I love making fun Halloween decorations you can’t find in the stores. I really love it when it turns out to be the best Halloween DIY project I ever made! This Halloween Gravestone project was by far the best one I ever created, and extra added bonus…The gravestones last for years!
Creating special memories for my kids that will stick with them for a lifetime is my number one goal when I make an effort to tackle a DIY project for holidays and occasions.
For Halloween, no other project has ever had an impact on my kids like the DIY Halloween gravestone display I created for our front yard. They are equal parts authentic enough looking, funny, and in a grouping, pretty impressive! My kids are giddy about them. The neighborhood kids come by to see them. Adults chuckle over them. Guys, this is a project worth doing! Best of all, they will last for years!
Supplies for DIY Halloween Gravestone Project:
- Foamular Insulation Sheet – 2″ x 48″ x 8′
- MuliMax Dremel Tool or hack saw
- 3M Respirator Mask
- Disposable Gloves
- Rustoleum Flat Grey Primer Spray Paint
- Rustoleum Flat Black Spray Paint
- Small (detail) Paint Brush
- Black Acrylic Craft Paint
- Letters To Trace (Or Access to a Printer)
- Elmer’s Glue – Original
- Substantial Dowels, either Wood or Metal
- Pipe Straps (20) For The Dowls to Slip Through
- Original Gorilla Glue
Measuring, Designing and Cutting the Foam Board
Notes about the sheet of Foamular: You definitely want to get the 2″ thick sheet...you will need the durability of it to stand up against the elements and it will look more authentic.
Lay your board out on a flat, level surface and mark off rectangles. You can make them any size you want…If you opt to do yours like I did you will be able to get five of them out of one sheet of Foam.
Put on your respirator mask and use your Multimax Dremel tool (or saw) to cut out the rectangles.
Once you have the rectangles cut out you can decide on the top designs of the gravestones. Measure out a few points and mark them with a pencil to keep your design symmetrical. Once you are satisfied, draw your design and then use the Dremel tool to cut out the design. They don’t have to be perfect!
NOTE: My largest Halloween gravestone measures 40″ tall at its highest point. I felt it looked proportionate, but you can do yours as you’d like.
Applying Words, Phrases and Designs To Halloween Gravestones
To apply the words, you can either use the letters to lay out your words and then trace them onto the stone, or you can print out your saying in the size and font you want and tape it to the stone. If you choose the printer method, you will trace each letter on the paper with a ballpoint pen so there will be an outline under the paper on your foam.
You can then use a Dremel tool, or some other object to carve the letters into the foam. You can also opt to Dremel or carve an outline around the edge of the stone for an added fun look.
Painting The Gravestones – Important Info
Spray painting the foam can be tricky business. It is very important to hold the can 12″ from the foam and spray in short spurts. If the paint is thick and pools up the FOAM WILL MELT. You can also opt to first apply a thin layer of Elmer’s Glue with a small foam roller. Allow to completely dry and the glue provides a barrier to the spray paint. Spray in light layers, including the edges, until the gravestones are completely covered. Use the black spray paint to lightly tint the edges to give the gray foam an aged look.
Painting – Another Option
If spray painting is not appealing to you, you can opt to use water-based paints instead. Roll on water-based acrylic or latex paints and the foam will not melt. You can use the black spray paint to lightly age the grey foam.
Painting the Carved Letters and Designs
Use black acrylic craft paint and a small detail brush to paint the carved words and any details you have carved. Allow to dry completely before displaying outside.
Attaching the Brackets
Using Original Gorilla Glue, attach four brackets to the back of each gravestone. Let dry completely. The dowels will slide through the brackets and push into the ground to hold the gravestones up. Note: The top and bottom brackets should be in line with each other to ensure the dowel will slide through both.
Displaying Your Halloween Gravestone Project
To display the gravestones, cut the dowels proportionate to the gravestone heights you created. Be sure to include about six inches extra to push into the ground. Slide dowels through each set of brackets, two dowels per gravestone. Carefully push or lightly hammer the dowels into the ground.
Have some fun with the display! Add hay bales, pumpkins, half-buried plastic skeletons, spider webs…whatever Halloween inspired decor you’d like!
As always, I hope you enjoyed reading about this project and will give it a try! This is such a fun project for everyone and it will last for years. Please subscribe to the Sugar & Saw email list to receive more ideas for projects, crafts, and home decor!
“SHE BELIEVED SHE COULD DO IT, SO SHE DID” (…and so can you!)
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