DIY Skeleton Lawn Decor for Halloween

Halloween holds no secrets for Justin and me. We are immense enthusiasts, eagerly embarking on our annual pilgrimage to Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando (which, by the way, was absolutely fantastic this year!). However, my heart has always yearned for a yard to transform into a mesmerizing Halloween spectacle. Finally, the time arrived, and I was determined not to let this opportunity slip away. I must admit, I had reservations about Justin’s willingness to participate in the endeavor. Yet, when he caught sight of my contagious giggles upon stumbling upon a captivating image on Pinterest featuring a group of skeletons carrying a coffin across a yard, he was immediately enamored with the idea of crafting our very own haunting scene.

After some intense brainstorming, we pondered the question: how many skeletons should we get our hands on? And even more intriguing, how should we pose them? The challenge of keeping them securely in place in our yard also crossed our minds. Little did we know, obtaining life-sized skeletons can be quite a pricey endeavor. Additionally, the specific positioning of the skeleton necessitates certain joints. Our final masterpiece required two distinct types of skeletons – one with flexible shoulder and arm sockets, and another without. However, luck was on our side as we stumbled upon a fantastic deal at Ross for our first skeleton, priced at a mere $24! It seemed like the universe was favoring us. As we scoured various party and Halloween stores in our vicinity, we eventually found our second skeleton at Target, the most affordable option. Who would have thought? Target, you never cease to amaze me.

Justin and I collaborated to devise the skeletal arrangement. We found amusement in having one of our skeletal figures engaged in the act of excavating a hole in our backyard. To ensure the proper positioning, we employed a garden stake, leaving approximately 1.5ft protruding in front of the shovel blade, firmly planted in the ground. This allowed the shovel to stand independently, relieving the skeleton of any responsibility for supporting it.

In order to maintain the skeleton’s arms in the desired “shoveling” stance, we ingeniously shaped some wire clothing hanger fragments and fastened them to the skeleton’s arms using fishing wire. Additionally, a garden stake was firmly attached to the lower portion of our skeleton (apologies for the discomfort, my friend) with the help of wire and fishing line. Finally, we firmly planted him into the earth and skillfully tied his hands to the shovel, ensuring a flawless posture.

Justin ingeniously orchestrated the illusion of excavating by artfully arranging a mound of mulch around the shovel, while we cleverly acquired a “bag of bones” from a nearby party emporium to strategically insert and scatter, amplifying the overall impact.

However, that was insufficient. Enter skeleton number two, ready to make an appearance. We brainstormed and thought it would add humor to have our second skeleton transporting a body to his fellow digger. Just like the first skeleton, we arranged him with a garden stake at the base, and cleverly fastened fishing wire from his wrists to his shoulders, ensuring his arms were comfortably cradling the load.

I fashioned the “body bag” using a sleek black garbage bag, ingeniously repurposing my collection of old plastic grocery bags (hooray for resourcefulness!). With finesse, I sculpted a round “head” at the bag’s base, adorning it with a snug wrap of electrical tape. Next, I skillfully molded the body shape by filling the bag’s core with more plastic grocery bags. Just before the final touch of electrical tape, my accomplice and I cleverly inserted two leg/foot bones procured from a bag of bones we had purchased, securing them in place. The finished masterpiece boasts the illusion of skeletal feet playfully peeking out from within the confines of the garbage bag—a delightful detail that adds charm but is entirely optional should you wish to replicate the project.

Overall, I am absolutely delighted with the outcome of this charming endeavor. As we admire our strategically placed skeletal decorations in the garden, Justin and I find ourselves contemplating numerous possibilities for future arrangements. Maybe, in the years to come, we will be compelled to expand our assortment of skeletons…Who can tell!

Do you like to decorate your yard for Halloween? How are you dressing it up this year?