Lovely Halloween

Handmade Halloween message cards! From illustrations to moving mechanisms

Handmade Halloween message cards! From illustrations to moving mechanisms

Last updated:2025/9/18

Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!
POPS writer/editorKEI
Since discovering music during my school days, I’ve mainly listened to Japanese and Korean pop. I have experience writing articles for sites like Utaten. 2000s J-pop and 2010s K-pop were especially the soundtrack of my youth. With the mindset that “good is good,” I enjoy music across genres. Thanks to past work environments and their influence, I was exposed to lots of classic rock and kayōkyoku (Japanese popular songs), which may have broadened the scope of what I love. At RAG MUSIC, I currently focus on K-pop and J-pop. I strive to edit with a feel for the scene and an eye for hit potential.

Message cards you’ll want to give for Halloween.

Store-bought ones are cute, but if possible, you’d love to handcraft one yourself, right?

In this article, we’ll introduce Halloween cards that are perfect for making by hand!

You might think they’re difficult, but there are plenty of videos that carefully walk you through the steps, so even first-timers will want to give it a try!

With illustrations, decorations, fun pop-ups—your message card options are endless depending on your ideas.

They’re sure to make your Halloween even more special!

Handmade Halloween Message Cards! From Illustrations to Moving Mechanisms (1–10)

A playful ferris wheel pop-up card

Handmade album: Halloween 🎃 Cute Ferris wheel mechanism ♪ You can write messages too!

A playful ferris wheel pop-up card

This is a lively message card where various Halloween motifs rotate like a Ferris wheel.

It’s made using a pop-up mechanism: when you pull the top of the card, the Ferris wheel rises up in three dimensions.

The base is created by laminating three sheets of paper and consists of a pull-up mountain fold mechanism and a foundation piece, with the rotating Ferris wheel attached to the mechanism.

Because the Ferris wheel mechanism stands out, you might design the gondolas—represented by Halloween motifs—to open up, providing space to write messages inside.

Also, when the Ferris wheel pops up, a space appears in the front; you could hide an illustration there to create a surprise element, which would be fun as well.

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A Halloween card with ghosts popping out

A Halloween card with pop-up ghosts full of surprise is a card that both adults and children will want to open again and again.

Print the template, cut out each part along the outlines, and add fold lines.

After attaching the ghost parts to the base, prepare another base sheet and stick them together with double-sided tape.

Be careful to align the slits in the ghost and the base so they don’t shift when you attach them.

Glue on the pumpkin’s face, and if the card opens and closes smoothly, it’s complete.

It would also make a delightful invitation for a Halloween party.

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A message card with a rotating mechanism

The moment you open it you’ll find yourself saying “Wow!” This rotating pop-up message card captivates with its unexpected movement—perfect for a Halloween surprise.

Print the template and cut it to match your construction paper.

Stretch a thread across the center of the paper and tape the heart pieces together around the center.

Since it’s Halloween, we recommend using bat or pumpkin designs instead of the heart.

Stick the same shape on both sides to hide the thread.

Fold in two places like an accordion, then attach the second mechanism base.

It’s a perfect Halloween card that feels both special and handmade—give it a try!

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[Hand-drawn] Simple Ghost Halloween Card

[Ghosts are coming out] I tried drawing a simple and cute ghost Halloween card! #shorts #halloween #drawing #doodle

[Hand-drawn] Simple Ghost Halloween Card

With just minimal supplies, you can make a ghost-themed Halloween card that parents and kids can enjoy creating together.

Prepare a sheet of construction paper and stick a wide strip of masking tape down the center.

Draw a ghost over it with colored pens.

To give it a Halloween vibe, add a witch’s hat and a bow tie—now you’ve got a ghost in costume.

Finally, peel off the masking tape, add color, and write your message.

Including an original message is a lovely touch.

You can also draw bats and pumpkins around it or add Halloween-patterned masking tape to make the card even more festive.

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[Origami] Pumpkin ghost frame that can also be used as a message card

[Halloween Origami] How to fold a pumpkin ghost (frame) with audio commentary ☆ Origami Halloween Jack-o’-lantern tutorial / Tatsukuri

[Origami] Pumpkin ghost frame that can also be used as a message card

The pumpkin ghost frame made with origami is great for message cards and is also recommended for anyone who wants to enjoy making Halloween decorations with children.

Prepare your origami paper and start by making the creases.

When folding the pumpkin frame, the key is to keep the width and balance even.

You can add variation by cutting black or yellow origami paper and placing it inside the mouth.

Writing a message inside or inserting a photo and hanging it on the wall can boost the Halloween vibe and make things more festive.

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[Origami] Skull Message Card with a Movable Mouth

[Halloween Origami] How to fold a skull with a mouth that opens #origamicraft #origamitutorial #origami #origami #handmade

[Origami] Skull Message Card with a Movable Mouth

An idea where pulling the skeleton’s mouth reveals a message.

This is made entirely from origami, with the skeleton body and the message portion created separately.

There aren’t any particularly difficult folding steps, but the mouth area involves some fine work, so fold carefully.

For the message section, use origami paper cut in half, then attach the finished piece to the body so it slides.

Try changing the origami color and the expression you draw on the skeleton with a pen to create the look you like.

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A message card with a moving ghost

Ghosts that move?! A spinning Halloween mechanism ♡ [Handmade Album] [Handmade Card]

A message card with a moving ghost

When you open the card, a child’s photo appears, and a ghost twirls around it.

Glue purple and orange origami paper onto black construction paper to create a colorful base, then draw and cut out a circular hole on the cover.

This will be the window where the photo shows through.

Fold a strip of thick paper into a mountain fold and a valley fold to create the rotating axis piece, combine it with a circular frame that will be the ghost’s base, and attach it to the card.

Add the photo and the ghost, write a message in the blank space, decorate, and you’re done.

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