Halloween is a time when people can let their imaginations run wild, and what better way to do that than by decorating your yard for the holiday? Whether you’re looking for cute and spooky or gory and terrifying, these 15 ideas will help get you in the spirit, no matter the size of your outdoor space! We also have 5 things you should consider when decorating your yard for Halloween. Let’s get going.

Our Top 15 Creepy Halloween Outdoor Decoration Ideas

There’s a lot you can do in your yard to get ready for Halloween. These 15 outdoor Halloween decoration ideas are just the tip of the iceberg. Use these as they are or as inspiration to create your own spooktacular yard!

1. Go with a classic

A few well-placed pumpkins can really set the mood for Halloween. Try carving them into jack-o’-lanterns, or painting them with black paint and spooky designs. Thankfully, you don’t need a big yard for pumpkins — they can be placed around your porch. If you want to show off your collection of pumpkins, put them on a rolling storage cart — you can bring them inside when the night is over.

2. Get creative with lights

String some lights around your porch or in the trees, and watch as they transform your yard into a spooky wonderland. This is great for medium-sized yards that don’t have too much ground to cover, creating a spooky effect. Next to pumpkins, they’re the ideal outdoor Halloween decor.

3. Use fake spiders

These creepy crawlies are a must for any outdoor Halloween decorations. Hang them from trees, put them in bushes, or add them anywhere else that needs a little extra spookiness. If you have a backyard trampoline, you can create a spooky spider's nest filled with webs and eggs and more.

4. Decorate your door

A wreath made of spiderwebs, skeletons hanging from the eaves, or even just a pumpkin by the front door will make guests feel right at home.

5. Use scare tactics

If you really want to freak people out, try setting up animatronic monsters or ghosts around your yard! Just be prepared for some scared reactions. Depending on the size, you’ll probably need a bigger yard for this one.

6. Hang fake bats

These little guys are easy to hang and add an instant touch of spookiness to any scene. Pair them with the spiders and skeletons from above, and you’ll be set. If it’s windy, you can add them to a hanging hammock to create a bit of lively movement.

7. Use hay bales

These traditional Halloween decorations can be used to create everything from a haunted house to a graveyard. They aren’t exactly the creepiest Halloween decorations, but they’ll get the job done for creating a solid foundation.

8. Bloody it up

Looking for scary Halloween decoration ideas? This one is definitely on the spookier side and not for the faint of heart. Make use of some fake blood (or ketchup) and create a spooky crime scene on your front porch for trick-or-treaters as they stop by. Take a seat on your nearby patio set and watch the fun commence.

9. Add a tombstone or two (or three or four or five)

A few well-placed gravestones can really set the mood for a spooky Halloween party. Feel free to add a few fake hands sticking up in front of them, making it look like there are a few old friends rising from the grave looking to collect on the money you owe them.

10. Set up a fog machine

Nothing says Halloween like a little fog, and you can easily create your own with a fog machine. Just be careful not to set it off too early and scare the neighborhood kids! For the perfect effect, find a Halloween outdoor fog machine with a timer — that way you can run it when you want to.

11. Create hiding spots

Making an outdoor haunted house, or want a spot to hide and scare trick-or-treaters as they come up the walkway? Create some hiding spots — hide behind some plants, some hay, or hide in a sleeping bag that’s just inconspicuously lying there. Nobody will suspect a thing!

12. Use sound effects

A few spooky sound effects can really set the mood for Halloween. Try playing music from a haunted house movie, or just put on a few creepy sound effects using a Bluetooth speaker. You can even try playing some special effects as trick-or-treaters walk up to your house — screams, anyone?

13. Use inflatable props

Inflatable Halloween decorations are a great way to add some humor to your yard. Try putting a few ghosts or monsters in your yard for some laughs. The fans that come with Outdoor inflatable Halloween decorations can be a bit too scary for pets sensitive to noise, so just keep that in mind if you have pets running around.

14. Make a witch hideout

Witches can be pretty dang spooky. Craft a cauldron and put your candy inside — it’ll be a fun way for trick-or-treaters to interact with your Halloween yard decor. If you don’t have anything to create a cauldron, try out a ceramic planter.

15. Get crafty

If you’re feeling creative, why not make your own DIY outdoor Halloween decorations? You can create everything from spiderwebs to skeletons out of cardboard and paper mache. The world is your oyster when you get to crafting your own Halloween decorations. You can make them as scary and crazy as you like, or keep them mellow and fun. It’s up to you!

5 Things to Consider Before Decorating for Halloween

So now that you have some ideas about what you can do to decorate your yard with scary Halloween decorations, there are a few things you should consider before getting started. Check out these 5 tips:

The size of your yard

You’ll obviously want to choose decorations that fit the size of your yard. While we all want trampolines (ourselves included), they may not be the best choice for smaller yards. Go with something that fits your space so everyone can have fun.

The overall theme

Whether you’re going for straight-up spooky, daunting and haunting, or monster galore, choosing the right theme can be tough. It’s a crucial aspect when choosing your outdoor Halloween decorations, but you’ll want to make sure you’re consistent throughout for the best effect.

The types of Halloween decorations

Are you going for props — skeletons, witches, and more? What about inflatables? Lights? Keep in mind that a lot of these decorations are getting bigger by the year — we’ve all seen those houses with 20-foot-tall skeletons, right? — so make sure you remember to get things that fit your space.

The budget

Some Halloween decorations cost more than others. Make sure you set a budget and stick to it. Remember that there’s always next year, so if there’s something you want but feel it may be a stretch, you can save up for it and add it to the collection down the road. Try to look for Halloween decorations on sale if need be. The best time may actually be right after Halloween — so you can get an early start for next year!

The local weather

In October, the weather is pretty variable. If you’re in an area that is starting to get freeze warnings at night, make sure you’re choosing decorations that can withstand the cold, wind, rain, and maybe even snow. You don’t want all your hard work to go to waste if the weather isn’t appropriate.

Get Ready to Decorate!

Now that you have 15 awesome ideas for decorating your yard this Halloween season, and another 5 things you should know before you get started, you’re ready to go. Remember: Halloween is all about the fun, so make sure you don’t stress out about finding all the creepy outdoor Halloween decorations…worry about which horrors await you in your now-spooky yard!