30 DIY Ghosts for Your Outdoor Halloween Decor

As the leaves start to fall and the air turns crisp, it’s time to gear up for Halloween. Many of us love to deck out our homes with spooky decorations, but outdoor decor can be especially fun and impressive. What better way to get into the spirit than by creating your very own DIY ghosts? Not only will they add an eerie charm to your yard, but they’ll also be a hit with trick-or-treaters and neighbors alike. This list features 30 easy and creative ways to make ghosts for outside that will elevate your Halloween decor game.

Dollar Tree Ghost DIY

Spooky outdoor ghosts made from sheets and balloons glowing in twilight.

Transform simple supplies from Dollar Tree into spooky outdoor ghosts. Grab some white sheets, a few balloons, and a pack of glow sticks. Inflate the balloons and cover them with the sheets, adding glow sticks inside for a haunting glow at night. This budget-friendly project is perfect for creating a ghostly atmosphere without breaking the bank.

DIY Hanging Ghost Outside

A white sheet ghost hanging from a tree branch, swaying in the wind.

For a ghost that sways in the wind, try making a DIY hanging ghost. Use a white sheet draped over a wire hanger, and secure it with some string. Hang it from a tree branch or your porch ceiling. As it catches the breeze, it creates a spooky effect that’s sure to impress your guests.

DIY Porch Ghosts

DIY porch ghosts made from sheets and bottles, creating a spooky atmosphere.

Add some fright to your front porch with DIY porch ghosts. Use a combination of old sheets and empty plastic bottles. Fill the bottles with stones for weight, cover them with the sheets, and place them around your porch. You can even add faces with black markers for an extra touch of spookiness.

Sheet Ghosts

Classic sheet ghosts set up in a yard against a dusky sky.

Classic sheet ghosts never go out of style. Simply take an old white sheet and drape it over a plastic or wooden frame to create a ghostly figure. Secure the sheet with some string and give it a face using fabric paint or markers. These can be placed around your yard for a timeless Halloween look.

Chicken Wire Ghosts DIY

Artistic chicken wire ghosts glowing with LED lights in a dark garden.

For a more artistic ghost, try making chicken wire ghosts. Shape the wire into ghostly figures and cover them with cheesecloth or white fabric. This method allows you to create a more three-dimensional appearance, and you can even add LED lights inside for an eerie glow at night.

Easy DIY Halloween Decorations Outdoor

Quick ghost decorations made from plastic bags hanging in a misty garden.

If you want quick and easy outdoor decorations, consider making simple ghost decorations like plastic bag ghosts. Fill white plastic bags with leaves or newspaper, tie them at the top, and draw faces on them. They can be hung from trees or placed around your yard for a fun, festive look.

Ghost Decorations DIY

Ghost decorations in windows casting eerie shadows at night.

Create a variety of ghost decorations with items you already have at home. Use old sheets for ghost figures, and make ghostly silhouettes from black cardboard to place in your windows. These can easily set the spooky mood as night falls.

Front Yard Halloween Ideas DIY

Multiple ghost figures arranged in a front yard for Halloween.

For impactful front yard decorations, consider making multiple ghost figures. Use different heights and sizes for each ghost, positioning them in a way that creates a ghost family. This idea adds depth to your yard and is sure to capture the attention of passersby.

Lighted Ghosts with LED Lights

Lighted ghosts glowing in a dark garden at night.

Incorporate LED lights into your ghost decorations for an enchanting nighttime display. Use white fabric over a frame and place LED string lights inside. This not only lights up your ghosts but also creates a magical atmosphere that enhances your Halloween decor.

DIY Ghostly Figures from Old Sheets

Ghost figures made from old sheets in a yard during golden hour.

Don’t throw away those old sheets! Instead, repurpose them into ghostly figures. Cut them into shapes and drape them over small stakes or frames. You can even add eyes made from black paper for a quick and easy decoration that looks great in daylight and at night.

Hanging Ghost Lanterns

Ghost lanterns glowing in the dark, hanging from tree branches.

Create ghost lanterns by wrapping white fabric around mason jars. Insert battery-operated tea lights inside for a glowing effect. Hang these lanterns from trees or your porch for a whimsical and spooky touch to your outdoor decor.

Floating Ghosts Using Fishing Line

Floating ghosts suspended from tree branches in a misty evening.

For an ethereal look, make floating ghosts using fishing line. Create ghost figures from lightweight materials and suspend them from tree branches or your porch roof using the fishing line. They’ll appear to float, adding a magical element to your Halloween setup.

Spooky Ghost Silhouettes on Windows

Ghost silhouettes on windows illuminated from inside.

Cut out ghost shapes from black construction paper and tape them to your windows. When illuminated from inside, they create a chilling silhouette effect that’s sure to intrigue anyone passing by. This is a simple yet effective way to add a spooky touch to your home.

DIY Ghosts with Pool Noodles

Ghost figures made from pool noodles displayed on a lawn.

Use pool noodles to create light and fun ghost figures. Simply cut the noodles into sections, cover them with white fabric, and add a face with fabric paint. These lightweight ghosts can be displayed on your lawn or hung from your porch for a playful Halloween vibe.

Ghost Planters for a Creepy Touch

Ghost planters wrapped in fabric, filled with seasonal flowers.

Transform your regular planters into spooky ghost planters. Wrap them in white fabric, add eyes, and place them around your garden. You can fill them with seasonal flowers or even plastic spiders for added creepiness.

DIY Ghosts from Plastic Bags

Ghosts made from plastic bags hanging from tree branches.

One of the easiest ways to make ghosts is by using plastic bags. Fill them with leaves or crumpled newspaper, tie them off, and draw spooky faces on them. These can be hung from trees or placed in your yard for quick and easy ghostly decor.

Ghost Yard Stakes for a Fun Display

Ghost yard stakes painted on wooden boards in a yard.

Create ghost yard stakes by painting ghost shapes on wooden boards and attaching them to stakes. Place them throughout your yard for a playful display. You can even personalize them with funny ghost sayings to add a light-hearted touch to your Halloween decor.

Balloons Turned Ghosts

Inflated white balloons with ghost faces tied to stakes.

Balloons make for fun, easy ghost decorations. Inflate white balloons and draw ghost faces on them with a marker. You can either tie them to stakes in the ground or hang them from your porch for a whimsical touch.

Large Ghosts Using Trash Bags

Large ghost figures made from trash bags in a yard.

For a larger ghost effect, use trash bags. Fill them with leaves or crumpled paper, and tie them off at the top. Use a marker to create a face and place them around your yard. This is an easy way to create a big impact with minimal effort.

DIY Ghosts with Recycled Materials

Ghosts made from recycled materials displayed in a yard.

Get creative with recycled materials to craft unique ghosts. Use old clothes stuffed with newspaper or plastic to form ghostly shapes. Add ghostly faces with fabric paint, and place them around your yard for a sustainable Halloween decoration.

Ghosts from Old Clothing

Ghost figures made from old clothing in a garden.

Repurpose old clothing into fun ghost figures. Use white or light-colored clothes, stuff them with crumpled newspaper, and tie them off. You can use the sleeves to create arms, and draw faces on the fabric for a charming yet spooky look.

Wooden Ghost Cutouts

Wooden ghost cutouts displayed in a yard.

Create wooden ghost cutouts for a more durable decoration. Cut out ghost shapes from plywood, paint them white, and add black faces. These sturdy decorations can withstand the elements and serve as a lasting addition to your Halloween decor.

DIY Ghost Pathway Lights

Ghost pathway lights made from plastic cups lining a walkway.

Light up your walkway with DIY ghost pathway lights. Use white plastic cups, draw ghost faces on them, and place LED tea lights inside. Line them up along your path for a fun and spooky welcome to your guests.

Multiple Ghosts in a Row for Impact

A row of ghost figures creating a dramatic Halloween display.

For a dramatic effect, create a row of ghosts. Use different heights and styles for each ghost to add interest. This setup can be a focal point in your yard and make a big statement when lit up at night.

DIY Ghost Wind Chimes

Ghost wind chimes made from fabric hanging from a branch.

Combine spookiness with sound by creating ghost wind chimes. Use ghost cutouts made from old sheets or fabric and hang them from a branch with string. Add some bells or other chimes for an eerie sound as they sway in the breeze.

Ghosts with Glow-in-the-Dark Paint

Glow-in-the-dark ghost shapes painted on rocks in a yard.

Use glow-in-the-dark paint to create spectral effects. Paint ghost shapes on rocks or wooden surfaces and place them around your yard. Once the sun sets, they’ll glow, providing a spooky touch to your Halloween night.

DIY Ghosts Made from Tulle

Delicate tulle ghosts fluttering in the wind in a garden.

For a soft and ethereal ghost, use tulle. Drape tulle over a balloon or a small frame, and tie off the bottom. Add a face with a marker, and place them around your yard. These delicate ghosts will flutter in the wind, enhancing the spooky atmosphere.

Hanging Ghosts from Tree Branches

Ghosts hanging from tree branches swaying in the wind.

For a dramatic look, hang ghosts from tree branches. Use white sheets or fabric to create ghost figures and suspend them from branches with string. This creates an eerie effect, especially when they sway in the wind during a chilly Halloween night.

Ghost Family Display on the Porch

A ghost family display with various sizes and accessories on a porch.

Create a ghost family scene on your porch. Use different sizes of ghosts, from small to large, to mimic a family. Decorate them with fun accessories like hats or scarves for a whimsical touch that adds character to your Halloween decor.

Ghosts with Spooky Sound Effects

Ghost decorations with hidden speakers creating spooky sounds.

Add an audio element to your ghost decorations by incorporating spooky sound effects. Use small speakers hidden among your ghost displays to play ghostly sounds. This will enhance the eerie atmosphere and make your yard even more inviting for trick-or-treaters.