DIY Halloween Props - Mason Jar Hanging Lights (Solar Powered!)
Embedded from YouTube. This video belongs to its creator; Halloween Universe indexes it as a discovery resource.View original ↗
What this video covers
Wicked Makers hosts Jaimie and Jay walk through building budget-friendly solar-powered Halloween lanterns using mason jars wrapped in dyed creepy cloth styled to resemble Spanish moss. The finished lights carry a swamp or New Orleans vibe that complements graveyard yard haunts perfectly. With a reported materials cost of around $7 each, these lanterns are designed to be durable, weather-friendly, and reusable season after season.
Key takeaways
- ◆Solar pathway lights are repurposed as the light source, eliminating wiring and batteries
- ◆Creepy cloth is dyed and distressed to mimic Spanish moss for an organic swamp aesthetic
- ◆Acrylic paints and a toothbrush are used to weather and age the mason jar exterior
- ◆An optional flickering LED upgrade adds extra atmosphere
- ◆Total build cost is approximately $7 per lantern using the listed materials
Who this is for
Budget-conscious home haunters and yard haunt builders who want atmospheric, reusable outdoor lighting with minimal tools and no electrical wiring.
Tools mentioned
- • hot glue gun
- • scissors
- • soldering iron
- • screwdriver
- • paint brush
- • toothbrush
Materials mentioned
- • 32oz mason jar
- • solar pathway light
- • creepy cloth (halloween fabric)
- • twine
- • fabric dye
- • acrylic paint (white)
- • acrylic paint (black)
- • acrylic paint (brown)
- • glue
- • dirt
- • water
- • paper towels
- • orange/flickering LED
⚠ Safety notes
Soldering iron is listed as optional; standard hot glue and soldering precautions apply. Keep solar lights and all electrical components dry during the dyeing and painting steps.
Explore related
More like this

DIY Animated Halloween Lighting Effect
VanOaksProps demonstrates a beginner-friendly animated Halloween lighting effect that requires no prop controller or advanced electronics. The core build uses a slow-rotation motor, a lamp socket wired to an extension cord, and a decorated deli container that spins around a lit bulb to cast shifting, moody shadows. Silhouette patterns cut into or applied to the container add themed visual texture to the effect. The result is an atmospheric, low-cost lighting prop accessible to haunters at any skill level.

10 DIY Halloween Lighting Upgrades!
VanOaksProps compiles ten of his best haunt lighting tutorials and tips into a single marathon video covering everything from foundational lighting concepts to specific DIY builds. Projects span a wide range, including plug-and-play LED setups, animated lighting effects, PVC candles, smart light integrations, and enhanced LED jack o'lanterns. Each segment links back to a full dedicated video for deeper instruction. The collection is designed to help haunters at any level dramatically improve the atmosphere of their displays.

DIY SFX Scrim HALLOWEEN HOW-TO for Spooky Special Effects
This tutorial walks viewers through building a DIY special effects scrim designed to produce spooky lighting and sound atmospherics for Halloween displays. The technique is applicable to a range of settings including front porches, yard haunts, and indoor haunted house scenes. A sound-activated device from FrightProps (the 'Perfect Storm') is referenced as a compatible controller for driving thunder and lightning effects alongside the scrim.
Ratings & reviews
No ratings yet — be the first to say whether this one delivered.
Sign in to rate this video and tell others if it helped.
