Halloween is one of those times when it’s easy to go a little overboard—especially with decorations.
I’ve definitely been there, wanting to create a spooky atmosphere without spending a fortune.
But after a few years of figuring out how to get creative on a budget, I’ve found that making your own Halloween decorations can be both fun and affordable.
You don’t need to break the bank to make your home look festive!
It’s all about using what you have and adding a few inexpensive touches to bring everything together.
And what’s fun is your child can help you make these wonderful decorations and maybe make it a tradition too!
Check out these DIY Halloween decorations!
Outdoor DIY Halloween Decorations
Making your outdoor space look spooky can be a lot of fun, and you don’t have to spend a ton of money doing it.
From creepy yard setups to eerie lighting, there are plenty of ways to transform your front yard into a haunted scene.
By using items you already have at home or grabbing a few inexpensive supplies, you can create decorations that wow your neighbors without draining your wallet.
It’s all about getting creative and letting your kids join in on the fun too!
1. Spooky Lawn Eyes
Take a few toilet paper rolls and cut out eye shapes, then place glow sticks inside them.
Scatter these “eyes” around your yard or in bushes, and they’ll give off a creepy glow when it’s dark.
It’s a simple way to add a spooky feel without spending a lot of money.
Your neighbors will be impressed by how eerie your yard looks with just a few everyday items.
2. Hanging Witch Hats
You can create a floating witch hat display using some black construction paper and fishing line.
Make the hats, attach them to the line, and hang them from tree branches or your porch ceiling.
They’ll sway in the wind, giving your yard a magical, spooky look.
The best part? You probably have most of the materials at home already!
3. Giant Spider Web
Use thick white yarn or rope to create a giant spider web on your front porch or between two trees.
This DIY decoration is great because it makes a big impact without much effort.
Add a plastic spider or two, and you’re all set.
Your kids will love helping with this one, and it’s a fun way to get them involved.
4. DIY Tombstones
Grab some cardboard boxes and cut them into tombstone shapes.
Cover them with gray paint and use a black marker to write funny or spooky epitaphs.
Stick them into the ground along your walkway or in your garden for an instant graveyard scene.
It’s a super easy project that costs next to nothing but looks fantastic.
5. Balloon Ghosts
Fill some white balloons and draw spooky faces on them with a black marker or drape some white cloth over them to create ghosts.
Attach them to long sticks and place them around your yard or along your driveway or attach some strings and hang them from your porch.
These ghostly figures are a playful and budget-friendly way to greet trick-or-treaters.
6. Bloody Handprints on Windows
Mix red washable paint with a little bit of dish soap to create a fake blood effect.
Let your kids dip their hands in and make handprints on your front windows.
It’s a messy but super fun way to create a creepy look for Halloween night.
Just be sure to clean up after—thankfully, it’s easy to wash off!
7. Yard Full of Bats
Cut out bat shapes from black construction paper and attach them to garden stakes.
Place them around your yard as if they’re flying up from the ground.
It’s a unique and spooky decoration that doesn’t cost much and makes a big visual impact.
You’ll love how your yard transforms into a bat sanctuary!
8. Scarecrow with a Twist
Use old clothes, a stuffed pillowcase, and a pumpkin for the head to create a scarecrow.
But instead of a regular face, give it a spooky twist with a creepy grin or a mask.
Place it in a chair on your porch to welcome guests.
It’s a great way to reuse items you already have and make something memorable.
9. Spooky Pathway Lanterns
Fill empty milk jugs with sand or small rocks and draw scary faces on them with a black marker.
Place a battery-operated candle inside each one and line them up along your walkway.
They’ll light up the path and give a haunting glow to your yard.
It’s a cheap and effective way to make your home stand out.
10. Haunted Mirror Reflection
Take an old mirror and spray-paint the edges to give it a distressed look.
Use a whiteboard marker to draw a ghostly face or a spooky message on the glass.
Prop it up in your garden or hang it on your porch.
When the light hits it just right, it’ll look like a ghostly figure is trapped inside!
DIY Halloween Decorations for Inside
Turning your home into a spooky wonderland doesn’t have to mean buying pricey decorations.
You can easily create a festive atmosphere indoors with some basic craft supplies and a little imagination.
Think about transforming everyday items into eerie decor pieces that add a touch of Halloween magic to each room.
It’s a great way to get the whole family involved while keeping things budget-friendly and fun.
11. Creepy Cloth Curtains
Pick up some inexpensive cheesecloth from the grocery store and drape it over your existing curtains or furniture.
Tear and fray the edges to give it an old, haunted look.
It’s an easy way to add a ghostly vibe to any room in your home.
Plus, when Halloween is over, you can save the cloth for future spooky seasons!
12. Floating Candles
Use toilet paper rolls to create DIY candle holders, then paint them white and attach battery-operated tea lights to the top.
Hang them from the ceiling using fishing line to make it look like they’re floating.
This gives a magical, haunted feel to any room and is perfect for a Harry Potter-themed Halloween.
You’ll love how impressive they look without costing much.
13. Pumpkin Spice Candles
Hollow out mini pumpkins and insert tealight candles inside.
The warmth from the candles will release the scent of the pumpkins, giving your home a cozy, seasonal aroma.
It’s a simple decoration that doubles as an air freshener.
You’ll get that fall feeling without needing to buy any fancy candles.
14. Spider Web Tablecloth
Grab some white fabric and black permanent markers and draw some creepy spiderwebs to make a tablecloth.
This adds a spooky touch to your dining area and is easy to put together.
After Halloween, you can fold it up and store it for next year’s festivities.
15. Haunted Doll Display
Gather some old dolls and give them a creepy makeover with a bit of paint and a few rips in their clothes.
Arrange them on a shelf or in a corner for an unsettling yet captivating decoration.
This is a fun way to repurpose toys that would otherwise be thrown out.Y
ou’ll be surprised how much character it adds to your home!
16. Ghost Garland
Create a garland using white tissues and small foam balls.
Wrap the tissue around each ball, tie with a string, and draw little ghost faces on them.
Hang this garland across a window or along your mantle.
It’s an easy craft that the kids will enjoy making, and it brings a touch of Halloween spirit inside.
17. Witch’s Apothecary
Reuse empty jars and bottles to create a spooky display of “potions.”
Fill them with water and food coloring, and label them with names like “Bat Wings” or “Zombie Brains.”
Arrange them on a shelf in your kitchen or living room.
It’s a great way to decorate without buying anything new, and it’s sure to spark some fun conversations.
18. Black Cat Silhouettes
Cut out cat shapes from black poster board and tape them to your walls or windows.
These simple silhouettes instantly bring a Halloween vibe to any room.
You can even add glowing eyes using a bit of reflective tape.
It’s a quick and easy project that adds a lot of personality to your space.
19. Spooky Window Silhouettes
Cut out large spooky shapes like ghosts, witches, or haunted houses from black construction paper.
Tape them to the inside of your windows, and turn on the lights to create a shadow effect outside.
It’s an affordable way to add some Halloween spirit to your home that can be seen from the street.
Your house will look like it’s straight out of a horror movie!
20. Mummy Door Wrap
Wrap your interior doors in white crepe paper to give them a mummy look.
Add some googly eyes or draw them on with a marker.
It’s a playful and easy decoration that makes a big impact with very little effort.
Your kids will love seeing the mummified doors throughout the house!
Easy DIY Halloween Decorations
If you’re short on time but still want to add some Halloween flair to your home, easy DIY projects are the way to go.
There are so many quick and simple decorations you can make using items you probably already have around the house.
With just a few steps, you can create something spooky and unique without a lot of hassle.
It’s all about keeping things simple while still making your space feel festive and fun!
21. Paper Plate Pumpkins
Cut out pumpkin shapes from orange paper plates and decorate them with black construction paper for eyes, nose, and mouth.
This is a fun and easy craft that your kids can help with.
Hang the pumpkins on the walls or windows to bring a cheerful Halloween vibe to your home.
Plus, it’s a great way to use up leftover party supplies!
22. Toilet Paper Roll Bats
Paint empty toilet paper rolls black and add paper wings and eyes to create little bats.
Hang them from the ceiling or place them around the house.
It’s an easy project that costs next to nothing and adds a lot of spooky charm.
Your kids will love making these, and it’s a perfect way to recycle those empty rolls.
23. DIY Monster Doormats
Take an old doormat and paint a funny or scary monster face on it using outdoor acrylic paint.
It’s a great way to welcome guests and trick-or-treaters with some Halloween humor.
This project doesn’t take long and you can get the whole family involved.
The best part is, you can repaint it for other holidays!
24. Pumpkin Balloons
Blow up orange balloons and use a black marker to draw jack-o’-lantern faces on them.
Tape them to the walls or hang them from the ceiling for a festive touch.
It’s an inexpensive way to decorate your home quickly, and the kids will have a blast creating their own designs.
25. DIY Ghost Luminaries
Use white paper bags and draw ghost faces on them, then place a battery-operated candle inside.
Line them up along your windowsill or on your porch for a soft, spooky glow.
It’s a simple project that creates a welcoming atmosphere without much effort.
You’ll love the look of these charming ghost luminaries!
26. Spider Ice Cubes
Freeze small plastic spiders inside ice cube trays filled with water.
Add them to drinks at your Halloween party for a creepy surprise.
It’s an easy trick that’s sure to get a few laughs and maybe even a scream or two.
Best of all, it takes just a few minutes to set up.
27. DIY Halloween Picture Frames
Buy some cheap picture frames from a dollar store and paint them black or orange.
Add spooky stickers or little decorations like plastic spiders or bats around the edges.
Place fun Halloween photos or spooky prints inside.
It’s an easy way to add a personal touch to your Halloween decor without spending a lot.
28. Mason Jar Mummies
Wrap some old mason jars in gauze or white fabric strips, then add googly eyes or draw them on with a marker.
Put a candle inside to create a glowing mummy jar.
These look great lined up on a table or as centerpieces for your Halloween dinner.
You probably already have most of what you need at home!
29. Ghostly Toilet Paper Roll Faces
Take some white toilet paper rolls and draw funny ghost faces on them with a black marker.
Arrange them in little clusters around your house or on shelves.
This is a super quick and easy decoration that your kids can help with, and it’s perfect for last-minute decorating.
You’ll be surprised how much these little guys can add to your home!
30. DIY Spiderweb Balloons
Blow up some black balloons and use a white marker or paint to draw spiderweb designs on them.
Hang them around your living room or use them as part of a party backdrop.
They’re an easy, low-cost way to decorate your space and they’re a lot of fun to make.
31. Monster Jar Lanterns
Take some empty jars and paint monster faces on them using glow-in-the-dark paint.
Place a small LED light inside to create glowing monster lanterns for your windows or porch.
This is a great project to do with the kids, and it adds a playful yet spooky touch to your home.
You’ll love how creative you can get with different monster designs!
Wrap Up Your Spooky Season with Style
Creating Halloween decorations at home doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.
With a little creativity and some everyday items, you can transform your home into a spooky wonderland that the whole family will love.
These DIY projects aren’t just about saving money—they’re about making memories and having fun together.
So grab your supplies, get crafty, and enjoy a Halloween that’s as unique and special as your family!
For more ways to save money when you’re broke, follow me on Pinterest!
