RECYCLABLE HALLOWEEN DECORATIONS

While I have many permanent decorations, I like to do a different display every Halloween. A cheap solution is to use cardboard. I usually give the props away to the last Trick-or Treater or put them in the recycling bin on November 1. These can also be made from wood if you want a permanent display. I suggest old fence boards or used MDF or plywood if that’s the case. It will give a weathered appearance and look more spooky. Check out the video with strobe lighting.

Also, check out some of my previous decorations and props:

https://www.instructables.com/DETACHED-HEAD-PROP/

https://www.instructables.com/FOUR-SIDED-ROTATING-JACK-O-LANTERN/

https://www.instructables.com/Travelling-Casket-Prank/

MATERIALS/ TOOLS

Cardboard (I used black and white project boards from the dollar store to save on some painting but any cardboard packaging will do.) Toilet paper

Utility knife, Kitchen shears, Hot glue gun, Staple gun, 2.5 inch hole saw and drill

Acrylic paints,( black, white, orange, yellow, umber) brushes

Jute twine

Tree branch or piece of split rail

Strobing flashlight(s)

pdf of designs

Print the supplied pdf of designs. They are on a 1 inch grid so you can re-draw them to that size directly on the cardboard. You’ll need 6 oval cat eyes and 6 skull halves. Cut the designs with the utility knife and scissors. Cut 5 strips of cardboard about 6- 8 inches wide. Cut a notch in the top of 3 pieces to resemble cat’s ears. Adjust the sizes so each cat is a different height. Draw and cut the free- form ghost shape on the 4th strip and draw the Mummy shape on the 5th. Round over the top and taper the bottom like a coffin. Cut then stack the skulls and drill the eyes with the hole saw. Keep 2 of the round discs for the Mummy’s eyes. Cut a circle with about a 15 inch diameter for the moon.

The cats are black but mix a dark grey colour and dab it over the black surfaces to give a mottled effect. Paint the top third of the mummy black. Paint the circle orange/ yellow to resemble a harvest moon. Paint the cat eyes yellow. Leave the mummy’s eyes white but cut and paint a black disc for the centre of each. Paint the ghost white then add black detail for the eyes and mouth. Paint the skulls greyish white.

When dry, glue the 3 upright cats to the back of the moon. Glue their eyes in place and give each a jute collar. Centre the arched cat on the moon and glue in place. Wrap the mummy in toilet paper leaving a notch for the eyes. Glue the eyes in place. Touch up the mummy with streaks of umber to give an aged appearance. Staple the split skulls to the wood branch. Do last minute touch ups and add highlights with paint to everything if desired.

Place the decorations in conspicuous places in your yard and set up the strobing flashlights to illuminate them. Since the displays are light you may want to staple a small piece of scrap wood to the back of each to add some weight, especially if it’s windy, or, duct tape them in place. Have a safe and enjoyable Halloween.