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…
Cabinet refacing: Your complete DIY guide
Try this simple DIY solution for revamping your kitchen cabinetry
Kitchen with navy blue cabinets and bold lighting

A full kitchen remodel isn’t always necessary, and for some homeowners, it isn’t a feasible solution for elevating their kitchen design. Thankfully, there is another option. Cabinet refacing can be a great choice for homeowners aching for a kitchen refresh without the need to break the bank by replacing all the kitchen cabinets.

But what is cabinet refacing? Does this DIY project save money on kitchen redesign? Here’s everything you need to know.
Cabinet refacing vs. a full remodel

Read more
Go beyond mowing the lawn with these 10 inexpensive landscaping ideas
You don't need to break the bank to have a gorgeous outdoor space
Landscaping stacked flower beds

A pristine outdoor space makes the perfect backdrop for entertaining guests or just relaxing with the family. Even if you maintain your lawn well, various factors such as weather, animal activity, and soil acidity can lead to a yard that's drab, bare, or otherwise less-than-beautiful. The good news is that you don't have to hire a professional or spend a fortune to upgrade your outdoor space. You can beautify your yard with just a few cheap, simple front yard landscaping ideas that are DIY-friendly and won't break the bank.
1. Create a pathway through your yard

If your backyard is an unadorned, wide-open lawn, consider breaking it up with a pathway. You can install large stone steps, wooden planks, or even a gravel path lined with larger rocks to create a whimsical lane through the greenery. Whichever type you choose, a pathway upscales your yard, making it look a bit more organized and aesthetically pleasing.
2. Upgrade your lighting

Read more
This is how much a tankless water heater will cost you
Gas vs. electric and condensing vs. non-condensing - here's everything to know about tankless water heater costs
Tankless water heater next to a shower

Tankless water heaters are gaining popularity among homeowners. Because of their compact and often energy-saving technology, many households are using these systems to help save money on their utility bills. However, you may be asking yourself, "How much does a tankless water heater really cost to install?"

Today, we'll discuss everything you need to know about tankless water heater costs to help you make the right decision for your home.
Types of tankless water heaters

Read more