12 Utterly Creepy Halloween Yard Decorations You Need This Year
Updated: Jul. 26, 2021Give your home's facade a haunted makeover with these truly terrifying Halloween yard decorations.
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Animated hanging grim reaper
Fear the reaper—especially when he’s hanging out on your front porch! This life-sized, five-foot grim reaper, who has busted through his shackles, will stop house guests dead in their tracks when he lets out a sinister screech or a creepy cackle while gesturing with his bony hands. Here are some DIY Halloween decorations you’ll want to try this year, too.
RIP graveyard tombstones
Invite trick-or-treaters to enter through the cemetery. These lightweight foam tombstones look so realistic, it’s scary. These Halloween yard decorations come in a pack of four—including “engraved” skeletons and epitaphs—complete with metal stakes for slaying vampires…um, we mean securing the tombstones into the ground! If you’re looking for cheap decorations, this is the first place you need to shop.
Zombie garden statue
You’ve heard of The Walking Dead, but do you know about the crawling undead? This ravenous stone/resin zombie is emerging from your front lawn in search of brains to feast on, but he’ll settle for the terrified reactions he elicits when he casts his menacing gaze on passersby. To scare trick-or-treaters even more, dress up in one of these Halloween costumes that will give people nightmares.
Cocoon corpse
A caterpillar in its cocoon is preparing to become a butterfly, but this cobweb-wrapped dead body is just preparing to scare the bejeezus out of your neighbors. The seven-foot corpse comes with hooks for hanging from an awning, a tree branch, or any other spot that can support less than a pound. Try out these spooky Halloween decorations you can only buy at Target.
Realistic hairy rats
Scatter three of these furry rodents on the porch after dark, then invite a few friends over and prepare for some serious shrieking. As if the straggly hair were not enough, each five-inch rat looks up at you with a pair of beady eyes and two little fangs. When Halloween is over, make sure to try out these decoration storage ideas.
Giant spider
Arachnophobia is an understatement when it comes to a six-and-a-half-foot spider on your front lawn. This hairy beast can’t be stopped—it comes with secure attachments, so it can even survive strong wind and rain. It’s very adjustable, too; twist it into a different position each day to really freak people out. Try one of these 31 free pumpkin carving stencils.
Giant bloody window posters
You won’t find these window treatments at Bed Bath and Beyond (maybe at Blood Bath and Beyond…we couldn’t resist)! This two-piece plastic mural broadcasts ominous warnings to onlookers through an obscured window with bloody silhouettes pressed up against the glass. For more inspiration, check out these real haunted houses.
Animated talking witch
Double, double toil and trouble! This battery-operated witch will cast a creepy spell on the neighborhood. Her eyes glow when she moves and speaks, and you can give her a tray of candy (or a fake bloody brain) to hold! Try out these simple no-carve pumpkin decorating ideas.
Tree ghost with LED flashing eyes
Enlist the trees on your property to scare the wits out of everyone who walks by. A plastic face—camouflaged to look like bark—adheres to the tree trunk and uses two AA batteries to make the red LED eyes light up. Curb appeal never looked this eerie. Check out these easy Halloween crafts you can do with your kids.
Zombie garden gnome
This evil little creature with light-up eyes isn’t your mother’s garden gnome. Like a pint-sized extra from Night of the Living Dead, he’s a flesh-eating version of the classic lawn ornament—so watch your ankles! These Amazon finds under $30 will turn your house into the best haunted house on the block.
Spinning circus clown
Creepy clowns are having a moment. And if Pennywise the Dancing Clown from Stephen King’s It is your idea of a living nightmare, then this sinister character is the Halloween yard decoration for you. Not only do his evil eyes double as strobe lights, but his entire head spins around 360 degrees, Exorcist-style. Check out the stories behind these 14 Halloween traditions.
Two-headed girl doll
Remember those ghoulish twins who were slaughtered at the Overlook Hotel in The Shining? If you smooshed them together into one creepy doll, it would be this life-size two-headed creature. The foam-filled rubber doll, standing four feet tall, makes quite the welcoming committee when positioned outside your front door. If you’re really ready to get your creep on, don’t miss the Halloween movies that will scare you senseless.
For more fun facts, costume ideas, traditions, candy inspiration, spooky entertainment, and updates on how October 31 will look different this year, check out our Halloween Guide.
