Costumes. Candy. Scary movie marathons. There are so many things we love about the spooky season.
But without a doubt, one of the most spooktacular parts about Halloween are the decorations!
Want to make your decorations stand out without spending a fortune at the store? HGTV makes it easy with this spooky swarm of bats for your front door!
Materials Needed
- Scissors
- White colored pencils
- Black cardstock
- Gold glitter cardstock
- Black permanent marker
- Black poster board
- Yardstick
- Door-length purple bulletin board
- Sticky tack, tape or glue dots
Directions
Step 1: Print & Cut Template
Make a simple outline of two bats (you can draw your own or download templates online) and cut them out. To create depth, make a slightly larger set of bats. Cut the larger bats out for a total of four, traceable bat templates.
Tip: You can make smaller bats to create even more depth for your display.
Step 2: Trace Templates Onto Cardstock
With a white colored pencil, trace bat templates onto thick, inky black cardstock, then cut them out.
Step 3: Cut Out Bats
Cut out about 50 bats in varying sizes. Gently score the inside edge of each wing where it meets the bat’s body, then fold wings at score line so they appear to flap.
Step 4: Map Out Your Cityscape
On a large piece of thin black poster board, use a yardstick to draw out basic house shapes. Vary the building heights, roof lines and chimney positions for a realistic-looking skyline.
Step 5: Cut Out Skyline + Windows
Carefully cut out the skyline, leaving a thick black band along the bottom of the poster connecting the buildings. Draw and cut out small window shapes in each building, then tape yellow construction paper over the cutouts. Turn the finished poster over to reveal a jet-black cityscape accented with “glowing” windows.
Tip: You may have to tape two posters side by side to fill the width of your door.
Step 6: Make the Moon
Lay a paper plate face-down on a piece of gold glitter cardstock and trace with a permanent marker. Carefully cut out the circle so that no marker ink remains.
Step 7: Assemble
Cover the door in a large ream of purple bulletin-board paper, securing it to the backside of the door with painter’s tape. (Don’t forget to cut a hole for the door handle.) Add sticky tack, tape or glue dots to the back of each bat, the finished skyline and glitter moon. Attach the skyline to the bottom of the door, just above the weatherstrip, and place the moon in the top right corner. Arrange and attach bats of various sizes flying in the same direction, from bottom left to top right. Readjust bats as necessary until you’ve achieved the perfect look.
Tip: Periodically view the door through your phone camera to help spot empty areas or places that need adjustment.
Make this display and your front porch will be the most popular in the neighborhood; just make sure your candy selection is also up to snuff.