Skip to main content

21OAK may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Try these DIY Halloween decorations to get your family in the spooky spirit!

Putting together your own Halloween decorations can be a great way to spend time with the family and give your home some creepy holiday style. We’ve pulled together a few of our favorite DIY Halloween decoration ideas that can easily be done by crafters of any age and they won’t cost an arm and a leg to make! 

Get ready to have some fun and give your home a spooky makeover just in time for Halloween!

Recommended Videos

DIY scarecrow

Michel Stockman / Unsplash

When it comes to classic Halloween decorations, you can’t beat the ease and timeless appeal of a good old-fashioned scarecrow. Want to know the best part? You can make one using things you probably already have around the house.

Rummage through your old clothes and find a button-down shirt and a pair of jeans; no need to worry if they have tears or stains, because your scarecrow won’t mind a bit. Don’t have the right kind of clothes just lying around the house? A quick trip to your local thrift shop should do the trick! 

Stuff the shirt and pants with crumpled newspapers to make your scarecrow nice and plump. For the head, you can use a jack-o-lantern, a plastic pumpkin head from your local dollar store, or you can even make one out of a piece of burlap. Add a straw hat for the finishing touch.

If you have a garden center nearby, you can pick up some straw to add extra filler at the collar and sleeves, or get a pre-packaged bunch of straw from your local costume or party store. Seat your scarecrow on a chair by your doorway and anchor the shirt to the pants with a piece of rope or an old belt. 

DIY tip: Place a speaker under or behind the scarecrow and blast out scary sounds for added effect!

Ghostly milk jug luminaries

This one is so easy to do that kids of all ages can help! Start by gathering a few empty plastic milk gallons. Need extras? Ask friends and neighbors for a few. If you’re planning to use the luminaries outside, fill the jugs with a few rocks to weigh them down against howling Halloween winds. Next, you’ll want to draw faces on the empty cartons with a black sharpie. Make sure you do a variety of different faces, from scary to outright funny.

Using a knife, carefully cut a hole at the bottom of the jug on the opposite side from where you drew the ghostly face. If you’re grouping a gaggle of ghosts together you can place string lights inside or use battery-operated tea lights for cord-free illumination. It’s a great Halloween decoration for lining a walkway or welcoming ghouls and goblins to stop in for a treat or two. 

Wicked witch legs 

Yeh Xintong / Unsplash

With this wicked witch legs lawn decor, you’ll let trick-or-treaters know where they can stop for the best spooky fun. You’ll need a pair of boldly striped socks, black shoes or booties, styrofoam rods, and two wooden dowels. 

Add some crumpled newspaper into the foot part of the socks and then stuff the legs with the styrofoam rods. Push a wooden dowel into the top of each styrofoam rod and stake the rods into an oversized flowerpot or even on your front lawn. Place shoes on the feet and make sure they are securely attached. These upside down witchy legs are sure to delight trick-or-treaters of all ages!

Spooky hand soap dispenser

Bring the Halloween decorating indoors with this super easy idea that will bring a smile every time you wash your hands. Start with a clear glass mason jar soap dispenser. Add a handful of eyeball ping-pong balls and top with your favorite clear liquid hand soap. Simple and so very festive, plus after Halloween you can switch things up by taking out the eyeballs and putting in accents for other holidays and occasions throughout the year!

Wine bottle candle holders

Put those empty wine bottles to good use and create a spooky Halloween decorating idea that will add a ghostly candlelit glow to your holiday. Pick out an array of different shaped wine bottles. Coat with matte black spray paint. Once the bottles are dry, insert orange tapered candles and group them together on a mantel or tabletop for a frightfully festive touch. 

See… It’s easy — and fun — to give your home a spooky Halloween look and you don’t have to spend a lot to do it. Just grab a few supplies, put your favorite scary movie on the TV, and spend a few hours with your family as you create your very own Halloween decorations. 

Kim Renta
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kim has written for Bloomingdales, Movado, and various e-commerce wine sites. When she's not writing about wine and…
Wondering how much to tip your movers? Here’s the answer
Whether you have a challenging move or want to brighten someone's day, we share how much to tip movers
Man and woman moving big box in house

With tipping culture's prominence in the U.S., many people know to tip their servers or barbers. But should you tip professional movers? It’s not easy to know which professions require a tip and which don’t. In some industries, tips are expected. In others, they aren’t as crucial.

Today, we'll discuss when and how much to tip movers so you can be prepared before your next move, whether you've sold your home or are buying a new one.
Should you tip movers?

Read more
How much does it cost to buy a house, really?
Buying vs. building your next home: We'll compare the two options to help you make the best decision
Gray house with a large yard and wraparound porch

Whether you’re planning to buy a house or want to build your home, you’ll likely run into many factors that quickly add up your costs. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you navigate the price of buying vs. building a home. How much does it cost to buy a house? How much does it cost to build a house? We'll weigh the two to help you make a decision.
How much does it cost to buy a house?

If you’re planning to buy a house, you might wonder how much it will cost and if it is cheaper than building from the ground up.
Working with a real estate agent
Before you buy a house, you’ll need to work with a real estate agent. While having an agent to buy a home is not required, a realtor can make filing the paperwork and negotiating costs much more manageable. Real estate agents make an average of 5% to 6% of the sale value. For a $400,000 home, you might expect to pay an agent or for the agent to get $20,000 to $24,000.
Closing costs
The average closing costs on a home are 2% to 6%, according to NerdWallet. This is made in addition to the down payment on a house, so be sure to budget accordingly, so you can cover the closing costs at the point of sale. While some fees can be negotiated or added to your loan, others will need to be made when you put the home in your name.
Interest rate and down payment
Interest rate and down payment are also two things to consider when buying a home. Interest rates vary depending on your credit score, location, home cost, and other local factors. Additionally, it’s recommended that you put down 5% to 20% on a home when you buy.
Inspection and renovation costs
You’ll want to pay a contractor for inspections to ensure your new home is in good condition and meets the required building codes in your area. It’s the buyer’s responsibility to pay for a home inspection, and these costs are typically covered out of pocket.

Read more
How much does it cost to finish a basement and add value to your home?
A finished basement is an investment in your home. Here are our tips for getting started on this project
Finished basement seating area with white walls and carpet

If you're looking at home improvement projects that will give you a return on your investment when you sell your home, consider remodeling your basement. If you don't have a finished basement, finishing it will not only increase the livable space in your home but give you confidence that your money will come back to you when you sell. The first question you're probably asking yourself is, "How much does it cost to finish a basement?" Unfortunately, there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer, but we break down the possibilities below.

Before you get too far ahead of yourself dreaming about all the ways you're going to decorate your new basement, it's important to think about its functionality. Adding spaces like a bedroom or bathroom in your basement will increase the price of the renovation, as will a basement bar or movie room. But these usable spaces will also increase your resale value. You'll want to know your plan before getting quotes because not only will additional electrical, plumbing, and sheetrock be needed for these spaces, but you'll also want to be sure any contractors you use have the requisite expertise to get the job done.
What is the cost to finish a basement?

Read more