39 Best DIY Halloween Props Ideas

Halloween is a time for spooky decorations, trick-or-treating, and most of all – fun!

If you’re looking to add some excitement to your Halloween celebrations this year, why not try making some of your own props?

In this article, we’ve got the 39 best DIY Halloween props ideas for you, from simple projects that can complete in just a few hours to more complex builds that will take a little longer.

So get crafting and have some fun this Halloween!

39 Best DIY Halloween Props Ideas

1. Make Human-Size Ghosts

Make Human-Size Ghosts

Ghosts make from chicken wire and cheesecloth are simple to construct and can pose in various ways, lending themselves to creative displays.

The lightweight figure can be easily suspended with string or fishing line. You can add layers of material to the chicken wire form to give your ghosts a more detailed look.

Be sure to keep hot lights away from the fabric body to avoid any fire hazards.

These cheesecloth ghosts figure can place almost anywhere and are sure to spook any trick-or-treaters this Halloween!

Project details: hgtv.com

2. DIY Chicken Wire Cheesecloth Halloween Ghost

DIY Chicken Wire Cheesecloth Halloween Ghost

This ghost is perfect for hanging outdoors or anywhere else you want to add a little extra spookiness to your Halloween decor.

It makes out of cheesecloth, chicken wire, and wire cutters. The skull is glued to a strip of chicken wire and the arms are made of extra chicken wire. The ghost can hang using fishing line and an s-hook.

Project details: diyshowoff.com

3. DIY Concrete Tombstones

Concrete Tombstones With Hands

With these easy-to-make concrete tombstones, you can create a spooky Halloween display that is sure to impress your guests.

To make the tombstones, you mix the cement according to instructions and spray the baking pan with oil. Pour the cement into the pan and wait for it to start setting.

Then, you use a screwdriver to carve out an inscription. Be sure to spray the baking pan with oil before each use to ensure that the cement comes out easily.

You should also add some creepy zombie hands for the extra effect to go with your tombstones.

Project details: diyfunideas.com

4. DIY Light Up Skull

DIY Light Up Skull

These light up Skulls will add a spooky look to your home this Halloween.

The project takes about 15 minutes to complete and is a great way to save money on expensive store-bought decorations.

The supplies you need for the project include two battery operated tea lights, two small melamine plates, two glass candle stick holders, and two Halloween craft skulls.

To make the pedestal plate stand, you use a glue gun to attach the melamine plates to the candle stick holders. You can then paint the skull and pedestal plates with black enamel spray paint.

When they are both dry, remove the blue tape from the tea lights and place them in the center of the top of the new pedestal plate stand.

Place the skull on top and your spooky light up skull is ready to go!

Project details: frugelegance.com

5. How To Make Zombies With Buckets

How To Make Zombies With Buckets

This Halloween, save money by making your own zombies using buckets.

All you need is a 5 gallon bucket, a roll of duct tape, a roll of wire, a PVC pipe, 1 fake head, 2 fake hands, a hooded sweatshirt, a drill and a knife.

Also, you should add makeup and blood in order to make your zombie look more realistic.

Project details: dappercadaver.com

6. DIY A Life-Size Spider Victim

DIY A Life-Size Spider Victim

This is an easy and high impact way to decorate your porch for Halloween.

You will need some plastic grocery bags, white tall kitchen trash bags, clear packing tape, 2-3 packages of store-bought cobwebs, sheer white fabric (optional), and hardware to hang your victim.

Start by creating a human-like form out of the plastic bags. Stuff the form with more bags and use packing tape to hold it together. You can use sheer white fabric to cover the form.

Suspend the form from your porch ceiling or wall. Cover the form with cobwebs and add spiders until your victim looks sufficiently cocooned.

You can also add skulls wrapped in spiderwebs around the porch for extra effect.

Project details: instructables.com

7. DIY Zombie Dolls

DIY Zombie Dolls

Dolls can be fun for children, but what happens when they are no longer children’s toys?

This project will show you how to take regular dolls and turn them into horrifying monsters that will give people a fright this Halloween.

Project details: instructables.com

8. DIY Masking Tape Hand Prop

DIY Masking Tape Hand Prop

This project will guide you create a creepy, glow in the dark hand prop for your Halloween decorations. It is easy to make and only takes about 15-20 minutes.

The hand can wrap to fit any size wrist and the fingers can wrap separately. You can use this technique on other parts of your body for a truly spooky look.

Project details: wholesalehalloweencostumes.com

9. Zombie Planted Hands

zombie planted hands

The project takes advantage of some cheap materials available at the dollar store, including severed hands and potting soil. You can also use skewers or bury the hands in the dirt if you don’t have skewers.

First, decide where to plant your hands and then fill the pots with soil. If needed, add skewers to the hands to help position them in the pot.

Plant one hand in each pot and be sure to position them at different angles for a creepier effect. These “zombie planted hands” are a great, inexpensive way to add some Halloween spirit to your home.

Project details: sewwoodsy.com

10. Make A Life-Size Halloween Ghost

Life-Sized Halloween Ghost

Making a Halloween ghost is a fun and easy project. This guide will show you how to make a spooky ghost using cheesecloth and other inexpensive items.

It is simple and can finish in a few steps. The finished product will be a scary addition to your front yard or porch.

Project details: hgtv.com

11. Spooky Halloween Candle

Spooky Glowing Eyes Candle Holders

Halloween is a great time to get creative with your decorations. One easy and inexpensive way to do this is by creating these spooky glowing eyes candle holders.

You can use any photos you want. Plus, the textured paint allows some of the light through both behind and under the pictures, making them really glow in the dark.

These creepy candles can make great centerpieces for your Halloween party.

Project details: cheltenhamroad.wpcomstaging.com

12. DIY Halloween Lawn Coffin Prop

DIY Halloween Lawn Coffin Prop

The project provides detailed instructions on how to make a lawn coffin, including how to rough up the pieces of foam, paint them, and attach them together.

The coffin lid is made separately and then placed on top of the coffin at an angle. The guide also suggests adding a skull mask with tealights for eyes, for an extra creepy touch.

This lawn coffin is a great way to create a spooky scene in your front yard.

Project details: wholesalehalloweencostumes.com

13. Halloween Scary Trash Pop Up Character

Halloween Scary Trash Pop Up Character

The Pop-Up Character is a great way to scare visitors at your doorstep.

It is easy to set up and includes a wireless controller, so you can operate it from a distance. The prop also includes a screamer, so it will really frighten the little kids.

You can also add a fog machine and red flickering light to complete the effect. This prop is sure to be a hit for any spooky Halloween decor.

Project details: instructables.com

14. Barbie Zombies The Walking Dead

Barbie Zombies The Walking Dead

These barbie zombies are dolls that have been given a zombie makeover. It’s great for a fun and spooky Halloween.

To make them, you will need yucky Barbies, gray and white spray paint, dye, paint pens, craft paint, and dowels (for standing them up)
First, you dye the Barbies’ clothes using a mixture of colors until they are a desired shade of brown.

Then, remove the clothes from the Barbies and drain the dye. Next, paint the Barbies’ skin gray, white, and black, and their hair gray.

Lastly, you dress the Barbies in their newly dyed clothes and give them zombie-inspired makeovers with paint pens.

With a little bit of time and effort, you can create your own unique Barbie Zombie.

Project details: craftsbyamanda.com

15. How To Make Cardboard Tombstones

Cardboard Tombstones

The project is a life-sized, realistic tombstone that you can use to decorate outdoors for your Halloween.

It makes from cardboard so it is easy to make and easy to transport. Moreover, you can add any words or designs you want to the tombstone, and you can even add a spiderweb or some other items to increase the effect spookily.

Project details: ehow.com

16. DIY Giant Scarecrow

DIY Giant Scarecrow

This project will guide you create a life-sized scarecrow that will surely frighten your neighbors and passersby.

You can add any accessories you like to your scarecrow, such as crows, straw, or a plastic pumpkin head with an LED light inside.

Project details: hallmarkchannel.com

17. How To Make Hanging Ghosts

How To Make Hanging Ghosts From Pottery Barn

If you want to create some hanging ghosts for your front porch this Halloween, but don’t want to spend the money on the Pottery Barn versions. You can easily make them by using some styrofoam balls, black paint, cheesecloth, and eye screws.

First, you’ll need to insert the eye screws into the top of each styrofoam ball. Then, use black craft paint to paint ghost eyes on each ball.

Once the eyes are dry, take two 1-yard squares of cheesecloth and place them over the top of each ball.

Rip the cheesecloth to create a tattered look, and you’re done!

Project details: simplydesigning.net

18. DIY Tomato Cage Ghost

Easy Tomato Cage Ghost

Tomato Cage Ghosts are a super easy and inexpensive Halloween decoration. Your neighbors will love these adorable ghosts.

All you need is a tomato cage, string lights, a pillowcase, and a sharpie. Simply wrap the string lights around the tomato cage, slip the pillowcase over the top, and use the sharpie to draw eyes and a
mouth.

Turn on the lights at dusk and enjoy your cute ghosts!

Project details: princesspinkygirl.com

19. Pallet Halloween Coffin Decoration

DIY Pallet Halloween Coffin Decoration

Halloween is a time for spooky decorations, and what could be more spooky than a coffin?

This guide will show you how to make a simple coffin from wood pallets, perfect for adding to your Halloween decor.

It is sturdy and looks spooky. The offset slats give it a great look, and the addition of the chain and lock add to the overall effect. The green rope light inside makes it even eerier.

Project details: instructables.com

20. Dead Alien – Halloween Prop

Dead Alien - Halloween Prop

This project will be very realistic looking and may scare people. It makes from a skeleton, foam, paper mache, and paint.

You can place it anywhere to create a spooky atmosphere. That’s fun to place next to the front door of your house to scare people as they come up.

Project details: instructables.com

21. Spooky Crystal Ball Halloween Candlesticks

Spooky Crystal Ball Halloween Candlesticks

With this tutorial, you can easily make your own crystal ball candle holders that are both spooky and unique. These make great decorations for your home during the Halloween season.

First, you will need to choose the images you want to use for your crystal balls and then print them out on the transparency film.

Then, you cut out the shapes of the images and then use a candle to add smoke to the ball until it is as dark as you would like.

Once the ball is cool, roll up the transparency image and glue it into place inside the ball opening. Lastly, add your crystal ball to your Halloween candlesticks.

Project details: flamingotoes.com

22. Easy Halloween Cemetery Fence

Halloween Cemetery Fence

What’s the better way to celebrate than by creating a spooky fence to surround your yard? This project is easy and only requires a few simple materials.

Start by gathering some old wood that you can use for the fence slats. Stain them all a brownish color, and then apply a red stain in spots to give it an aged look.

Assemble the fence pieces by laying them out on cardboard and arranging them. Glue and nail them together, making sure to hammer them into the ground so they stay upright.

Finish off the project by adding some Halloween-themed details like spider webs and twine. With a little bit of creativity, you can easily transform your yard into a haunted cemetery.

Project details: instructables.com

23. Easy DIY Skeleton Corpse Prop

The video describes how to make a skeleton corpse using glue and acrylic spray paint. It can customize to look however you want.

One is to spray it with some clear acrylic paint, which will give it a wet look. You can also add blood around the eyes and neck, and on the muscles.

You can use any red paint or even fake blood, but make sure it’s washable so it won’t come off when it rains.

The prop can place outside. It will be a great addition to your Halloween outdoor decorations.

24. Halloween Prop With A PVC Pipe and Costume

Halloween Prop With A PVC Pipe And Costume

The PVC pipe human frame is a great way to create a zombie Halloween prop. It is easy to assemble and can dress in a costume.

The chicken wire helps to create the shape of the zombie, and the styrofoam head gives it a realistic look.

You can use this prop on your front porch or corner of a dark room. It is a realistic zombie for your Halloween party that spook your guests.

Project details: hungryhappenings.com

25. Realistic Halloween Dead Man Prop

Realistic Halloween Dead Man Prop

The prop makes with materials that can find around the house, such as newspaper, an old shirt or jacket, a Halloween mask, and gloves or fake hands.

The stuffing in the clothes gives the prop a solid lightweight body. The frame created by the coat hanger will support the upper body of the prop.

The hands and feet can attach with strings. The head can attach with stuffing and a cardboard tube.

Finally, the shirt can slice for a realistic effect. The blood can add for a finishing touch. This prop is especially scary when used with strobe lights and fog effects.

Project details: instructables.com

26. How To Corpse A Skeleton For Halloween

How To Corpse A Skeleton For Halloween

By corpsing a skeleton prop, you can create a scary scene that will surprise your neighbors and passersby.

The process of corpsing is simple and easy to do. This skeleton can stain with gel stain, and paint with dark stains to give it a creepy look.

Project details: homecrux.com/

27. DIY Motion Sensor for Halloween Props

DIY Motion Sensor For Halloween Props

The project is an easy way to add a motion sensor to your haunted house. By using two lights, you can create a simple power circuit that will turn on when motion is detected.

The motion sensor is easy to install and provides a clean, safe way to connect your lights. You can use this project to create different effects to add a little extra spookiness to your home.

Project details: teediddlydee.com

28. Building A Giant Spider

Building A Giant Spider

This is an excellent guide on how to make a realistic and spooky giant spider for Halloween. It includes a materials list, step-by-step instructions, and tips on how to make the spider look as realistic as possible.

By using a fitness ball for the abdomen, PVC pipe for the legs, and some spray insulation foam. You can create a giant spider prop that is sure to scare people this Halloween.

The key is to take your time in creating realistic legs, and to use spray paint to colour the prop appropriately.

Project details: thehousethatworkedout.com

29. Easy DIY Mummy Props

Easy DIY Mummy Props

Making a mummy is a relatively easy process that you can complete in a few simple steps.

First, cover the skull with paper maché to create the face. Next, wrap the body in plastic table clothes and bubble wrap to give it shape and bulk.

Finally, wrap the body in cheese cloth strips and tape them in place. You can display the mummy in various locations around the house for all to enjoy during Halloween.

Project details: manningkrull.com

30. Monster Mud Reaper

Monster Mud Reaper

This project will show you how to make a scary, life-sized prop of a reaper.

The body of the reaper is made out of chicken wire, which is then covered in fabric and mud.

The monster mud mixture gives the prop a realistic and eerie look, and the water-proofing sealant will protect it from the weather for use outdoor.

You can add your own finishing touches, such as moss or a lantern, to make it even more impressive.

Project details: instructables.com

31. DIY Bloody Votive Jars

IY Bloody Votive Jars

These votive jars can use to light up your table or as part of your decor, and the table runner is perfect for setting the scene. The red paint is easy to apply, and the effect is realistic and spooky.

This is a simple, yet effective way to create a spooky atmosphere for your Halloween party.

Project details: brit.co

32. Bloody Skull Candle Lamp

Bloody Skull Candle Lamp

This project is lamps made with bloody skulls. It is a great way to create some accent lighting for your party.

The skull lamp is creepy with blood splatters that will add to the scary atmosphere of any haunted house. The lamp lights up, making it even creepier.

Project details: skeletonfoundry.com

33. DIY Creepy Doll Mobile

DIY Creepy Doll Mobile

If you’re looking for a unique and spooky Halloween decoration, look no further than a grungy doll wreath!

It makes from grungified dolls, hung with fake knives and extra rope for a spooky look.

Project details: epbot.com

34. Build a Giant Tentacle Monster

Build a Giant Tentacle Monster

Project details: instructables.com

35. DIY Chicken Wire Ghosts

DIY Chicken Wire Ghosts

If you want to add a little spookiness to your yard decor, try making this chicken wire ghost.

You’ll need some chicken wire, black spray paint, glow-in-the-dark spray paint, trellis netting, cheese cloth, and a few other supplies.

To start, you shape a piece of chicken wire into a head and neck. If you want, you can add an arm using more chicken wire. Once the basic shape is created, spray it with black paint and let it dry.

Then, slide a tomato cage over the top of the ghost’s body and use more chicken wire to create a dress.

The dress can be any length you like, but should be cut into strips and bent outward at the bottom.

Finally, use cheese cloth to cover the head, body, and arms. You can also use masking or packing tape to create a hand.

Once everything is covered in cheese cloth, spray it with glow-in-the-dark paint for a spooky effect.

Project details: instructables.com

36. Man-eating Monster Plant

Man-eating Monster Plant

Project details: edenmakersblog.com

37. Creepy Head In A Jar

Creepy Head In A Jar

The “Head in a Jar” prop sounds like a creatively eerie addition to your Halloween décor or even as a year-round curio in your office.

With its illusory 3D appearance, this fascinating creation convincingly presents a human head trapped inside a jar, thanks to the clever use of a printed face.

The jar’s glass distortion and low lighting amplify the effect, making it look like a real, three-dimensional head. Many find it so convincing and disturbing that they can’t bring themselves to look at it.

This prop will be cost-effective, take less time to create, and will surely be the showstopper in any spooky setting.

Project details: madhauscreative.com

38. Dollar Store Mummy Hand

Dollar Store Mummy Hand

Project details: christybuonomophoto.blogspot.com

39. Halloween Bloodbath Fountain

Halloween Bloodbath Fountain

This blood bath fountain will create a scary effect for your guests. The bubbling blood is done with a fountain pump, and it’s really effective in creating a spooky atmosphere.

You should dribble the food coloring down the skull, bones, and rocks for a gory effect. Also, you can add candles and cobwebs to finish off your creation.

Project details: instructables.com

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