DIY Ghost Decorations for Halloween: Easy Ghost Garland Tutorial

Make your Halloween extra festive with these DIY ghost decorations! This easy ghost garland tutorial uses simple supplies like cheesecloth, Styrofoam balls, and string to create a spooky-cute decoration for your porch, mantel, or party.

If you’re looking for more Halloween fun, check out my DIY Halloween Decor: Glowing Luminaries for another spooky craft, or whip up a batch of Monster Mash Halloween Brownies for a festive treat to go with your decorations.

I never used to be the biggest fan of Halloween, but as my kids have grown up, I’ve started to see the magic through their eyes. Now, I’m all in for the costumes, candy, and of course, the spooky décor. One of our favorite traditions has become making our own Halloween ghost decorations—and this year’s DIY ghost garland was a huge hit! It’s just the right mix of messy and fun, which is the sweet spot for my kids.

If your little ones are anything like mine, they love any project that involves a bit of a mess. And as long as I’m supervising, I’m all for it. This DIY is simple, budget-friendly, and a fun way to add homemade charm to your porch, fireplace mantel, or even a Halloween party backdrop.

Why DIY Ghost Decorations?

There’s something about ghost décor that feels timeless. Whether it’s cheesecloth ghosts floating in the yard, a tomato cage upside down to make large ghosts for the porch, or a classic white sheet ghost tied with ribbon, these decorations never go out of style. Making them yourself saves money, gives kids a chance to get creative, and lets you personalize your Halloween decorations.

A ghost garland is especially versatile—it can go across a mantel, doorway, stair railing, or even outside on your porch. Plus, unlike store-bought decorations, these have a handmade charm that makes your home feel festive and cozy.

Materials for a DIY Ghost Garland

Here’s what we used from our craft stash (and a few things you probably already have around the house):

• Cheesecloth (or white fabric/white sheet scraps)
• Toilet paper rolls
• 2-inch diameter styrofoam balls (for ghost heads)
• Brads or small, flat head push-pins
• Elmer’s glue (or liquid starch for sturdier ghosts)
• Black paint or black felt (for the eyes and mouths)
• Q-tips or a small paintbrush
• String, yarn, or ribbon (I found mine at the Dollar Tree!)
• Pair of scissors
• Mixing bowl and spoon

Optional: hot glue gun, water-resistant spray (if you plan to hang them outside)

Step-by-Step Tutorial

1. Prep Your Crafting Area

Lay a sheet of wax paper over your crafting surface to protect it. Then, place a Styrofoam ball on top of each toilet paper roll to create a simple stand for shaping your ghosts. I used eight stands since it fit perfectly across my mantel, but you can easily adjust the number to make your garland shorter or longer.

2. Cut the Cheesecloth

Drape your cheesecloth (or white fabric) over the ghost head to measure. The cheesecloth will shrink some when you add the glue so allow enough fabric for it to drape and lay on the table. Cut 3 layers per ghost for a nice flowy look. For eight ghosts, I cut 24 pieces.

3. Dip and Drape

Mix two cups of glue with two cups of water (or use liquid starch). Dip each cheesecloth piece into the mixture, squeeze out the excess, then drape it over the styrofoam ball. Alternate the corners to create different layers. Let dry 24 hours until stiff.

4. Secure Heads and Add Faces

Push your brads into the top of the heads to secure your cheesecloth to the foam ball. Use black paint and a Q-tip to make simple ghost faces. You can also cut shapes out of black felt or black paper if you prefer a cleaner look.

5. String Them Together

Remove the toilet paper rolls and lay out your ghosts on the string with your desired spacing. To attach, wrap the string under and around the brad at the top of each ghost’s head. When all the ghosts are secured and evenly spaced, finish by adding a tiny drop of hot glue to the top of each brad to hold everything in place.

6. Hang and Enjoy

That’s it! You now have a homemade DIY ghost garland. Hang it on your fireplace mantel, over a window, or outside on the porch. The little floating ghost heads look especially magical when you pair them with ghost lights, pumpkins, or spiders for extra festivity.

Make Standing Ghosts Instead of a Garland

If you’d rather display your ghosts individually instead of stringing them into a garland, you can easily turn them into little stand-alone decorations. Just paint each toilet paper roll white, then hot glue a Styrofoam ball to the top. Slip your ghost over the form, and you’ll have adorable standing ghosts perfect for shelves, mantels, or even a spooky tablescape.

More DIY Ghost Decoration Ideas

If you loved this craft, here are a few other ways to let your imagination run wild:

• Mason Jar Ghost Lanterns with LED candles or fairy lights inside.
• Yarn ghosts made with tassels—perfect for a Halloween pom pom garland.
• Large ghosts made by draping a white sheet or cheesecloth over a tomato cage upside down.

These are all easy Halloween crafts that make decorating fun and family-friendly.

Happy Crafting!

DIY Halloween ghosts are one of those simple projects that bring big seasonal decorating impact without much effort. Whether you hang your ghost garland indoors or outdoors, it’s sure to get smiles from trick-or-treaters and guests alike.

So grab some cheesecloth, a bit of glue, and let your kids help bring these spooky little friends to life. Happy crafting, and happy Halloween!