Halloween is almost here! But fear not, we have four easy–and very quick—DIY projects to add some frighteningly good fun to your safely, socially distanced festivities. All are simple, inexpensive and reuse items in new and spooky ways!
1. Mummy Lanterns: Wrap Up the Glow
Supplies: Glass candle containers or jars, First Aid cloth, Mod Podge, scrap paper, scissors, foam brush, markers, tea lights
Time: One hour, not including Mod Podge glue drying time
Cost: $2 to $4 each
Here’s How:
- This project is as easy as 1, 2, 3 or brush, wrap, cut.
- Brush on your Mod Podge (clear drying craft glue) on your glass candle container or jar, then wrap it in the white First Aid cloth stretching and spreading it out as you go.
- Cut off the extra and tuck the end inside.
- Let it dry overnight then draw eyes and a mouth on paper, cut them out and glue in place.
- Put a candle inside (battery operated are the best and safest option), turn on & place them where they will be sure to attract squeals!
2. Eyeball Candy Bowl: Stare Up the Scares
Supplies: Large bowl (plastic or ceramic), black spray paint, red craft paint, fake eyes, glue gun or epoxy glue
Time: One hour, not including paint and glue drying time
Cost: $10
Here’s How:
- Ideally, place a large serving bowl outside on a drop cloth then add several light layers of glossy black spray paint.
- Flip of over between coats to ensure total coverage.
- After it dries, use your glue gun or with epoxy glue, secure two fake eyeballs (picked up at your local dollar store) along the top edge as if they are peering out. Embellish with red craft paint, both around the eyes and along the edge to give the appearance of dripping blood. Creepy….and cool!
- Given the changes to the Halloween holiday given COVID-19, we suggest you fill this bowl with candy and leave out for those trick-or-treaters who come by to reduce contact.
3. Spider Vases: Spin a Web of Chills
Supplies: Vases, black spray paint, white craft paint, detail paint brush
Time: 30 minutes, not including paint drying time
Cost: $4 each
Here’s How:
- Another super easy yet ghoulish project which perfect for this spooky holiday.
- Place your vases on a drop cloth outside, weather permitting, and spray on several layers of your black paint. You might need to lay each vase on its side or upside down to cover all parts and pieces.
- After the paint dries, add “webs” by using a thin paint bush to apply white craft paint. Create straight lines that radiate out from a center point.
- Paint small scallop-shaped lines to connect the first set of lines to give it that spidery and spooky feel.
- While you could add real flowers to these Vampire-approved vases, consider adding small branches with dead leaves on them or paint some silk flowers black, too. Morticia Adams would give her approval for sure!
4. Creepy Collectibles: Go for the Gore
Supplies: Small statutes and figurines, black spray paint, white/green/red craft paint, fine paint brush
Time: One hour each, not including paint drying time
Cost: $5 dollars each
Here’s How:
- Place your cute statues and other figurines on a drop cloth outside and gently go to town with your black spray paint.
- Cover all parts and be sure to place them on their sides then add more paint to get solid coverage.
- When your black paint has dried, use your small, detail brush to paint on details like green eyes, ghostly white skin and, of course, blood.
- It really was fun to take these charming pieces and turn them into gruesome ones! Is it weird that I want to display these all year long?
What easy and creepy project ideas to you have? Have you tried one of these? We would love to see pictures and get your input on how you create scares this time of year.
Tim Kime
Artist, Motivational Speaker, Life Coach
Tim Kime is an artist, life coach, connector. He is President of Kime Leadership Associates offering executive coaching, meeting facilitating and motivational speaking. He is also Chief Creative Force of Transformation Junkies which upcycles furniture and other household items into functional works of art. He combined his two passions—unleashing the potential in people and transforming items with the launch of the Art of Possibilities Workshops. These workshops are part upcycling, part dreaming, part goal setting.
