Do you need gravestones for your Halloween display? You make them yourself for less than they cost at a party store, with the added advantage of being able to customize them as you like. Read on to learn how to make Halloween gravestones.
Securing the Gravestone
- If you'll be placing the gravestone in your lawn, screw a stake to the back of the foam before you paint it.
- You can also glue another piece of styrofoam half as wide as the tombstone and the same height, perpendicularly to the back of the gravestone to make a stand.
- Wire hangers can also be used to anchor the gravestone in the ground, as they do on the video.
Introduction
Halloween gravestones are easy to make using styrofoam insulation that you can buy at most building supply stores. It comes in 4 x 8 sheets, and may be pink, beige or blue. The color doesn't matter, as you'll be painting it, so just select the cheapest you can find.
How to Make Halloween Tombstones
This video is long, but provides a detailed description on how to make Halloween tombstones out of foam insulation. The insulation used in the video has writing and a plastic coating on the outside; you may be able to find insulation with no plastic coating at your local home improvement store. If you can can, just skip the instruction to peel off the plastic.
Step 1: What You Need to Make Halloween Gravestones
- Styrofoam insulation
- Matte black spray paint - do not use glossy paint
- Drop cloth
- Utility knife
Step 2: Cut Out the Halloween Gravestones
Using a utility knife, cut the gravestones out of the styrofoam. You can do this freehand, or make a template out of cardboard and trace the outline. If you're creating a whole cemetery, vary the size and shape of the gravestones. You'll also want to carve names or sayings into the gravestones with the utility knife. Be creative! Is there someone special you'd like to "bury" in your yard?
Step 3: Paint the Halloween Gravestones
Spread a dropcloth outdoors, and lay the gravestone on top. Spray the gravestone with flat black paint on one side. The paint will eat away at part of the styrofoam - that's ok, as it will help the gravestone to look more authentic. Allow the gravestone to dry, then flip it over and paint the other side.
