10 DIY Halloween Decorations That’ll Make Your House the Spookiest (and Most Fun!) on the Block

Halloween is sneaking up on us, and let’s be real—we want our homes to look spooky and festive without totally draining our wallets or sanity.

Whether we’re party people or just love handing out candy, a little DIY magic with diy halloween decorations can turn our place into the coolest haunted house on the block.

We can make our own Halloween decorations that are easy, fun, and totally customizable, no crafting degree required.

Let’s grab some glue, raid the recycling bin, and get creative together!

1) DIY Spider Balloons with Sparkly Legs

Okay, besties, nothing says “Halloween!” like giant spiders hanging in the living room. But don’t freak out—these are cute, not scary.

We’re making spider balloons and giving them glam, sparkly legs because even spiders deserve a little bling. Just grab two balloons (one big for the body, one small for the head) and tie them together.

Then get wild with black crepe paper or pipe cleaners to make those fabulous, long legs. If you want that glam look, sprinkle on some glitter. The sparklier, the better.

Tape these babies up on the wall or let them dangle from the ceiling so they “crawl” above our snack table. The kids love making these and friends are going to ask how we got so creative.

We saw an easy step-by-step to share for this idea on DIY Halloween Balloon Spider Craft at Munchkins Planet and it looked totally doable!

Let’s not stress about making them perfect. Messy spiders are just more “on brand” for us anyway.

2) Creepy Paper Bats to Hang Around

Bats. They’re basically the unofficial mascot of Halloween, right? We love sharing views on how to decorate with them!

If you ask us, nothing says October like a whole swarm of spooky (but totally cute) paper bats flying across our walls, showcasing our creative designs .

This DIY step is the kind of thing you can do in your PJs. Grab some black paper, a pencil, and scissors.

We usually just trace a bat shape (don’t worry, nobody gets it perfect the first try) and start cutting like wild. Stick those bats on the wall with a little tape, or go full festive and hang them from the ceiling with string.

It looks amazing over the snack table or flying up the stairs. For templates and tips, we love checking out these easy DIY paper bats to keep it super simple.

We always end up doing way more bats than we planned because—let’s be honest—it’s seriously fun. Let the kids help and see how creative they get.

Bonus if you add a few silly googly eyes!

3) Faux Witches’ Brooms from Fallen Branches

Okay, can we talk about how fun it is to make witches’ brooms out of real fallen branches?

We get to go outside, hunt for the “perfectly creepy” stick, and maybe even pretend we’re in our own magical forest. Collecting sticks totally counts as a walk, right?

All we have to do is grab a long branch for the handle and gather some smaller twigs or dried grasses for the broom bristles. Wrapping the twigs around one end with some twine or yarn pulls it all together—literally!

We can even add a bow or a splash of colored ribbon to make it pop. What’s awesome is how much character these brooms add to our front porch or living room, especially next to a DIY cauldron or jack-o’-lantern.

The more curls and weird bends in the stick, the spookier it looks! Want more ideas and tips?

We found some super helpful guides from real crafters, like these easy witch broom DIY instructions and even ways to jazz it up on Sage to Silver.

4) Glow-in-the-Dark Ghost Lanterns

Okay, if there’s one thing our Halloween needs, it’s more glow! These ghost lanterns are next-level cute, and we can’t wait to share how you can make them with stuff stashed around your house.

We love grabbing some old milk jugs or empty glass jars—seriously, anything see-through will work for this. Let’s draw the goofiest ghost faces on our containers using a black marker.

The sillier the faces, the more fun when they light up. Next, we just pop in some battery-powered tea lights or even wrap a string of fairy lights inside.

Instant ghostly glow, no outlets needed! If we want our ghosts to glow even brighter, we can add some glow-in-the-dark paint to our jars or use glow sticks for extra pop.

These are such a hit with kids because you can make them goofy, spooky, or totally weird—no judgment zone over here. Want bonus points and a house that looks like a legit haunted mansion?

Chill these lanterns outside on the porch, line the walkway, or set them up for a party dance floor vibe. For more inspo, check out these spooky mason jar ghost luminaries and milk jug ghost lanterns.

5) Mini Pumpkin Candle Jars

Let’s get real—nothing says “Halloween magic” like an adorable diy halloween decoration of cute pumpkin glowing on the counter. And guess what? We don’t need any fancy crafting skills to make these mini pumpkin candle jars.

Seriously, if we can handle glue and a little paint, we’re good to go. We just grab some old jars (mason jars totally work), scrub them down, and paint the outside with bright orange for that classic pumpkin look.

To keep it simple, let’s use acrylic paint or even spray paint if we’re feeling bold. Once they dry, we can use a black marker or paint to draw our jack-o’-lantern faces.

Go wild with triangles, goofy grins, or even add a little glitter if our inner child says yes. After that, we can pop in a tealight or LED candle for instant, safe pumpkin glow.

Who knew we could make such a cute Halloween vibe with a few things from our kitchen? Plus, these little cuties double as awesome centerpieces or windowsill decorations that the kiddos will love helping to make.

Need more ideas? Check out these easy pumpkin jars for candles at One Mama’s Daily Drama. Happy crafting!

6) DIY Skeletons Using Foam and Pipe Cleaners

Let’s be honest, we all have that one drawer full of random craft supplies, right?

Time to dig out those pipe cleaners and leftover foam—today we’re making spooky skeletons that look way harder than they actually are.

No craft shame here; even if your skeleton is a little wobbly, we’ll still call it cute! We start by cutting pieces of foam into little skull shapes.

Don’t worry, nobody’s skull is perfectly round, so let’s embrace those “unique” cuts. Then we twist pipe cleaners together for the body, arms, and legs.

It’s like making stick figures, but way more fun and way less boring. The real magic? Giving our skellies some serious personality!

Use black markers to draw goofy faces or add glitter because, why not? If you want more ideas on making your own pipe cleaner skeletons, check out this totally doable pipe cleaner skeleton tutorial.

We love how easy these are, plus they’re perfect for last-minute Halloween fun with the kids. And if someone’s skeleton looks more like a fancy noodle, it totally still counts (we’re all about that crafty chaos).

7) Caged Halloween Decor Painted Black

Okay, let’s make a big Halloween statement without breaking a sweat. These DIY caged Halloween decorations are easier than they look!

Grab two round plastic laundry baskets from the dollar store. Spray them black—don’t stress about getting it perfect.

Honestly, a little splotchiness makes them look even more authentic, like old, haunted jail cages. Dab on a bit of metallic silver if you want them to look aged and grimy.

Just zip-tie the baskets together. Now you’ve got a spooky cage you can hang up with a chunky plastic chain or even a thick ribbon.

Fill your cage with a plastic skeleton, fake crows, or a creepy doll. Whatever gives you the chills works!

Need a visual? Here’s a super simple tutorial for DIY caged Halloween decor. It’s budget-friendly and gets you right into the spooky spirit.

8) Dry Ice Fog for Spooky Outdoor Vibes

Let’s talk dry ice! That swirling fog all the “cool” houses have every Halloween? We can totally pull that off.

All you need is dry ice, a cooler, and a bowl of hot water. Drop a chunk of dry ice into the water—bam, instant fog rolling over the porch or yard.

It’s like stepping into a haunted house, minus the actual ghosts (and honestly, who needs those?). Kids should keep their hands away from the dry ice—it’s seriously cold.

Grownups, don’t forget gloves. If you want more tips, check out these dry ice ideas for Halloween.

Hide your fog bowl behind a pumpkin or tombstone for extra drama. You’ll have the whole neighborhood talking. Fake fog, real memories—what’s not to love?

9) Black Cat Silhouettes from Cardstock

Few things say “Halloween!” like a black cat. We love how simple these are, and they look adorable in the window or on the porch.

All you need is black cardstock (thicker is better), scissors, and a cat silhouette to trace. Printable templates are everywhere, or you can just freestyle a tail—our kids always want the curliest ones.

Cut out your shapes and tape them up wherever you like; you can find inspiration on pinterest for more creative ideas . Windows, doors, even the fridge—our army of cats takes over.

If you’re feeling extra, glue on some googly eyes or draw silly faces for more personality. This DIY is so easy, it makes us wonder why we ever buy decorations.

For more ideas or templates, check out these cat silhouette art projects for inspiration.

10) Easy Tape Webs with Plastic Spiders

Some days we just don’t have time for complicated crafts. That’s when these easy tape webs save the day.

Grab some clear packing tape and a few plastic spiders. That’s really all you need!

Stick strips of tape on the wall in a crisscross pattern. Add more layers if you want the web to look extra tangled.

Just press the spiders into the sticky tape—they’ll stay put. No glue, no mess, and way less hassle than fighting with that fake spider web stuff.

Want to go big? Make a giant web in the window. The kids can help, and it’s spooky and fun without any cleanup drama.

For more inspiration, check out this easy DIY spiderweb with tape and leave a comment with your thoughts! This hack is our go-to when we want something quick, bold, and fun—no fancy skills needed.

Safety Tips for DIY Halloween Crafting

Safety is our bestie when we turn our homes into haunted wonderlands, bringing a little life to our Halloween decor ! We keep Halloween creative, cute (or creepy), and fun for everyone by choosing smart materials and thinking ahead about allergies.

Kid-Friendly Crafting Ideas

Kids are messy little geniuses. We want them in the mix, but we have to keep it safe.

Skip the sharp stuff like craft knives and scissors with pointy tips. Give them safety scissors, chunky glue sticks, or tape instead.

We love using peel-and-stick googly eyes, foam stickers, and pipe cleaners. Paper plates and empty toilet paper rolls are total winners, too.

Let the kids handle the messiest jobs, like painting pumpkins or gluing on pom-poms. (Pro tip: Lay down an old shower curtain for easy cleanup!)

Stay close by while the kids are creating. Even “non-toxic” paint shouldn’t go in little mouths, so watch out if you’ve got a tiny taste-tester in the squad.

Use flameless LED candles instead of real flames for a spooky glow you don’t have to stress about, just like other awesome diy halloween ideas . These ideas are fun, cute, and way less stressful—check out more kid-safe Halloween decoration tips for extra inspo.

Allergy-Aware Decoration Materials

Allergies can turn a fun day upside down, right? We always check every label when picking out craft supplies.

Avoid anything with latex (some balloons and rubber bands) if you know a kiddo is allergic. Crafts can sneak in allergens—like nut-based glues or wheat in playdough.

Grab products labeled “allergy-friendly,” and if you’re not sure, whip up your own glue using flour alternatives.

If you’re making edible decorations (like popcorn strings or decorated cookies), double-check ingredients and safe-handling details. For extra peace of mind, put a little table sign listing what’s in each craft or treat.

For more ideas about safe and fab DIY Halloween crafts, check out these safety tips for Halloween decorations with a focus on fire prevention and family-safe materials.

Creative Ways To Display Your Handmade Decorations

Making Halloween decorations is only half the fun. Showing them off in videos ? That’s where the real magic—and the giggles—happen.

Whether you’re aiming for “Walking Dead” vibes or just want to freak out the neighbors, there’s a display hack for everyone.

Setting Up Spooky Front Yards

Front yards and front porch are basically giant blank canvases begging for a haunted makeover, so here’s a trick we love! Line the walkway with DIY lanterns, stuff old clothes to make scarecrows, and drape fake spiderwebs over bushes for instant creep factor.

One trick we love: Use lawn stakes and fishing line to dangle ghosts from tree branches. It’s all fun and games until the mail carrier jumps.

Set up a “graveyard” with cardboard tombstones—bonus points for punny names in glow-in-the-dark paint. Don’t forget string lights! Orange and purple ones strung across bushes or fencing really set the mood.

Hide a speaker and play spooky sounds. The neighborhood kids might try to solve the “mystery,” but it’s just us with a playlist and a goofy sense of humor.

Need more inspiration? Check out these clever yard display ideas.

Transforming Your Entryway

Most of us don’t have a giant porch, and honestly, that’s totally fine. We can still make our entryway weirdly wonderful.

Hanging handmade wreaths covered in little bats or tiny skeleton hands takes five minutes. It looks super cute.

Shoeboxes or crates work as easy stands for pumpkins or DIY potion bottles. Stack them at different heights and toss on some fake cobwebs—suddenly, it’s got “witch’s lab” vibes.

We hang banners on the door. Sometimes we’ll throw a cauldron by the welcome mat or stick googly eyes on potted plants.

The little touches always get a smile. If you’re curious for more ideas on DIY entryway décor, there are tons of easy swaps to try.