DIY Ghost Halloween Lights – Easy Halloween Pathway Lights
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Daniela Kretchmer
- Updated: Oct 27, 2023
- Halloween, Home Decor
Learn how to make festive Halloween lights in the shape of ghosts. These pathway lights are so incredibly easy to make, you’ll end up making dozens like I did!
Table of Contents
Halloween is by far my favorite holiday and ever since I got a house I’m all about decorating for Halloween. I’ve collected all sorts of Halloween decorations, but I’ve also made my own DIY decorations including these outdoor pathway lights.
I absolutely love these little DIY ghost lights. I started making them a couple years ago because I couldn’t find any affordable Halloween pathway lights that I liked. The first year I made around 10 for just one side of the driveway. Then the next year I wanted more Halloween stake lights so long story short, I now have around 40 of them.
These battery operated Halloween lights only take a couple minutes to make and are much cheaper than store bought ones. Then there’s the added bonus that you made them yourself!
For more Halloween crafts, make some Halloween tie dye shirts and for a treat – some pumpkin cinnamon rolls.
Note: Some links in this post may contain affiliate links, which means at no cost to you, I may earn a commission.
Materials to Make the Homemade Ghost Halloween Lights
Instructions to Make the DIY Ghost Halloween Lights
Prepare the Stake
Start by using a glue gun to glue two popsicle sticks together at the ends. This will form the stake for the light.
If you want a taller ghost, glue another popsicle stick.
Make the Rest of the Base for the Halloween Lights
Remove the metal part to the plastic ornament and add some glue to the end.
Then attach the end of the popsicle sticks.
After the glue is dry, push the the fairy lights into the ornament.
Then glue the battery pack right below the plastic ornament. Make sure to glue it with the screws up so that you can change out the batteries if necessary.
This creates the base to the ghost light.
Finish the Ghost Halloween Lights
Cut out a square piece of the tablecloth that’s roughly 18×18 inches. If you’re making a taller ghost, make it bigger.
Then place the base of the ghost light onto the table cloth. Fold the tablecloth over to check to see the ends line up so one side isn’t longer than the other.
Add some glue to one spot on the bottom of the plastic ornament. Then fold over the tablecloth and press it against the glue. Be careful not to burn yourself!
Repeat the process on the other side.
Add glue all around the base of the ornament and scrunch the tablecloth around it. If needed, you can glue it from the outside to secure it. Just be careful with the glue gun as it can melt the tablecloth.
Use the permanent marker to draw too long ovals for the eyes.
Now your Halloween ghost light is ready! Make a whole bunch for a whole row of ghost pathway lights.
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Quick light test before going in the ground! During the day just the head glows, but at night more of the ghost glows.
Place the Ghost Halloween Lights Outside
To use the ghost lights push the popsicle stick into the ground. I like to fluff out the edges to make them wider and more floaty looking.
I place them all along the driveway and in front of the house.
And just for fun, here’s what our Halloween display looks like in front of the house this year.
If you make your own outdoor Halloween lights I’d love to see them! Tag me on Instagram @ab.crafty
And here’s what last year’s Halloween decorations looked like at dusk. You can see the ghost lights glowing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use something other than LED fairy lights?
Absolutely! Another option if you don’t want to make battery powered Halloween lights is to use glow sticks. That’s actually what I did for the first two years at the house. Instead of putting the fairy lights in, simply crack two regular glow sticks (such as these) or one wide one (such as these) and push it into the ornament. Using glow sticks can also be fun because it’ll make the ghosts different colors.
Keep in mind, the glow sticks only last a few hours so crack them right before you want the ghosts to glow. In the past, I just did them on Halloween night for trick or treaters.
How long do the lights last?
The lights themselves depend on the batteries. I turn mine on the night of Halloween for the trick or treaters and turn them off at the end of the night. This preserves the battery life. However, last year I forgot to turn them off so by the morning the batteries were all dead. Therefore this year I need to change them.
The only other concern is the stakes as depending on how much it rains, the water and dirt could cause the popsicle sticks to deteriorate. This isn’t a big deal as you can simply glue on new popsicle sticks.
Are these DIY Halloween lights waterproof?
For the most part, yes. Using the plastic tablecloth means water will simply roll right off of it. And since the battery pack is under it, it’s protected from any rain. Just be sure to check the lights to ensure the battery isn’t touching the ground or is at risk of touching any water.
More Halloween Crafts
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Ghost Halloween Lights
Learn how to make festive Halloween lights in the shape of ghosts. These pathway lights are so incredibly easy to make, you’ll end up making dozens like I did!
Materials
- 2 Popsicle Sticks
- 1 Fillable Plastic Ornament
- 1 Set of Fairy Lights
- White Plastic Tablecloth
- Black Permanent Marker
Equipment
- Glue gun
Instructions
- Glue two popsicle sticks together.2 Popsicle Sticks
- Glue the popsicle sticks to the base of the plastic ornament.1 Fillable Plastic Ornament
- Push the the fairy lights into the ornament.1 Set of Fairy Lights
- Glue the battery pack right below the plastic ornament.
- Cut out a square piece of the tablecloth that’s roughly 18×18 inches.White Plastic Tablecloth
- Add some glue to one spot on the bottom of the plastic ornament. Then fold over the tablecloth and press it against the glue.
- Repeat the process on the other side.
- Add glue all around the base of the ornament and scrunch the tablecloth around it.
- Draw too long ovals for the eyes.Black Permanent Marker
- To use the ghost lights push the popsicle stick into the ground.
Daniela Kretchmer
Daniela is a lifelong crafter who loves to share her passion for crafting. Through classes or learning on her own, she likes to say she'll do pretty much any craft aside from scrapbooking. Her current personal obsessions include garden crafts, felting, and spinning yarn.
