Halloween gets even more exciting! A collection of DIY mask ideas using a variety of materials
Ghosts, skeletons, bats, and jack-o’-lanterns—when it comes to Halloween, all the creepy, slightly scary characters come together! Even if makeup seems tricky, you can easily enjoy dressing up with a handmade mask.
They’re simple to make with paper or fabric, and you can decorate them however you like! Here’s how to create whimsical masks that kids and adults alike can enjoy with excitement.
Add some clever touches around the eyes and mouth for a more authentic finish.
Become your favorite character and have fun this Halloween!
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Halloween gets exciting! A collection of DIY mask ideas with various materials (11–20)
Spider-Man
The hugely popular movie Spider-Man is based on American comics.
Many people go all-out with a full Spider-Man outfit for Halloween.
If a full costume feels like too much, why not just enjoy the vibe with a mask? For a simple version, just draw the eyes and web pattern on red paper.
But if you want a realistic web-like pattern and texture, I recommend using a hot glue gun.
Trace the Spider-Man pattern with the glue gun over a face-shaped base, then remove it from the mold and spray it red.
You’ll end up with a Spider-Man mask that looks and feels impressively realistic!
Dokin-chan
Despite being Anpanman’s foe, Dokin-chan is beloved by children and adults alike for her cute side.
With red, white, and orange construction paper, you can easily make an adorable Dokin-chan mask.
All you have to do is cut out each part from the corresponding paper and glue them together.
For the eyes, you can use black construction paper like the other parts, but drawing them afterward is simpler.
You can also draw the eye outlines first and then cut openings so you can see through.
Change the colors, and it becomes Kokin-chan, Dokin-chan’s younger sister!
zombie
Zombies have been the subject of many films and are a staple of Halloween costumes.
Zombie makeup is popular, but if you want an easier way to become a zombie, masks are recommended.
Just paste a zombie photo onto cardstock and use it as is to create a super simple zombie mask.
If you’ve done zombie makeup before, you could even use a photo of yourself from that time.
Another idea is to paste a photo of your own face onto cardstock and add zombie makeup directly to the photo.
On a photo, you can easily create zombie makeup with pens or paints, even without makeup tools.
owl
Owls can look cute in bright light, but when you see them hooting in the dark at night, they can feel a bit eerie, right? Why not make a mask and turn yourself into one of those slightly spooky owls! Cut out the shape of an owl’s face from paper in your favorite color, and just punch out holes where the eyes are—done! If you want a scarier vibe, it’s best to model it after an owl whose eyes look more slanted.
Also, if you add the beak separately afterward to give it some three-dimensionality, it’ll look even cooler!
Monster
Let’s try becoming all kinds of monsters from around the world by using masks! This is perfect for those who’ve got their costume ready from the neck down but find creating a monster face with makeup a hassle.
A simple method is to cut out a face shape from thick paper or cardstock and then add features afterward.
For the add-on parts, you can use not only paper but also fabric and string; and when drawing wounds or scars, using special-effects stage blood will boost realism and scariness.
For children, try making a mask inspired by monsters that appear in their favorite anime.
Monster mask
Recommended when you want an easy costume! Here’s an idea for a photo-prop-style monster mask.
You’ll need paper plates, a wooden skewer (or chopstick), and paint.
First, cut a paper plate at about one-third.
On the larger piece, cut out holes for the eyes and nose, then paint it.
Cut the smaller piece to make the monster’s horns.
Attach the horns, then fix the wooden skewer to the back—and you’re done.
Add eyes on the forehead, draw patterns on the horns—decorate it however you like to create the monster you imagine.
werewolf
The werewolf, which originated in Europe, typically features a wolf’s face and a human body.
Wearing a common wolf mask is fine, but if you want an easy costume, making a wolf face with a simple mask is a good option.
Unlike humans, wolves have lots of fur on their faces, so if you want a more realistic look, try attaching yarn or similar materials to the mask to recreate the wolf’s fur.
You can go for a dark, monochrome vibe or change the yarn color for different areas to add depth.
Just by changing how you represent the fur, you can create all kinds of werewolves!
oni; demon; ogre; spirit (depending on context)
When Setsubun comes around, parents sometimes wear masks and play the role of the oni (ogre), right? Since Halloween features all kinds of costumes, transforming into an oni is of course OK too! If you make an oni mask for Halloween, you can conveniently use it again during the next Setsubun.
It’s simple: cut a face shape from red or blue construction paper, add horns, and use yarn to make the oni’s hair.
Using a paper plate for the face itself reduces the amount of cutting, so it’s recommended.
You can paint it your favorite colors, tear and paste origami paper, and create the oni in lots of different ways—perfect as a craft project for kids!
No-Face
Let’s try making a mask of No-Face, the character from Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away! Since No-Face looks like it’s already wearing a mask, it should be easy to picture how to make one.
The simplest method is to cut white construction paper and draw the facial markings.
Another option is to attach white air-dry clay onto a piece of cardboard to create a mask base.
This approach captures a more impersonal, mask-like feel than paper alone.
Once the mask is done, just drape yourself in black fabric to complete the full-body look!
Akaza
Akaza, the Upper Rank demon who appeared in the blockbuster film Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train.
Some of you might be planning to go all-in with a full-body costume for Halloween, but many probably feel the face markings are tough to pull off.
In that case, make a mask and become Akaza from head to toe in no time! You can draw Akaza’s face on paper and mount it on thick cardstock, or print a face illustration and glue it to cardstock—there are lots of ways to make it.
You could also add just the hair by attaching reddish yarn.
It’s recommended both as part of a full costume and as a simple mini disguise with just the mask.