Skip to content

Top Navigation

Parents Parents
  • GETTING PREGNANT
  • PREGNANCY
  • BABY NAMES
  • BABY
  • TODDLER
  • BIG KID
  • FUN
  • HEALTH
  • PARENTING
  • FOOD
  • HOLIDAY
  • News
  • THE STAY AT HOME GUIDE
  • SHOP
  • OUR MAGAZINES
  • MORE

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Your Profile
  • Your Profile
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Cozi Family Organizer this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore Parents

Parents Parents
  • Explore

    Explore

    • 22 Chore Ideas for Every Type of Kid

      Find a chore your kid loves to do, and start a habit of wanting to help out that'll last a lifetime. Read More Next
    • Top 5 Mom Friend Problems—And How to Fix Them

      Parenting is so much easier with good pals. Learn to overcome friendship hurdles and bond with women who get you. Read More Next
    • How to Sleep Train Toddlers and Big Kids

      I’m a pediatric sleep specialist who has seen it all, and I’m here to tell you that it’s not too late to get your child to (happily) stay in his own bed all night long. Read More Next
  • GETTING PREGNANT

    GETTING PREGNANT

    See All GETTING PREGNANT

    Your Chances of Getting Pregnant Every Day of the Month

    When sex coincides withĀ your most fertile ovulation days, you'llĀ increase the chances of conceiving.Ā Get to know each phase of your cycle to get pregnant faster.
    • Ovulation
    • Reproductive Age
    • Maximizing Your Fertility
    • Pre-Pregnancy Health
    • Trying to Conceive
    • Dealing With Infertility
    • Genetics
  • PREGNANCY

    PREGNANCY

    See All PREGNANCY

    Signs of Approaching Labor: How to Tell Your Baby is Coming Soon

    Anxiously awaiting your baby’s arrival? Learn to recognize the first signs of labor approaching, which signal that your little one might make an appearance soon.
    • Signs of Pregnancy
    • Pregnancy Week-by-Week
    • Giving Birth
    • Labor & Delivery
    • Pregnancy Symptoms
    • Due Date Calculator
    • Pregnancy Complications
    • Fetal Development
    • Gender Prediction
    • Baby Showers
  • BABY NAMES

    BABY NAMES

    See All BABY NAMES

    These Are the Most Popular Baby Names of 2020

    Curious which baby names stole the show this year? From new classics like Noah to tried-and-true faves like Ava, here are the top boy and girl names of the year so far, plus more naming trends to consider.
    • Baby Girl Names
    • Most Popular Names
    • Names by Origin
    • Twin Names
    • Baby Boy Names
    • Names by Religion
    • Celebrity Baby Names
    • Baby Name Quizzes
  • BABY

    BABY

    See All BABY

    How to Decode Your Baby's Cough

    Caring for a baby with a wet or dry cough? Listen for wheezing, hacking, or barking first, then read on to find out what's normal and when it's time to worry.
    • Newborn Care
    • Crying Baby
    • Health
    • Baby Development
    • Safety
    • Gear
    • Breastfeeding
    • Diapers
    • Sleep Issues
    • Feeding
    • Nursery
  • TODDLER

    TODDLER

    See All TODDLER
    • Preschool Activities
    • Behavior & Discipline
    • Toddler Development
    • Milestones
    • Potty Training
    • Starting School
    • Health
    • Safety
    • Childcare
  • BIG KID

    BIG KID

    See All BIG KID

    How to Deal With Bullies: A Guide for Parents

    Mean kids aren't just a middle-school problem. The trouble has trickled to the youngest grades. Learn how to spot it—and how to protect children of all ages from bullies at school.
    • Education
    • Health
    • Food & Nutrition
    • Bullying & School Problems
    • Child Development
    • Safety
    • Manners & Responsibility
  • FUN

    FUN

    See All FUN

    17 Budget-Friendly Kids’ Birthday Party Ideas

    A fun celebration doesn’t need to cost a pretty penny. Throw a memorable bash with these clever cost-cutting kids’ birthday party ideas.
    • Birthdays
    • Indoor Activities
    • Outdoor Activities
    • Arts & Crafts
    • Printable Coloring Pages
    • Kids' Entertainment
    • Best Toys
    • Holidays
    • Family Vacation Ideas
  • HEALTH

    HEALTH

    See All HEALTH

    All About Coronavirus COVID-19: A Concerned Parent's Guide

    Here’s everything you need to know about the disease that originated in Wuhan, China.
    • ADD & ADHD
    • Allergies
    • Autism
    • Cold & Flu
    • Coronavirus and COVID-19
    • Cough
    • Down Syndrome
    • Emergency Aid
    • Fever
    • Medication & Vitamins
    • Obesity
    • Rashes
    • Stomach Aches
    • Vaccines
  • PARENTING

    PARENTING

    See All PARENTING

    The Stay at Home Guide for Parents

    Everything you need to thrive at home as a family.
    • Positive Parenting
    • Parenting Style
    • Celebrity Parents
    • Family Dynamics
    • Divorce
    • Home
    • Adoption
    • Just for Mom
    • Money
    • Toy Recalls
    • Stroller Recalls
  • FOOD

    FOOD

    See All FOOD
    • Family Recipes
    • Baby Food
    • Toddler Finger Food Recipes
    • Hints & Tips
    • Healthy Eating
    • Birthdays
    • Holiday Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Meals
    • Food For Pregnant Women
  • HOLIDAY

    HOLIDAY

    See All HOLIDAY

    6 Easter Egg Science Experiments for Kids

    Smarten up your annual Easter tradition with these easy, educational egg dyeing ideas.
    • Christmas
    • New Year's
    • Valentine's Day
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
    • Memorial Day
    • Father's Day
    • 4th of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Hanukkah
  • News
  • THE STAY AT HOME GUIDE
  • SHOP
  • OUR MAGAZINES

    OUR MAGAZINES

    See All OUR MAGAZINES
    • Parents
    • Parents Latina
    • Ser Padres
  • MORE

    MORE

    • Newsletters
    • Contests
    • ParentsIRL
    • Adulting
    • First Year Playbook
    • Celebrate Your Way

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Your Profile
  • Your Profile
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Cozi Family Organizer this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home
  2. Holiday
  3. Halloween
  4. Decorating
  5. Cool & Creepy Halloween Decorations

Cool & Creepy Halloween Decorations

By Moana: Officer in the Navy
August 27, 2014
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin
DIY your own decor to bring spookiness to every corner of your house.
Start Slideshow

1 of 17

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Recycled Haunted Houses

Credit: Courtesy of Little.Lovely.

Recycle and reuse old newspaper and milk cartons by turning them into a spooky ghost town.

What you'll need: empty cardboard milk cartons, newspaper, cardstock or watercolor paper, pens and paint of your choice, glue stick, craft glue, candy, tape

Make it: Thoroughly rinse and dry milk cartons, and then cover cartons with newspaper. Once the newspaper is glued on, paint windows and doors onto cardstock and attach them to the front of the milk cartons -- you can add as much detail as you like. For an extra surprise, fill the cartons with candy and let your kids break into them after Halloween. Make a whole village, and display on your dining table as a great Halloween centerpiece!

  • Get Our Free Carve-A-Pumpkin Mobile App

1 of 17

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 17

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

  • Shop Halloween party decorations

2 of 17

3 of 17

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Painted-Pumpkin Luminaries

Credit: Courtesy of Crafts By Amanda

Line your front steps or driveway with these long-lasting glow-in-the-dark lanterns.

What you'll need: canning jars, acrylic craft paint, paintbrushes, a dish of water, black permanent marker, Krylon clear glaze spray, tea lights

Make it: Paint your canning jars with one layer of acrylic paint -- too many layers of paint will make the jars too dark. Once dry, draw some jack-o-lantern styled faces on the fronts of the jars with your black marker. Finally, paint the jar rims black, let them dry, and spray with the Krylon clear glaze to set. Pick your favorites to display on your front steps or windowsill and insert a tea light to illuminate.

  • Visit Crafts By Amanda for more details on the Painted-Pumpkin Luminaries.

3 of 17

Advertisement

4 of 17

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Candy Corn Wreath

Credit: Courtesy of How Does She

This wreath is less trick and more treat -- add it to your front door to sweeten up your Halloween d?cor.

What you'll need: Styrofoam wreath, Krylon Preserve, black duct tape, glue gun, candy corn, ribbon

Make it: Wrap your Styrofoam wreath in black duct tape until it's covered. Spray your candy corn with Krylon Preserve to make it last, and then use your glue gun to attach the candy corn row by row. Once the wreath is totally covered, hang it from your door with a festive ribbon.

  • Visit How Does She for more details on Candy Corn Wreath.
  • Halloween decorations 20% off or more - shop now

4 of 17

5 of 17

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

5 of 17

6 of 17

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Decoupage Pumpkins

Credit: Courtesy of Little Birdie Secrets

You can carve, paint, and decorate your Halloween pumpkins -- but take your crafting to the next level with some easy-to-do decoupage!

What you'll need: pumpkin, white spray paint, thin book pages or newspaper, Mod Podge or other decoupage medium, foam brush, die cut letters or letter stickers, ribbon and lace

Make it: Spray your pumpkin white and let it dry. Then, cut banana-shaped pieces from your book pages or newspaper. Apply a thin coat of Mod Podge to the back of the pages, and attach them to the pumpkin until it's completely covered. Use Mod Podge to adhere your letters to the pumpkin -- spell "eek," or "boo," or whatever message you want. (If you don't have die cut letters, you can use stickers or cut your own out of cardstock.) Add a ribbon and some lace around the stem to finish off.

  • Visit Little Birdie Secrets' craft at Make and Takes for more details on Decoupage Pumpkins.

6 of 17

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 17

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Ghost Cozies

Credit: Courtesy of My Paper Crane

Hide treats, cover jars in your kitchen, or just line your counters with these pop-up ghosts and ghouls.

What you'll need: ghost template, paper, white felt, black felt, craft glue, sewing machine, water soluble pen (or a pencil works just as well)

Make it: Download, print, and cut out the ghost template. Then, trace it onto white felt (use two layers at the same time, one for each side of the ghost). Next, sew along the outline of the ghost, leaving the bottom open. Cut around your sewing line and turn your ghost right side out. Finally, cut some eyes, a nose, and a mouth from the black felt and glue them in place. Make as many ghosts as you want and then prop them up all over the house.

  • Visit My Paper Crane for more details on Ghost Cozies.
  • Download the ghost template.

7 of 17

8 of 17

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Book-O-Lanterns

Credit: Courtesy of The Shabby Nest

Turn an old paperback novel into an adorable pumpkin.

What you'll need: paperback book, glue, black construction paper, scissors

Make it: Fold all the pages in an old paperback novel in half -- you might want to do this while watching TV or in stages because it takes a while. Remove the front and back cover, and glue the first and last pages together so the pages fan out into a circle. Finally, cut out jack-o-lantern eyes, nose, and a mouth from black construction paper, and glue on the front of your "pumpkin" face.

  • Visit The Shabby Nest for more details on Book-O-Lanterns.

8 of 17

9 of 17

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Mustached Ghost

Credit: Courtesy of Spring Dandee

This silly mustached lollypop is both a decoration and a treat for your kids.

What you'll need: Tootsie pops, fabric, ribbon or twine, marker

Make it: Cut your fabric into circles and lay on top your Tootsie pop. Wrap your twine around the base of the Tootsie pop and tie. Draw on a fancy, French mustache and stick them in a cup or basket to give our as treats.

  • Visit Dandee Designs for more details on Mustached Ghost.

9 of 17

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 17

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Juice-Box Monsters

Credit: Courtesy of Crafts By Amanda

After your kids gulp down their afternoon juice box, recycle it to make these creepy creatures.

What you'll need: juice boxes, rice, zipper sandwich bags, tape, felt, scissors, hot glue or felt glue

Make it: Wash and rinse your juice box, and then cut open the top. Put some rice into a sandwich baggie, squeeze out the air and seal it. Put the rice bag inside the juice box to keep the box weighted and steady and reseal the top with tape. Cover and glue the felt around the sides of the box (don't cover the bottoms or it won't stand properly), and then add details like teeth, fangs, spots and stripes.

  • Visit Crafts By Amanda for more details on the Juice-Box Monsters.
  • Shop art and craft supplies for this project

10 of 17

11 of 17

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Papier-M?ch? Candy Bowls

Credit: Courtesy of The Long Thread

Transform a pumpkin lid into a candy bowl with this great papier-m?ch? craft -- and then use it to hand out your treats!

What you'll need: 1 bottle of white glue, water, top of a pumpkin, newspaper, acrylic paint, large plastic bowl

Make it: Cut off the top of a pumpkin -- be sure to cut it at the widest point to form a proper bowl. Dip strips of newspaper into a mixture of equal parts white glue and water. Squeeze off excess liquid, and then lay the strips on top of the pumpkin until the bowl is covered. Let the bowls dry for a day; then, brush them with more glue mixture and add a coating of colored tissue paper (cut into strips) on top. Once dry, you're ready to fill up the bowls! Paint on faces with black acrylic paint.

  • Visit The Long Thread for more details on Papier-M?ch? Candy Bowls.

11 of 17

12 of 17

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Stuck on You

Credit: Courtesy of How About Orange

Use some packing tape to transfer creepy, crawly critters onto your glass candleholders.

What you'll need: clear packing tape, a laser printer, votive candle holders, warm water, Mod Podge or glue

Make it: First, select the image you'd like to apply to your candleholder -- you can find lots of creepy clip art online. With a laser printer, print your images, about 2-inches tall, and cover it with packing tape, making sure to use your thumbnail to burnish your image onto the tape. Cut the excess paper away, and soak the image in a bowl of warm water for ten minutes. Once it's soaked, you should be able to rub the wet paper fibers off the back until you're left with just clear packing tape and toner. Apply the tape directly to a candle holder, or for a more permanent solution, adhere it with Mod Podge or other glue.

  • Visit How About Orange for more details on Stuck on You.
  • Check here for scary vintage clip art.

12 of 17

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 17

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Flap Happy Bats

Credit: Courtesy of Domesticali

Hang a colony of bats, or prop them in a basket, to greet your nighttime trick-or-treaters.

What you'll need: wool felt, cardboard, chalk pencil, scissors, needle or sewing machine, red and white thread, buttons

Make it: Cut yourself a cardboard bat template -- make a wide triangle and cut out a U at the apex to make ears. Trace your template onto felt, adding details before cutting -- use white thread for the wings and fangs, red thread for a mouth, and stitch on some buttons for eyes. Now, fold your felt in half so you have a double layer and stitch around the edge, leaving a gap in the bottom large enough for a stick or a wine bottle. Cut around your stitching and prop the bats onto wine bottles, craft sticks, or even recycled paper towel tubes.

  • Visit Domesticali for more details on Flap Happy Bats.

13 of 17

14 of 17

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Gothic Wreath

Credit: Courtesy of Craftaholics Anonymous

A quick and easy craft the kids can make -- this wreath will let all the trick-or-treaters on your block know you're open for business.

What you'll need: 1.25 yards of black burlap cut into 1"x16" strips, foam wreath ring, black paint, scissors or rotary cutter, foam or wood letters, Mod Podge, Halloween paper

Make it: Paint your wreath black. When the paint dries, tie the burlap strips around the ring with a double knot, overlapping the strips, until it's completely covered. Embellish with some foam or wooden letterss -- add color by coating the letters with Mod Podge and covering them with fun Halloween paper.

  • Visit Craftaholics Anonymous for more details on Gothic Wreath.

14 of 17

15 of 17

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Ghoulish Garland

Credit: Courtesy of Forty-Two Roads

Hang out with these crafty creatures to add some haunted spirits to your home.

What you'll need: poster board, scissors, black construction paper, yarn, tape

Make it: Find three clip art Halloween images online, and print them out at full size. Trace the images onto poster board to make a template, and cut them out. Using your templates, draw the images onto black construction paper and cut out. String the three images together, alternating the order, by taping the yarn to the backs of the paper. Hang in your hallway and create a quick, haunted kitchen!

  • Visit Forty-Two Roads for more details on Ghoulish Garland.

15 of 17

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 17

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Ghostly Tea Towels

Credit: Courtesy of The Long Thread

Your guests will get a surprise scare with these haunting bathroom towels.

What you'll need: white hand towels, ghost template, painter's tape, craft knife, freezer paper (found at the grocery store), iron, black fabric paint, foam or stencil brush, scrap cardboard or plastic

Make it: Print out the ghost template, tape it on top of freezer paper (shiny side facing down), and cut out the design with a craft knife. Once you've got your ghost face, press the shiny side of your freezer paper to the towel with a hot iron (no steam). Place scrap cardboard or plastic inside the towel so that your paint doesn't bleed through. Then, paint over the holes in the freezer paper, wait a minute, and carefully peel off the paper. For added flair, you can cut wavy lines out of the bottoms of your towels.

  • Visit The Long Thread for more details on Ghostly Tea Towels.
  • Download the Ghost Template.
  • Get Our Free Carve-A-Pumpkin Mobile App

16 of 17

17 of 17

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

It's a Wrap!

Credit: Courtesy of Make and Takes

Use some old hangers or wire to spell out your Halloween spirit.

What you'll need: What you'll need: wire or old hangers, 1-inch wide strips of orange and black fabric scraps, hot glue gun

Make it: Bend your wire into the letters B-O-O (or any other Halloweeny message you want!). Then, cut strips of black and orange fabric and using hot glue, wrap them around wire. Tie the letters together to make they stay in the right order. When you're done, place your craft on your front steps, in your window, or hang it from your front door.

Copyright &copy 2011 Meredith Corporation.

  • Visit Make and Takes for more details on It's a Wrap!

17 of 17

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 17 Recycled Haunted Houses
2 of 17
3 of 17 Painted-Pumpkin Luminaries
4 of 17 Candy Corn Wreath
5 of 17
6 of 17 Decoupage Pumpkins
7 of 17 Ghost Cozies
8 of 17 Book-O-Lanterns
9 of 17 Mustached Ghost
10 of 17 Juice-Box Monsters
11 of 17 Papier-M?ch? Candy Bowls
12 of 17 Stuck on You
13 of 17 Flap Happy Bats
14 of 17 Gothic Wreath
15 of 17 Ghoulish Garland
16 of 17 Ghostly Tea Towels
17 of 17 It's a Wrap!

Share options

Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Login

Parents

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • About Us
  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Customer Service this link opens in a new tab
  • Cozi Family Organizer this link opens in a new tab
  • Advertise this link opens in a new tab
  • Content Licensing this link opens in a new tab
  • From Our Sponsors this link opens in a new tab
  • Affiliate Program this link opens in a new tab
  • Sitemap

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Instyle this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en EspaƱol this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
Parents.com is part of the Parents Network. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.parents.com

View image

Cool & Creepy Halloween Decorations
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.