Setting up for Halloween this weekend

I'm planning on setting up at least 60% of the yard this week (October 10-11).

Halloween Project - Crypt

 

Step 1: I used 2" x 2" lumber to build the frame. I also attached "L" shape brackets to help hold the wood together in case of strong wind. (see photo on left)

Step 2: I then attached a trash bag to the roof to make sure the crypt would not leak. (see photo on right)

Step 3: Then I used zip ties to attached the Styrofoam walls. The inside of the crypt was painted dark brown (thought it was black when I purchased the paint).

Step 4: Filled in all of the holes, created by the zip ties, and cracks with window putty.

Step 5: I used a wood carving tool and a ruler to carved all of the blocks into the foam.

Step 6: Paint the crypt.

Halloween Project - Gravestones

I used the free Styrofoam I picked up in Arlington from a Craig’s List posting to create some new gravestones and to update some of my old gravestones.  I made approximately 29 gravestones with more to come; now I just need to paint and carve epitaphs into each one.

To make gravestones, it is best to use the 2” thick installation board that Home Depot or Lowes sells.  The 2” is better because it is thick like a normal gravestone.  Then you can use a hacksaw or a Styrofoam cutter to carve the gravestones.  You can find a Styrofoam cutter at a craft store, like Michaels or AC Moore.  If you decide to use a Styrofoam cutter, make sure to use it outside with a mask because it lets off toxic fumes.  The Styrofoam cutter makes it easier to carve the gravestones because it cuts the Styrofoam like butter.

To paint your gravestones, make sure you use outdoor flat paint.  Do not use spray paint because it will eat the Styrofoam. 

You can also use Gorilla Glue if you want to attach other pieces of Styrofoam together.  I used Gorilla Glue to glue on an extra piece of Styrofoam to the bottom of my grave to make my gravestones look more like a real gravestone.  Then I glued on boards to the bottom of my gravestones, which I drilled holes on each end, so I could use long stakes to attach my gravestones to the ground.

Halloween Project - Lamp Post

I decided to create a Halloween Lamp Post out of a old weighted fan base. The fan base was not very tall, so I used a PVC pipe to place overtop of the fan base pole to make a long lamp post. Then I took a Halloween pumpking from Walmart and cut a circle out of the bottom of the pumpkin. I ran an outdoor extension cord down the inside of the PVC pole and out the bottom of the fan base. The I used some gorilla glue to attach the pumpkin to the top of the pole.

Donation of free installation foam board

Thanks to a free posting on craig's list, I was able to come across a ton of free insulation foam board. I'm planning on building a crypt with this material and some more gravestones during Labor Day weekend. Will post instructions on how to build a crypt once it is complete.

2008 Halloween Summary

The inflatable haunted house that I got on discount after Halloween 2007 was added to the yard this year. The kids were afraid to walk thru it. The neighborhood kids wanted me to constantly blow it up so they could play in it during the day. Luckily I only put the haunted house up a few days before Halloween, so I made sure it was deflated during the day so that the neighborhood kids would stay out of the yard. I also created a new Jason dummy and put it at the end of the haunted house. The kids would walk out of the haunted house and would scream because Jason was standing there with a machete waiting to greet them.

Click here for more 2008 Halloween photos.

2007 Halloween Summary

I'm becoming more popular with the kids each year. I just purchased an inflatable halloween haunted house for the kids for next year. I'm sure it will be a hit.

Click here for more 2007 Halloween photos