Video Tag
Every video tagged “beginner build” in the library — a focused slice of the Halloween archive.
12 videos
Wicked Makers' Jaimie and Jay walk through building 'Barty,' a Pirates of the Caribbean-inspired pirate skeleton prop that appears to endlessly drink from a bottle using a hidden recirculating fountain pump. The build centers on a life-sized skeleton dressed in thrift-store pirate gear posed over a barrel, with colored water looping invisibly through vinyl tubing. The hosts also highlight how the same fountain-pump trick can be adapted to other Halloween themes — vampires, zombies, witches — making the core technique highly reusable. Goodwill is a featured sponsor, reinforcing the budget-friendly, thrift-forward approach to costuming the character.
Wicked Makers hosts Jaimie and Jay walk through three beginner-friendly Halloween prop builds designed to be completed in a weekend at home. The trio covers a giant DIY spider built with paper mache and wire, a pumpkin-headed PVC-framed scarecrow dressed in thrifted clothes, and a ghostly skeleton wrapped in stiffened cheesecloth. Each project is low-cost and highly customizable, with the scarecrow compatible with animatronic jack-o-lantern heads for an extra scare factor.
Wicked Makers' Jay and Jaimie walk through building a glowing chicken wire ghost designed to float in a yard haunt setting. The ghost is shaped using chicken wire over a mannequin form, suspended with fishing line, and finished with glow-in-the-dark spray paint and Halloween lighting for a striking nighttime effect. The creators note the glow paint alone delivers minimal results, but combining it with dedicated Halloween lights produces the full glowing look. A fog machine adds an atmospheric finishing touch that elevates the overall display.
Wicked Makers' Jaimie and Jay build a PVC-pipe candy slide that lets homeowners deliver Halloween treats to trick-or-treaters from a safe distance. The construction relies entirely on basic PVC fittings and a hacksaw, making it accessible to first-time builders. Once assembled, the chute serves as a blank decorating canvas — the duo dresses theirs up with cheesecloth, spray paint, a plastic skeleton, and a skull. Free downloadable plans are available on the Wicked Makers website.
VanOaksProps demonstrates a straightforward motorized pop-up mechanism designed to animate ghosts, goblins, or similar Halloween figures. The build relies on a slow-RPM synchronous motor, patio door rollers, and basic lumber and aluminum flat stock to create repeating up-and-down motion. Only a handful of tools are required, making this accessible to builders with limited workshop experience. The finished mechanism can be dropped into a yard haunt or home display to add eye-catching movement on a modest budget.
This is the debut episode of Haunters Workshop, a DIY series focused on building Halloween props and effects for home haunts and haunted houses. The tutorial walks viewers through constructing a life-size Halloween figure using PVC pipe. It's part of an ongoing series that encourages community participation by inviting viewers to submit their own prop ideas for future episodes.
This Monster Tutorials project shows how to transform a standard cheap plastic pumpkin bucket into a creepy corpsed Halloween prop using readily available materials. The build centers on corpsing techniques along with hot-glue-crafted teeth and follow-me eyes to give the pumpkin an eerie, living quality. It's a budget-friendly, beginner-accessible project that can elevate a simple seasonal item into an impressive display or yard piece.
Allen Hopps of StiltbeastStudios walks through how to build a convincing mini monster prop using two five-gallon buckets as the primary structural foundation, assembled with just zip ties, electrical tape, and a few inexpensive add-ons. A foam wig head accepts a mask of the builder's choice, while EVA foam pieces or prop hands and basic costuming complete the character. The build is designed to be quick, affordable, and accessible to haunters of any experience level. The result is a surprisingly effective small-scale creature suitable for home haunts, yard displays, or professional haunt environments.
Part 1 of a two-part series from Haunt Former walking viewers through the process of building a custom zombie Halloween prop from scratch. The episode focuses on the foundational steps of constructing the prop's body frame. The channel is associated with Spider Hill Prop Works and targets hobbyist haunters looking to create their own display-quality figures. A link to Part 2 is provided for those ready to continue the build.
This tutorial walks viewers through building animated caged creature props using an eclectic mix of scrap and repurposed materials, resulting in a moving, shaking Halloween display piece. The design is intentionally flexible — creatures can be made frightening or whimsical, large or small, depending on the builder's vision. Battery-powered mechanics keep the build accessible and cord-free, making it suitable for tabletop, porch, or yard placements. The project is positioned as a fun family activity as much as a haunter's craft.
This short tutorial walks viewers through building customizable Halloween tombstone props using styrofoam and paint — a beginner-friendly, low-cost approach to graveyard décor. The finished props can be personalized with custom epitaphs or designs to suit any haunt or yard display. At just four minutes, the video delivers a quick, accessible overview of the entire build process.
This tutorial walks through building a screen-accurate-looking Flux Capacitor prop from Back to the Future, designed for display or themed event use. The build centers on a looping video played through a small media player behind a plexiglass panel framed with decorative trim. The creator developed this piece for a live Back to the Future–themed experience, making it a practical event or home display prop. The approach keeps the build accessible for beginners with minimal tools required.
