Halloween Paper Village: Printable Houses to Build with Kids (Free PDF)

Halloween is just around the corner and children won't stop talking about it. First come costumes and candy, but there's also a quieter activity that fills an afternoon well: building a Halloween paper village.

You cut, fold, glue, and in the end each little house lights up with an LED candle. It's a simple idea, perfect for au pairs looking for something to do with kids away from screens and for families wanting quality playtime together, maybe in the days just before the party.

What's in the PDF

The PDF is free and includes:

• 4 pre-colored houses: the Haunted House, the Witch's Cottage, the Pumpkin Shop and the Ghost Inn
• 1 white house to color as you like
• Cone-shaped witch hats to cut out and decorate the village
• A cover with instructions and a materials list

What you'll need

• Cardstock 160-200 g (white or colored)
• Scissors or craft knife with cutting mat (craft knife for adults only)
• Glue stick or white glue
• Colored pencils and markers
• One LED candle for each house, for the spooky light effect

Print in A4 landscape at 100%, without "fit to page", otherwise the tabs won't match up.

How to build it

1. Print on cardstock: regular paper is too light.
2. Cut along the solid line, including the white tabs.
3. Fold along the dashed lines.
4. Glue the side tab to close the four walls.
5. Attach the roof: fold it in half and glue it to the roof tabs.
6. Turn on the LED candle and place it inside the house.

Ideas to make the village even spookier (but not too much)

• Make up a story. Who lives in the Haunted House? Is the ghost mean or just shy? Let the kids tell the story.
• Color the white house however you like: a bat house, a monster bakery, a witch's school.
• Add homemade decorations: cotton cobwebs, paper pumpkins, small cardboard tombstones.
• Create the "neighborhood" by setting the houses on a table with a dark cloth and the witch hats as trees.

For younger children who scare easily, just choose bright colors and funny characters: Halloween can be more fun than scary.

A chance to practice English

The PDF is in English: instructions, shop signs and labels ("cut", "fold"). Halloween is an Anglo-Saxon tradition, so it's the perfect time for some new words: haunted, witch, ghost, pumpkin, spooky, trick or treat. As you work, name objects and steps in English, in a light and casual way without lessons. For families with a native-speaking au pair, it's also a small cultural exchange: ask them how Halloween is celebrated in their country.

Why it's a great activity for an au pair

An au pair who suggests simple, fun hands-on activities gets to know the children and builds trust with the family. You only need a PDF, some cardstock and a free afternoon, with no expenses or major preparation.

If you're a family looking for an au pair who can suggest activities like this, on AuPair Plus you can sign up and use the site for free, at no cost to families.