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Haunted House Ideas

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Haunted House Ideas For Your Backyard!

Are you looking for some Haunted House Ideas for this Halloween? Maybe you want some ideas to make this halloween extra special for the kids?

Haunted houses can be a fun part of Halloween, but many times they are too expensive or too scary for younger children. A simple haunted house in the backyard can provide all the thrills while still having that comfort zone of home.

A few simple decorations and a bit of imagination can provide an evening of fun. By making it large enough that kids and grownups can go through it together you'll also help the younger ones feel a bit braver.

Contents at a Glance

Hosting The Ultimate Halloween Party
Ideas for Creating a Haunted House in Yo...
Halloween Haunted House Props
Halloween Crafts Eerily Elegant Decors
12-Inches Talking Tree Decoration
A Halloween How-To: Costumes, Parties, D...

Hosting The Ultimate Halloween Party

If your kids want you to host a Halloween party then this guide is really going to help you! You might have been saying, "No!" so far however, with this guide which walks you through planning and hosting a Halloween party you will amaze your kids, your guests, and even yourself!

Hosting The Ultimate Halloween Party

Ideas for Creating a Haunted House in Your Own Backyard

Some cardboard boxes, sheets and clothesline can become a maze for the kids to go through. Bales of hay can also make a nice touch as tunnels to crawl through. If you live near a farm, you may be able to borrow a few bales and return them after the party. The maze doesn't have to be intricate. Even a few twists and turns will allow for surprises around each corner.

Enlist the kids help to decorate the cardboard and sheets with glow-in-the-dark paint to help create the walls. Position a few black lights to make them visible to your guests. The kids will love painting designs and pictures with the bright colors. Have them come up with scary phrases, like "Beware All Who Enter Here" or "Ghosts and Goblins Only" to decorate the walls of the backyard haunted house.

Lighting is an important part of a haunted house. You want enough light that people can see where to walk safely, but not so much that they see what's awaiting them ahead. There are many theme lights such as ghosts and pumpkins available, but Christmas tree lights work just as well. Strobe lights can also add to the spooky atmosphere as can a fog machine. Jack-o-lanterns are also a nice touch, but use battery-operated lights in them for safety.

Hanging rubber bats, ghosts and other creepy crawlers around on different length strings, long enough that people will bump into, may make a few people jump. Have a few volunteers dress up in spooky costumes and hide behind trees and around corners of the maze to add to the scare factor. If you think a younger child might be too scared by them, let them see the people getting in their costumes before hiding. This way, they'll know it's really people they know in costumes and not real monsters.

Invite the neighborhood trick-or-treaters to venture through your haunted house, having the treats passed out by the various monsters hiding through the maze. It makes it a little more exciting for the kids. It's sure to make your home a favorite stop of all the little ghosts and goblins.

As you plan your haunted house layout, keep safety in mind. Remove any sticks that may cause someone to trip. Avoid tree roots that may be sticking up out of the ground. Look for rocks, too. As long as you are creative, have fun, and keep safety in mind, it's sure to be the hit of the neighborhood.

Halloween Haunted House Props

Halloween Crafts Eerily Elegant Decors

Halloween Crafts: Eerily Elegant Decor

by: Kasey Rogers, Mark Wood

Amazon Price: $3.50 (as of 02/17/2012)

Halloween Crafts: Eerily Elegant Decors is a book written by Kasey Rogers and Mark Wood, both accomplished and known actors and lovers of throwing fantastic and goulish Halloween parties.

Their book features 50 innovative and stunning Halloween projects, from table decorations, scary sculptures to punch. These projects come with step-by-step instructions and photographs and are straight forward and simple to create. Each project comes with a list of materials needed and a list of contacts for the more difficult materials used.

Examples of the included projects are:

* Creepy Drippy Candles
* Banquet of the Goblin King Centerpiece
* Baby Gremlins
* Banshee Banners
* Red Imp Punch
* Skull Orchard Statute
* The Goblin King
* Harvest of Skulls
* Instant Ancestors
* Brew Some Gruesome Punch Glasses
* Goblin Masques
* Scarecrow Wreath
* and many others

If you enjoy decoration your home with spooky Halloween things, this book offers lots of great projects for the whole family.

12-Inches Talking Tree Decoration

This 'talking head' is approximately 12" tall and 7" wide. Its battery operated with 3 "AA" batteries which are not included and is made out of hard plastic. It's activated by motion sensors. When someone walks by, the eyes light up and change color and the latex mouth moves and it talks.

You can hang it on the wall or on a tree. It doesn't come with any mounting hardware.

SELLER INFORMATION:

BuyCostumes has received an average rating of 4.7 stars (out of 5 possible) over the past year, out of 6,607 ratings.

BuyCostumes describes itself as the world's largest e-tailer of Halloween decor, party supplies, costumes, and accessories and has been online since 1999. They carry over 14,000 items in their inventory.

They have been certified by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and BizRate and will give you hassle-free, secure shopping all year.

Pros:

* Had to keep playing it so we could hear it talk
* Put it on our tree and workers couldn't figure out who was talking to them
* Great fun!
* This is so funny - eyes light up, mouth moves!

Cons:
* Motion detector does not detect motion when someone is walking by
* Only talked when the actual product was shaken
* Had to take the product back

CONCLUSION:

Hopefully the motion sensor problem has been fixed. If so, this would be a really fun product to have on your front door for Halloween, or your tree or wall for other occasions. Batteries aren't included, so be sure to remember to buy some ahead of time.

A Halloween How-To: Costumes, Parties, Decorations and Destinations

Halloween How-To, A: Costumes, Parties, Decorations, and Destinations

by: Lesley Bannatyne

Amazon Price: $9.35 (as of 02/17/2012)

A Halloween How-To book was written by Lesley Pratt Bannatyne, a well-known Halloween specialist. She researches and writes extensively on Halloween topics, including Halloween customs, cultures, folklore and history.

In her book she gives information on historical Halloween trends and gives entertaining details about myths, costume trends (what not to wear), historic facts and all about All Hallows Eve. She also provides the reader with fantastic party ideas complemented by advice on ideal sound effects to achieve the perfect Halloween spookiness.

Also featured are chapters on how to decorate houses and yards, ideas on Halloween outings (i.e. Salem or Bust, the Pumpkin Chunkin' Contest in Morton, Illinois), movie ideas, perfect costumes as well as Halloween Party recipes (i.e. "Beyond Blood Punch").

This book is a great Halloween reference for adults who love to indulge in the spirit of Halloween and who like to spook unsuspecting children knocking at their door when trick or treating.

Haunted House Costumes

Cheap Halloween Haunted House Props

Discount Halloween Props

Menacing Mummy Window Cling

These are very unique "posters" that you attach to your window. They are easy to hang and you can trim to them fit windows from 24"x36" to 36"x60". When you're finished with them, they store for easy access another time.

These are high resolution, full-color decorations that illuminate from the lighting inside your house. This product looks like a mummy that's coming unwrapped and trying to escape through your window.

Each package has two 35"x60" posters.

Synopsis of Customer Reviews:

Pros:
* These cling are great
* Coolest Halloween decoration on the block
* I was impressed
* Very large
* Light seeps through the poster lighting it up outdoors
* You will not be disappointed
* Have had for three years - neighbors love them
* Easy to hang
* Relatively cheap

Cons:
* Would prefer a better way to attach to the window
* Be careful when you attach that no light escapes through edges of poster - it ruins the effect

Conclusion:

These posters seem to be the a popular item. Look at the picture of the Mummy. There are also other designs and some people put them in all their windows. Just leave a window or two uncovered so you get some natural light into your home. Another great feature is they are reusable year after year.

Menacing Mummy Translucent Window Decorations "Double Window Design

Amazon Price: $17.99 (as of 02/17/2012)

Animated Halloween Props

2 Halloween Skeleton Yard Flamingos Lawn Décor Review

This is a set of two "Skelamingos" that are molded from black plastic with painted on bones, and are manufactured in the USA. One measures 30" tall and the other measures 27 " tall. Great for Halloween decor, "Over The Hill Parties", and Gag Gifts. Quality built to last for years.

More Fun N Games has an average rating of 4.7 stars (out of 5 stars possible) over the past twelve months, from 551 ratings.

They are committed to giving each customer the very best customer service.

Customer feedback for this seller (not necessarily this product):

* Shipped fast
* Quick service to Alaska
* Product arrived early
* Product as described
* Product was broken and seller responded quickly and refunded the money

Pros:
* Very cool
* Perfect gift for my wife who loves flamingoes and Halloween

Cons:
None found

Conclusion:

These "Skelemingoes" would be great to put in your yard for Halloween, perhaps with a spotlight for after dark. Customers seem delighted with the product. They are durable and will last for several years. These flamingoe products have been in existence for almost forty years.

2 Halloween Skeleton Yard Flamingos Lawn Decor Ornaments - Great for Halloween Haunted House or Over the Hill Party Decorations

Amazon Price: $15.30 (as of 02/17/2012)

This pair of skelamingos are molded black plastic with painted on bones. You will get One Long neck measuring 30 Inches tall and One short Neck measuring up 27 inches tall. This lovely pair of Skelamingos are great for Over The Hill Partys, Halloween Decorations And make a great Gag Gifts. They will last for years to come.

Haunted House Decorations

More Haunted House Ideas

Choosing Your Halloween Yard Decorations

Pumpkins

These are an obvious one. Ideally you should get real pumpkins and carve them out. The problem with these is that they can take a lot of time to prepare. Also, they may be a fire hazard (unless you mount them on tall sticks which can actually look really cool).

These days you can buy pumpkins that contain lights that are rated as safe for outdoor use. There are many awesome designs and a lot of variety such as inflatable pumpkins, blinking pumpkins and more.

Tombstones

Many people want to achieve the graveyard look and tombstones are perfect for this. You can make your own quite easily from cardboard and this gives the kids something to do before the main event.

There are also many extravagant tombstones that you can purchase. Some of them feature skeletons or corpses that lie on top or beside the tombstone - I have even seen animated versions although these are more expensive.

Fog Machine

If you are going for a graveyard theme then a fog machine can really add to the atmosphere. These don't come cheap but you can use them again and again each year. You can also hire them just for Halloween but you need to reserve them quick because they quickly go and you will not be able to find one at the last minute.

Another way to get fog is to buy some dry ice. You can get this from some large stores that sell frozen food or you can order it direct from a supplier over the internet. When you add it to water (be careful and use thick gloves) then a thick fog will be created.

Corpses

Most Halloween yards usually feature a corpse or two. You can simply make them by stuffing clothes with newspaper. The process is very similar to making a scarecrow. The only thing you will need to buy is a skull to make the head from. If you are stuck at the last minute then a pumpkin will work instead.

Halloween Pumpkins

Halloween Tombstones

Halloween Graveyard

Turn Your Front Yard into a Spooky Halloween Graveyard

It is easy to find large cardboard boxes which are being thrown away. Ask any furniture or electronics store if you can have their boxes after taking items from them. These boxes make a great base for the gravestones.

* Think about the size and shape of gravestones. They are often rectangles with rounded corners, cross-shaped or any number of other shapes. How large you make the gravestones will depend upon what size and how many boxes you get. Cut out the gravestones.

* Paint all of the boxes gray or other natural stone colors. You can also use chalk in varying colors to create the look of weathered stone.

* With a large, thick black marker, write R.I.P. in large letters toward the top of the tombstone. You can write names on each of the cardboard tombstones with varying dates from different time periods.

* Dig down a little ways to place the bottom of the cardboard into the ground. If necessary, place a stick or something behind the cardboard to help it remain standing.

* Mound leaves or straw in front of the cardboard tombstone to make it look like a graveyard with recent additions.

* The more gravestones you add to your yard, the more "real" and spooky it becomes.

Other things you may want to include in your yard to create the spooky graveyard you seek are "ghosts" made from sheets or garbage bags. Don't forget to put eyes and mouths on them. Hang them from the trees.

You may also want to get some large orange garbage bags which are normally sold before Halloween. Real jack-o-lanterns with candles can also be placed around the yard and on the porch to add to the atmosphere.

Spider webs hung from trees and across the entry way would also give the impression of a graveyard. What do you make spider webs from? Gauze-like material and stretchable webbing are available where costumes and party favors are sold.

Find spooky Halloween music which can be played during the evening while children trick or treating visit. Strobe lights will give the impression of lightening, and dry ice can create fog which covers the ground. These and the above ideas are some of the easy ways to turn your front yard into a spooky graveyard children will talk about until next year.

Groundbreaker Light Up Skeleton Halloween Prop

GROUND BREAKER LIGHT SKELETON

Amazon Price: $49.88 (as of 02/17/2012)

Perfect for your haunted cemetery! Plastic skeleton parts can be mounted in your yard to give the appearance of a skeleton coming out of the ground. Head illuminates adding to it's eerie effect. Bones are 6" to 13" in length. Requires 2 'AA' batteries (not included)

Scary Partially Buried Skeleton Graveyard Prop

Amazon Price: $24.99 (as of 02/17/2012)

Product Features

* Makes a great Halloween decoration
* Prop includes one skull and two sets of hands
* Also made of a light weight foam rubber sculpture

Scary Embracing The Cross Halloween Tombstone

Scary Embracing The Cross Halloween Tombstone Prop

Amazon Price: (as of 02/17/2012)

Product Features

* Makes a Halloween decoration
* Prop includes high denisty foam construction
* Measures roughly 28" tall x 15" wide x 5" thick at base

Halloween Graveyard Tombstones

Spooky Halloween Costumes

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Which Are Your Favorite Haunted House Ideas?

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MelissaNRodgz Sep 30, 2011 @ 4:14 pm | delete

Some really great ideas here. Halloween is almost as big as Christmas with people decorating their houses up

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andreaberrios Sep 30, 2011 @ 1:59 pm | delete

This is a great resource lens!! Awesome ideas!

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ScareYouDiva Sep 12, 2011 @ 9:33 am | delete

Great ideas. We don't do a full haunted house, but I do love to do something a bit unexpected for trick or treaters as they come up to the house. Boo!

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ArtformTheHeart Sep 7, 2011 @ 3:04 am | delete

Great Lens. We decorated last year - when I was in the USA at my boyfriend's home. We don't really decorate for halloween in Scotland which is a shame.