The Super Scary Pool Noodle Hack That Takes Halloween Decor To The Next Level

While Christmas might be the time to outdo your neighbors with flashy lights, Halloween is when you can get really creative — and extra spooky — with your outdoor decor. There are plenty of store-bought options you could decorate with, including the giant Costco skeleton and traditional scary statues, but it's the cheap and easy DIY Halloween decorations that might win you those neighborhood awards ... or at least an A for effort. You can create affordable decor with TikTok hacks and Dollar Tree items, but a surprise pool staple is taking the Halloween decor world by storm: the pool noodle. More to the point, you can use pool noodles (and a few extra supplies) to build a hauntingly real specter that will certainly scare anyone who passes by it, thanks to the inspiration from @brandon.hardy.art on Instagram. 

If you prefer your decor a little on the creepier side rather than the standard friendly pool noodle ghost, this DIY is sure to draw you in. Your supply list will consist of at least two pool noodles per figure, wooden posts like these 5-foot wood garden stakes from Tractor Supply Co., foam heads from Michaels, duct tape, large canvas drop cloths from Harbor Freight (the number depends on how many statues you plan to make), spray paint in gold, white, or gray, a truck bed liner from AutoZone (the spray-on version), and a drill or hammer and nails in case you need to add height by connecting two stakes. 

Supplies at the ready, head out to your yard to plan where to place your specters. Once you have your areas ready, prep your stakes. If your stake isn't as tall as you would like, you can attach a second wood piece with a nail to add height. These will do best in dirt or grass, so avoid concrete areas since they can't remain upright if not anchored in. For each statue, you'll need three pieces of pool noodle — cut each noodle in half. 

Attach the foam head at one end of the wooden stake, using super glue to secure it if needed. Place two of the pool noodle halves in the front of the stake horizontally. These should sit about 3 to 6 inches from the bottom of the foam head. Use duct tape to secure the noodles to the stake by wrapping it around in X-patterns, then use more tape to secure the ends of the pool noodles that jut out. Next, take the third piece of pool noodle and secure it to the back of the specter vertically so that it comes out of the back of the head. It should be arched so that there is dimension that will pull your canvas sheet away from the stake. This will make the finished product more life-like. Tape the top and bottom of the noodle to the wood, then ensure the whole unit is securely pushed into the ground.

You will add your canvas sheet over the whole thing like a cape, making sure some material drapes over the foam head but doesn't close around it completely. If you prefer, you can purchase different fabric to create the cape, but canvas is sturdier, which is ideal for outdoor use. It should drape around your figure and spread out on the ground, too. If using canvas, take your truck bed liner spray and apply it on the entire statue, including the interior cloth, foam head, and anything else that's visible. This will keep your canvas cloth in place and help to stiffen the material. For even more dimension, grab your spray paint and add color to the interior of the folds. You can also use green spray paint to highlight the top of the hood, shoulders, and outer folds for an aged, creepy effect.

As the paint is drying, feel free to throw on some gloves and adjust the canvas as needed to create more texture. Allow the statues to dry, and then they are ready to creep out your friends, family, and neighbors. For an added viewing element, place battery operated lights inside to elevate the spooky factor. Use colder temperature bulbs for a more chilling effect. These specters are outdoor decor Halloween ideas that will transform your yard in the fall, or you can keep them up year-round to ward off unwanted company (just kidding...).