Fun Halloween Decorating Ideas

Decorating for Halloween is incredibly fun; especially when you have little kiddies eager to help out! Here are some family friendly tips to make your front stoop the spookiest of them all!

1. Carve pumpkins! This decorating idea is a classic for a reason but you definitely want to make it your own. Instead of buying the usual pumpkin carving kit, how about branching out? Carve your OWN design. If this makes you nervous, you can print off a stencil on the internet. There are some particularly cool ones here: http://www.daytondailynews.com/e/content/oh/index/entertainment/events/holidays/halloween/stencils.html

And of course, putting a candle in after you’re done just adds to the spookiness!

Special tip: if it’s super cold out, bring your jack-o-lanterns inside. They’ll last longer.

2. Use Christmas lights! This may sound kooky but spreading Christmas tree lights and then wrapping them in orange and black crepe paper with maybe some spiderwebs (bought at your local craft store) can change them from fun and festive to spooky as all get out!

Special Tip: if it’s raining or snowing out, make sure your lights are under a covered surface like your porch or wrap them in plastic wrap so the crepe paper doesn’t get ruined.

3. Put a “Scarecrow” on your roof! Some of my neighbors do this every year and it’s a riot! Find a family volunteer to climb up on the roof and as trick or treaters come to the door, they yell out “Boo!” or drop candy down at them. Excellent surprise factor and if you dress the brave volunteer up as a vampire or a ghost or some other spooky character there’s a chance you’ll scare a few trick or treaters!

Special tip: Make sure whoever is going up on the roof knows proper safety procedures and is responsible

4. Play Spooky Music! Stick a stereo just inside your door or behind a screened window and play a CD of spooky sounds and music. Music always adds to a location’s ambiance and keeping the stereo out of sight will add to the spookiness! You can download spooky music here:http://www.theholidayspot.com/halloween/music.htm for free! This helps if you can’t find a spooky CD or want to cut down on costs.

Special Tip: If you have lots of little kiddies in your neighborhood, you  may not want the music to be incredibly spooky. Keep it fun so you don’t give them nightmares!

5. Put Up Lots of Paper Cut-Outs! You can cut out bat, spider and ghost shapes from black and white construction paper. Poke a little hole in the top of the shape and then tie a string in and hang them from the ceiling of your porch or in your doorway!

Special Tip: Use fishing line to make it look like the shapes are hanging on their own!

The wonderful thing about decorating is you always get the final say in your own home! Be creative and have lots of fun. These activities are great to do with kids so give them a job and help them get into the spirit of Halloween!