Are you searching for a DIY project that’s both easy and budget-friendly? You’ve come to the right place! With spooky season just around the corner, we’re excited to help you add some eerie charm to your decor. With a few readily available items and minutes of your time, you can craft a thrifty hanging ghost to embellish your home or yard.
Making these spooky ghosts is a breeze, but they may not be enough to keep the little ones entertained while creating. Nonetheless, your kiddo will enjoy watching them blow in the wind while playing outside, like Meli and Xander.
We will be making hanging ghosts today instead of wind spinner ghosts. But don’t worry, if you prefer the wind spinner version, Edgar’s video has a step-by-step guide for you.
What You’ll Need for the Hanging Ghost
- Clear container. Edgar used a 30oz PB2 container for reference, but any clear, similar container should work.
- 13-gallon white trash bag
- Black duct tape (easiest method) or black face printout for the eyes and mouth
- Adhesive. Edgar used double-sided glue dots. They are more effective than double-sided tape. A hot glue gun will also work.
- Cardboard, cardstock, coroplast, or anything you can cut that would provide structure to your hanging ghost.
- Puck light (optional but recommended). It will make the ghost glow in the dark.
- X-acto knife or scissors
- Twine or yarn or rope
Making the Hanging Ghost
Rounding Out the Head
To begin, remove the label from your container. The simplest method is to fill it with hot water and wait 5-10 minutes. Then, gently remove the label without getting it wet. The heat from the water melts the adhesive, making removing the label all at once easier.
If you’d like a ghost with a less flat top and a more rounded head, you can use a hair dryer to apply heat and then apply pressure to the inside of the container. Edgar used a metal mug for this purpose. Doing this will help you achieve the desired roundness.
After rounding the container, create a small hole in the center for the twine.
Arms and “Rudder”
In order to add structure and aid the ghost in blowing and moving in the wind, you will need to make arms and a rudder. These elements are essential for the wind spinner version. Otherwise, the ghosts wouldn’t move at all. Cut out two pieces of cardboard measuring 1 inch by 7 inches for the arms. Remember to round out the ends that are outside of the container. Additionally, cut out one piece of cardboard measuring 1.5 inches by 8 inches for the rudder.
To attach the arms and rudder to your container, you have two options – use an adhesive or create notches with an X-acto knife. Edgar used the latter method.
It’s important to ensure that the arm notches are parallel to each other and the rudder notch is slightly lower and perpendicular to the arm notches. This location will give it a tail-like appearance. For extra security, you can use a glue gun to hold the arms and rudder in place once you have inserted them into their designated notches.
Glow Effect
If you are using the puck lights, use two glue dots (or adhesive of your choice) and place them on opposite sides of the puck light back. Then, stick the puck light into the ghost head facing the face, slightly angled down.
Cover
In order to create the cover, grab a trash bag and measure 18 inches from the sealed end. Then cut at that point. To make it easier, mark the spot and fold the bag a few times before cutting.
Then, make small triangular cuts on the end of the bag that opens. This step is optional and purely for aesthetics. Check the bag’s fit by placing it over the container, arms, and rudder. Ensure that it fits properly. Then, make a hole in the bag over the container hole you made earlier.
Next, take off the bag. Then, feed twine through the hole and make a knot on the inside of the container to keep it in place or secure it inside with an adhesive. Likewise, you can insert a screw into the hole and attach the twine or fishing line from that instead.
In order to secure the trash bag in place, attach glue dots to various areas outside the container where it will make contact. Additionally, pay special attention to the sides of the container, on top of the arms and rudder, and on the bottom of the ghost near the front to make these areas slightly taut. Then, place the bag over the ghost’s “skeleton” and thread the twine through the bag hole you created. If you notice any areas needing extra securing after putting the cover back on, apply more glue dots as needed.
Face
You can customize that ghost’s face to your liking. Edgar opted for black duct tape as it is a simple, effective, and inexpensive option. He used an X-acto knife to cut out eyes and a mouth, which he then affixed to the ghost’s head.
Voilà! Your hanging ghost is ready for its grand reveal! Alternatively, if you prefer to stake the ghost to your yard to function as a wind spinner ghost instead, Edgar has got you covered! You can watch Edgar’s DIY video for a clear and detailed guide, which provides visual step-by-step instructions for both methods.
Final Thoughts on the Hanging Ghost
As can be seen, crafting a hanging ghost for your Halloween decor has never been more accessible or more budget-friendly. With a few simple materials and a bit of creativity, you can create a thrifty ghoul that will add a delightful spookiness to your surroundings and wow your little ones.
We hope you enjoyed this idea and found these instructions helpful. Please share your thoughts, questions, or experience with the hanging ghost in the comment section below. We would love to hear your feedback and see your spooky creations! What DIY Halloween projects would you like to see next? Edgar thrives on your input! Would you like more crafting ideas? Please look at our upcycled and Halloween crafts for more inspiration!
