Ghostly Hallways and Batty Doorways: Easy DIY Haunted
House Tricks for Kids
Halloween is that magical time of year when your home can
transform from “warm and welcoming” to “creepy and slightly concerning”
overnight. But if your haunted house ambitions don’t quite match up with your
budget (or let’s be honest, your level of energy), don’t worry—there are
simple, kid-friendly tricks to turn your house into a spook-tacular destination
without breaking the bank (or your spirit). Ready to scare up some fun? Let’s
haunt those hallways and doorways with style!
1. The Batty Doorway
Why settle for a boring old front door when you can have
bats flying out of it? And the best part? You can make these paper bats in five
minutes, with supplies you probably already have lying around. Here’s what you
need:
- Black
construction paper (or any paper that looks vaguely dark and spooky)
- Scissors
- Tape
(or glue if you trust your walls more than I trust mine)
Instructions:
- Fold
the paper in half and cut out a simple bat shape. If your bats end up
looking more like awkward blobs, just say it’s “abstract” and call it a
day.
- Use
tape to stick the bats all around the door frame, like they’re about to
swoop in for a spooky attack.
- For
extra points, place a few bats just inside the door so they “fly out” when
guests enter—nothing says “Happy Halloween!” like a mini heart attack.
Pro Tip: If you want to go full over-the-top, hang a
bat or two from the ceiling with string so they dangle and sway like the real
(or fake) thing.
2. Tissue Paper Ghosts
You know what’s cheaper than buying those giant inflatable
ghosts? Making your own pint-sized versions out of things you’ve already
got—namely, tissue paper, string, and a little imagination.
What You’ll Need:
- White
tissue paper (or old tissues, we’re not picky)
- Cotton
balls
- String
- A
marker for drawing those scary (or surprisingly cute) ghost faces
Instructions:
- Place
a cotton ball in the center of a sheet of tissue paper. (This will be the
ghost's “head.”)
- Gather
the tissue paper around the cotton ball and tie it off with a piece of
string, creating a little ghost body.
- Now
for the fun part—use your marker to draw a ghost face. Go scary, go goofy,
or do what I do and accidentally make them look more confused than
haunted.
- Hang
your little ghosts from doorways, windows, or anywhere they’ll get a
little breeze and spook the socks off your guests.
Pro Tip: Make a whole family of ghosts, because who
says ghosts don’t travel in packs?
3. Creepy Corridor of Shadows
Every haunted house has to have that one creepy hallway,
right? The kind where you walk through, shivering, because something just feels
off. Luckily, you don’t need to rent out a decrepit mansion to make it
happen—just dim lighting and some creativity.
What You’ll Need:
- Flashlights
(the cheaper, the better)
- Cardboard
(or paper)
- Scissors
- Your
bravery, because things might start to look too creepy.
Instructions:
- Cut
out some spooky shapes—think hands, bats, or classic ghosts—from cardboard
or paper.
- Tape
these shapes onto flashlights so they cast shadows on the walls when
turned on.
- Line
your hallway with these shadow-casting flashlights, creating a corridor of
creepy silhouettes that’ll make anyone tiptoe through it like they’re in a
horror movie.
Pro Tip: If you want to take things up a notch, set
up a speaker playing spooky sounds—just don’t blame me when you freak yourself
out at 3 AM.
4. Spiderweb Stairway Surprise
Every haunted house needs spiderwebs—lots of them. Lucky for
us, faux spiderwebs are about as cheap as candy corn (and only slightly less
fun to eat). Here’s how to turn your staircase into a webbed wonderland:
What You’ll Need:
- Fake
spiderwebs (find them at dollar stores, or go DIY with cotton balls
stretched out)
- Plastic
spiders
- Tape
(your trusty Halloween MVP)
Instructions:
- Stretch
the fake spiderwebs along your stair rails or across doorways. The key
here is to spread them thin—no one’s scared of a chunky spiderweb, trust
me.
- Stick
those plastic spiders in the web like they’re ready to pounce (or, you
know, slowly crawl).
- Sit
back and enjoy the terrified reactions of anyone who hates spiders (which,
let’s be honest, is most of us).
Pro Tip: If you’ve got an old witch hat or broom
lying around, add it into the scene. Instant haunted staircase.
5. Glow-in-the-Dark Ghost Balloons
Because nothing says “haunted house” like a few floating
apparitions, right? The easiest way to get that levitating ghost effect is with
white balloons and glow sticks.
What You’ll Need:
- White
balloons
- Glow
sticks (the ones from dollar stores are perfect)
- A
black marker
Instructions:
- Crack
your glow sticks and stuff one into each balloon before inflating them.
- Draw
ghost faces on the outside of the balloon—some spooky, some silly, all
sure to make your house look like it’s haunted by party-loving specters.
- Turn
off the lights, and watch as your glowing ghost balloons drift creepily
around the room.
Pro Tip: For added flair, tie the balloons to
furniture or tape them to the ceiling so they “float” over everyone’s heads.
Final Thoughts: Haunted Houses Don’t Have to Break the
Bank Creating a haunted house doesn’t mean you need professional props or
expensive decor. With a little imagination (and some simple supplies), you can
turn your home into a spine-tingling masterpiece that’ll delight the kids—and
probably give your neighbors something to talk about. Whether it’s bat-filled
doorways or tiny tissue ghosts, these DIY tricks will bring just the right
amount of Halloween magic to your space. So, grab the tape and scissors and
start haunting your hallways!
Remember, Halloween isn’t about perfection; it’s about fun,
spooky vibes, and maybe a good laugh or two. And if anyone asks where you got
your amazing haunted house decor, just tell them, “I know a guy… named
Pinterest.” 🎃👻