it in turns to take on responsibilities while the other one does something for themselves or rests. If things feel beyond your support network, reach out to your GP or a therapist for additional support. Parenting can bring up a lot about our own childhoods at different stages. There is no shame in getting extra support when we need it.

Support for parents in Jersey

There are many places supporting parents in Jersey. Here are just a handful.

• Parenting Support Service Jersey – practical and emotional help for local families.
  Website: https://www.gov.je/Caring/ChildrenAndFamiliesHub/pages/parentingsupportservices.aspx
  
• Mind Jersey – counselling, workshops, and peer support for mental wellbeing.
  Website: https://www.mindjersey.org/
  
• The Listening Lounge – open access emotional support for adults, no referral needed.
  Website: https://www.linc.je/listeninglounge 

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Here’s our guide to how to pick toys that are fun, age appropriate and safe for your toddler.

How to understand toy safety standards

In Jersey and the UK, toys must by law adhere to strict safety standards. The key things to look out for include the UKCA mark, which shows the toy complies with UK safety, health, and environmental protection standards. The CE mark is also valid in Jersey and appears on toys across Europe. Also keep an eye out for EN71 certification, which covers flammability, mechanical safety and limits for toxic substances. You can find this information on packaging when buying instore or in the descriptions when buying online. Be careful when buying from an unknown online seller and it’s best to avoid cheap or unbranded items without clear manufacturer details.

How to choose non-toxic materials

Any parent will know that toddlers explore with their mouths and hands so it’s important to be mindful of the materials toys are made of. Look for toys labelled as non-toxic, BPA-free, and phthalate-free. Wooden toys are a good eco-friendly option, although these can be more expensive. The key things to look for are sustainably sourced wood, water-based paints and natural oils.

With plastic toys, look for labels including BPA-free or PVC-free. Recycled plastic is a good eco-friendly option. With soft toys, they usually have labelling on what age they are suitable for. Be aware of choking risk by avoiding soft toys with small buttons, eyes or embellishments that could come loose. The safest soft toy materials for toddlers include organic cotton or Oeko-Tex certified materials, which means they have been tested for harmful chemicals.

Safe toys for toddlers

Toy safety is more than just materials, it can also be making sure you choose age-appropriate toys for them developmentally.

Recommendations for children aged 12 to 18 months include stacking blocks, shape sorters and simple musical toys. Avoid small pieces, detachable parts or long cords. For toddlers aged 18 months to 24 months, recommended safe toys include push and pull toys, soft boys or sturdy ride on toys that promote balance and strength. With second-hand toys, check for rough edges or broken parts that could cause a hazard. With ride-ons, check that the wheels are secure. Safe toys for toddlers aged two to three include play sets such as kitchens or doctors kits, chunky building blocks and first art supplies (make sure these are age suitable and safe by choosing non-toxic crayons and paints.) 

It is important to always supervise creative play as children are quick to put things in their mouths. Check packaging and labels for age guidelines.

Toy safety hazards

Even toys that are designed to be safe may encounter faults or safety hazards. It is important to check your toddler’s toys regularly for signs of damage. Look out for loose or broken parts, splintered wood or cracked plastic, exposed metal, batteries coming loose or playing up or strings or cords longer than 30cm which could be a strangulation hazard. If in doubt, replace or recycle the toy.

How to keep playing safe at home for toddlers

Here are some top tips for keeping playing with toys safe for toddlers.

1. Supervise play, especially when they are getting used to a new toy
2. Rotate toys regularly, giving you the chance to check for damage and clean them
3. Clean toys. Soft toys can usually be washed on a gentle cycle. Wooden or plastic toys can be wiped with a simple and safe vinegar solution or baby-safe disinfectant.
4. Store safely. Use low baskets and shelves to prevent stacking hazards. If your toddler has older siblings, store their toys out of reach.

Buying safe toys in Jersey

It can be good to shop local and in person for safe toys for toddlers so that you can read the packaging clearly, get advice from the shop owners and get a good sense of what you are buying.

Some great options include:

• Bambola Toymaster, St Helier: Jersey’s only remaining family run toy shop with a great range of baby and pre-school toys.

Address: Waterloo House, Don St, JE2 4TQ, Jersey

Phone: 01534 888880

Website: https://bambola.je/

• The Entertainer, St Helier: Well-known high-street toy shop with clear age labelling and UKCA-approved brands.

Address: Le Gallais Building, 64 Bath Street, St Helier, Jersey, JE2 4SU

Phone: 01534 724339

Website: https://www.thetoyshop.com/store/jersey

• Cosmic Duck: A retail toy and hobby shop with a junior collection and well-known brands.

Address: Unit 3, Doue House, Longueville Road, St Saviour, Jersey, JE2 7SA

Phone: 01534 716506

Website: https://www.cosmicduck.co.uk/

• Amazon UK and John Lewis Online also deliver to Jersey, but always double-check product listings for official safety markings.
  
• If you prefer eco-conscious or small-business options, many UK-based brands ship to the Channel Islands with minimal packaging and carbon-offset delivery.

Recommended safe toy brands for toddlers

These toymakers come highly approved and ship to people who live in Jersey.

• Green Toys: Recycled plastic toys made in the USA, BPA- and phthalate-free.

Website: https://www.greentoys.co.uk/ 

• Le Toy Van: British-designed wooden toys finished with child-safe paints.

Website: https://letoyvan.co.uk/

• Tender Leaf Toys:  Beautiful, ethically made wooden toys certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

Website: https://www.tenderleaftoys.com/ 

• Grimm’s: Open-ended wooden toys crafted in Germany with natural pigments.

Website: https://www.grimms.eu/ 

All of these brands comply with EN71 and UKCA safety standards, making them excellent choices for toddlers in Jersey.

Other respected toy brands that are safe for toddlers include Jellycat, VTech, Lego Duplo, Baby Einstein, Early Learning Centre, Fisher-Price, Little Tikes and Melissa and Doug to name a few.

Best safe toys for toddlers

Here are some of our top picks of toys that are great and safe for toddlers.

John Lewis has a great range of toddler toys available online. Great options for children aged one to two include stacking cups or hoops. How about this highly-rated stacking cups set for £8 https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-stacking-cups-set/p112356438

Melissa and Doug offers a great range of safe wooden toys. The Entertainer, which has a branch in St Helier, has many on special offer here: https://www.thetoyshop.com/brands/melissa-and-doug The great thing about shopping online is you can often search by age.

Early Learning Centre has many sensory toys that are safe and also great for learning. There are often special offers, including buy one get one half price at the moment. https://www.elc.co.uk/ A great option is this caterpillar sensory toy https://www.elc.co.uk/little-lot-twisty-musical-caterpillar-sensory-toy/p/571679 and this wooden hammer bench https://www.elc.co.uk/woodlets-hammer-bench/p/560229. 

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What is parenting anxiety?

Parenting anxiety relates to worries or stresses directly related to being a parent so that might be to do with the responsibility of being a parent or caregiver or related directly to the child. It might show up as excessive worry over your child’s safety, illness, behaviour, or development. Or, maybe you have difficulty relaxing because your mind is overtaken by the possible “worst case” scenarios. Physical symptoms can include tension in your body, difficulty sleeping or a racing heart. You might feel guilt about failing or not being good enough. Parenting anxiety can also show up as over-monitoring your child or yourself, hypervigilance or avoiding doing things because they could go wrong.

It’s important to know that the anxiety of being a parent is normal and shows that we care about and love our children. Parental anxiety might show up for new parents or during big transitions for our children such as starting nursery or school, moving home or going to secondary school. However, parenting anxiety becomes problematic if it is constant, intense, is affecting your every day functioning or causing you to avoid doing things.

How common is parenting anxiety?

According to a recent survey by UNICEF UK, 63% of parents reported struggling with their mental health while being a parent. A report by the charity showed worries included worries included their children’s future and financial strain over the cost-of-living and price of childcare.

According to the NSPCC, 75% of parents of children under five said they are anxious about their child’s emotional or mental wellbeing.

Triggers and risk factors of parenting anxiety

These factors can increase the risk of parenting anxiety:

Parental wellbeing: fatigue, irritability, low mood

Parent-child relationship: being overprotective, emotionally distant, or exhausted

Family life: strain on partner relationships; juggling work, childcare, home responsibilities becomes harder

Physical health: sleep disruption, tension, maybe unmanaged stress leading to bigger health issues

Coping strategies and self care

Support is available for parents whose lives are impacted by anxiety.

Recognise & label the worries

Write down what you are worrying about, how likely it is, what’s in your control vs not. Sometimes just naming things reduces their power.

Set realistic expectations
Parenting does not come with a manual. Try to focus on “good enough” rather than perfect. Mistakes are part of learning.

Self-care
Even small things help:

• Try to rest when you can, sleep when baby sleeps
  
• Eat well, get some fresh air or gentle exercise
  
• Use relaxation techniques (breathing exercises, mindfulness)
  

Talk about it
Sharing your worries with partner, friend, parent, or in a support group can lighten the emotional load. Especially helpful is talking to someone who’s been through something similar.

Mind your thoughts
Avoid catastrophising (“if this happens then everything is ruined”). Challenge negative thoughts by asking: “What evidence do I have?” “What’s most likely, not worst-case?”

Limit comparison & exposure
Social media often shows idealised parent lives. Keep perspective: what you see isn’t the whole picture.

Professional support when needed 

If worries are constant, your mood is suffering, or anxiety is interfering with daily living, consider counselling, therapy, or speaking to your GP or health visitor.

Parenting anxiety support in Jersey

There is local support available in Jersey

Perinatal Peer Support Service (Mind Jersey)

This service matches expectant or new parents with volunteers who’ve had similar experiences, to offer peer support and reassurance. 

Parent Infant Psychotherapy (PIP) Service 

For parents (including expecting) with babies up to age 5, especially where there are struggles relating to bonding, feeding, sleeping, or difficulty in relating to the child. Helps with parent-child interaction and emotional regulation. 

https://www.gov.je/Health/Mental/pages/parentinfantpsychotherapyservice.aspx

Jersey Talking Therapies (JTT)

A free, confidential therapy service for adults 18+, including those with anxiety, worry, stress, or panic. Evidence-based therapies like CBT, etc. 

https://talkingtherapies.je

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS Jersey)

For children and young people up to 18, and their families; support for emotional difficulties, anxiety, behavioural issues, etc. Parents/carers can access support through the Children & Families Hub. 

https://www.gov.je/Health/Mental/ChildAndAdolescentMentalHealthService/pages/home.aspx

Local charities like Brighter Futures

They run programmes that build parental resilience, address wellbeing, support parent-child relationships. 

https://www.brighterfutures.org.je

Maternity Voices Partnership Jersey

Offers mental health resources and signposting for pregnancy and postnatal period; midwives, health visitors, GPs are often first points of contact.

When to Seek More Help

You might consider seeking more formal help if:

Anxiety is ongoing for weeks/months and getting worse rather than better

You find it hard to enjoy things anymore, or feel hopeless

Worry interferes with daily tasks (sleep, eating, work, caring for child)

You’re experiencing panic, or symptoms like chest tightness, or intrusive thoughts you can’t dismiss

Any thoughts of harming yourself or your child, or thoughts of not wanting to live. Samaritans Jersey: https://www.samaritans.org/branches/jerse 

In these cases, reach out to your GP, a health visitor, or directly to services like JTT or CAMHS in Jersey.

If you need to talk to someone, or feel suicidal, contact The Samaritans on 116 123.

Other mental health charities: 

Remember you are not alone, support is available.

Mind Jersey: https://www.mindjersey.org/ 

My Voice Jersey: https://myvoice.org.je/about-us/ 

Focus On Mental Illness Jersey: https://www.focusmi.org/about-us 

The post How To Deal With Parenting Anxiety: A Guide For Parents In Jersey appeared first on Mums in Jersey.

Emotional support for new parents is important and it is completely normal to experience all different emotions. New parents often experience emotions such as overwhelm, anxiety, doubt, isolation, and sometimes grief. There is also so much to learn about breast feeding or bottle feeding, changing nappies and baby sleep routines. It’s hard when our babies can’t tell us what they need and we have to try and learn their signs and language. Furthermore, most new parents are extremely sleep-deprived, which can make things feel a lot worse.

How to validate your emotions

Postnatal depression and anxiety or even PTSD from a traumatic birth are more common than you think. Normalising your feelings can help reduce guilt, shame and self-judgment. If you want to support a new parent, normalise their feelings.

Lightening the load

Sharing how you are feeling with people you feel able to trust including friends, family, a health visitor, midwife, doula or doctor, can help ease the burden you may be carrying. Don’t hold yourself back from reaching out to trusted professionals, including medical professionals or registered counsellors or therapists, support groups or charities. Sharing how you are feeling can help lift the weight, ease the load or unburden your stress. Trusted professionals and support workers may also be able to signpost you to help available to you or spot signs of something you may have missed and get you the right support.

Emotional support can help you maintain a sense of self beyond just being a parent and this is key for long-term wellbeing. But if things feel too much or too overwhelming right now, try to take things one step at a time and be kind to yourself.

Common emotional challenges for new parents

There is no doubt becoming a parent will have an impact on your emotions. Common experiences include loss of identity as you take on this huge role. Of course, you lose freedom and the reality of this may set in during the early weeks and months. Grief for what you have lost is normal. Many parents may feel guilty for this, especially if they have had a difficult journey to get a baby or have friends suffering infertility for example, but it’s important to allow your feelings, so they can move through you.

Sleep deprivation and exhaustion is common. Suddenly a small delicate being is depending on you. Chronic tiredness lowers our resilience and can impact mood or make every day tasks harder. We might then snap at those around us.

Anxiety and guilt are common too. Worrying about whether you are a good enough parent is completely normal. Parental guilt is widespread and not always spoken about. It’s hard being responsible for new life and wondering about stages of their development. From experience, babies develop at all different paces and if you have serious concerns then you can turn to medical professionals for support and reassurance.

It is also normal to feel lonely and isolated, especially if you are raising a child on your own. Having a baby may mean you are at home a lot, looking after a baby and have no one to talk to. Low mood might mean you feel alone even when surrounded by people because no one is meeting you in that experience. Try to surround yourself with people who do understand you and lift your mood.

If you are in a relationship, it is common for the arrival of a baby or babies to impact and put a strain on your relationship. For example, looking after the baby mean you relate in a more transactional way and unmet needs may lead to resentment and miscommunications to arguments. Having a baby may also lead to financial strain and logistical stress.

Mental health issues such as postpartum depression (for women and men), severe anxiety and intrusive thoughts are also more common than you think. You are not alone and help is available.

How to build your own emotional support

Ask for help: Try and be specific rather than telling everyone you are fine. If people ask you to let them know what they can do, then tell them. Maybe rather than gifts for the baby, you would like to come and hold the baby for a couple of hours while you have a nap and try to catch up on sleep, or bring round dinner.

If you are the friend of a new parent, offer practical support, such as holding a clingy baby so the mum can eat dinner or do something for herself around the house, maybe she is overwhelmed by the housework so you could do that. Remember not to stay too long unless the new parents want you too. Being a new parent is tiring.

If you have a partner or co-parent, keep checking in with each other, every just for 10 minutes a day. Sometimes we just need to feel heard. Some topics you might like to cover include expectations, fears, sleep, division of labour and emotional needs.

Self Care Basics for new parents

According to the NCT (https://www.nct.org.uk/), sleep when the baby sleeps (as much as possible).

Nutrition and hydration.

Fresh air and light exercise, even short walks.

Moments of “you” time: reading, showering, short breaks.

Limit comparisons (Instagram, perfect mum narratives).

Mindfulness, journaling or mental health apps can help track mood changes.

Connect with other parents and support groups

Joining a parent and baby group, breastfeeding cafe or online support forum helps you realise you’re not alone. Shared stories, friendships, and normalising challenges make a difference.

In Jersey, here are some places new parents can get emotional support:

Baby Steps (Jersey)

A charity providing expert prenatal and parental care https://www.fnhc.org.je/how-we-can-help/children-young-people-families/baby-steps/ 

FNHC Health Visiting Service

https://www.fnhc.org.je/how-we-can-help/children-young-people-families/health-visitor

Baby Basics Jersey

https://baby-basics.org.uk/centre/jersey

Support for struggling families

Brighter Futures (Jersey)

https://www.brighterfutures.org.je

Local charity supporting families

https://www.brighterfutures.org.je

NSPCC Jersey / The Gower Centre

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/jersey

Jersey branch of national charity providing advice

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/jersey

Parent Carer Forum Jersey

https://parentcarerforum.je/

Support and advocacy for parents of children with special needs

Mental health charities

Mind Jersey

https://www.mindjersey.org/

You are not alone

Remember you are not alone. Speak to friends and family, find other new parent friends or ask friends who have had their own children for support. Speak to your health visitor or GP if you are concerned and you may be eligible for talking therapies. Remember you can turn to the charities above for support.

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Savoury Spooky Snacks: Mummy Hot Dogs

Make sausages into mummies (the Egyptian kind!) by wrapping pre rolled puffed pastry around sausages or hot dogs. The key with this one is to add gaps for the “eyes”, which can be added afterwards with dollops of ketchup, mustard or your preferred hot dog sauce. Use dairy-free pastry and vegan sausages for dairy allergies or vegan diets. To make this gluten-free, use gluten-free rolls and pastry. Check sausages for gluten too.

Monster Pizzas

All you need is pizza bases to build your own monster faces. Buy pre-made or make your own. Add tomato sauce and cheese, then add your toppings. Olive slices or pepperoni can be great for eyes, pepper strips make good mouths and mushrooms are a good option for spooky shapes. Other things that work as bases for fun Halloween faces include pancakes, muffins or cakes. You can use vegan cheese and non-meat ingredients to cater for vegan diets and buy or make non-gluten bases for gluten-free diets.

Pumpkin Quesadillas 

Who knew tortilla wraps could be made fun? Use them to cut in pumpkin faces. Fill with cheese and cook for cheese to ooze out of the gaps, making this dish super spooky. Salsa could be renamed blood and guts or guacamole monster goo for dipping.

Fruity Snacks For Kids This Halloween

Halloween is often time for a lot of sugar. If you’re trying to keep things more fresh and healthy, try these ideas.

Banana Ghosts: Slice bananas in half and make them into ghosts. Chocolate chips are good for faces here and squirty cream can be a fun addition.

Clementine Pumpkins: These little oranges can double up as mini pumpkins. Use cucumber or celery to replicate the stem.

Monster Apples: Slice apples into wedges and decorate and dip with peanut butter. Use sunflower for kids who are nut-free. Mini marshmallows make fabulous ‘teeth’. A strawberry slice is a good fruity ‘tongue’.

Kids Halloween Party Food Ideas

We’ve rounded up the best crowd-pleasers if you’re putting on a Halloween party for kids.

Witch’s Broomsticks: Use pretzel sticks as broom handles and attach strings of cheese to look like broom bristles.

Pumpkin Devilled Eggs: Make devilled eggs as usual, then sprinkle with paprika and use chive stems as pumpkin ‘stalks’.

Eyeball Pasta: A mozzarella decorated with an olive slice is a fab way to create an ‘eyeball’. Alternatively, meatballs might become cooked ‘eyeballs’ in a fun and gruesome pasta dish.

Saucy dishes and different pastas can be renamed all sorts of spooky things for Halloween. Think brains, blood, guts and gore. If your kids like that sort of thing!

Sweet treats for kids at Halloween

Spider web cupcakes: Using melted chocolate or black icing to make spiders webs on top of white iced cupcakes. There are so many ways you can decorate cakes or biscuits with Halloween shapes or making Halloween faces to make them fun for Halloween.

Frankenstein Rice Krispy Cakes: Use food colouring – we suggest green here to tint the marshmallow mix for rice krispy cakes and make them extra Halloween-y.

Pumpkin Rice Cakes: Use simple rice cakes to make pumpkin faces, with orange spread or peanut butter, coloured cream cheese or frosting and then decorate. Get creative with chocolate chips, sultanas, fruit and sliced vegetables such as cucumbers for sweet or savory treats. Rice cakes provide a great blank canvas for all sorts of fun Halloween faces including witches, animals or monsters. Other foods that can be fun to decorate as digestive biscuits, shop bought Scotch pancakes or even slices of toast. Let your creative spirit run free.

Edible Crafts

Decorate biscuits or cupcakes with icing and sprinkles. You can buy Halloween-themed decorations from the shops if you have the budget. Chocolate fingers can make great ‘fingers’ or witches finger biscuits are a fun option for different shapes.

Again monster faces can be assembled with all different edible materials, including on toast and in sandwiches. Olives, cucumbers, tomatoes and different spreads can provide fun combinations to get messy and have fun.

Halloween popcorn: Get creative with toppings. Could salt be monster dandruff, pretzels, witches broomsticks and marshmallows ghosts or eyeballs.

Pumpkin-based foods

Use the seasonal ingredient: pumpkins to try out soups, pies, cakes, muffins and pancakes. There are many recipes online and the scooped out pumpkin from carving can be used to avoid waste. Pumpkin can also be cooked as a side vegetable and may be a great opportunity for your kid to try something new.

To cook pumpkin, start by cutting it in half and scooping out the seeds and stringy pulp. Slice into wedges or chunks, then choose your method: roasting (toss with oil and bake at 200°C/400°F for 25 to 35 minutes until tender), boiling/steaming (cook peeled cubes for 10 to 15 minutes until soft), or microwaving (place chunks in a covered dish with a little water, cook 10 minutes). Once cooked, scoop out the flesh or mash it. 

Pumpkin Muffins for Kids

These soft, lightly spiced muffins are a great way to get kids enjoying pumpkin!

Ingredients:

• 250g plain flour
  
• 1 tsp baking powder
  
• 1 tsp cinnamon
  
• ½ tsp nutmeg
  
• 200g pumpkin purée (fresh or canned)
  
• 100g sugar (or coconut sugar)
  
• 2 eggs
  
• 80ml vegetable oil
  
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
  

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F and line a muffin tray with cases.
   
2. In a bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and spices.
   
3. In another bowl, whisk pumpkin purée, sugar, eggs, oil, and vanilla.
   
4. Combine wet and dry mixtures, then spoon into muffin cases.
   
5. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until golden and springy.

Halloween Drinks for Kids

Witch’s Brew: Apple juice, lemonade, and a splash of sparkling water. You can add gummy worms to float on top.

‘Bloody” Berry Smoothies: Blend together strawberries, raspberries and yogurt and pretend it’s something gory.

Monster Milkshakes: Make chocolate or vanilla milkshakes, tint with food colouring, and top with whipped cream and candy eyes.

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Paper Crafts

Useful materials: coloured paper or card, scissors, glue or sellotape, pens, pencils and paints

Start collecting: Junk such as toilet roll cardboard tubes, colourful pipe cleaners, googly eyes

Paper Bats

Bring a touch of spooky magic to your home with these easy DIY paper bats (https://kiyafries.com/diy-paper-bats-with-free-printable-templates/), made using free printable templates. Simply print, trace onto black card, cut out, and hang them on walls, lampshades, or even branches for a striking Halloween effect. This quick and affordable craft is perfect for kids and creates decorations that look like bats fluttering right through your house.

Toilet Roll Monsters

Start collecting toilet roll cardboard tubes now and use craft materials to make them into silly or scary monsters for Halloween. A key craft material for Halloween is googly eyes which can be bought cheaply from craft shops or high street shops like The Works. Gather fun craft materials such as colourful pipe cleaners for arms. Or if you don’t have these, use other pieces of junk. Cut out shapes from other pieces of cardboard to make all sorts of monster-like limbs. Use coloured pens, pencils or paint to add to your Halloween designs.

Paper Plate Pumpkins

Paper plates can be a fun and cost-effective way to make a Halloween-themed kids craft. The round shape is perfect for makeshift pumpkins. If you can get hold of orange paper plates, great! They don’t have to be pumpkins, paper plates can also be used to make fun, scary or silly Halloween faces. Again, Googly eyes of all different sizes can be fun. Collect wrappers and shiny materials or fabric scraps to add to your designs.

Halloween Party Decorations

Kids Halloween crafts could be to make Halloween party decorations or general decorations for your home. Here are some ideas.

Ghost garlands

White card is great for making ghost garlands. Cut out shapes and use felt tips to draw on eyes (or our favourite – googly ones). Use string, to make the garlands ready to hang. The strong can be attached by punching holes with a hole punch, stapling on, sticking or sellotaping. We find holepunching works best.

Spider webs

There are many different materials that work well for Halloween spider webs. String or wool is a really good options, but get creative with whatever materials you like. Some people have made them with lolly sticks. You could make spiders from cardboard, craft materials or stick toy spiders on. Another good option is paper spider webs, which can be made like paper snowflakes you may have made before at Christmas. To do this, fold the paper and then carefully cut out a design.

Halloween Lanterns

Start collecting jam jars now and these can be made into Halloween lanterns, with fairy lights inside or a tea light. One option is to cover the jam jars in orange tissue paper to make them like pumpkins, or you could use glass painting paint to create spooky designs. Again, you’ve got it, we’re going to mention googly eyes, they can be fun with Halloween lanterns or jam jar pumpkins.

Pumpkin Crafts

We appreciate carving a pumpkin may be challenging with kids but did you know it’s still possible to have a fun time decorating pumpkins, without carving?!

Other options for decorating pumpkins at Halloween include; painting (glow-in-the-dark paint is  a fun option), using stickers and/or using fabric to collage onto them.

DIY Halloween Costumes

It makes sense to save money and use Halloween Kids Crafting as an opportunity to make your own Halloween costumes. Masks are a great option and can be held in place with elastic bands or string. Cut out shapes from white card or cardboard from your junk, including cereal boxes to make ghosts or monsters. If you’re feeling extra creative, try animal masks. Black cats or owls are great Halloween themes. Remember to cut holes for eyes, nose and mouth,

Paper and card can also be used for crowns, which can be decorated for Halloween. Old sheets and fabrics can be used to fashion ghost costumes or superhero capes. Cardboard, card and washed food containers can be transformed into wands and brooms. Another great option is using objects from nature such as sticks.

Other Halloween Kids Crafts Activity Ideas

• Decorate cakes and biscuits. Ideas include bats, spiders, monsters, witches and pumpkins. It’s amazing what you can do with icing
• Make trick-or-treat bags. Decorate bags ready for trick-or-treaters and you could also spend time filling them
• Use items from nature to make leaf ghosts, pinecone monsters or conker spiders
• Top hot chocolate with spooky toppings
• Decorate marshmallows with chocolate chip eyes
• Halloween drawing and colouring books

Top tips for stress-free crafting

• Clear enough space
• Allow enough time
• Lay all your craft materials out and share ideas
• Prepare the area – you may want to lay down a plastic tablecloth or newspaper to protect surfaces
• Wear craft-suitable clothes or use aprons to protect materials
• Keep things simple. No need for perfection
• Play a suitable playlist to create the mood you want
• Have fun
• Celebrate everything created
• Allow time for show and tell. Maybe have a play with the new creatures created
• Make space to hang or display crafts
• Leave time for everything to dry
• Consider giving extra crafts to friends and family as gifts
• Allow enough time to tidy up

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Halloween Kids Activities: Trick-or-Treating

Trick-or-Treating is the best known Halloween activity for kids and a great chance to wear fancy dress. You may want to team up with other families in your neighbourhood or check with neighbours to plan your Trick-or-Treating route ahead of time and make sure visitors will be welcome. Look out for houses with Halloween decorations and lit-up pumpkins as a clear sign the household is celebrating Halloween. To make things safe and enjoyable for everyone, it’s best to go out early, choose well-lit streets and plan your route. Plan the activity with other families so parents can be at hand to make sure their kids are safe. Remember not everyone welcomes Trick-or-Treaters and they may decide not to answer the door or turn you away. Be considerate of older people who may be feeling wary of people knocking on their door. Go along with your kids and you may consider giving them glow sticks or torches to light up their route.

Neighbours and friends – get your Halloween sweets and treats ready for Trick-or-Treaters. If you want to get involved, let your neighbours with kids know or make it clear with decorations or a sign on your front door. There are lots of special offers at this time of year on Halloween sweets and treats in the supermarket so you may want to get stocked up.

Pumpkin Carving

Another Halloween classic is pumpkin carving. Remember knives are sharp and pumpkins can be hard so if you are managing several children doing this activity, you might want to decorate pumpkins instead with paint, stickers or glitter. There’s nothing quite like a pumpkin with a carved face and lit up though, so remember to take your time with this fun Halloween activity. One benefit of not carving a pumpkin, is it will last longer. If you do carve out the insides, there are plenty of pumpkin recipes for you to try out, including soup and cakes.

Halloween Parties & Games

A great alternative to going outside and Trick-or-Treating is hosting a Halloween party at home. If the weather is bad or this feels like a safer option, then it’s easy to make party activities Halloween-themed. For example, spooky musical statues or pin the broom on the witch. Apple bobbing is perfect at this time of year too. You may have Halloween decorations stored from previous years or be able to stock up in the supermarkets with Halloween-themed party gear. Again, a great chance for fancy dress. There are lots of spooky tunes playlists available on Spotify or online too. An inside party could be a great chance to curl up and watch Halloween movies.

A Halloween party could also be a great opportunity for Halloween crafts. For example, maybe you could get crafty and make your own Halloween costumes. This is a great way to save money. Start collecting cardboard and other useful items now to get creative with this Halloween.

Another money saver could be to start making Halloween decorations now, ahead of your party. For example, cutting out and colouring bats, witches and monsters. Use string and other recycling bits to make spiders and webs to decorate your home or doorstep.

If you’re stuck for ideas, even just getting out craft materials and encouraging children to get creative is enough. You could draw the outline of a pumpkin and get children to decorate it with painting, felt tips, stickers or feathers. A great crafting material for Halloween is getting googly eyes. You could create, draw or paint silly monster faces or spooky patterns.

Outdoor Halloween Kids Activities: Treasure Hunt

A Halloween treasure hunt could be a great way to get outside in a more rural area or an area where you don’t have houses you know you can Trick-or-Treat. Glow in the dark objects are great way of having fun in the dark and toy spiders or torches can add a lot of fun if the theme is Trick-or-Treat. Of course, prizes or sweets at the end can bring the Treat to this Halloween activity. Having a Trick-or-Treat treasure hunt is a great way to have fun without knocking on strangers’ doors.

Pumpkin Trail

Is your neighbourhood really into Halloween? Well this time of year could be a great opportunity to have a walk around and look at the decorations or pumpkin displays without disturbing people on an Autumn evening! Maybe you could hold a Pumpkin trail with other neighbours or family in the area. For fun, you could also have a competition for best pumpkin. You could extend the categories to things such as silliest or scariest too. As long as no one feels left out!

Autumn Walk

Many people prefer not to focus on Halloween but it is still such a wonderful time of year to do fun things with the kids. The trees are turning from green to gold and there are plenty of leaves falling to kick into the air in the park. Make Halloween seasonal by collecting leaves, pinecones, conkers and acorns. These could be used to make seasonal decorations for Autumn. Maybe you could collect items from nature and make silly monster faces with them at home for Halloween.

If you go out on a walk, it can be a great time to learn about the cycles of nature, as well as watch birds and squirrels.

Other Halloween Kids Activities Ideas

• Halloween baking
• Spooky stories
• Watch Halloween movies
• STEM experiments such as vinegar and baking soda to create a “witch’s brew”
• Mindful crafts to help children unwind after a full on day at school

Sensory friendly activities

For some children, Halloween may feel overwhelming. Adapt these ideas depending on your child’s needs. For example, a quiet movie night, small craft activity or earlier Trick-or-Treat visit can help them feel included.

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Halloween Home Craft Ideas

DIY Gothic Candle Holders

As the evenings draw in, it’s the perfect time to bring candlelight into your home, just in time for the spooky season. Used wine bottles and old jam jars make great holders for long white candles or tea lights. You can make them look gothic for Halloween by using matte black spray paint. Options for the next layer of decoration include lace trim, which you could find in craft shops or charity shops, silver paint or pen, or start using them so the wax starts to dramatically drip down the side. Cluster your decorations together on a mantlepiece or shelf for an eye-catching look. Or they could be a central decoration on a dining table.

Pumpkins

Pumpkin carving needs to be handled with care whether you’re overseeing a child or you’re a fully grown adult! Be careful! To make your pumpkins last longer and to avoid sliced fingers, you could paint them instead. Metallic paints work well and look great against a black tablecloth. Fabric scraps or velvet also work well being tied around the pumpkins for a cosy and soft gothic effect.

Haunted Terraniums

Try this twist on the classic terrarium. Fill a glass vase or cloche with moss and twigs, then make it spooky with small plastic skeletons or spiders from the Halloween section at the supermarket or a craft shop. Draw attention to them with clusters of fairy lights to make them light up in the evenings. These also make excellent table centrepieces.

Halloween Party Craft Ideas: Handmade Invitations

If you’re hosting a Halloween party for friends, personalised crafted invites can add a special touch. Use black card, metallic pens, and wax seals for a gothic touch.

Themed Glassware

Glass etching kits can help you transform plain glass into something spooky. Black ribbons and charms around the stems of wine glasses can also be a nice touch. Make homemade cocktail stirrers with plastic bats, skulls or glittery spiders glued onto sticks.

Crafty photobooth

Set up your own DIY photobooth with witch’s hats, wigs and masks. You could decorate it by cutting out bats from black card, making spider webs from wool or even make streamers and paper chains in Halloween colours. Instagram-worthy Halloween photos will be yours in no time.

Halloween Craft Ideas For Costumes: Masquerade Masks

Clever crafts can save you money on buying shop-bought Halloween costumes. Plain masquerade masks are easy to buy in craft shops and easy to decorate and make look elegant. You could decorate it with lace, glitter, feathers or sequins. Black, gold and reds make good Halloween colours. You could also collage shiny materials or use paint to decorate your spooky masks.

Gothic Jewellery

Jewellery can turn any plain outfit into something Halloween-themed. For example, get a spider or some tiny skulls and make a necklace or earrings that can be used year-on-year or even given as Halloween gifts.

Re-use old clothes

Repurpose old clothes by taking the scissors to them for a Halloween look, stitch things together or use fabric scraps to change an old outfit. Red fabric paint can be splattered on white fabric to be a vampire or a zombie. A black dress with a handmade lacey cape makes a great witch’s outfit.

Halloween Tableware

Pick up some skulls from the Halloween section at the supermarket or a charity shop if you’re lucky and draw or paint on them to refresh them and make them unique. Dried black roses or black fake flowers can be wrapped around skulls to craft Halloween tableware. Another idea is to use red food colouring to a glass bowl of water and put eyeballs at the bottom!

You can also craft Halloween tableware such as napkins by using black lace or ribbon, small spider charms and add mini pumpkins to the table set up too. Painted glasses can be used as snack bowls or to hold tea lights.

Halloween Craft Projects: Macramé Ghost: Step-by-step

Cute, spooky and perfectly drapey, this macramé ghost is a quick project for beginners with a few simple knots. Below is a clear step-by-step outline you can follow (with options for simple or more refined versions).

Materials & sizing (choose based on desired finished size)

Dowel / branch: 20 to 30 cm (8–12″) for a small ghost; 35–50 cm (14 to 20″) for a bigger one.

Macramé cord: 3 to 5 mm cotton cord (soft natural cotton works best).

Cord lengths (guideline):

Small ghost (35 to 45 cm / 14 to 18″ finished): 12 cords × 1.8–2.0 m (6 to 6.5 ft) each.

Medium (60 cm / 24″ finished): 12 to 16 cords × 3 to 3.5 m each.

Tip: cut a little extra: macramé consumes cord in knots.

Extras: scissors, ruler/tape, comb (wide-tooth), optional small safety pin or clamp, felt or buttons for eyes, glue or needle & thread.

Quick knot refresher

Lark’s Head: fold cord in half, loop over the dowel and pull tails through the loop to attach.

Square Knot (alternating): common flat knot for macramé panels.

Wrapping/Gathering Knot: used to make the ghost’s head (wrap a short cord many times around a bundle and tuck/tie off).

Optional: Half Hitch / Diagonal Half Hitch: for shaping if you want a tapered body with neat lines.

Step-by-step

1. Prepare and attach cords

Cut your cords to length. Fold each cord in half.

Attach them to the dowel using Lark’s Head knots. For a classic look, attach cords evenly across the dowel so you have a thick curtain of cords hanging down.

2. Mark the head position

Decide where the ghost’s “head” will sit: usually the centre of the piece.

Count and separate the central 6 to 10 cords (depending on how big you want the head). These will be gathered to form the head; the remaining cords become the body/fringe.

3. Form the head with a gathering (wrap) knot

Take a short piece of cord (about 40 to 60 cm): this will be your wrapping cord.

Hold the central bundle together at the point where you want the top of the head to be (about 6 to 8 cm / 2½ to 3″ from the top for a small ghost).

Make a small loop under the bundle and start wrapping tightly around the bundle with the short cord: wrap 25 to 40 times depending on cord thickness. Keep wraps neat and tight.

After wrapping, thread the working end through the initial loop, then pull the short tail to tighten the wraps into a neat gathering knot. Trim ends and tuck under the wraps or secure with a dot of glue. (Alternative: tie a tight overhand knot around the bundle and secure: less neat but quick.)

4. Create the body (simple method)

Below the gathering knot, leave a short “neck” of straight cords (2 to 4 cm).

To give the ghost some structure, tie one row of alternating square knots across the next 6 to 10 cm (optional). This creates a subtle chest/shoulder area.

For a tapered ghost shape, trim the fringe into a gentle triangle: shorter at the sides and longer in the centre (or vice versa, depending on desired silhouette). Use a ruler and lightly mark before cutting.

5. (Optional) Shaped body with diagonal lines

If you prefer a neater, more designed shape, use Diagonal Double Half Hitch rows: anchor a working cord at one side and knot diagonally across the cords to make angled lines that taper toward the centre: repeat on both sides to form a triangle skirt.

This gives a cleaner, stylistic ghost silhouette instead of trimming alone.

6. Eyes and facial details

Cut two small black circles from felt and glue them on for eyes (or use black wooden beads or safety-eyes if the ghost is for decoration and not for small children).

For a more minimal look, embroider small black stitches or use permanent fabric marker. Placement: roughly 6 to 8 cm below the gathering knot for a balanced face.

7. Finish the fringe

Comb out the fringe below the body for a soft, wispy look (use a wide-tooth comb).

Trim the fringe to shape: either blunt across, rounded, or triangular taper. For a wispy, ghostly edge, point-cut small V-shapes into the ends.

Optional: wet the cotton slightly and let it dry to relax curls and fluff the fringe.

8. Hanging and display

Tie a length of cord to each end of the dowel or create a loop in the middle for hanging.

Hang against a wall, in a window, or suspended from the ceiling with clear fishing line for a floating ghost look.

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