how to make a haunted house in your backyard

23 Insanely Scary DIY Haunted House Ideas

The Sits Girls

Some people like to decorate their houses for Halloween. Other people like to transform their homes into terrifying haunted houses. A little DIYing can help you get there, whether you want to create a full-blown experience for trick-or-treaters or you're just looking to decorate a little.

The more time you put into decorating for Halloween, the bigger the pay off as far as how memorable your home is to the neighbors. Explore these outrageously spooky haunted house ideas and figure out which makes the most sense for your home this year.

Use Chicken Wire to Make Creepy Ghosts

Wholesale Party Supplies

You can hang a white sheet and create a ghost, but this idea is sure to be more creepy. By using chicken wire, you can make the ghosts appear more lifelike in form. Also, opt for cheesecloth instead of sheets to make the entire project more spooky.

DIY Chicken Wire Ghosts from Wholesale Party Supplies

Start With PVC Pipe to Build a Grim Reaper

Print With My Pic

There's nothing quite as scary as the Grim Reaper making an appearance at your haunted house. The important thing is to take your time with this tutorial and use a foam wig stand to help make the shape true to form.

Make Your Own Grim Reaper Prop from Print With My Pic

Use Old Dolls for a Grotesque Mobile

There's not much creepier than a bunch of ragged, destroyed dolls hanging from the ceiling with weapons and blood galore. Just make sure whichever doll you decide to destroy isn't worth a ton of money first.

DIY Creepy Doll Mobile from Epbot

Make Your Home's Exterior Angry

Craftibilities

All you need to add some moody ambiance to your house is a wood sheet, sharpies, and some paint. For this project, the teeth have a lip that rests between two of the porch beams, so no nails were needed.

Make House Come Alive for Halloween from Craftibilities

Hang Some Halloween Skeletons From Your Roof

Instructables

If you want to add a touch of creepiness to your home's exterior but don't want to go all out, pick up a bunch of plastic skeletons and dangle them from your roof and windows.

DIY Climbing Halloween Skeletons from Instructables

Throw Around a Few Body Bags

This project is an inexpensive way to add major creepy vibes to any part of your haunted house. The key is to make the shape of the bags as body-like as possible. To accomplish this, stuff actual clothing with newspaper then put your dressed body inside the trash bags.

Body Bag Halloween Decorations from Craftibilities

Make This Terrifying Werewolf Head

If you love sculpting with clay , try out this haunted house idea. Werewolves are a classic Halloween staple, but sometimes they can look less than scary. Learn how to make your own and it will surely look ferocious. Hang the finished piece under your front porch or just inside your home's foyer.

DIY Werewolf Head Decor from Instructables

Float Some Candles Overhead

This haunted house DIY is inspired by Harry Potter , but even non-fans will be spooked when they look up and see the candles magically floating in mid-air.

Harry Potter Floating Candles from The Sits Girls

Construct This Scary Jack-o'-lantern Archway

Crazi Carlos

While you will need a ton of scary plastic jack-o'-lanterns to make this idea come to life, the end result will be totally worth it. The base of this arch is constructed out of a PVC pipe, so it's easy to customize to your specific entryway.

DIY Pumpkin Archway from Crazi Carlos

Weave This Giant Spider Web

My Untangled Life

No one wants to get caught in a spider web, especially not inside a haunted house. Learn how to weave a simple web and place them around your haunted house perimeter or to block off certain areas you don't want guests.

DIY Giant Spider and Web from My Untangled Life

Turn a Normal Doormat Into a Spiderweb Doormat

Delia Creates

This haunted house idea is more practical than it is scary. If you are inviting guests into your home to get spooked, make sure they wipe off their feet first. You can customize a basic black rug using white fabric paint.

DIY Spiderweb Doormat from Delia Creates

Place Some Skeleton Zombies on the Lawn

Take advantage of your front lawn space when setting up your haunted house. One way to do this is by littering the lawn with zombie skeletons. Craft a form out of PVC pipe, add some stained red clothing, and then put on a foam skeleton head.

DIY Zombies from Craftibilities

Craft an Archway Using Plastic Skulls and Chains

My Funhouse Projects

One of the most impressive parts of a haunted house is the entryway, so don't skimp on this first impression. Try to create this giant archway using carved foam boards. Next, add some extra detail using paint, decorative chains, and plastic skulls

DIY Spooky Archway from My Funhouse Projects

Paint a Spooky Halloween Subway Sign

A Pumpkin and a Princess

Signs are a great way to set the tone of your haunted house. Some haunted houses are downright scary and others might be more suitable for children. This sign works well for a more underage type haunted house. Simply find a canvas or some old boards you can stencil.

DIY Halloween Subway Art Sign from A Pumpkin and a Princess

Learn How to Build This Electric Chair

If you love building things with wood, perhaps this is the perfect haunted house idea for you to try this year. The devil is in the detail on this one, so don't expect to complete this project in one sitting.

DIY Electric Chair from Haunt 31

Add Some Silhouetted Figures to Your Windows

To add instant haunted curb appeal to your house, make a bunch of silhouetted figures using cardboard. If you aren't good at drawing freehand, the original creator included some downloadable templates. This haunted house idea is perfect if you want to make a big impact on a very small budget.

Haunted House Silhouettes from Make:

Don't Forget About Your Home's Interior

Flamingo Toes

If you plan on having your haunted house party or tour inside your home, make sure that virtually everything that is on display is creepy in one way or another. You can do this in an obviously gory way, or you can opt for a more elegant yet gothic approach with these candlesticks.

Spooky Crystal Ball Candlesticks from Flamingo Toes

DIY an Eek Marquee Sign

This is another more lighthearted haunted house idea that would work well for young children. You want to have the haunted house be whimsical, a little creepy, but not downright scary. This sign is made out of paper mache letters, paint, and a string of lights

DIY Eek Marquee from Lolly Jane

Label Everything With Creepy Words

Lia Griffith

No detail is too small when it comes to creating an absolutely unforgettable haunted house. Visitor's senses will be heightened and they will take in all sorts of creepy characteristics. If your haunted house is indoors, create a vignette of poisons and other bizarre potions using these apothocary labels.

Printable Apothecary Labels for Halloween from Lia Griffith

Create a Gallery of Ghost-like Faces

Seeing anything other than your face in a mirror can be a creepy experience. To recreate that concept in your haunted house, take some silver mirror spray paint and coat the inside of a glass frame to 60% opacity. Next, add in a photo of a creepy ghost or face behind the glass.

Hitch Hiking Ghost Mirrors from Anniemated

Scatter Glowing Spooky Eyes Around Your House

Dream a Little Bigger

Hide these DIY glowing spooky eyes in bushes, trees, or in windows to make it look like a monster is lurking around your home. To make your own, use a cardboard tube (like a toilet paper roll) and a glow stick.

DIY Glowing Spooky Eyes from Dream a Little Bigger

Put Some Writing on the Wall

From House to Home

In many cases, writing scary words on the wall in a red blood-like paint will work well. However, if you want to have a darkly lit haunted house, using glow in the dark paint is a much better option.

Glow in the Dark Party Ideas for Halloween from From House to Home

Pose Skeletons in Creative Ways

Helpful Homemade

If you're short on ideas on how to make a kid-friendly haunted house, consider ways to make the creepy seem more fun and human. For instance, pose some skeletons in creative ways doing everyday things.

DIY Skeleton Lawn Decor from Helpful Homemade

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How to Make a Haunted House in Your Backyard: Spooky Guide

Welcome to the ultimate spooky guide to creating a haunted house in your backyard! Halloween is a time for scares, screams, and spine-tingling thrills, and there’s no better way to experience these than with your very own backyard haunt. With a little creativity and some DIY know-how, you can transform your outdoor space into a frightful wonderland that will have everyone talking. Let’s get started on creating your very own backyard haunted house!

Key Takeaways:

Creating a haunted house in your backyard is an exciting and creative endeavor.
With DIY methods and Halloween decorations, you can construct a spine-tingling haunt on your own.
The process includes designing a spooky atmosphere, making creepy props, constructing a thrilling pathway, and filling your haunt with fright.
Your backyard can become a frightful wonderland with our guidance.

Setting the Stage: Designing Your Haunted Backyard

Before you dive into making actual scares, it’s essential to create a spooky atmosphere in your backyard. The right decor can make all the difference in creating a truly frightening experience for your guests.

Start by setting the scene with eerie lighting. Use colored spotlights to create a creepy glow or hang strings of Halloween lights to add a spooky ambiance. Fog machines can also add a level of mystery and suspense, and they’re easy to rent or purchase online.

Add to the atmosphere with creepy sound effects. You can find pre-recorded sounds online or create your own using household items like rattling chains or creaking doors. Place speakers throughout your backyard to create a fully immersive experience.

Outdoor Halloween Decor Ideas

For an extra touch of spookiness, consider adding these outdoor Halloween decorations:

Adding these elements will not only enhance the scare factor of your backyard, but will make it look like a professional haunted house. And remember, the scarier, the better!

DIY Haunted House Props: Making Your Own Scares

Creating your own haunted house props is not only affordable, but also adds a personal touch to your outdoor Halloween decor. With a little creativity, you can turn everyday items into spine-chilling decorations, and impress your guests with your frighteningly realistic scares.

Spooky Cobwebs

One of the easiest and most effective decorations you can make are cobwebs. All you need is some fake spiderweb material, which can be found at any Halloween or craft store. Take the spiderweb and stretch it out thin, then drape it over bushes, trees, and outdoor furniture. For an extra spooky effect, add some plastic spiders to the web.

Eerie Tombstones

To create your own tombstones, you can use foam insulation board or cardboard. Cut the board into the desired shape and size of your tombstone, then paint it with gray or black paint. Use stencils or freehand a message such as “RIP” or “Here Lies the Undead.” For an added touch, you can use moss or dirt to make it look like it’s been there for ages.

Creepy Creatures

Adding some creepy creatures to your haunted house is sure to give your guests a scare. You can easily make your own by using foam, wire, and fabric. Create the basic shape of the creature with the wire, then wrap foam around it and cover it with fabric. Add some fake eyes, fangs, or claws to make it look more realistic.

Now that you know how to make some of your own scary decorations, your haunted house will be even more unique and terrifying. Get creative and have fun!

Constructing the Haunted Maze: Building a Thrilling Pathway

To construct your own haunted maze, start by sketching out a layout that incorporates twists, turns, and dead ends. Consider how much space you have available and what materials you’ll need. For example, you might use PVC piping and black tarps to create walls, or construct wooden frames covered in creepy cloth or fake cobwebs.

Once you have your layout in place, it’s important to consider safety. Make sure your maze is well-lit and clearly marked, with no tripping hazards. If you’re using materials like tarps or cloth, make sure they are tied securely and won’t come loose. And if you’re incorporating props like strobe lights or fog machines, be mindful of any potential fire hazards.

As you begin building your maze, don’t forget to think about the scare factor. Will you include jump scares, sound effects, or animatronics? Will you have actors hiding in the shadows to terrify unsuspecting visitors? Use your imagination and creativity to create a unique and thrilling haunted maze experience.

One option is to create a series of themed rooms within the maze, each with its own unique scare. For example, you might have a room filled with creepy dolls, or a room where visitors must navigate through a spider-infested tunnel. Remember, the more detailed and immersive your maze is, the more frightening it will be.

As you build your maze, make sure to test it out yourself before inviting others to experience it. This will allow you to identify any potential safety hazards or areas that need improvement. Once you’re ready, invite friends and family over to experience your spine-chilling creation.

Bringing It All Together: Filling Your Haunted House with Fright

Now that you’ve designed your spooky backyard, it’s time to bring it all together by filling your haunted house with fright. Here are some tips to take your Halloween decorations to the next level:

Create spooky scenes: Whether it’s a graveyard or a creepy laboratory, set the stage with spooky scenes that will make your guests feel like they’re in a horror movie.
Utilize animatronics: Incorporate animatronics, such as a moving skeleton or a cackling witch, to add an extra level of fright to your haunted house.
Engage all the senses: Don’t just rely on visual scares. Use sound effects and scents, such as a fog machine and the smell of decay, to fully immerse your guests in the spooky atmosphere.
Strategically place props: Place your DIY haunted house props in strategic locations for maximum scare effect. For example, place a fake spider on a web near a doorway or a ghostly figure in a dark corner.
Layer your scares: Build up the scare factor by layering your scares. For example, start with innocent-looking decorations and then add more frightening elements as guests venture deeper into your haunted house.

By incorporating these tips, your backyard will become a frightening wonderland that will leave your guests screaming for more. Happy haunting!

Creating a haunted house in your backyard is an exciting and creative way to celebrate Halloween. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can design a spooky outdoor space that delivers a truly terrifying experience for your guests.

We’ve explored a range of ideas for setting the stage, making DIY props, constructing a haunted maze, and filling your space with frightening décor. With a little imagination and some effort, your backyard can become a Halloween wonderland that rivals any professional haunted house.

We encourage you to unleash your creativity and embrace the Halloween spirit. Plan early, recruit friends or family to help, and enjoy the process of bringing your haunted backyard to life. Your guests will thank you for a truly unforgettable experience.

Now it’s over to you. Get started on your own backyard haunt and make this Halloween one to remember!

Q: How long does it take to make a haunted house in your backyard?

A: The time it takes to create a haunted house in your backyard will vary depending on the size and complexity of your vision. It could take anywhere from a few days to several weeks to complete the project.

Q: What are some affordable Halloween decoration ideas for a haunted backyard?

A: If you’re looking for affordable Halloween decoration ideas, consider DIY options like homemade tombstones, spider webs made from yarn or cheesecloth, and repurposing old items to create spooky props. You can also find budget-friendly decorations at local thrift stores or online sales.

Q: Are there any safety considerations when building a haunted maze in your backyard?

A: Safety is paramount when constructing a haunted maze. Make sure the pathways are well-lit, free of tripping hazards, and that any interactive elements are designed with participant safety in mind. Also, be mindful of local regulations and obtain any necessary permits or permissions.

Q: Can I make my own animatronics for my haunted house?

A: Yes, you can create your own animatronics for your haunted house with some basic knowledge of electronics and mechanical systems. There are plenty of online resources and tutorials available to guide you through the process, or you can repurpose existing items to add movement and scares to your display.

Q: How can I maximize the scare factor in my haunted backyard?

A: To maximize the scare factor, focus on creating an immersive experience. Use lighting, sound effects, and strategically-placed decorations to create an eerie atmosphere. Consider incorporating unexpected scares, such as hidden performers or interactive elements, to keep guests on their toes.

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The Ultimate Haunted House Control Unit

Eric Wilhelm, president and co-founder of Instructables, describes how to build an incredibly innovative and complex solid-state controller that can manipulate lights, fog, animatronics and sound in a glorious choreographed Halloween production.

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How to Make a Haunted House in Your Front Yard

Last Updated: January 17, 2022

wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 26 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 88,449 times.

When the little goblins and ghouls come knocking at your front door and asking "Trick or treat?", double their thrills and fun by turning your front yard into a haunted house! This article will help you to design a haunted house front yard that will make your house the highlight of the street.

Image titled Make a Haunted House in Your Front Yard Step 1

An overall design or theme for your front yard haunted house (see next step).
Areas that will be "out-of-bounds" (such as mom's favorite rose garden) and how you'll prevent people from accidentally wandering into such areas.
A color theme (if relevant).
What you'll use to provide the "house" walls - a tent, a marquee, or simply draping sheets, black plastic, or tarpaulins up as "walls".
Lighting and electrical requirements – you'll need outdoor quality electrical fittings as well as safe means for running cords outdoors without them becoming tripping hazards.

Image titled Make a Haunted House in Your Front Yard Step 2

A vampire theme : dedicate the area to coffins, bats, fangs and a general air of decay; the color theme will be dark with grays, reds, purple and black being predominant. Your surprise elements might include a grave or coffin that opens with lots of squeaking noises, dry ice smoke billowing up, a very ugly vampire effigy, etc.
A ghoul theme : have lots of phantoms, ghostly figures, and flying, flapping elements in the front yard; the color theme will have lots of white and light grays. Your surprise elements might include a ghoul that rushes out now and then (use a person for this), strange ghostly noises, things brushing against cheeks, etc.
A wizard and witches theme : include effigies of wizards, witches, their familiars such as black cats and wolves, cauldrons, broomsticks, etc. Your surprise elements might include cackling noises or thunderbolt cracks, a bubbling cauldron with some unidentifiable concoction brewing,
Try to find unique items that provide a scare, thrill, or amusement element for all ages.

Image titled Make a Haunted House in Your Front Yard Step 3

Gravestones: Get some gray cardboard, and cut them into the shape of grave stones. Write some "cutesy" names on it, such as Frank N. Stein, Zom B., Jack O. Lantern, or I. M. Dead, etc.
Spider webs: Take rolls of toilet paper, and "string" them along the branches on the trees outside of your house, in the shape of spider webs. An alternative to toilet paper is cotton wool.
Ghosts: Take white kitchen garbage bags, and fill with old newspapers. Tie up, and then, with a black marker, draw two eyes and a mouth on each of them, to make little ghosts.
Jack-o-lanterns: When raking up leaves, purchase orange biodegradable leaf bags which look like jack-o-lanterns, and leave on the lawn for the big night.

Image titled Make a Haunted House in Your Front Yard Step 4

Make sure that the entrance way to the house is clear of clutter, garden beds, fragile plants, etc. that you don't want people to accidentally tread on. Also try to close off any sides that might encourage people to wander off into the rest of your garden and become lost. Use simple props like chairs, cardboard signs, etc., to direct people away and back into the haunted house.

Image titled Make a Haunted House in Your Front Yard Step 5

Ensure that it's easy for visitors to move around.
Ensure that all electrical cords are out of the way of feet and that nothing presents a fire hazard.
A strobe light can be excellent inside the haunted house – it will add to the eerie effect.
Set up music. Scary music CDs can be purchased from dollar stores, or you can download Halloween themed music online.
Make space for standing and sitting either inside the haunted house or just outside it – this will allow you to keep an eye on the trick-or-treat bunch viewing the haunted house and to give out the treats.

Image titled Make a Haunted House in Your Front Yard Step 6

Buy a nice, big fat pumpkin, or several. On a piece of paper, draw a design of the kind of face you'd like to put into your jack-o-lantern. Once you've chosen the face you like, carve it into the pumpkin.
Light the lanterns for Halloween. The only lights that should be evident from your haunted house are those emanating from decorations, lanterns, strobes, and jack-o-lanterns, with your house kept dark. This is why it's important to ensure that there is nothing for visitors to trip over!

Image titled Make a Haunted House in Your Front Yard Step 7

Community Q&A

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If you can't spare space or find the time to set up a front yard haunted house, consider whether there's a room of your house that you could dedicate to a haunted house, or utilise you garage (park the car somewhere else for the evening) or a shed. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
Beware that nobody touches your jack-o-lantern or other things with candles; keep these out of reach or well watched to prevent accidental burning or tipping over. Thanks Helpful 23 Not Helpful 2

Things You'll Need

Toilet rolls or cotton wool
White garbage bags with old newspapers
Biodegradable garbage bags (orange) filled with leaves
CD with scary music
Any other old fashioned lantern

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Here's How to Transform Your Home into the Spookiest Haunted House

Your neighbors will be scared—and impressed.

You're probably wondering how to turn your home into a haunted house. Where do you even begin? Or end , for that matter? How do you make it fun for all ages, without boring the older kids and adults? And how do you go all out, without breaking the bank?

It all might seem a bit overwhelming, but we checked in with a couple of designers who have been constructing haunted houses for years. Ahead, you'll find their best ideas for how to design a haunted scene in your home and backyard—nothing too elaborate, don't worry—along with recommendations on where to find props and decorations. So whether you've been hosting your own haunt for ages and want to level up or you're ready to give those trick-or-treaters a good scare for the first time, this guide will help you design and make a haunted house that's the hit of the neighborhood!

Can you make your own haunted house?

The short answer is yes! However, it helps to first decide how much money you want to spend as well as how big and elaborate you want to get before you start the actual decorating. If you want to make a haunted house kids (and their parents) will be talking about for years, begin planning it early, way before Halloween.

"I'm thinking about it 24-7-365," says Angela Colone, who's been an actor and designer for professional haunts including Screams at the Beach , in Georgetown, Delaware, and 301 Devil's Playground in Galena, Maryland. "I'm always looking at Facebook Marketplace to see if anyone is selling cheap props or things that they're getting rid of... I also look at yard sales and thrift stores. I'm always trying to pick up stuff."

Kate Pearce , an interior design blogger and content creator from Chicago, Illinois, who has long created spooky Halloween scenes based on thrift stores finds, also advises searching secondhand shops. "My biggest piece of advice would be to go to the thrift store and explore the entire thing, not just the Halloween aisle," she says. "Thrift is cheap, and therefore not a huge financial commitment, so you can really have fun and let your mind run wild."

Otherwise, you can cut costs by buying one professional prop and using it as a guide for making your own version of it. For example, when Colone was creating a barn scene with a spider's nest, she purchased one spider and fashioned the rest from papier-mâché and spray paint, hanging them from the ceiling with fishing line and on a dollar bag of Halloween cobwebs.

"It was really inexpensive," Colone says. "Papier-mâché is pretty awesome and it's disposable, so you don't have to hold on to it the next season if you don't want to. And it's the kind of craft you could make with your own kids."

How do you turn a house into a haunted house?

Let's start at the beginning. If you're building a haunted house that you want to appeal to younger kids, don't make the entrance too scary. You can set a mood with fog machines and corn stalk décor , but make sure the area around your door is open and inviting, rather than claustrophobic—it should be well-lit, too. You also want to keep the scenes you create inside of your home illuminated, so kids can see everything and the lights aren't directly focused on something scary.

"With kids, it's more about enabling them to look openly at everything," Colone says. "Usually for an adult haunt, you want it to be very chaotic. You want the fear of who's going to jump out now and what's coming around the next corner. But children need to see everything and be open to it. You want to allow them to come into your scene. You don't want to push your scene on them."

Speaking of scenes, Colone has a few ideas for sets and props the kids will love:

Cut a large hole in a refrigerator box to make a ticket booth. Dress one of your actors as a a clown and tuck them away at the ticket window. Offer carnival games for kids to try, like a bean bag toss , mini bowling , Pick a Duck or others. Bubbles drifting through the scene give it a festive feel, especially if they're scented like cotton candy !

Stock shelves with children's books you find at secondhand stores. Dress one of your actors like a wizard, who allows the kids to pick a book to take home with them. You can also make simple wands for take-home gifts. Tie twine on one end of a stick, and glue or tie faux gems on the other end of the twine.

Buy a few hay bales, pumpkins and corn stalks and decorate a room with them. Spread hay on the floor and add spider's nests in the corners of the room. Dress an actor like a scarecrow in simple makeup and a costume. You could also take this idea outside and easily make a haunted barnyard.

What are some tips for a kid-friendly haunted house?

After all, the idea is not to give kiddos nightmares, but to entertain them.

Use makeup rather than masks on actors.

"Masks can be a little too scary for some kids because they don't see a human behind it," Colone says. "If they don't see a human face, it's hard for them to approach."

Speak in a normal voice.

"When we do an adult haunt, we like to get creative with our voices and our tones, whereas a child may not like that," Colone says. "Instead, we talk to them in our normal voice, and we let them know they're welcome to come in and look around."

Give them something to take home .

According to Colone, from star or bug stickers to cardboard cut-outs of tombstones they can decorate at home, "kids like to have something to take with them that isn't just candy."

Engage more than one sense.

"What I've noticed in my years doing this is that both children and adults want to smell, feel, and even taste," Colone says. "For example, we've used cake batter , so they could smell that it was sweet, but the texture was almost like brains... and obviously things like the dirt pudding cups with the gummy worms in it."

How do you make a creepy haunted house?

If you want older kids to have as much fun in your haunt as the young ones, you're going to have to give them a satisfyingly creepy experience. Consider constructing different paths in your house, and giving your guests the choice of which ones they want to take: less spooky or seriously spooky. "Sometimes, it's nice to have multiple crossroads because the kids can say that wasn't that scary, I want to try a scarier one," Colone says. "So, that way, you're breaking it up and letting them choose what they want to see."

If you don't have enough rooms in your home to build that many individual scenes, you can construct walls with white sheets and even spray paint them with background scenery if you're feeling artistic. On the spooky path, use a bit more blood, full face Halloween masks and maybe even a ghoul or two popping out of hidden spaces. Decorate whole rooms when you can, like this killer dining room idea from Pearce, which utilizes items she found in the thrift store.

Put up a scary portrait.

Buy an old painting, poke holes in it and paint fake blood dripping from the holes. Extra points if you use the eyes for holes. "This same idea could be applied to a cheap portrait print that you don't feel bad poking some holes in," Pearce says.

Hang some doll heads.

Buy some creepy old dolls, pop their heads off and hang them with fishing line from the ceiling at different heights.

Sit a skeleton down.

If you have a skeleton handy, sit it at the dining room table. Pop off a bunch of old Barbie-sized doll heads and place them in a Halloween bowl with a spoon in front of the skeleton. It looks, says Pearce, "like the skeleton is eating a bowl of Barbie heads like cereal."

How do you make an outdoor haunted house?

Give your guests a fright before they even cross your doorstep by setting up a spooky scene in your front or back yard. We've got tons of ideas for store-bought and DIY outdoor Halloween decorations , including Halloween inflatables that will make a big scary statement and Halloween animatronics with glowing red eyes and creepy catchphrases.

And you know all those spooky Halloween party themes you've been brainstorming? They'll work perfectly for a themed haunted house, too! For her part, Colone likes creepy camping scenes. "Spray paint a sheet with Halloween scenes and toss it over an old tent," she says. "Kids can crawl through the tent and you can have an actor tell camp fire stories on the other side of it." Instead of lighting a real fire, stay safe with a faux campfire you can purchase or DIY from cardboard.

The most important thing to remember when creating your haunt is "to let your imagine go and have fun," Colone says. "It's all about how you want to make your haunted house."

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Jill Gleeson is a travel journalist and memoirist based in the Appalachian Mountains of western Pennsylvania who has written for websites and publications including Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day, Country Living, Washingtonian, Gothamist, Canadian Traveller, and EDGE Media Network. Jill is the travel editor for Enchanted Living. Learn more about her journey at gleesonreboots.com.

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How to Make a Haunted House in Your Backyard

Spooky season is just around the corner. Nothing makes kids and adults come alive with the magic of Halloween like a haunted house. Whether it’s a spare room or an outdoor shed, if you’re lucky there is often a neighbor who puts in the extra effort to give trick-or-treaters a night to remember.

If you’d love to give the gift of enchantment and fright to your neighbors this year, check out the steps below to see how easy it is to create a haunted house.

Creating a Haunted House in Your Backyard

If you’re wondering how to make a haunted house in your backyard, you may be surprised how simple it is when you have a backyard shed! While sheds make a great place for storage on a daily basis, they can actually transform into the perfect spooky spot for friends and family on Halloween.

A garden shed is the ideal setup for a haunted house. Even better, is a porch shed , which gives the look and feel of a real house. Porch sheds offer a nice covered outdoor space. Here you can set up creepy rocking chairs with skeletons, or create a scary entrance filled with cobwebs.

Not only will you have more space to decorate, but the traditional look of a porch shed will be a lot more convincing to your older visitors looking for a fright.

Add Spooky Elements

The most fun part of creating your haunted house is the decor. Details like red-painted “bloody” handprints, ghosts, bats, scary props, fog machines, and dangling spiders are a fun way to give a fright.

You’ll also want to ensure the lights are dim during the experience for a maximum scary effect. Try out black lights or colored lights in purple, orange, or red to make the ambience extra eerie.

Try Mount Speakers

No horror film is as scary when the sound is off. Sound is one of the most important details to include in your haunted house.

Creaking doors and chimes can create a surprise when someone enters the shed. You can also install mount speakers to play ghoulish screams and creepy whispers on a timer to give your guests a jump!

Create a Path

Don’t let the experience start and end just at the shed. Ramp up the fun by creating a decorative pathway with Halloween-themed lights leading to the haunted house.

This can help extend the fun, especially if you have a smaller shed. You’ll also have the advantage of creating even more surprising spooks along a darker pathway or hidden in nearby greenery.

Set up a Candy Station

Lastly, you can’t forget the most important part – the candy! Reward your visitors with a Jack -o’-lantern or cauldron filled with sweet treats near the exit of the shed.

If possible, you can surround the area with fog or dry ice so your guests can mysteriously reach into the candy bowl. By creating your own haunted house, your home will be on the top of the list to visit and create many lasting memories for everyone involved.

Create a Haunted House in Your Own Backyard

So you want to get in on the scare craze this Halloween do you? That could mean having a haunted house or a yard haunt for friends and neighbors. Haunted houses can be a fun part of Halloween, but many times they are too expensive or too scary for younger children. A simple haunted house in the backyard can provide all the thrills while still having that comfort zone of home. By making it large enough that kids and grownups can go through it together you’ll also help the younger ones feel a bit braver. Before you begin here are some safety tips to think about to protect you as well as your guests.

Now to create your haunted house. A few simple decorations and a bit of imagination can provide an evening of fun.

Enlist the kids help to decorate the cardboard and sheets with glow-in-the-dark paint to help create the walls. Position a few black lights to make them visible to your guests. The kids will love painting designs and pictures with the bright colors. Have them come up with scary phrases, like “Beware All Who Enter Here” or “Ghosts and Goblins Only” to decorate the walls of the backyard haunted house.

Hanging rubber bats, ghosts and other creepy crawlers around on different length strings, long enough that people will bump into, may make a few people jump. Have a few volunteers dress up in spooky costumes and hide behind trees and around corners of the maze to add to the scare factor. If you think a younger child might be too scared by them, let them see the people getting in their costumes before hiding. This way, they’ll know it’s really people they know in costumes and not real monsters.

Invite the neighborhood trick-or-treaters to venture through your haunted house , having the treats passed out by the various monsters hiding through the maze. It makes it a little more exciting for the kids. It’s sure to make your home a favorite stop of all the little ghosts and goblins.

As you plan your haunted house layout, remember to keep safety in mind. Remove any sticks that may cause someone to trip. Avoid tree roots that may be sticking up out of the ground. Look for rocks, too. As long as you are creative, have fun, and keep safety in mind, it’s sure to be the hit of the neighborhood. A haunted house is great fun on Halloween. People love to be scared out of their wits. As they scream with fear and delight, you’ll need to be sure nothing goes wrong.

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25 Haunted House Ideas That Are Insanely Scary and Easy to DIY

These indoor and outdoor decorations are creative ways to gives kids and adults a scare.

These eerie ideas are ones your neighbors will appreciate — especially if they're lovers of the boogeyman's holiday. We've rounded up these mysterious, frightening and silly spine-chilling decorations and home decor crafts to make your haunted house the spookiest one on the block — and maybe even in the whole community. Think easy-to-make (or buy) skull lanterns, ghostly figures with pumpkin heads, eyeball balloons that float down the halls, and rotting fruit and candy urns full of delicious yet blood-inspired drinks.

And if you want even more ideas for October 31, watch one of these popular Halloween movies or wear one of these family, group, couples or Disney-inspired costumes.

Hanging Paper Lanterns

DIY these paper lanterns to hang on the ceiling as trick-or-treaters enter the house. Use LED bulbs to keep everything from overheating.

Get the tutorial »

Tissue Ghosts

Create mini ghosts using paper honeycombs. DIY the faces with a black Sharpie and place your mini creatures on the floor throughout the space.

SHOP HONEYCOMB BALLS

Batty Staircase

As guests walk past the staircase or climb up the stairs, have them admire the paper bats scattered throughout the banister.

'Hey Boo' Punny Sign

Create your own wooden sign with your favorite Halloween pun. You'll need a wood plank background and wood letters to complete the look.

SHOP WOOD LETTERS

Get the tutorial at Club Crafted »

Pom-Pom Spiders

It's common for people to find spiders scary, so why not make your own that float and tickle your visitors?

SHOP BALLOONS

Get the tutorial at Design Imrpovised »

Creepy Crawler Candles

Scoop the contents out of your mini pumpkins to add tealights inside. Use pipe cleaners as bug legs before sprinkling the spider-like creations around the house.

SHOP PIPE CLEANERS

Ghostly Figure

After carving your jack-o'-lantern, attach it to the top of a dressmaker's dummy. Place your specter at the entrance to give everyone a fright before they walk through the rest of the blood-curling decorations that await them further inside.

SHOP DRESSMAKER DUMMY

Add a bunch of treats to individual bags, then wrap them up and place them in candy urns for trick-or-treaters to grab on the way to your haunted house or when they leave.

'Keep Out' Entryway

There's something about a red door and a sign that reads, "Keep Out," that makes people want to enter. Cover the door with cobwebs and secure them with masking tape . Paint words of warning on two slats of cardboard before taping them to the door.

Witch Broom Door Decorations

Gather "witch" brooms to adorn your front door, then place a Ouija board doormat at the entrance to increase the spooky factor.

SHOP BROOMS

Spooky Cauldron

Prepare kid-friendly party punch even adults will enjoy. Pour it into a cauldron and dress the sides with paper flames. To get a smokey effect, throw in some dry ice.

SHOP CAULDRONS

Paper Bat Garland

After downloading this bat stencil and tracing the shapes, cut them out and place them atop each critter made. Use a bone folder to create creases along the stencil's dotted lines. Make the wings 3D by folding the creases opposite ways before attaching the bats to a long string using tiny black clothespins .

Creepy Dinner

Have your friends DIY their own creepy costumes and place them as one of the main attractions for the night. They'll drink from bubbly witch cauldrons and eat delectable yet bloody-themed pastries.

Eyeball Balloons

This is a cute yet equally as weird Halloween decor idea that'll make a great addition to your house or next All Hallows' Eve party.

Jack O' Lantern Display

You don't have to be an expert in pumpkin carving to DIY this display. Pencil your letters onto hollowed pumpkins, then use a drill to create holes that form each letter. Christmas-tree lights will illuminate each pumpkin.

SHOP CHRISTMAS-TREE LIGHTS

Skeletons are essential when it comes to this holiday. Place them out front, in the backyard and inside to give everyone who walks through a ribtastic time (get it?).

SHOP SKELETONS

While you can have full skeletons featured throughout the space, include some skulls in different areas as well. If you want to give them a more gruesome look, paint them in red or black for an eerie twist.

SHOP SKULLS

Monster Entryway

Make the eyes of this funny-faced monster by painting black circles on two 8-inch foam half balls . Use black construction paper for the eyelashes and eyebrows, then cut two 16-inch squares of faux fur and hot-glue each around a 12-inch foam wreath . Glue the eyeballs in the center and frame the door with strips of fur using tacks of hem tape . Hang the eyes and tack or hem the eyebrows in place. Foam cones can be used for the teeth.

Portrait Luminaries

Grab all of those old family portraits or get fake ones to adhere to old paper bag lanterns. Use them to decorate your front walkway to leave shivers down everyone's spines as they enter.

Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built »

DIY Tombstone

Instead of putting your warning on the front door, frighten them with an array of tombstones scattered throughout the lawn.

SHOP TOMBSTONES

Mariah Thomas (she/her) is an assistant editor for Good Housekeeping , where she covers home and lifestyle content. Mariah has more than four years of editorial experience, having written for TLC, Apartment Therapy, Women's Health and Avocado Magazine . She received her master's degree in journalism at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism and published her first book, Heart and Soul: Poems of Thoughts and Emotions , in 2019. She's also the founder of RTF Community , a platform for creatives of color to connect, learn and showcase their work.

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How to create a backyard haunted house.

A few simple decorations and a bit of imagination can provide an evening of fun. By making it large enough that kids and grownups can go through it together you’ll also help the younger ones feel a bit braver.

Some cardboard boxes, sheets and clothesline can become a maze for the kids to go through. Bales of hay can also make a nice touch as tunnels to crawl through. If you live near a farm, you may be able to borrow a few bales and return them after the party. The maze doesn’t have to be intricate. Even a few twists and turns will allow for surprises around each corner.

Lighting is an important part of a haunted house. You want enough light that people can see where to walk safely, but not so much that they see what’s awaiting them ahead. There are many theme lights such as ghosts and pumpkins available, but Christmas tree lights work just as well. Strobe lights can also add to the spooky atmosphere as can a fog machine. Jack-o-lanterns are also a nice touch, but use battery-operated lights in them for safety.

Invite the neighborhood trick-or-treaters to venture through your haunted house, having the treats passed out by the various monsters hiding through the maze. It makes it a little more exciting for the kids. It’s sure to make your home a favorite stop of all the little ghosts and goblins.

As you plan your haunted house layout, keep safety in mind. Remove any sticks that may cause someone to trip. Avoid tree roots that may be sticking up out of the ground. Look for rocks, too. As long as you are creative, have fun, and keep safety in mind, it’s sure to be the hit of the neighborhood.

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Holidays and Traditions
Halloween Decorations

How to Make a Haunted House

Last Updated: February 25, 2023 References Approved

This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff . Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. There are 7 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 88% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 327,440 times. Learn more...

Making a haunted house is the perfect way to celebrate Halloween and spook your guests. Transforming your ordinary home into a blood-curdling haunted house takes some creativity, hard work, and planning. Your effort will pay off, however, when your guests are screaming with both laughter and fright.

Concocting a Haunted Plan

Image titled Make a Haunted House Step 1

If you do want your haunted house to be on Halloween, make sure to start preparations a few weeks before Halloween.

Image titled Make a Haunted House Step 2

You could give out a little prize at the end for children, like some candy, goody bag, or some other Halloween treat.

Image titled Make a Haunted House Step 3

It's also an option to create a maze in your home out of supplies such as painted boxes and cloth.

Image titled Make a Haunted House Step 4

For a lighter, funnier tone, have an actor play a “mad scientist” that acts silly as he works around his lab. Or, have typical scary monsters, like Frankenstein, bump into things and joke around as they try to “haunt” your guests.
For a scarier tone, have jump scares in every room, have an actor scream or bang on something when it gets quiet, and tone down the lighting to make the setting spookier.

Image titled Make a Haunted House Step 5

If you really want your haunted house to be authentic, come up with a story for why the house is haunted. For example, the house could be haunted by a family that was brutally murdered in the basement. You can tell your guests the haunted story as they enter the haunted house.
For an unexpected twist, have a setting that look cute and cheery, but reveal sinister details, like “dead” bodies or spooky noises, as the guests travel through the house.

Image titled Make a Haunted House Step 6

Your friends can dress up as ghosts or goblins and grab, shout at, or make noise around your guests when they least expect it.
They can help "guide" the guests through the different haunted rooms, and can be in charge of different activities or games.
If you don't have any friends who want to participate, consider hiring actors.

Creating an Eerie Atmosphere

Image titled Make a Haunted House Step 7

Consider putting your guests in a very dark room and giving them flashlights to try to find the way out.
Replace your lamps with dim, green bulbs around the house.
Drape traditional lamps with cobwebs and tape rubber bats to the insides.
Light a spotlight under a spider web or fake creepy insect to create a spooky shadow.

Image titled Make a Haunted House Step 8

You can find fog machines for around $30 at a party or Halloween store.
Put strobe lights in a room to create a dramatic effect.

Image titled Make a Haunted House Step 9

Have a recording of a different spooky sound in every room. One room can have the sound of a chainsaw, while another can have the sound of a woman screaming.
Your volunteers can scamper from one side of an empty room to another to create a scary sound.
Put on a soundtrack made up of soft, creepy music.
Use silence to your advantage. Pick some key moments to keep the house silent so your guests will be even more startled by the next sound.

Image titled Make a Haunted House Step 10

Make sure the way out of the maze is clear to guests.

Image titled Make a Haunted House Step 11

Using Props and Actors

Image titled Make a Haunted House Step 12

After a bout of silence, a spooky ghost can jump out and scare your guests. Try having the ghost pop out of a closet.
Have a volunteer grip guests' shoulders. Have them do this slowly so the guest thinks it's just another guest at first.
Bring your guests in a dark room. Have your volunteer turn on a flashlight under his face and laugh maniacally.
Have one of your volunteers get in line behind a pack of guests, and wait for them to slowly realize that he is there.
Have one of your guests dress up like a famous horror film character, such as Jason, or Freddy.

Image titled Make a Haunted House Step 13

Have a tub of cold water with fake snakes slithering in them. Place some coins on the bottom. Tell your guests they can't move on until they reach down and find a coin.
Instead of bobbing for apples, carve apples to look like skulls and play bobbing for skulls!
Peel the skin off a bunch of grapes and put them in a bowl. Cover the bowl and tell your guests to put their hands inside and tell you what they feel. Correct answer: eyeballs!

Image titled Make a Haunted House Step 15

You can also have characters jump out during certain sections of the house as the visitors walk through.
If your guests will be older, have an “actor” chase them with a chainsaw that no longer has a chain.

Image titled Make a Haunted House Step 17

You can make a dummy by stuffing clothes with newspaper, and putting a mask over a balloon.

Community Q&A

Video . By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube.

Before buying props or decorations from major Halloween stores, check out your local grocery store to get some affordable and high-quality props and decorations. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 1
If you're going for the "abandoned" haunted house look, drape your furniture in white and tape fake "boards" to your windows to make it look like it's boarded up. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
Create a bloody effect by putting some fake blood over mirrors, or dripping red candle wax over mirrors or white candles. Thanks Helpful 3 Not Helpful 1

Avoid having real candles in your haunted home. Remember that part of a haunted house is the element of surprise, and if your guests are truly surprised, they can run into or bump into a candle and set your haunted house on fire. Thanks Helpful 150 Not Helpful 13
Avoid having pregnant women, elderly people, very young children, people with heart conditions, or people who are claustrophobic or easily scared in your haunted house. Your haunted house should ultimately be fun and shouldn't make anyone panic or feel truly ill. Thanks Helpful 141 Not Helpful 23
Be sure that your neighborhood or apartment complex is okay with you having a haunted house if it will be noisy. Thanks Helpful 24 Not Helpful 3

↑ http://www.homedit.com/haunt-your-house/
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↑ http://www.kidzworld.com/article/26135-how-to-make-a-haunted-house

About This Article

To make a haunted house, try replacing all of the lights with green bulbs or covering lamps with cobwebs or drapes so it's dark inside. You can also set up strobe lights, black lights, or a fog machine to make your haunted house eerie and hard to see in. Once you've figured out the lighting, play some spooky sound effects using a haunted house soundtrack online. Also, set up some decorations throughout your haunted house, like hanging bats, ghosts, skulls, or monsters. If you have friends that can help you out, have them dress up and hide behind corners so they can jump out and scare people. To learn how to come up with a theme for your haunted house, keep reading! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to Make a DIY Haunted House in Your Backyard

February 28, 2023

It’s that time of the year again. Time for ghosts and ghouls, goblins and orcs, and murderers and psychopaths to roam freely about your neighborhood in search of candy and whatnot. One of the best parts of Halloween, a particular favorite around the BannerBuzz HQ, is the haunted house. If you’re lucky there’s a house in your neighborhood that takes up the mantle of being in charge of it every year.

Sometimes it’s in a basement, other times the garage or the carport. But with props becoming more cheaply and readily available every year, the backyard haunted house has become a fan favorite. Here are some tips and tricks for making yours a bloody successful good time.

Plan, Plan, Plan

Make a map. You don’t have to use special software or anything (though that would be cool) – just a simple drawing on paper will suffice. Will it have rooms? Is it maze-style? Are there places where you need a hidden compartment for a jump scare? See what we mean? The planning stage, as in all projects, is the most important stage of them all. Price your ideas online, get a feel for the cost – and add an extra 50% because… well, it just happens.

There’s a reason Teamsters are always over budget and it’s not just because of the graft. Besides, you can’t just go to the Backyard Haunted House Store, grab your kit, and go (though that would be cool).

Price the Materials for Your Walls

These, along with a roof if you’re planning one, will be the most expensive. Folks used to use wood: 2 x 4’s for framing, maybe cement bases for the posts, etc. Might we be so bold and suggest one of the newest darlings of the DIY world for your framing: PVC pipes. These bad boys are incredibly versatile.

Build the entire schematic for less than the cost of wood and it has a great deal more flexibility, not to mention it is easier it cut, fit together, take apart, and store. You still might need some type of wood-based product for the walls, but the framing will be so much easier for you if you use PVC pipes. For inspiration, check out Pinterest, which has a bevy of great ideas.

Read Also: 8 Ways to Bring the Multiplex to Your Backyard

Buy Online in Bulk

Gonna need a lot of black draperies. And we mean a lot. So get busy and fine the best deal online. Even if you plan on painting sections, you’re still going to use a lot of black drapery. And we mean a lot. Want to get creative? What about black plastic sheets? Or ginormous, industrial garbage bags? They could bring the price down farther and they also won’t be bothered by rain. Something to think about…

Spend $$ on the Big Scares

Just like action movies that spend huge chunks for their budgets on action set pieces, figure out what your big scares are and make them as good as possible. Put extra planning and extra resources into them. That doesn’t mean go all movie studio on the problems by throwing money at them. You still need to be creative. But channel any extra funds and energy into making these pop.

Spiders Are Creepy. Period.

Only a few deranged zoologists like spiders. The rest of humanity would rather submit to many tortures before being forced to walk through a giant hallway filled with spider webs. So, it’s always a good idea to go online and get yourself A LOT of spider web material. We found 1100 square feet of it on Amazon for $13. Then get the most realistic spiders you can in bulk, and maybe spring for a couple of the most realistic animatronic spiders you can find. Or just 1. We’ve seen them range from $15 all the way to $2,000 (that included a “dead body”).

Clowns = Scary

There’s a reason why It and it’s sequel It: Chapter Two have grossed over $500,000,000 dollars. Because a scary clown is scary. That’s why it’s not a benevolent clown. Evil jumps geometrically when you put that face paint and clown nose on it. Imagine, if you will, a killer clown animatronic at your entrance. And then another inside… except inside it’s a live person made to look like an animatronic… and that live person suddenly lunges at your guests. That’s priceless terror right there. Make sure you have a camera taking pictures in that room.

Read Also: 10 Ways to Transform Your Backyard for Hurricane Season

Accents Can Be Had Cheap – but Don’t Forget to DIY

Ancient-looking doorways. Blood-soaked executioner’s axe. Ancient chalices. Skulls, bones, skeletons. Chains. All of these are readily – and cheaply – available. Even stores like Home Depot are carrying them now. So don’t slack off on the shopping job.

What about DIY, you ask? Well, glad you did, because there are a lot of cool, easy ways to create those accents and haunted house tchotchkes that will take your backyard scarefest up a couple notches. When in doubt – YouTube.

Start Early

Put in the work. Don’t hastily throw this thing together. Get creative. Leave no gravestone unturned. Figure out your big scares and build around them. From there, you’ll be able to build and/or find a lot of cool stuff both for the big scares and for everywhere in between, from big items to accouterment, and they can all elevate your haunted house game.

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25 Gruesome DIY Haunted House Props For The Scariest Halloween

Modified: Dec 30, 2022 by Vanessa Beaty · This post may contain affiliate links · 2 Comments

It’s nearly Halloween!

Do you know where your DIY projects are?

Well, if you’re looking to add some really gruesome and gory projects to your list, I’ve got just the thing for you.

I’ve always loved hosting haunted houses and lately, I’ve been thinking of ways to up my scare factor.

I started looking around and found these 25 amazingly gruesome haunted house props that you can easily DIY!

From bloody corpses to frightening monsters in breakaway cages, you’re sure to emit some screams of terror from your haunted house guests with these DIY haunted house props.

1. Gruesome Bathroom Murder Scene

2. frightening bendable cage, 3. bloody votive jars, 4. diy bloody skull lamp, 5. easy diy halloween bubbling blood bath, 6. dead bodies – diy budget style, 7. cheap and easy burning coals prop, 8. upcycled empty cardboard box decorations, 9. grotesque charred corpse, 10. diy chicken wire ghosts, 11. creepy doll mobile, 12. diy crystal ball candlesticks, 13. scary glowing evil eyes, 14. faux breakable chains, 15. harry potter inspired floating candles, 16. diy hanging spider balloons, 17. gruesome garage door victim, 18. haunted mirrors, 19. diy haunted reaper, 20. creepy head in a jar, 21. fanged mini vampire pumpkins, 22. diy moaning myrtle toilet, 23. acid bath monster, 24. diy monster porch, 25. the ring inspired well.

If you are planning an entire house full of scary scenes, this bathroom murder scene is a must addition to your haunted house.

It’s pretty easy to do and looks for all the world like something you would see in a crime series.

You just mix up fake blood, which is really easy by the way, and then splatter it on towels and your shower curtain – outside so that you don’t really make a mess in the house.

Add some bloody handprints and you’re all set to scare your guests.

Tutorial/Source: instructables

This cage’s bars are made with rubber hosing so they’re easy to move, although your guests won’t know that.

You simply build the cage and then put someone or something scary inside.

When people pass by, the insider can “bend” the bars and get out! Your guests will think that they are perfectly safe until they see what’s really happening.

This is definitely a scream-worthy DIY project.

Tutorial/Source: halloweenforum

These votive jars are perfect for decorating tables and scaring your guests. They’re really easy to make, too.

Just use red acrylic paint to “bloody” up some gauze and then when the paint dries, wrap the gauze around small mason jars or jelly jars.

Add your candles and these are by far the spookiest votive holders that your guests have ever seen.

Tutorial/Source: brit

These bloody skull lamps take a bit of work but they’re definitely worth it. If you plan on hosting a haunted house, these are a must.

They’re creepy with blood splatters that will add so much scary to your fright house.

Plus, this is actually a lamp so it lights up which makes it even creepier.

Put it on the porch to welcome guests into the haunted house or on an entry table to offer an even bigger creepy factor.

Tutorial/Source: skeletonfoundry

This bubbling blood bath is sure to emit a few screams from your haunted house goers. It’s pretty cheap to make considering the scope of the project and doesn’t take nearly as long as you might expect.

The bubbling effect is done with a fountain pump and it’s really scary. Add in the tombstone shape and the skeleton and other scary creatures and you’ve got yourself a nice little fright for guests.

You don’t have to spend a fortune on mannequins or other similar items to get dead bodies in your yard.

You can make these budget bodies from packing foam and plastic trash bags. You fill clothing with packing foam and then place them in clear bags.

They look like real bodies in those bags. Then, just blood splatter white bags with red paint and leave the bodies all over your yard.

Tutorial/Source: hauntforum

Burning coals are certain to give your haunted house an eerie look and you can create them really easily.

This is a great upcycle project. You use cardboard, two liter soda bottles, orange or red bulb lights and spray foam along with spray paint. It’s a really simple project but one that gives you a really intense aura.

You can actually have this done in about an hour and if you have any recycling available, it will only cost you the spray paint and lights.

Upcycled Empty Cardboard Box Decorations

Set the mood from the minute your guests enter your yard with these easy window decorations that you make from upcycled cardboard boxes.

Curtains hide these monsters from view inside the house but outside…they’re there to scare your guests as they arrive.

You can make them in any shape or form that you want and they are perfect for setting that creepy mood that you want for a haunted house.

Tutorial/Source: reddit

This charred corpse is probably the most grotesque Halloween decoration that I have ever seen and it’s absolutely perfect for a haunted house.

You’ll need a standard skeleton decoration to make this, along with foam insulation, paint and a few other craft supplies.

This is seriously a creepy decoration so if you’re going for the real scare, this is perfect.

Tutorial/Source: imakeprojects

These ghosts in your yard or hanging from your trees are sure to terrify your haunted house guests.

You make them with chicken wire that you can mold around a mannequin or other similarly shaped object.

If you want them to grab attention after dark, try placing lanterns or candles close to them – not close enough to show what they really are but just close enough to create an eerie glow around them.

There are so many ways that you can use dolls in your haunted house decorating. You can simply spray paint a large doll white and have her peeking out from a corner, or try this creepy doll mobile.

Dolls with porcelain heads tend to be much scarier so if you can find those – check your local thrift store – then you’re golden.

Add them to a makeshift mobile that you can create from a cheap grapevine wreath and hang on the porch or in the entryway.

Tutorial/Source: epbot

While these crystal ball candlesticks aren’t likely to scare someone silly, they do add a nice Halloween ambiance to your haunted house and they are super easy to make.

These glowing crystal balls contain images that you can print off yourself so you get whatever picture you want on your ball. A candle gives them a nice creepy glow.

Tutorial/Source: flamingotoes

These scary evil eyes are so easy to make and they’re really cheap. You need empty toilet paper rolls – can you say upcycle? – and some of those glow stick bracelets that you can get at the Dollar Store for a dollar per pack.

Cut eye shapes into the empty toilet paper rolls and then insert a glow stick. Tape it all up so that the stick stays in place and put these around your yard, in bushes and even in trees to give your entire outdoors a creepy Halloween vibe.

Tutorial/Source: kellyelko

One of the scariest Halloween pranks I’ve ever seen was someone dressed as a zombie who was chained up to a wall.

The chains, unbeknownst to the guests, were fake and just as people got close to the zombie, he snapped the chains and ran after them.

It was hilariously fun and you can create the same scenario with these faux breakable chains that you can make from pipe insulation and a bit of paint.

Tutorial/Source: ribbonsandglue

These floating candles are sure to give your guests a fright. These are inspired by the Great Hall candles from Harry Potter and are so simple to make. This is also an upcycle project because you use empty toilet paper and paper towel rolls to make the candles.

Just paint the rolls white and then string them from the ceiling with LED lights. You’ll love how authentic these look and your guests will appreciate that extra ick factor.

Tutorial/Source: eatingbender

While these hanging spider balloons aren’t likely to scare anyone witless, they are sure to add that extra bit of creepy to your decorations.

They’re really easy, too. You just fill balloons with helium and then attach plastic or rubber spiders to string or fishing line. Rubber spiders will seem much more realistic if you really want some extra fright in your haunted house decor.

Tutorial/Source: studiodiy

I love this scary garage door victim. It really looks like something evil has forced the garage door down on a man and it’s really easy to set up. Just stuff old clothing or foam into pants and a shirt and add shoes.

Then position your victim so that his “neck” is under the garage door and add splatters of blood around the area. This one is definitely not for the faint of heart so if your haunted house is just for kids, I would use this one carefully.

Tutorial/Source: homedit

These haunted mirrors are very reminiscent of the haunted house at Disney World.

If you’ve never seen those, then you are seriously missing out on a good scare. You can easily make these with some old mirrors, images that you want to appear and some silver mirror like paint. They don’t take long to finish and they’re sure to be one of the scariest aspects of your haunted house décor.

If this haunted reaper doesn’t scare your guests then they have nerves of steel.

I got scared just looking at the picture! It takes a bit of work but it will quickly become your favorite Halloween decoration, especially if you are setting up a haunted house.

And, once you build him, you can use him year after year to continue scaring your guests.

This head in a jar is probably one of the creepiest things that I have ever seen and it’s wonderful! If you’re looking to create a really scare ambiance for your haunted house, this is definitely a prop that you need to make.

The best part is, it’s super easy to put together and doesn’t cost much if anything at all. You just put a mask or even a printout of a scary face into a jar and then maybe add some hair.

Tutorial/Source: madhauscreative

These little fanged vampire pumpkins probably won’t scare anyone silly but they will certainly add to your haunted house décor. These are so simple to make and they’re a great project for the kids.

You just add plastic vampire fangs to little pumpkins and you’re done. How easy was that? You could even paint the pumpkins blood red or black if you want them to be a bit creepier.

Tutorial/Source: marthastewart

Harry Potter is a great place to look for frightening haunted house décor. Take this Moaning Myrtle toilet for example. It’s scary and your guests are going to really get a kick out of it.

While the toilet doesn’t really moan, you can put a picture of Myrtle under the seat, which will shock anyone who needs to use the bathroom.

I would also do a hidden recording of her moaning and talking and maybe even a little fog machine for added effect.

Tutorial/Source: pinningwithpurpose

This one is super scary and super easy to make. You need an old oil drum as well as a scary mask and some clothing and maybe a skeleton for the hands.

Just add them all together and paint where needed to create the illusion of acid and blood.

This would be great around a corner or near the exit, somewhere guests would never expect to see something like this.

Tutorial/Source: fulcrumsites

Before your guests even enter your haunted house, give them a fright with this monster front porch.

It looks as if your house is the actual monster and the porch is his mouth. It’s really easy to put together and would be great if you painted it with glow in the dark paint so that it would really show up after dark.

This one only takes about an hour or so to build and is definitely going to up your scare factor.

Tutorial/Source: craftibilities

You can really scare your guests when you add this DIY version of the well from the Ring. It’s complete with the little girl climbing out of it!

This one is not at all difficult to build and would look great in the front yard or a side yard if you’re having an outdoor haunted house.

Even better, have this portion of the actual movie playing as your guests enter and then have the well sitting just outside the exit door.

Tutorial/Source: lotharslair

You can do so many wonderful DIY Halloween projects to scare your neighbors, trick-or-treaters and even haunted house guests.

Take this DIY monster Halloween house décor for instance.

It turns your entire house into a monster!

The great thing about these DIY haunted house props is you don’t even need to be terribly artistic or crafty to do them.

They are all relatively easy and many of them don’t even require that many supplies. In fact, some of them are upcycles and you know how much I love to upcycle.

If you love decorating for Halloween as much as I do and you love creating scare-worthy decorations that will instantly turn your home into a haunted house, this is definitely the collection of ideas for you.

From a quick and easy bathroom murder scene to a gruesome garage door victim complete with fake blood, you’re going to love all the different scare tactics in here.

Plus, you should check out these great pumpkin hacks to make your jack-o-lanterns super scary.

So, if you are planning to host a haunted house this year or you just really want the neighborhood kids to be terrified of your house when they visit for trick-or-treat night, you really need to check these haunted house prop ideas out.

They’re easy, cheap and will definitely increase your home’s scare potential.

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Set Your Location

How to make a haunted maze in your very own front or backyard cookie -->.

September 23, 2016 By Kelly T 0 -->

This Halloween, make your house the most popular trick or treating spot on the block by creating your very own haunted maze in your front or backyard! Let those creative juices flow by choosing a theme and decorating for your maze, and put your critical thinking skills to the test by planning it out and executing your design with both fun and safety in mind. Check out these ideas for creating your very own haunted maze perfect for handing out delightful frights along with sweet treats this Halloween!

Plan The Path! The very first thing you want to do when planning your haunted maze is to map out the path of the maze. Once you have the path design planned out, you’ll have to decide what materials (bales of hay, hanging sheets, cardboard, etc.) you want to use to create the walls of your maze. You may want to consider using glow-in-the-dark paint to write things on your walls so that the people who are walking through have an easier time distinguishing where the walls of the maze are located.

Lead The Way With Lighting! While of course mazes are supposed to be mysterious and spooky, they also have to be safe which means that you cannot have your maze goers walking around in complete darkness, there’s has to be some light to lead the way. Strobe lights can be used to light the way and give an unnerving feel to the maze, while red Christmas lights can be used to give the maze an eerie feel. Even Jack o’ Lanterns, with no-flame tea lights, can be utilized to light the path and showcase the scary maze decor.

Pick A Theme! Stick some tombstones into the ground and scatter fake skeletons around to create a cemetary theme, add a bubbling cauldron with a fog machine to give your maze a magical, witchy feel, or create a crazed carnival feel with clowns and other circus fare!

Tantalize The Senses! Invoke all of the senses of those going through your haunted maze by adding sounds, smells, and tangible things to touch throughout the maze. Playing creepy music is always a great touch, as are fake spider webs and blowing air! You can even have someone walking the outskirts of the maze to naturally create the sounds of someone stepping on leaves and twigs, ideal for giving maze goers that spine tingling feeling that someone is following them!

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Outdoor Halloween Decor

How to Be a Trick-or-Treater’s Favorite House on the Block

This Halloween, stand out to trick-or-treaters with these spooky ideas for upgrading your home's exterior.

Despite popular belief, there are more ways to attract trick-or-treaters on Halloween night than simply handing out full-size candy bars.

Brittany Smith

Even if you're not turning on your porch lights this October 31st, you can still join in on the spooky fun and decorate your yard and porch leading up to the holiday.

ADAM ALBRIGHT

Add Lighting and Bright Colors

Mimi Meacham of Marian Louise Design notes the most important task if you're expecting trick-or-treaters is to turn on your outdoor lights. This lets passersby know that you're home and open for Halloween business.

Additionally, Lance Allen, senior merchant of decorative holiday at The Home Depot , recommends pathway lighting, such as these jack-o'-lantern lights , so candy-seekers can easily find their way to your doorbell. "Not only do they illuminate, but they feature creepy motion-activated sounds to add to the overall scary effect."

To light up your home's façade even more, hang purple or orange string lights around porch railings or your front door. Attract more walkers and drivers to your street with extra bright colors—Halloween doesn't have to be entirely black and orange! "We use brightly-colored painted pumpkins and felt skeletons to highlight the fun and playfulness of Halloween," Meacham says.

Incorporate Larger-Than-Life Characters

We all know "Skelly", the infamous 12-foot skeleton that's been in yards across the country for the several Halloweens—but he has a few new friends. The Home Depot also offers larger-than-life characters like a towering ghost and giant animated Jack Skellington .

Options vary from fun-loving to spine-chilling. Choosing one with movement, lights, and sound is the ultimate trifecta for the most popular yard on the block. Place the gigantic creatures near the end of your sidewalk to draw people into your yard as they pass by; the animated characters with motion sensors will likely move or talk as guests arrive.

John Granen

Interactive Mazes and Graveyards

Vy Truong of Very Handsome Studio says that some of her most fond trick-or-treating memories as a child were walking through interactive mazes or haunted houses to reach the candy at the end.

"If you don't have much real estate space in your front yard, create trivia or activities to unlock the doorbell and get to the treats. These were our favorite homes when we were trick-or-treating back in the day."

Use your very own front yard to craft a graveyard alternative to a traditional maze. Purchase a pack of faux tombstones and place them throughout the yard. Stick a few posable skeleton bones throughout, giving the illusion of them escaping from their grave. Have guests walk through the homemade cemetery to reach the end goal: candy galore!

Jason Donnelly

Spooky Details

Whether you're going for a scary display or lighthearted fun this Halloween, the details will take your trick-or-treat curb appeal to the next level. Add small decorations like fake cobwebs across your windows or a skeleton hand peeking out of the candy dish. Halloween stores carry an abundance of spooky products to suit your needs.

For a finishing touch, hide a Bluetooth speaker in a spot that's audible from the sidewalk in front of your home, and choose a playlist that best fits your scare level. There are many available to stream for free, from ghoulish screams to classic Monster Mash-like party tunes. Add a fog machine to make the ambience even more eerie.

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Sweepstakes

How to Throw a Great Halloween Party (or a Scary-Good At- Home Haunted House)

From creating a manageable budget to selecting an appropriate playlist, these 11 easy-to-follow tips can help you set up a Halloween party or haunted house experience that'll blow everyone's mind.

Halloween is fast approaching, and while many are deciding whether they want to hit up a costume bash in a bar or stay in and hand out candy, you can have the best of both worlds by hosting the spooky season celebrations right in your own home. But whether you're a top-notch party planner or last-minute hustler, the prospect of throwing a Halloween bash or creating a haunted house can be a bit intimidating, and things can get very overwhelming, very fast. That's why we compiled this list of 11 tips for a great party or at-home haunted house.

Set a theme

Instead of going with a generic Halloween bash, setting a theme may help you create a vision for what you want your house to really look like. If you're going for an '80s horror night vibe, for example, you know you're looking for inspiration from movies such as Nightmare on Elm Street, The Shining, Creepshow or Halloween . Setting a theme can also help your guests narrow down their costume choices so everyone doesn't have to spend too much time at Spirit Halloween.

Create a manageable budget

Sure, you want to be host/hostess with the mostest, that doesn't mean that you punish your bank account by trying to out-Heidi Klum Heidi Klum herself . Once you've decided what you want your theme to be, create a realistic budget. Figure out what areas and items are absolute must-haves, what's an added bonus, where you can splurge a little more and what you can totally live without.

But, uh, don't skimp on decorations

The truth is, when you're hosting a Halloween party or haunted house, people are showing up for the spectacle of it all, so you can't be stingy with the decor. Your classic spider web and scary Jack-o-lanterns are cool, but don't be afraid to get a little creative — either adding scares in unexpected places, or throwing it back to an old school haunted house with peeled-grape "eyeballs" and noodle "brains."

Be mindful of your guest list

Is your party for adults? Is it for kids? Is it meant to be a mixture? This will help you nail down which decorations and party favors are needed. We can all agree that floating, bloody heads at a kid-friendly party may be inappropriate, yes?

Create a standout entrance

Set the mood from the get-go. Whether you're throwing a big party or a small get-together, a standout entrance always makes for a good preamble to the festivities. It also makes for a great attraction for passersby.

RELATED VIDEO: These Pets Are Ready for Halloween!

Incorporate some frights

Just to keep everyone on their toes, put some scary surprises in specific corners or rooms of your house. Try having spiders drop down when people open the fridge, or skeletons pop out when someone closes the door to the bathroom.

Turn to social media for inspo

Feeling frighteningly uninspired? Social media platforms are a great way to pull inspiration and source ideas. You can certainly find hacks on how to quickly DIY everything—from decorations , to Halloween snacks and even party favors. Case in point: This Hocus Pocus charcuterie board idea.

Don't forget the music

Music plays a huge part in establishing the ambiance, so make your selections wisely . You can go for pop culture hits like "Thriller" or "Disturbia" or you can scout for theme songs from movies or TV shows that create that eerie, spooky vibe.

Have a wide array of games

One of the key components of a great party is having a solid array of games. Pull out the old classics—Uno, Connect Four, Jenga—or add Halloween touches to yard games. Candy Corn Hole, anyone?

Lay out a variety of sweet treats

Because is it even Halloween without an absurd amount of sugar ? Just keep in mind though, whether you're buying or baking, try to have a diverse assortment of sweets to accommodate any dietary needs your guests may have. Think gluten-free Skittles and gummy bears, as well as dairy-free cupcakes or cookies.

Utilize any outdoor space

If you don't want people gathering in your house—leaving rings on your pristine tables and crumbing up your nice rugs—try making use of any outdoor space you have. The best way to go about this is to create a spooky pathway that leads straight to the backyard — where a dry ice-filled cooler is ready to tempt guests with some witch's brewskis.

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How to tell if your house is haunted, according to study

(WSYR-TV) — If you think your house is haunted, you might be right, as according to a new study, many Americans believe in haunted houses.

A new survey from All Star Home , has revealed that many Americans experience paranormal activity inside their home, and a handful believe their home is haunted.

Whether it’s strange footsteps echoing in the hallway, or an eerie presence when you’re alone, after surveying more than 1,000 Americans, two in five admitted they’ve experienced unusual or unexplained occurrences at home.

Strange sounds and experiences in homes were also common reports from the survey, including:

More than one in three report hearing unexplained sounds such as footsteps or voices
Nearly one in five have seen apparitions or ghostly figures
One in 10 have used a Ouija board at home, but 42% say they’d never do it again

What are the most common paranormal experiences in a home?

According to the survey, common paranormal experiences in a house include the following:

Strange sounds
Animals acting weirdly
Ghosts or strange shadows
Lights turning on or off
Strange voices
Unexplained or unusual smells

Some people were brave enough to share some of their own encounters, such as stationary objects moving on their own like doors and windows, and several reported lights turning on or off.

A handful of people in the survey had even more frightening encounters, including a 60-year-old woman who believed to see an actual ghost in her home.

“When we moved into our new home, my son was two, and we were playing in the basement. He said, ‘who is that woman?’ I turned around and I had a brief glimpse of something – it was a flash – nothing more. He said he had seen her here for a while. I found out later that the owner’s mom died in the house.”

Even more frightening, a 65-year-old man shared that one time something appeared to push his mom while they were standing in the living room of her home, and seconds later, a ceiling fixture fell right where she had been standing.

Others shared they found strange or weird objects in their home from prior owners that made them believe something ghostly was there.

“I found a civil war sword in the crawlspace under the kitchen floor, along with an old rifle. The original owner was killed with a rifle by his son. They never found the gun,” said a 58-year-old woman in the survey.

According to the survey, the most common rooms for strange occurrences to happen include:

The Bedroom (49%)
The Living Room (26%)
The Kitchen (23%)
The Hallway/ Stairs (21%)
The Basement (12%)

Is my house haunted?

If you’re questioning your house’s possibility of being haunted, you aren’t alone, as one in six Americans believe their home is haunted.

It’s mostly believed that older homes are haunted as many people have lived in the house and might have even died in the house. Although that is just a myth, many believe it to be true with 52% of people believing in the ghost stories of an old house.

“I live in a 60-70-year-old house. I’ve heard my name called multiple times when I’ve been alone. I’ve heard talking, smelled cigarette smoke (no one smokes) and even heard music. I think it’s my grandfather who smoked and played music in a country band,” said a 39-year-old man in the survey.

88-year-old homes are believed to be the average age of homes where people report unusual experiences.

Older homes often get a bad reputation because of this, with 31% of Americans admitting old homes freak them out, and only 24% admitting they would buy a haunted house.

However, it seems like you can’t go anywhere in the U.S. without hearing stories about a local haunted house, as 43% say their community has local ghost legends or stories.

With all that being said, you might be hearing noises or smelling weird smells because your house is in need of repairs, not because it’s haunted.

All Star Home recommends repairing siding, a deteriorating roof, and the radiator can all help get rid of any spooky creaks and cracks, as home maintenance is key to keeping a house free of weird noises.

Methodology

All Star Homes surveyed 1,017 Americans in August, 2023, about their paranormal experiences. The survey consisted of 49% were women, 49% were men, 1% were non-binary, and 1% would rather not say. Respondents ranged in age from 19 to 94 with an average age of 42.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com.

How to tell if your house is haunted, according to study

Map: Your 2023 guide to Halloween decorations, haunted houses and pumpkin patches in Utah 👻

By yvette cruz, ksl.com | updated - oct. 11, 2023 at 3:40 p.m. | posted - oct. 6, 2023 at 8:06 p.m., a halloween display can be seen at 402 cinnamon cir. saratoga springs in utah. (george & heather leatham ).

Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes

SALT LAKE CITY — As mornings get crisper and the leaves turn red, it's clear that fall is in full effect. The next marker of the season comes as people start getting creative and Halloween decorations begin popping up.

And do you know what that means? KSL.com's annual Halloween decorations map is back for more spookytacular fun!

Make your way to any of the locations on our map to see how Utahns have decorated their homes this year, or visit a local haunted house or pumpkin patch for some Halloween fun.

To be featured on our map, you can submit your own locations using this link by Oct. 27. Send photos of your Halloween decorations to [email protected] or use the iWitness feature below. Just be sure to include an address with the image. We ask that you please only submit your own decorations or get permission from the homeowner to send in their location.

If you are having trouble viewing the map, click here .

Editor's note: This map will be updated daily on weekdays. We appreciate your patience in getting your locations added.

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Halloween guide: Haunted walks, ghost tours and more

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Oct. 12-14, 19-21 & 27-29 Wallingford’s Nightmare on the Ridge Details: Take a haunted walk through some of your darkest nightmares brought to life at Wallingford’s Orchard. Participate in the costume contest on Oct. 13 for a chance to win a personal escort through the haunted walk with Jason and Punx The Clown and more. Where: Wallingford’s Orchard, 1240 Perkins Ridge Road, Auburn When: 7 to 10 p.m. Cost: $25

Oct. 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 & 28 The Solon Hotel Haunted House Details: This event is for adults. No one younger than 16 will be allowed to participate without a parent. Where: Solon Hotel, 4 South Main St., Solon When: 6 to 9 p.m. Cost: $10

Oct. 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 & 28 The Trail of Terror Details: The trail is suggested for those 13 years or older. Where: Union Fairgrounds, 175 Fairgrounds Lane, Union When: 6 to 8:30 p.m. Cost: $15

Oct. 13, 20, 27 Granite City Ghost Tours Details: Join the Lady in White as she leads you by lantern light through the darkened city streets of Hallowell. This 1.5-hour walking tour through central Maine will be the highlight of the fall season. Where: 115 Second St., Hallowell (Kennebec Creeps & Crawls) When: 6:30-8 p.m. Cost: $25-$30

Oct. 14 Mix Maine’s Boo Ball Details: Win cash prizes in costume contests and enjoy performances from Dakota, 12/OC and a DJ. There will also be several Halloween-themed food booths. Where: Augusta Civic Center, 76 Community Drive, Augusta When: 7:30 p.m. to midnight

Some of the entries in the pumpkin carving contest in Wayne. Joe Phelan/Kennebec Journal

Oct. 19-21 South Paris Jack o’Lantern Spectacular Details: A spectacular amount of carved and lit pumpkins lining the paths through the garden. Where: McLaughlin Garden and Homestead, 97 Main St., South Paris When: 6 to 8:30 p.m. Cost: $8 Advertisement

Oct. 19-21 Crypt Walks at the Franco Center Details: Take a walk through the crypt of the former St. Mary’s Church – if you dare. Each night of the event, trained and costumed actors will play the parts of ghoulish and scary characters whose tasks include scaring crypt visitors. During daytime hours, the walk will provide less of a scare than the nightly walk. Where: 46 Cedar St., Lewiston When: Daytime crypt walks will run from noon to 5 p.m. and nighttime walks will take place from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Cost: $10 to $20

Oct. 19-26 Spirits Alive: Walk Among the Shadows Details: The guided tour through Portland’s oldest historic landscape is called Portland’s Inferno 1866, Fire and Resurgence. You’ll learn the history of the devastating blaze and will “meet” several notable figures involved with it, including journalist John Neal, Portland’s first Black fireman William Ruby and fire survivor Elizabeth Pearson Day. Where: Eastern Cemetery, 224 Congress St., Portland When: 6:30 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, 5:30 p.m. Sunday Cost: $10, $4 for kids under 12

Oct. 20 Trawl-O-Ween Party at Lost Valley Details: The first-ever Trawl-O-Ween Party will offer a limited batch of Trawl Beer on tap, and feature a performance by the Funk Metal Pranksters TRAWL with special guests Loki and Division North. All ages welcome. Where: Lost Valley, 200 Lost Valley Road, Auburn When: Doors open at 4 p.m., music starts at 7 p.m. Cost: No cover charge

Oct. 20, 21, 27 & 28 Halls of Horror Details: Attendees will be treated to a night of terror as they try to find their way through the Halls of Horror. Organizers say this event is not for the squeamish. Where: 128 Weld Road, Wilton When: 7-10 p.m. Cost: $20 general admission with upgrades

Oct 20 & 21 An Evening With The Spirits Details: An Evening With The Spirits is a Victorian-styled magic show during which Stanley The Great will try to reach the dearly departed. There will be spine tingling special effects made with antique props as chilling, gothic tales are told. Where: Mayo Street Arts, 10 Mayo St., Portland. When: 7 p.m. Cost: $15 in advance, $18 at the door, $22 preferred seating, pay-what-you-can seats available

Oct. 21 Saco Main Street Pumpkin Harvest Festival Details: Ride your broomstick to Saco for its annual Main Street Pumpkin Harvest Festival where you’ll find kids’ activities including a trunk or treat area, costume contest, pie-eating competition, horse-drawn wagon rides, merchant booths, dance troupes, live music and more. Where: Main Street, Saco When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cost: Free Advertisement

Oct. 22 & 29 “Grave Secrets” Cemetery Tours Details: Join the Lady in White for an afternoon of Hallowell history, Victorian funeral practices, gravestone symbolism and other hands-on activities. Spend a beautiful fall afternoon in the city’s most peaceful cemetery. Where: 27 Water St., Hallowell (Hallowell Village Cemetery) When: 1-2:30 p.m. Cost: $25-$30

Oct. 25 Halloween Spook-Tacular Science Show Details: Attend a Halloween science extravaganza with Mad Science at the Lewiston Public Library. Start off with decorating your own trick-or-treat bags and visiting each service desk for a treat. Enjoy the other Halloween activities and a snack before the Mad Science Spook-tacular Show at 5:30 p.m. Costumes are encouraged. Where: Lewiston Public Library, 200 Lisbon St. When: 5 to 6:30 p.m. Cost: Free

Oct. 27 Thriller Throwdown 2023 Details: The 11th year for the zombie takeover happens in the center of downtown Portland, and you don’t want to miss it. More than 100 grisly ghouls will be re-creating one of the most iconic videos ever made: Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” Just remember, no one’s gonna save you from the beast about to strike. Where: Congress Square Park, Portland When: 5:30 p.m. Cost: Free

Oct. 28 Trunk-or-Treat Mercer Details: Many treat givers, photo booth, games and more. The event will be moved into the gymnasium in the event of rain. Where: Mercer Community Center, 1015 Beech Hill Road, Mercer When: 1 to 4 p.m. Cost: Free

Oct. 28 Trunk-or-Treat Norridgewock Details: Bring all the kiddos, big and small to this wonderful community event. Where: Mill Stream School, 26 Mercer Road, Norridgewock When: 5 to 7 p.m. Cost: Free

Oct. 28 Kotzschmar Spooktacular Songs & Storytime Details: Geared for kids ages 2-12, the Kotzschmar Spooktacular features stories, songs and Portland Public Library’s book-mobile. There’s also a 10-minute silent film with with live accompaniment from organist James Kennerley, and kids will love a demo of the historic instrument. A costume parade will make its way across the stage. Be sure to reserve your free spot. Where: Merrill Auditorium, 20 Myrtle St., Portland When: 10 a.m. Cost: Free Advertisement

Oct. 28 Trunk-or-Treat Skowhegan Details: Cars, trucks, firetrucks, boats, police cars and more will fill the parking lot. Each vehicle will have their trunk decorated and children will walk from trunk to trunk gathering goodies and enjoying festive Halloween decorations. Where: MIKA After School & Summer Camp Programs, 348 Madison Ave., Skowhegan When: 5 to 7 p.m. Cost: Free

Oct. 28 HIVE: The Witching Hour All Night Halloween Party Details: It’s a late-night dance party for the ages. Costumes are encouraged and music will be from DJ Gratitude, Tumbl Down b2b Kreitzman, Amrit, Max Dansky, Deja and Single Grind. You can also expect immersive experiences, dance performances and a costume contest. Where: 77 Free St., Portland When: 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. Cost: $20, $25

Oct. 28 Ghoul’s Night Out Details: Throw on a costume and come throw it down at Geno’s. Dancing, beverages and music will be bountiful, so put together a crew and make it happen. Where: Geno’s Rock Club, 625 Congress St., Portland When: 9 p.m. Cost: Free entry, 21-plus

Oct. 28 Barnyard Trick or Treat Details: It’s the final weekend of the barnyard season at Smiling Hill Farm, so put on a costume and pay a visit. Pick-a-pumpkin wagon rides will be happening, and the goats and other animals will be very happy to see you. Where: Smiling Hill Farm, 781 County Road, Westbrook When: 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cost: $9, $6 if in costume, $3 kids

Oct. 28 Trunk-or-Treat Details: Lithgow Public Library will be hosting its first Trunk-or-Treat in the parking lot. They’ll have other community organizations with their decorated trunks, candy and some books. Parking will be in one half of the lot and on street as normal. Where: 45 Winthrop St., Augusta When: 1:30-3:30 p.m. Cost: Free

Oct. 28 Halloween Dance Details: Annual Halloween Dance sponsored by United Bikers of Maine Somerset County. Live Music by Holy Smoke. There will be a costume contest, 50/50 raffle and Halloween treats. All proceeds will be going to the Thanksgiving food baskets. Where: American Legion Post #39, 20 S. Maple St., Madison When: 8 p.m. to 12:01 a.m. Cost: $15 per person; $20 per couple Advertisement

Oct. 28 Haunted House Details: Not recommended for young children. Where: Skowhegan Community Center, 39 Poulin Drive, Skowhegan When: 6 to 8 p.m. Cost: $5

Oct. 28 Trunk or Treat Skowhegan-Madison Details: Bring your little ghouls and goblins and join us for some fun at the lodge. Where: Skowhengan-Madison Elks Lodge, 21 Silver St., Skowhegan When: 1to 3 p.m. Cost: Free

Oct. 31 Trunk a Treat Where: Chesterville Town Office, 409 Dutch Gap Road, Chesterville When: 4-6 p.m. Cost: Free

Oct. 28 Black Cat Ball Details: Get your groove on during the Black Cat Ball Halloween party, featuring Motor Booty Affair. The evening festivities will include a secret costume contest. Planted judges will scour the arena for the craziest costumes and deliberate on one final winner who will take home $500 courtesy of Black Maple Piercing. This event is 21+. Where: 190 Birch St., Lewiston When: 6 p.m. Cost: $20 to $50

Oct. 28 The Great Pumpkin Ball Details: Equality Maine and the Equality Community Center presents a massive Halloween dance party and costume contest in Portland. Head to the State Theatre where you’ll find Salina EsTitties from RuPaul’s Drag Race, host Blake Hayes from Coast 93.1, drag king Finn Gerring, music from DJ XO and DJ Robbie Leslie. The night also features a costume contest with great prizes, burlesque go-go dancers and special performances. VIP tix get you into a pre-party down the street at Sagamore Lounge. Where: State Theatre, 609 Congress St., Portland When: 8:30 p.m. Cost: $30 in advance, $40 at the door, $60 VIP, 18-plus, pay-what-you-can and free tickets available

Oct. 29 Space Halloween with Josie and The Pussycats, The Beach Boys, Buzzcocks and Animal Collective Details: Pull together a spectacular costume and head to Space for a thrilling night of local cover bands slaying with tunes from some of your favorite acts. The supergroups are comprised of Maine acts KGFREEZE, Ossalot, Lunch Cult, Akela Moon and several others. Where: Space, 538 Congress St., Portland When: 6:30 p.m. Cost: $15 in advance, $18 day of event, $10 for 18 and under/students Advertisement

Oct. 29 Lore of the Jack-O’-Lantern Details: Spend your Halloween eve eve with Brian Serven and Doctor Gasp. The latter is singer-songwriter Dan Blakeslee’s spooky alter-ego, and he and Serven will have plenty of tricks up their sleeves. The evening will feature a theatrical reading and music performance to mark the audiobook release of “Lore of the Jack-O’Lantern” during which illustrations by Blakeslee will be projected. Where: Space, 538 Congress St., Portland When: 8:30 p.m. Cost: $15

Oct. 29-31 Trail of Terror Haunted Walk Details: This year’s theme for the Trail of Terror Haunted Walk is CarnEvil of Souls so be ready to to scream your head off as you roam along the trail, wild with anticipation about what might go bump in the night. The walk is a volunteer-run fundraiser for OOB365. Where: Aquaboggan, 980 Portland Road, Saco When: 5-9 p.m. Cost: $20, $10 kids under 10

Oct. 30 Flightmare on Elm. St. 2 Details: You don’t want to miss any night that involves powerhouse singer Gina Alibrio and her all-star band the Red Eye Flight Crew. You’ll dance ‘til you drop as they churn out soul, funk and rock covers. Where: Portland House of Music, 25 Temple St. When: 9:30 p.m. Cost: $20 in advance, $25 at the door, 21-plus

Oct. 31 Halloween Celebration with Hello Newman Details: Be a Halloween purist by partying on the actual night. Costumes are optional but don’t be that person. Hello Newman will be playing ’90s hits all night long. Where: Portland House of Music, 25 Temple St. When: 8 p.m. Cost: $10 in advance, $12 at the door, 21-plus

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1 Plan. Before spending your Halloween savings, it's a good idea to have a plan in mind to guide your purchasing. It's very likely that you'll be able to reuse existing decorations and recycle items in your home as well as purchasing decorations, and this will keep down the costs considerably. Things to plan include:
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Add Spooky Elements The most fun part of creating your haunted house is the decor. Details like red-painted "bloody" handprints, ghosts, bats, scary props, fog machines, and dangling spiders are a fun way to give a fright. You'll also want to ensure the lights are dim during the experience for a maximum scary effect.
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Raise your garage door about ¾ of the way up and hang bed sheets down the middle to divide the space in half. Set up a cardboard tunnel (filled with spider webbing, rubber spiders and other creepy crawlies) that trick-or-treaters must crawl through to get into the garage. Decorate the inside of your garage with hanging bats, spider webs ...
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23 Insanely Scary DIY Haunted House Ideas

Use Chicken Wire to Make Creepy Ghosts

Start With PVC Pipe to Build a Grim Reaper

Use Old Dolls for a Grotesque Mobile

Make Your Home's Exterior Angry

Hang Some Halloween Skeletons From Your Roof

Throw Around a Few Body Bags

Make This Terrifying Werewolf Head

Float Some Candles Overhead

Construct This Scary Jack-o'-lantern Archway

Weave This Giant Spider Web

Turn a Normal Doormat Into a Spiderweb Doormat

Place Some Skeleton Zombies on the Lawn

Craft an Archway Using Plastic Skulls and Chains

Paint a Spooky Halloween Subway Sign

Learn How to Build This Electric Chair

Add Some Silhouetted Figures to Your Windows

Don't Forget About Your Home's Interior

DIY an Eek Marquee Sign

Label Everything With Creepy Words

Create a Gallery of Ghost-like Faces

Scatter Glowing Spooky Eyes Around Your House

Put Some Writing on the Wall

Pose Skeletons in Creative Ways

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Discover the Best Types of Dwarf Fruit Trees for Your Garden

How to Make a Haunted House in Your Backyard: Spooky Guide

Key Takeaways:

Setting the Stage: Designing Your Haunted Backyard

Outdoor Halloween Decor Ideas

DIY Haunted House Props: Making Your Own Scares

Spooky Cobwebs

Eerie Tombstones

Creepy Creatures

Constructing the Haunted Maze: Building a Thrilling Pathway

Bringing It All Together: Filling Your Haunted House with Fright

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Here's How to Transform Your Home into the Spookiest Haunted House

Can you make your own haunted house?

How do you turn a house into a haunted house?

What are some tips for a kid-friendly haunted house?

Use makeup rather than masks on actors.

Speak in a normal voice.

Give them something to take home .

Engage more than one sense.

How do you make a creepy haunted house?

Put up a scary portrait.

Hang some doll heads.

Sit a skeleton down.

How do you make an outdoor haunted house?