Art Project Halloween Art Lesson Spooky Jar October Artwork Autumn Art Activity

In this Spooky Jar Halloween Art Lesson, students design their own jars filled with creepy surprises using watercolor paint and colored pencils. It is a mixed media project for your October art plans or Halloween week, built around creativity, seasonal themes and thoughtful artmaking.

It is designed for Grade 3, Grade 4 and Grade 5 students. Students explore color blending with watercolor and pencil crayon and stretch their imaginations as they decide what goes in their jars, while a Halloween-themed reading passage adds a cross-curricular connection.

WHAT TEACHERS ARE SAYING

★★★★ “I really enjoyed using this resource in my classroom. The directions were clear and easy to follow, which made implementation smooth. My students were engaged while completing the activity, and it provided meaningful learning opportunities that supported our objectives. I appreciated how the resource reinforced key skills and encouraged student thinking. Overall, this was a great addition to my lessons, and I would definitely use it again.” Taylor L.

WHAT'S INCLUDED (NON-EDITABLE PDF)

• Lesson Plan with learning objectives, materials list and teaching steps
• Halloween-Themed Reading Passage
• Lesson Hook
• Step-by-Step Visual and Text Guide
• Example Artwork
• Student Reference Handouts
• Display Sign for your classroom or hallway
• Rubric
• Student Reflection Sheet and Artist Statement Template
• K-W-L Chart

All content is in American English.

HOW TO USE IT

Start with the hook and the reading passage, then use the step-by-step guide to demonstrate each stage. The project combines drawing, color theory and storytelling, and the reflection pages encourage critique and creative thinking at the end.

It works for classroom teachers, art specialists, homeschool educators and substitute teachers, and fits fast finishers, sub days, art stations, Halloween art centers, art-on-a-cart and distance or hybrid learning.

NATIONAL ART STANDARDS

• VA:Cr1.1.3a Elaborate on an imaginative idea.
• VA:Cr1.2.3a Apply knowledge of available resources, tools, and technologies to investigate personal ideas through the art-making process.
• VA:Cr2.1.3a Create personally satisfying artwork using a variety of artistic processes and materials.
• VA:Cr2.2.4a When making works of art, utilize and care for materials, tools, and equipment in a manner that prevents danger to oneself and others.
• VA:Cr1.2.5a Identify and demonstrate diverse methods of artistic investigation to choose an approach for beginning a work of art.
• VA:Cr2.1.5a Experiment and develop skills in multiple art-making techniques and approaches through practice.
• VA:Cr2.2.5a Demonstrate quality craftsmanship through care for and use of materials, tools, and equipment.

FAQ

Who is this for?

Grades 3 to 5. It can be adapted for slightly older or younger students depending on their experience with watercolor and drawing.

How long will it take?

On average 2 to 3 class periods, depending on skill level, class behavior, your teaching style and the time in each session. You can extend it with writing reflections, artist statements or a class critique.

Is it editable?

No. It is a non-editable PDF.

ALL TEACHER REVIEWS

★★★★ “This was a fun art project to do around Halloween.” Breagh M.

★★★★ “This is a fun art lesson that gives students step by step instructions. I liked that there were review pages for their art.” Kelsey P.

★★★★ “The kids had so much fun putting their own gross and spooky items in their jars. This was a fun October art project that will be reused for years to come!” Christine P.

★★★★ “My students love this activity!! Their jars are so cute and so unique” Jenifer H.

★★★★ “Very creative Halloween project, my students really enjoyed it.” Emily T.

Get free, classroom-ready art lessons and printables in my Free Art Lesson Library.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathleen McGiveron (Ms Artastic) is an artist who has been featured on NBC LX News and designs art lessons for kids and educational resources for teachers. She is the founder of Ms Artastic and hosts the Ms Artastic YouTube Channel and Podcast.

TERMS OF USE

Images and lessons are copyright products.

YOU MAY: use this in creative ways and have as much fun with it as you like. Any clip art may be used as clip art, website graphics, binder covers or bulletin board decorations. Additional licenses are available for school use.

YOU MAY NOT: use this on OutSchool, put it on your blog, share it with other teachers, administration or districts (admin can buy additional licenses), sell it, give it out for free or photocopy it for others.

Sincerely,

Ms Artastic