23 DIY Ghost Projects for a Frighteningly Fun Halloween

DIY Ghost Wreath

Create this spooky ghost wreath in just 10 minutes. It all starts with purchased paper bells and cheesecloth ($3, Target). Glue your finished ghosts to a simple metal wreath form and this easy Halloween decoration is ready for your front door.

Ghostly Book Pop-Ups

Make a spooky centerpiece from a stack of old books and some pop-up ghostly shapes. To make this Halloween ghost craft, cut two basic ghost shapes from pages in the middle of a book, leaving the bottoms attached to their pages. Hold up each ghost with a touch of tape. To complete this haunting centerpiece, use a hole punch ($3, Walmart) or marker to make eyes for each ghost.

Haunted Pumpkin

Carve out a carvable faux pumpkin ($10, Oriental Trading Co.) and spray paint it white. Then, create a spooky scene by adding a felted ghost and accessories like a moss floor and a few miniature pumpkins. You could even turn this into a festive terrarium scene by adding a few succulents or air plants.

Ghostly Pumpkin Mantle

Make your mantle extra eerie with a collection of ghost pumkins and battery-operated pillar candles ($19 for three, Walmart). For extra impact, paint your pumpkins white before carving. Choose pumpkins that are similar in size and accent with assorted white pillar candles.

Framed Apparitions Decoration

Start a ghost gallery with this DIY ghost decoration. Trace simple ghost shapes onto white paper, mark the eyes and noses with a black marker, and cut out the shapes. Sandwich the paper ghosts between sheets of glass from document frames or old picture frames, or have pieces custom-cut at a glass store. Use black fabric tape or book-binding tape (available at crafts stores) to seal the edges. Create a fall mantel display with seasonal trims like bittersweet and mini pumpkins.

Ghost Pallet Decor

A plain wood pallet crate gets a seriously spooky makeover with a quick coat of paint. Make your own ghost pallet decoration with our easy step-by-step instructions. Customize your DIY yard decoration with your favorite colors and stencils.

Ghostly Patio

This eerie Halloween ghost craft starts with balloons. To make, simply draw black eyes on a white balloon. Apply a thin coat of decoupage and cover each balloon with cheesecloth. Cut the bottom for an uneven edge. These ghost decorations are perfect for Halloween night.

Ghostly Popcorn

Scare up an appetite with these adorable ghost treat bags. To make, simply glue wiggly eyes on white or translucent treat bags. Fill with fresh popcorn for the ultimate Halloween ghost snack.

Spooky Ghost Halloween Wreath

Hang this apparition-adorned wreath on your front door to greet Halloween guests and scare away mischievous tricksters. In a well-ventilated area, spray-paint a plain grapevine wreath ($6, Michaels) white; let dry. Place a sheet of waxed paper on a cutting board and roll out white oven-bake clay and cut out two ghost shapes from the clay with a crafts knife. Bake the shapes in the oven according to the manufacturer's instructions. Once cool, glue the ghosts to the wreath with strong glue. Tie a gauzy ribbon in a bow and attach it to the wreath with wire.

Ghost Tricks & Treats

Send your little trick-or-treaters out to collect their Halloween candy with this cute felt ghost bag. To make it, stitch two pieces of orange felt together to form a bag (don't forget to form handles!) and add black and white felt on top to create a ghost shape.

Ghost Cupcakes

An arrangement of frosted cupcakes makes the cutest ghost dessert we've ever seen. Simply arrange the cupcakes together to make the ghost form. Frost with white icing and add black eyes and a screaming mouth.

Ghostly Gathering Door Decoration

Since white objects are highlighted at night, ghostly door decorations made from painted gourds are sure to catch the eye and chill the heart in the dark.

Haunting Ghost Lantern

Light your front walkway with luminaries that resemble mummies and ghosts. Their frightening faces will cast an eerie glow on your yard, creating the perfect ambiance for Halloween night.

Eerie Ghost Doorknob Hanger

Set a ghostly theme for your haunted house with a simple handmade doorknob hanger. Trace a ghost shape (mimic ours or create your own) onto white cardstock; cut out. Cut a hole in the center for a doorknob, and add eyes and a message with a marker (or print them onto the cardstock before cutting out the design).

Editor's Tip: To keep the ghost from getting stuck in the door, adhere the ghost to the door with a small piece of tape.

Front Porch Ghosts

Add haunting curb appeal to your house this Halloween. These eerie spirits will look even spookier at night. To make the DIY front porch ghosts, use cheesecloth or old white sheets to form the bodies of ghosts that'll flutter in the wind.

Ghost Candy Jar

This candy jar is frightfully good! Simply cut eyes and a mouth out of black vinyl and stick the shapes to a clear glass jar. Fill this Halloween ghost with white treats like marshmallows. Don't forget to make a matching monster jar, too!

The Sweet Side of Ghosts

No scary ghosts here! These cupcake ghosts are easy to assemble. Start with store-bought or homemade cupcakes dusted with sugar and place three marshmallow slices on top of each cupcake. Place two small mint candies in between the top and middle slices of marshmallow for eyes; use frosting to help make them stick. Put a candy-coated chocolate between the bottom and middle slices of marshmallow for the mouth; use frosting to help secure the candy.

Ghost Banners

This twirly paper ghost party decorations are easy as can be. To create the ghost cut out, simply cut a circle of paper in a swirl pattern. Keep the inside thickest. Add eyes and a mouth with marker and pull the swirl to create the paper ghost.

Gourd Ghouls

Made from small gourds, these fiendish friends are trimmed with crafts-foam accents. To make them, gather small gourds and paint them with white spray paint ($6, Target) then accessorize with small paper shapes.

White-as-a-Ghost Pops

Food always tastes better when served on a stick! These homemade cereal-treat ghosts are dipped in melted candy coating for an extra special treat.

Ghostly PB&J

Transform an ordinary peanut butter and jelly sandwich into a Halloween treat. Cut the sandwich with a ghost-shape cookie cutter and use raisins for the eyes.

Ghost Pinata

Make this flying piñata the centerpiece of the party. Floating crepe paper streamers give it a ghostly presence. Fill the piñata with Halloween goodies and let the fun begin.

Ghost Leaf Garland

This spooky Halloween garland is the perfect fall decoration. To make, simply cut leaves from white cardstock. Draw on spooky curved eyes with black marker. String the leaves up and hang inside or out!