Halloween Universe

Video Theme

Graveyard

Videos built around the graveyard theme — pulled together so you can study how others bring this atmosphere to life.

404 videos

SPIRIT HALLOWEEN 2022! 💀 Hunting for Animatronics, Props & Decor!
8:03
Prop Reviews

SPIRIT HALLOWEEN 2022! 💀 Hunting for Animatronics, Props & Decor!

Wicked Makers' Jay and Jaimie take a tour of their local Spirit Halloween store for the 2022 season, scoping out animatronics, props, and licensed decorations in person before buying. Highlights include close-up looks at standout animatronic figures and a range of licensed pop-culture Halloween décor. Though they typically build their own props, the duo ended up making several purchases and hint at unboxing videos to come.

Wicked Makers· 149,418 views
DIY Fake Tree Stump With Spray Foam
8:11
DIY PropsBeginnerlow (many materials sourced from dollar stores and home improvement stores)

DIY Fake Tree Stump With Spray Foam

VanOaksProps walks through the full process of building a convincing fake tree stump using a 5-gallon bucket as a base form, expanding spray foam for texture, and layered acrylic and spray paints to achieve a realistic wood-and-moss finish. The build relies on inexpensive, widely available materials, making it accessible to beginners. A handy secondary use highlighted in the video is concealing a projector inside the hollow stump, adding functional value to a purely decorative prop.

VanOaksProps· 142,582 views
5 DIY Halloween Motorized Props
28:57
DIY AnimatronicsBeginnerlow (budget-friendly builds emphasized)

5 DIY Halloween Motorized Props

This VanOaksProps compilation packages five separate motorized prop tutorials into a single nearly 30-minute video, designed to ease builders into adding movement to their haunts. Projects range from a simple pop-up mechanism to a rocking tombstone, an animated skeleton, a motorized haunted shovel, and a creepy wilting flower. Each build is presented as approachable and affordable, with links to the individual source videos for full parts lists. The overarching goal is to demystify basic animatronic techniques for home haunters at any skill level.

VanOaksProps· 142,194 views
DIY Zero Tombstone - Nightmare Before Christmas
25:53
DIY PropsBeginnerlow (basic foam sheets and entry-level airbrush)

DIY Zero Tombstone - Nightmare Before Christmas

This tutorial walks through building a replica of Zero the ghost dog's tombstone from Nightmare Before Christmas using insulation foam sheets and basic carving tools. The creator positions it as an accessible beginner project requiring minimal investment. An airbrush is used for finishing, giving the prop a polished, screen-accurate painted look. It's a great themed accent piece for a graveyard yard haunt or NBC-inspired Halloween display.

Monster Tutorials· 139,193 views
Noodle Skeletons Tutorials - Easy and Cheap Halloween Prop for less than $3.00
27:51
DIY PropsBeginnerUnder $3 per skeleton

Noodle Skeletons Tutorials - Easy and Cheap Halloween Prop for less than $3.00

Monster Tutorials walks viewers through building ultra-budget skeleton props using pool noodles, with this episode focusing on constructing the torso — considered the most critical section of the build. The technique is designed for haunters who need to populate a scene with many characters without spending much money. Additional installments covering the head, arms, legs, and corpsing are planned as companion videos. A downloadable PDF e-book guide is also referenced as a supplemental resource.

Monster Tutorials· 133,795 views
Easy & Realistic Fake Stone Walls from Foam 2!
8:04
DIY PropsBeginner$20–$60

Easy & Realistic Fake Stone Walls from Foam 2!

VanOaksProps walks through a beginner-friendly process for creating convincing fake stone walls using inexpensive XPS or EPS foam. The build relies on hot wire cutting and rasp texturing to achieve a natural stone shape, followed by a tile mortar coating that adds durability and surface detail. A layered acrylic painting sequence — moving from a base beige through burnt umber shadows to green moss accents — brings the finished panels to life. The result is a lightweight, low-cost wall section suitable for haunts, sets, or yard displays.

VanOaksProps· 130,025 views
Easy DIY Cement Skulls Tutorial - here's your weekend Halloween project
17:53
DIY PropsBeginner$10–$30

Easy DIY Cement Skulls Tutorial - here's your weekend Halloween project

This tutorial walks through a beginner-friendly method for casting skulls out of cement using milk jug molds, yielding durable props suitable for multiple display contexts. The finished skulls are versatile enough to be mounted on walls, placed in fire pits, or used as landscaping accents. A companion video covering how to make the milk jug skull molds is referenced for viewers who need that prerequisite step.

Monster Tutorials· 124,610 views
How to Make Monster Mud & Monster Mud Alternatives
4:24
DIY PropsBeginnerlow (basic materials readily available at hardware stores)

How to Make Monster Mud & Monster Mud Alternatives

This VanOaksProps tutorial demystifies Monster Mud — a classic home-haunter staple used to coat and texture Halloween props like tombstones, reapers, and graveyard statues. The video covers what Monster Mud is, how it's mixed and applied, and how to protect finished props from the elements. It also introduces Monster Mud 2.0 (Morbid Mortar), a thinset-based alternative that offers additional durability and texture options.

VanOaksProps· 115,276 views
Hidden Projector Tombstone feat. the AAXA HP1
11:16
Projection EffectsIntermediate

Hidden Projector Tombstone feat. the AAXA HP1

VanOaksProps walks through building a realistic foam tombstone that doubles as a concealed housing for a compact projector, keeping the unit hidden from view and shielded from the elements. The build covers foam carving and shaping, router detailing, and a multi-step paint process to achieve a convincing aged-stone look. The finished prop integrates seamlessly into a graveyard display while secretly delivering Halloween projection effects. It's a clever solution for haunters who want polished projection visuals without exposing expensive equipment.

VanOaksProps· 91,619 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
DIY SFX Scrim HALLOWEEN HOW-TO for Spooky Special Effects
7:51
Lighting TutorialsBeginner

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.

HALLOWEEN DIY & HOW-TO Props & Special Effects· 85,502 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
Animated Flying Bats HALLOWEEN Mechanical Prop | DIY How-To Video
29:42
DIY AnimatronicsIntermediate

Animated Flying Bats HALLOWEEN Mechanical Prop | DIY How-To Video

This step-by-step tutorial walks DIY haunters through building a motorized pair of animatronic flying bats — a prop suitable for yard haunts, haunted houses, or Halloween displays. The mechanism uses a low-RPM motor combined with a spring coil to create a convincing flapping or swooping bat motion. The video demonstrates two completed prop units (four bats total) to show the finished effect at display scale. Material sourcing notes are included, with updated spring alternatives provided since the original component is no longer available.

HALLOWEEN DIY & HOW-TO Props & Special Effects· 77,052 views
Build the Ultimate Halloween Cemetery: My 10 Favorite Detail Projects
52:56
Yard HauntsBeginner

Build the Ultimate Halloween Cemetery: My 10 Favorite Detail Projects

VanOaksProps compiles ten of his favorite detail-oriented prop projects specifically chosen to elevate a DIY Halloween cemetery display. The compilation spans a wide range of builds — from PVC fencing and weathered tombstones to faux cast-iron locks, distressed signage, and atmospheric cobwebs — with each segment linking back to a full standalone tutorial. The focus throughout is on affordable, achievable techniques that add realism and cinematic atmosphere to a yard graveyard scene.

VanOaksProps· 72,585 views
DIY Halloween Monument Prop from Foam!
11:01
DIY PropsIntermediate$30–$80

DIY Halloween Monument Prop from Foam!

VanOaksProps demonstrates how to build a cemetery monument prop using a foam dome, a plastic garden urn, and a crow decoy — a creative alternative to standard foam tombstones. The build incorporates carving, shaping, and a multi-step faux bronze painting technique inspired by a published Instructables project. Drylok is used as a hardening base coat before layering acrylic paints to achieve an aged, patinated bronze look. The finished piece adds impressive height and visual variety to a home graveyard display.

VanOaksProps· 72,153 views
DIY ANIMATED COFFIN - Best HALLOWEEN Spooky Prop!!
11:03
DIY AnimatronicsIntermediate

DIY ANIMATED COFFIN - Best HALLOWEEN Spooky Prop!!

This tutorial walks through building a self-opening and self-closing animated coffin prop for Halloween. A slow-rotating electric motor drives the lid mechanism, and a motion sensor is integrated so the prop activates automatically when guests approach. The creator also references a companion foam coffin build tutorial for constructing the base prop itself. The result is an interactive, trigger-based yard scare suitable for greeting trick-or-treaters.

Monster Tutorials· 68,766 views
The ULTIMATE DIY Halloween Tombstone Marathon!
1:19:27
DIY PropsIntermediate

The ULTIMATE DIY Halloween Tombstone Marathon!

This feature-length compilation from VanOaksProps collects multiple tombstone tutorials into a single marathon session, covering everything from basic foam carving to ultra-realistic aged gravestones. Projects range in complexity, including a replica Haunted Mansion tombstone, a projector-housing tombstone, broken and distressed styles, and techniques for adding memorial portraits and lichen. It's designed both as a complete learning resource and as companionable background viewing while you work on your own props. The chapter-based structure makes it easy to jump to the specific technique you need.

VanOaksProps· 65,004 views
Creepy Halloween Crypt from Foam!
10:46
DIY PropsIntermediate$30–$80

Creepy Halloween Crypt from Foam!

VanOaksProps walks viewers through building a foam crypt or mausoleum from scratch using common XPS foam and basic hand tools, making it accessible for home haunters of most skill levels. The build covers cutting and shaping foam to mimic stone and brick architecture, then sealing and painting it with layered acrylic washes to achieve a convincingly aged, mossy, weathered finish. The result is a dramatic cemetery centerpiece that goes well beyond a standard tombstone display.

VanOaksProps· 63,599 views
SPOOKYTIME VLOG!!! Hunting + Haul + Animatronics!!!
45:29
Halloween Decorating

SPOOKYTIME VLOG!!! Hunting + Haul + Animatronics!!!

In this summer Halloween vlog, the creator goes on a hunt for spooky decor and returns with an exciting haul of Halloween finds. A centerpiece of the video is the assembly and showcase of her very first animatronics, including a Headless Zombie and a Headless Knight. She also highlights several other animatronic props available at Lowe's this season, from a Haunted Mansion Caretaker to a Gargoyle and Witch. The relaxed, enthusiastic format makes it a fun watch for fellow year-round Halloween fans.

Jade The Libra· 63,151 views
Animated Spooky Sign HALLOWEEN Motorized Prop & DIY How-To Video
29:49
DIY AnimatronicsIntermediate

Animated Spooky Sign HALLOWEEN Motorized Prop & DIY How-To Video

This step-by-step tutorial walks viewers through building a motorized, animated Halloween warning sign suitable for yard haunts, front porches, or haunted house displays. The project uses a fixed-speed AC motor to bring a ghostly spooky sign to life with continuous movement. The channel focuses on helping home haunters and crafters achieve professional-looking animated props using accessible DIY methods. At 30 minutes, the video covers both the build process and the materials needed from start to finish.

HALLOWEEN DIY & HOW-TO Props & Special Effects· 61,203 views
Easy DIY Cemetery Graveyard Fence Tutorial
7:11
DIY PropsBeginner

Easy DIY Cemetery Graveyard Fence Tutorial

Monster Tutorials walks viewers through building a customizable cemetery fence using readily available materials in just a few steps. The design is intentionally flexible, allowing haunters to scale the fence to any length needed for their graveyard display. At under 10 minutes, the tutorial is approachable for builders of all skill levels.

Monster Tutorials· 59,844 views
Making a Bust That Follows You - Halloween Prop Tutorial
10:22
DIY PropsIntermediate$20–$60

Making a Bust That Follows You - Halloween Prop Tutorial

VanOaksProps walks through the first part of a two-part series on building a cemetery bust monument that uses an optical illusion to appear to follow viewers as they move. The build relies on accessible materials — XPS foam in two thicknesses, a cardboard tube armature, pipe insulation, and common adhesives — shaped with hot wire and routing tools. Sponsored by ChickenProps, the tutorial bridges the gap between a basic graveyard prop and a showstopping interactive centerpiece. The finished piece is designed to evoke the iconic "following bust" effect popularized by haunted mansion attractions.

VanOaksProps· 57,843 views
DIY Animated Living & Moving Tombstone HALLOWEEN Prop
15:12
DIY AnimatronicsIntermediate

DIY Animated Living & Moving Tombstone HALLOWEEN Prop

This tutorial walks DIY haunters through building an animated tombstone prop that uses a programmable motor to move a sculpted face in multiple directions, creating the illusion of a living, aware gravestone. The build is designed for yard haunts and graveyard displays and aims for a professional-looking result from homemade construction. The video notes an important hardware update: the FrightProps motor kit now ships with a different controller, so builders will need to separately purchase the PicoVolt controller to replicate the original build.

HALLOWEEN DIY & HOW-TO Props & Special Effects· 55,475 views
DIY Animated BREATHING & MOVING GRAVE Halloween How-To Yard Haunt Prop
8:43
Yard HauntsBeginner

DIY Animated BREATHING & MOVING GRAVE Halloween How-To Yard Haunt Prop

This tutorial walks DIY haunters through building a motorized animated grave prop that simulates a breathing, heaving effect — complete with rustling grass and shifting ground movement. Designed for outdoor graveyard displays, the prop creates an unsettling atmosphere with minimal complexity. The channel follows a step-by-step instructional format aimed at helping home crafters achieve professional-looking results. At under 10 minutes, it's a quick and accessible build for Halloween yard decorators.

HALLOWEEN DIY & HOW-TO Props & Special Effects· 55,135 views
Graveyard Halloween Videos · Halloween Universe