Halloween Universe

Video Category

DIY Props

Every diy props video worth your time, gathered in one place. Browse builds, tutorials, and showcases — each embedded from its original creator with a quick summary so you can find exactly what you need.

2314 videos

EASY mold making and casting with ALUMINUM powder!
8:10
DIY PropsBeginner$30–$80

EASY mold making and casting with ALUMINUM powder!

VanOaksProps walks through the complete workflow for duplicating prop parts using a tin-cure silicone mold and cast resin, then finishing the casts to resemble brushed aluminum. The technique — known as cold casting — uses aluminum powder mixed into or applied over resin, with steel wool buffing to bring out a convincing metallic sheen. It's a practical solution for haunters who need multiple identical parts without hand-building each one. The tutorial is kept approachable and concise, making it accessible even for first-time mold makers.

VanOaksProps· 86,535 views
Easy Jason Mask Tutorial - Friday 13th Voorhees Horror Mask
17:21
Costume TutorialsBeginnerlow (budget-friendly toy mask as base)

Easy Jason Mask Tutorial - Friday 13th Voorhees Horror Mask

This tutorial walks viewers through transforming an inexpensive toy hockey mask into a screen-accurate-looking Jason Voorhees mask inspired by the Friday the 13th franchise. The project is designed to be accessible, relying on easy-to-source materials. The finished result aims for a realistic horror-movie aesthetic suitable for Halloween costumes or haunted-house use.

Monster Tutorials· 86,532 views
DIY HALLOWEEN COFFIN - Halloween coffin made from FOAM, but looks like real WOOD!!
25:39
DIY PropsIntermediate

DIY HALLOWEEN COFFIN - Halloween coffin made from FOAM, but looks like real WOOD!!

This tutorial from Monster Tutorials walks viewers through building a full-sized Halloween coffin constructed entirely from insulation foam. Despite being made of lightweight foam, the finished prop achieves a convincingly realistic wood appearance through careful cutting and finishing techniques. The build makes use of hot wire foam cutting tools to shape the coffin, followed by texturing and painting to sell the wood-grain illusion.

Monster Tutorials· 86,502 views
www.monstertutorials.com - How to make a creepy girl prop like Samara with motion sensor
16:15
DIY PropsBeginnerlow (budget-friendly, common materials)

www.monstertutorials.com - How to make a creepy girl prop like Samara with motion sensor

This tutorial walks through building a Samara-inspired creepy girl prop using readily available materials. A key highlight is a motion sensor hack that triggers a strobe light to dramatically illuminate the figure whenever someone walks nearby. The project is designed to be approachable for beginners and suits home haunts, yard displays, or small video productions.

Monster Tutorials· 85,272 views
DIY ULTRA Realistic Halloween Tombstones!
10:50
DIY PropsIntermediate$20–$60

DIY ULTRA Realistic Halloween Tombstones!

VanOaks Props walks through a complete process for building ultra-realistic foam tombstones that convincingly mimic aged stone. The tutorial covers shaping, carving fine details, texturing with caulk, and a multi-step painting workflow using acrylic washes and a masonry sealer to achieve an authentic weathered-granite look. Techniques like flame treatment and dry brushing add depth and surface realism that elevate these props well beyond typical foam graveyard pieces.

VanOaksProps· 85,031 views
PROP LAB: $20 Lightning Effect Box
6:11
DIY PropsIntermediate~$20

PROP LAB: $20 Lightning Effect Box

VanOaksProps presents a budget-focused build for a DIY lightning effect box aimed at haunters who can't justify the cost of commercial lightning machines. The build centers on a soldered LED light organ kit that reacts to an audio signal, driving a bright white LED floodlight to mimic realistic lightning flashes. The video walks through the concept, components, and a proof-of-concept test of the finished unit. At roughly $20 in parts, it offers a compelling low-cost alternative to premium lightning simulators.

VanOaksProps· 83,661 views
EASY Smoldering Log Effect using a Foam Pool Noodle!
4:23
DIY PropsBeginner$5–$15

EASY Smoldering Log Effect using a Foam Pool Noodle!

This short tutorial from VanOaksProps demonstrates how to build a convincing smoldering log effect using an inexpensive foam pool noodle as the base. The noodle is textured and painted with black and grey acrylics to mimic charred, dying embers, then lit from within using a white LED strip. Most materials can be sourced affordably at a dollar store, making this an accessible build for any skill level.

VanOaksProps· 83,133 views
BEST Clay for Making Monsters! WED Clay Sculpting Demo | Monster Lab
45:55
DIY PropsIntermediate

BEST Clay for Making Monsters! WED Clay Sculpting Demo | Monster Lab

In this episode of Monster Lab, Distortions Unlimited founder Ed Edmunds makes the case for WED clay as his preferred medium for sculpting monster masks and large Halloween props. Originally developed for Disney animatronics, WED clay is a water-based, air-dry material prized for its smooth, pliable working properties and slower drying time — qualities Ed demonstrates hands-on with a monster mask sculpt. He also honestly addresses when oil-based clays may be the better choice, such as for SFX appliances or small figurines. The episode is part of a long-running tutorial series aimed at bringing professional prop-house knowledge to DIY builders.

DistortionsUnlimited· 82,849 views
Sculpting Teeth in Clay | Monster Lab
11:09
DIY PropsIntermediate

Sculpting Teeth in Clay | Monster Lab

In this Monster Lab installment, Mikey Rotella demonstrates how to sculpt realistic teeth in water-based clay while working on a character at Distortions Unlimited. The walkthrough focuses on technique that carries over to masks, props, puppets, and SFX builds. It's a studio-based look at the foundational sculpting skills behind professional creature work.

DistortionsUnlimited· 81,790 views
Easy brain in a jar
13:55
DIY PropsBeginner$5–$20

Easy brain in a jar

StiltbeastStudios walks through a budget-friendly method for creating a realistic-looking brain in a jar using common hardware store materials. The build relies on tinfoil as an armature base, silicone caulk for texture and form, and paint for a convincing finish. The result is a versatile prop suited to mad scientist labs, haunted attraction scenes, or Frankenstein-themed displays. The straightforward process makes it accessible to beginners with minimal tool investment.

StiltbeastStudios· 81,507 views
DIY Halloween Skeleton Animatronic
7:29
DIY AnimatronicsIntermediate$30–$80

DIY Halloween Skeleton Animatronic

VanOaksProps builds a rocking skeleton animatronic Halloween prop largely from salvaged parts and a wiper motor. The build centers on a custom aluminum bracket and rod linkage that converts the motor's rotation into a smooth back-and-forth rocking motion on a posed skeleton. A 10A speed controller lets the builder fine-tune the movement speed to taste. Detailed dimensions are provided for the base and metal stock cuts, making it straightforward to replicate.

VanOaksProps· 81,505 views
Making a two part mold
20:58
DIY PropsAdvanced

Making a two part mold

Allen Hopps of StiltbeastStudios walks through the process of building a two-part plaster mold from an original sculpt, intended for producing pull-out latex masks. The video covers the key stages of mold construction used in professional-level special effects prop making. It serves as a practical introduction to the mold-making workflow for anyone looking to reproduce original mask designs at volume.

StiltbeastStudios· 81,131 views
Creepy specimen jars tutorial - 3 easy ways to make creepy jars
19:57
DIY PropsBeginnerlow-cost / budget-friendly (dollar store materials referenced)

Creepy specimen jars tutorial - 3 easy ways to make creepy jars

This tutorial walks through three beginner-friendly methods for crafting creepy specimen jars suitable for haunted houses, film sets, or home cabinet-of-curiosities displays. Materials are sourced from easily accessible, budget-friendly retailers, keeping the build accessible to virtually anyone. The creator also provides free downloadable labels to lend the finished jars an authentic apothecary or mad-scientist feel.

Monster Tutorials· 80,870 views
Halloween Is Coming So Every Day Counts Making Monsters | Inside Distortions Unlimited
11:04
Professional Haunted Attractions

Halloween Is Coming So Every Day Counts Making Monsters | Inside Distortions Unlimited

This behind-the-scenes video takes viewers inside Distortions Unlimited during a single September 2022 workday as the team races to finish Halloween props, animatronics, and costumes before the season deadline. The episode centers on completing the Shock Clown costume alongside other pieces destined for shipment. It offers a rare, unfiltered look at the professional workflow and production pressure of a major Halloween prop manufacturer. Fans of monster making and industrial-scale Halloween fabrication will find it genuinely compelling.

DistortionsUnlimited· 80,029 views
5 Things EVERY Halloween Haunter Needs!
7:18
Product ReviewsBeginner

5 Things EVERY Halloween Haunter Needs!

Wicked Makers hosts Jay and Jaimie run through the five tools they consider non-negotiable for any DIY Halloween prop builder or home haunter. The picks span basic cutting, bonding, and shaping tasks, covering nearly every project in their catalog. The video serves as a practical starting-point guide for newcomers and a useful checklist for seasoned haunters.

Wicked Makers· 78,907 views
How to make a fake realistic heart!! - Valentine's Day special tutorial
22:09
DIY PropsBeginner

How to make a fake realistic heart!! - Valentine's Day special tutorial

Monster Tutorials presents a Valentine's Day-themed DIY project for crafting a realistic, squishy fake heart suitable as a Halloween or horror prop. The tutorial is positioned as an approachable, easy build for hobbyists looking to add gruesome anatomical details to their haunt or display. While framed around the holiday, the techniques translate directly to haunted house and SFX prop work year-round.

Monster Tutorials· 78,386 views
Tar Pit Halloween Prop/Decoration
1:48
DIY PropsBeginnerunder $20

Tar Pit Halloween Prop/Decoration

A quick and creative Halloween prop hack that transforms existing paper mache ground breakers into a convincing tar pit display using common driveway sealer. The dark, glossy finish of the sealer mimics the look of bubbling tar with minimal effort or cost. It's a clever repurposing technique that breathes new life into an existing prop build.

Hauntcast· 78,334 views
DIY Mummified Dollar Store Bat - Bat Specimen Fauxidermy Corpsing
24:47
DIY PropsBeginnerunder $10

DIY Mummified Dollar Store Bat - Bat Specimen Fauxidermy Corpsing

This Monster Tutorials project shows how to transform an inexpensive dollar store bat skeleton prop into a convincing mummified bat specimen suitable for a haunted display or curiosity collection. The build focuses on corpsing and fauxidermy techniques to give the cheap prop an aged, desiccated appearance. At roughly 25 minutes, it's an accessible project for haunters of any skill level looking to add low-cost, high-impact pieces to their décor.

Monster Tutorials· 77,949 views
diy upholstery foam pumpkin easy to make scrap foam halloween faux pumpkin decor
17:14
DIY PropsBeginnerlow / scrap materials

diy upholstery foam pumpkin easy to make scrap foam halloween faux pumpkin decor

StiltbeastStudios walks viewers through building a realistic-looking faux pumpkin using upholstery foam scraps — an accessible, low-cost approach to Halloween prop making. The build recycles offcut foam into convincing jack-o-lantern décor suitable for home haunts or haunted attractions. At roughly 17 minutes, the tutorial keeps things approachable without requiring expensive materials or advanced tools.

StiltbeastStudios· 77,874 views
burlap mask tutorial scarecrow
23:37
Makeup TutorialsBeginner$20–$40

burlap mask tutorial scarecrow

Allen Hopps of Stiltbeast Studios walks through the construction of a wearable burlap scarecrow mask that is entirely latex-free and completable in roughly an hour and a half. The build relies on inexpensive, readily available materials including burlap bags, a spray sock base, and contact cement. Spray paints in earthy tones are used to finish and unify the look. The result is a convincingly creepy, lightweight scarecrow mask suitable for haunted house performers or costume use.

StiltbeastStudios· 76,870 views
hanging cage prop
18:55
DIY PropsBeginner$20–$60

hanging cage prop

StiltbeastStudios walks through turning a standard 55-gallon barrel into a Hocus Pocus-inspired hanging cage prop in a manageable three-to-four-hour build. The finished piece is designed to be suspended from trees or displayed inside a haunted house for dramatic seasonal atmosphere. The project relies on accessible materials and straightforward techniques, making it approachable for most skill levels.

StiltbeastStudios· 76,704 views
How to make DIY Christmas Spider Ornaments
13:23
DIY PropsBeginnerUnder $20

How to make DIY Christmas Spider Ornaments

Wicked Makers' Jaimie and Jay build DIY spider ornaments for a Christmas tree, inspired by the folk legend of the Christmas spider — a charming tale said to be the origin of tinsel. Using plastic ornaments as spider bodies and pipe cleaners or wire for legs, the project is accessible to crafters of most skill levels. The result is a set of creepy-cute decorations that blend holiday cheer with a delightfully spooky edge.

Wicked Makers· 75,978 views
Making Armor.m4v
16:45
Costume TutorialsIntermediate

Making Armor.m4v

Allen Hopps of StiltbeastStudios walks through the process of crafting wearable armor pieces from closed cell foam, a lightweight and versatile material popular in both cosplay and haunted house costuming. The tutorial covers shaping and construction techniques as well as finishing methods like dry brushing to give the armor a realistic, battle-worn appearance. The result is a durable, professional-looking costume piece suitable for performers and enthusiasts alike.

StiltbeastStudios· 75,769 views
Sculpting Scales in Clay Tutorial | Monster Lab
19:25
DIY PropsIntermediate

Sculpting Scales in Clay Tutorial | Monster Lab

In this installment of Distortions Unlimited's Monster Lab series, sculptor Tom Cassidy demonstrates how to build up convincing scales in clay. He frames the techniques as broadly applicable to dragons, lizards, snakes, alligators, dinosaurs, and other creatures, working through them on a Pterosaur mask sculpt destined for a museum. The focus is on transferable sculpting principles rather than a single finished piece.

DistortionsUnlimited· 75,761 views
Best DIY Props Videos · Halloween Universe