Are you ready to take your Halloween outdoor decorating to the next level? With DIY projects, you can customize your decor so it's extra spooky and one-of-a-kind. Here are 9 of our best ideas for outdoor DIY Halloween props.
Classic Outdoor Decorations
If you want to start simple, check out these classic outdoor decor ideas to give trick-or-treaters a chilling experience.
1. Ghostly Figures
To create ghouls and ghosts, all you need are trash bags, foam balls, black paint, and string. To begin, place a foam ball inside the trash bag to create the head. Use the black paint to draw a creepy face on the bag, then tie the bag with string to make the ghost's body. Once assembled, you can hang your ghosts from trees, your front porch, lamp posts, and more. Because this project is quick, you can make a bunch of ghosts for an eerie display.
Another DIY method for making ghosts is to use a white sheet, a metal pole, and an old hat. Drape the sheet over the pole and hat, then spray paint a spooky face onto the fabric. Hang your ghost in your yard or porch for trick-or-treaters to enjoy!
2. Sinister Tombstones and Graveyard Scene
Transforming your front yard into a Halloween graveyard is as easy as making a few tombstones out of foam and paint. To make tombstones, cut foam boards into tombstone shapes and use white paint to write on them. Try painting goofy and spooky sayings like "Barry D. Alive" and "Rattl M. Bones." Once the paint dries, put the tombstones in your front yard and add skeletons, spiderwebs, or pumpkins. You can even buy separate skeleton parts and have hands reaching out of the ground for a scary touch. The more props, the better.
3. Garage Decor
If you want to use your garage door, transform it into a scary danger zone with DIY decor. Use pieces of cardboard to draw or paint boarded-up windows and "BEWARE" signs, and tape these to your garage. Then, add large fake cobwebs with giant fake spiders hanging off them. If you have a light above your garage, install a green or purple bulb so it showers color all over your scene. Tape Halloween-themed balloons to either side of your garage to keep with the theme. Dare trick-or-treaters to approach by setting up a candy bowl in front of the garage door.
Scary Lighting Effects
From eerie shadows to glowing eyes, there are tons of ways to DIY lighting for your Halloween setup.
4. Eerie Shadows and Projections
Shadows cast by outdoor Halloween decorations can create a spooky atmosphere. Set up lights behind tombstones, trees, or other obstacles to cast shapes and shadows across your yard. Get creative with your lighting and try different displays to see what looks best.
You can also buy a projector to display Halloween animations and images on your garage door or other parts of your home. Connect the projector to your phone or computer, then look online for scenes of witches, ghosts, or bats. These projections add unsettling charm to your outdoor Halloween decor.
5. Glowing Eyes
Create the illusion of creatures lurking in the shadows by making glowing eyes. Grab toilet paper rolls, glow sticks, and duct tape. Cut eye shapes from the toilet paper rolls and tape glow sticks into the rolls so the eyes shine in the dark. Hide these glowing eyes around your front yard, in bushes, or in trees to give the impression of lurking monsters.
6. Flickering, Colored Lights
Flickering, colored lights are another way to create a mysterious ambiance in your yard. Use colored flood lights or strobe lights around your outdoor Halloween decorations, making sure to have the lights flicker or change color for added spookiness.
Interactive Props for a Thrilling Experience
Interactive Halloween props are one of the most thrilling ways to make your home the talk of the neighborhood during spooky season. Here are some ways to craft DIY interactive decor.
7. Motion-Activated Scare Tactics
Motion-activated DIY Halloween props for outside are a scary surprise for guests. Try creating a bobbing ghost or monster by attaching a Halloween figure to a metal pole with some fishing line. Once mounted, use white spray paint to create a spooky aura. Then add a motion sensor to move the figure and spook unsuspecting guests!
Note: If you’re uncomfortable trying to DIY a moving figure, you can always shop for animatronics decorations.
8. Creepy Sounds and Music
Enhance your outdoor decor with creepy sound effects and music. A soundboard, a speaker, and a playlist of spooky songs will set the mood. You can play famous Halloween soundtracks from movies or shows or find a collection of scary sounds like howling wind and laughing witches.
9. DIY Haunted Maze
If you have the time and space, you can DIY a haunted maze in your garage or front porch. Hang sheets as dividers and tack spooky images on the hard surfaces. Play scary music in the corner of the setup, drape spider webs from the ceiling, and set up ghouls in every corner. If you set up a maze on your front porch, assemble a DIY balloon arch full of purple, orange, and black balloons. Encourage brave trick-or-treaters to walk through the maze and get to their candy surprise.
Easy and Budget-Friendly Ideas for Your Yard
With these ideas in mind, there are tips to remember to make your DIY Halloween decorations on a budget. You never know what everyday items around the house may come in handy for Halloween decorating. Plus, if you're on a time crunch, there are ways to involve the whole family so you can have your decorations done fast. Here are some tips!
Reusing Household Items for Halloween Decor
Take a look around your home and find items that can be used to make sinister decorations. For example, you can use trash bags to create ghosts that dance in the wind, drape over a tree, or hang from your front porch. You can also use basketballs or soccer balls to create head-shapes of DIY ghouls. Tools like tape, string, and poles are always helpful for DIY decor, so if you have these items handy, keep track of them.
Simple Craft Ideas for the Family
If you want your family to help with the DIY decor, look for simple crafts everyone can enjoy. Paint DIY black cats using black paint on wooden cutouts and put these around your yard. Remember, you can never go wrong with a family pumpkin carving night. Challenge your friends or family to create the scariest pumpkin, then use these as part of your graveyard setup or front porch decor!
Upcycling and Repurposing Materials for DIY Props
You can repurpose old or worn-out items you already own to make unique Halloween decorations, saving time and money. For instance, transform an old bed sheet into a ghost figure by adding white paint and hanging it from a tree. Or use old glass cups or jars and paint spooky images on the outside in orange, purple, or black paint. Then use small electric lights on the inside to illuminate the images.
There's something for everyone in these DIY Halloween decoration ideas, from interactive props to simple and affordable crafts. By incorporating these ideas into your decorating this year, your Halloween yard will be the one everyone is talking about. And when you need a little extra help with your decor, Party City is here for you!
Get Your Outdoor Halloween DIY Props with Party City
At Party City, we've got Halloween decorations and costumes to make the holiday extra memorable. Whether you're shopping for spooky animatronics, group costumes, Halloween makeup and wigs, or inflatables, our selection includes tons of spooky favorites. If you're hosting a ghoulish party, don't forget to shop for tableware and candy for your guests.
Let Party City help you make this Halloween the scariest yet. Shop our Halloween supplies today, or visit us at a store near you.
DIY Outdoor Halloween Props FAQs
What are some easy ideas for DIY Halloween yard decorations?
If you're looking for easy DIY outdoor Halloween decorations, consider creating a pumpkin tower, a ghost hanging from a tree, or a graveyard scene with foam tombstones. These are just a few examples of creative and spooky Halloween decor you can craft yourself.
How can I make my DIY outdoor Halloween decorations weatherproof?
Weatherproofing your DIY outdoor Halloween decorations is crucial to help them last throughout the season. Choose durable materials like sealed foam, plastic, or wood. If using paint, use a waterproof variety and seal any exposed edges with weatherproof tape or glue. Lastly, weigh down your decorations to prevent them from blowing away in the wind.
How can I make my Halloween decor more environmentally friendly?
With creativity and planning, you can make your outdoor Halloween decorations more eco-friendly. Start by using recycled materials, like empty cans for a tin can luminary or old clothing for a scarecrow. Use solar or LED lights to conserve energy, and choose decorations that can be stored and reused year after year.
Are there any free templates available for DIY outdoor Halloween decorations?
Yes, many free templates are available online for outdoor Halloween decorations. Whether you're searching for pumpkin carving templates or patterns for cardboard cutouts, you'll find plenty of resources at your disposal.