Easy Halloween Craft for Kids: Ripped-Paper Mummy

This adorable ripped-paper mummy Halloween craft is super easy to do with kids of all ages, even toddlers! Grab the free printable template and get ready for some spooky crafting fun.

If you’re looking for a simple Halloween craft for kids that doesn’t require a trip to the craft store, this ripped-paper mummy is a winner!

With just a few basic supplies (and a free printable mummy template) kids can create their own Halloween mummy using strips of torn paper. It’s an easy Halloween activity for preschoolers, elementary-aged kids, or even older kids who enjoy getting creative. Plus, all that ripping is great for developing fine motor skills for kids…and it’s surprisingly therapeutic for tired moms.

I especially love this craft because there’s really no wrong way to make it. Kids can tear their paper into big pieces or tiny strips, make their mummy neat and tidy or completely covered in crisscrossing “bandages,” and give it whatever personality they want.

My youngest son and I had so much fun making these last week, and I was thrilled that they turned out even better in real life than I had imagined.

Aren’t they just the cutest mummies you’ve ever seen?

Want to make your own? Here’s the full tutorial!

Ripped-paper Mummy Halloween Craft

Materials Needed:

Free printable mummy template
White paper
Black construction paper or cardstock
Glue stick or liquid glue
Scissors
Googly eyes (optional)
Markers or crayons (optional)

How to Make a Ripped-Paper Mummy:

1. Print the mummy template. Start by printing the free mummy outline template on white paper. You could use cardstock, but that might make it harder to see the template lines when you cut it out later.

2. Tear the paper into strips. This is the fun part! Give your kids some white paper and let them tear it into strips and pieces. They might look at you funny for a moment, questioning if you really want them to rip up a piece of paper. Have fun with it, and remind them that their rips don’t need to be perfect. In fact, uneven pieces make the mummy look more interesting.

3. Start with the eyes. Googly eyes are optional, but I think it makes the mummy look extra fun, so we did it. I just colored part of the mummy’s face (I chose orange. My son chose black.) and glued googly eyes on top of the colored part. Then we were ready to cover the rest of him!

4. Cover the mummy with “bandages.” Glue the torn pieces of white paper over the top of the mummy template (DON’T cut it out yet). You can layer the paper strips however you want to create the look of mummy bandages.

I did mine at different angles to create diagonal lines criss-crossing the mummy, but there’s really no wrong method. In fact, when I looked at what my son was doing, I questioned how it would turn out, but his looks great! So, give your kids free reign on this one. Just try to cover all the template lines, and make sure that the paper is secured with glue.

5. Cut out the mummy and show it off! Once the glue is dry, flip the paper over and you should still be able to see the outline of the template. Cut along the lines, and you will have a completed mummy that’s ready to hang up on the wall!

Additional Ideas for Your Mummy Craft

Want to take this simple Halloween craft a little further? Try one of these ideas:

Make a mummy family: Create mummies of different sizes and make a whole family!
Add a spooky background: Glue your mummy onto black paper and add stars, a moon, bats, or a haunted house.
Make a mummy puppet: Glue the finished mummy onto a craft stick for a simple Halloween puppet.
Turn it into a Halloween decoration: Punch a hole in the top and hang your mummy from a door, wall, or window.
Try different colors: Who says mummies have to be white? Let kids experiment with gray, tan, purple, or even colorful “bandages.”
Add a name: Give your mummy a funny name and write a little story about where it came from.

Most importantly: Let the kids lead!

This is one of those crafts where it really doesn’t matter what the finished product looks like.

If your child’s mummy has enormous googly eyes, barely any paper, 47 layers of “bandages,” or a completely unexpected color scheme, that’s okay!

Resist the urge to fix it or show them how you would do it. Let them tear, glue, layer, experiment, and make choices for themselves. The goal isn’t to create a perfect Halloween decoration—the goal is to give kids a chance to create, play, and have fun. Even if it means you have to sit on your hands.

Because, really, their uniquely creative version is the one you’re going to love the most anyway.

Happy Halloween!