Origami Ghost In Pumpkin

Create an adorable origami ghost in a pumpkin for your Halloween crafts!

With just one sheet of paper, this no-glue, no-scissors craft is perfect for table settings, wreaths, garlands, and Halloween tree ornaments.

An easy and fun project to add a spooky touch to your fall décor!

As Halloween approaches, it’s the perfect time to add a little DIY charm to your decorations.

What better way to celebrate than with this origami ghost in a pumpkin?

This craft is quick, easy, and requires only one sheet of paper—no scissors or glue needed!

Whether you're setting the mood for a Halloween dinner, decorating your Halloween tree, or adding a fun touch to a wreath or garland, this simple project is versatile and fun to make.

Origami is a fantastic way to create delightful decorations without needing a lot of materials.

This origami ghost fits perfectly inside a pumpkin base, giving it that classic spooky vibe for your fall crafts.

The beauty of this design is in its simplicity—just a single sheet of paper, and you can fold your way to a cute, little ghost that’s ready to hang or stand proudly on your table!

Perfect for Halloween parties, trick-or-treating decorations, or even as a fun addition to your fall mantelpiece, this origami ghost in a pumpkin is a craft that everyone can enjoy making.

Plus, since it’s so simple and quick to create, you can make a whole bunch of these to decorate an entire room with minimal effort.

Add a festive touch to your home while getting into the Halloween spirit with this fun origami project!

Why You'll Love This Pattern

• Quick & easy – No scissors or glue required, making it perfect for beginners and kids alike.
• Perfect for fall – Ideal for Halloween table settings, wreaths, and garlands.
• Versatile use – Great for ornaments, decorations, and trick-or-treating bags.
• One sheet only – A simple and economical craft that doesn’t require a lot of materials.
• Customizable – Use any color paper to match your Halloween theme!
• Make many of these DIY origami ghosts in various sizes and use them as ornaments or on a garland.
• Don’t be put off by the number of steps in this Halloween origami ghost in pumpkin! We have broken them down so that it is easier for you to understand.

Skill Level

★★☆☆☆ (Easy)

Materials Needed

• 1 sheet of square origami paper (any color you prefer)
• Marker, optional, to decorate your ghost.

Instructions

Step 1: Start with the color you want your pumpkin to be facing down. The color facing up will become your ghost. In this case, our ghost will be white and our pumpkin will be orange.

Step 2: Fold the bottom left corner up to meet the top right corner.

Step 3: Unfold previous step.

Step 4: Fold the bottom right corner up to meet the top left corner.

Step 5: Unfold previous step.

Step 6: Fold the bottom edge up to meet the top edge.

Step 7: Unfold previous step.

Step 8: Fold the right edge to meet the left edge.

Step 9: Unfold previous step.

Step 10: We will now divide your paper into thirds. Do to this, you could use a ruler, mark the paper and then fold it (e.g. if your paper is 6 inches (15cm), make marks at 2 inches (5 cm) and 4 inches (10 cm). Then fold along those lines). If you use a ruler to divide your paper into thirds, skip to step 15.

Alternatively, you could use the following method to divide your paper into thirds (we like to call this the “S” method: Pick up your paper and make it into an “S” shape, until the paper becomes divided equally into thirds. Then, make a slight crease on both edges.

Step 11: Still using the “S” method: Open out your paper and place it back onto your table. Fold the right edge over to the left along the mark you made.

Step 12: Still using the “S” method: Unfold previous step.

Step 13: Still using the “S” method: Fold the left edge over to the right along the other mark you made.

Step 14: Still using the “S” method: Unfold previous step. You have now divided your paper into thirds.

Step 15: Rotate your paper 90 degrees as shown.

Step 16: Once again, we need to divide the paper into thirds. Do so using the method of your choice. After this you will end up with a 3 x 3 grid (9 individual squares) dividing your paper.

Step 17: Flip your paper over from left to right and arrange it to sit like a diamond shape.

Step 18: Fold the left and right points in to meet the points shown.

Step 19: Unfold previous step.

Step 20: Flip your paper over from left to right.

Step 21: Fold the bottom point up to meet the centre point.

Step 22: Fold the left point in to meet the centre point.

Step 23: Fold the left point back towards the left along the line shown.

Step 24: Repeat steps 22 and 23 for the right side.

Step 25: Fold the paper in half from left to right.

Step 26: Fold the bottom edge up along the line shown.

Step 27: Rotate your paper 90 degrees so that it sits as shown.

Step 28: Fold the top flap towards the left, opening it out to form a triangle.

Step 29: Flip your paper over from left to right.

Step 30: Fold the left flap to the right, opening it up and then flattening it like you did in step 28, only this time it will form a square.

Step 31: Fold the top point down to meet the point shown.

Step 32: Unfold previous step.

Step 33: Flip your paper over from top to bottom.

Step 34: Fold the top right flap to the left (like turning a page in a book).

Step 35: Fold the upper point of that same flap to meet the point shown.

Step 36: Unfold previous step.

Step 37: Fold that same point down to meet the point shown (this is the end of the crease you made in step 35).

Step 38: Refold the flap towards the right along the existing crease line.

Step 39: Fold the entire flap back towards the right.

Step 40: Now we will do the same with the left side. Fold the top left flap towards the right.

Step 41: Fold the upper point of that same flap to meet the point shown.

Step 42: Unfold previous step.

Step 43: Fold the same point down to meet the point shown(this is the end of the crease you made in step 41).

Step 44: Refold the flap towards the left along the existing crease line.

Step 45: Fold the entire flap back towards the left.

Step 46: Flip your paper over from top to bottom.

Step 47: Slightly open out your paper as shown. Then fold along the lines shown.

Tips For Success

• Use a sturdy paper – Origami paper works best for sharp, clean folds, but regular printer paper will work too.
• Sharp creases – Make sure to crease each fold as sharply as possible for a clean, crisp look.
• Adjust for size – If you prefer a smaller or larger ghost, you can adjust the size of the square paper.
• Decorate further – Feel free to draw faces on your ghosts or add embellishments like googly eyes for extra spookiness.

Color, Paper Ideas, and Variations

• Classic Orange & White – Use orange for the pumpkin and white for the ghost for a classic Halloween look.
• Try neon pink or green for a modern Halloween theme.
• Use textured or patterned paper for a more intricate design. You could try paper with a spiderweb pattern or Halloween motifs for extra flair.
• Glow-in-the-Dark Paper – Perfect for creating a spooky effect in the dark!
• Mini Versions – For a more playful touch, make miniature versions of the ghost in the pumpkin to hang as a garland.

FAQ

Other Paper Crafts You Might Like To Try:

• 2D Origami Pumpkin
• Origami Hearts
• 2D Origami Bell
• DIY Paper Envelope
• DIY Bunny Cake Toppers
• Origami Wreath
• Easy Origami Bunny in Egg
• Jumping Origami Snake

Helpful Origami Tips

If you're curious to learn more about origami, you might like to look at our basic guides on how to make some common origami folds.

Start with the valley fold and mountain fold—these are the foundation of most origami models.

Once you're comfortable, you might like to try the petal fold for 3D shapes, and explore the bird base and square base for more complex designs.

The water bomb base is also great for creating inflatable or geometric models, like this inflatable origami rabbit.