8 Halloween Prank Decorating Ideas

A lot of resources are available for Halloween decorating; just visit any party store or Halloween specialty shop. You will find creepy masks, moving dummies, severed hands and fake spiderwebs nearly anywhere. Why not take it a step further by pulling a funny trick on party guests and trick-or-treaters? It's easy to do, and you don't necessarily have to drop a lot of money on some extravagant setup. These Halloween prank decorating ideas are fun without being harmful.

1. Dress up as a dummy or scarecrow. Wear old, baggy clothes that would be used to make a scarecrow. Cover every body part with clothing, and stuff some newspaper inside for a lumpy look. Poke straw underneath the openings so you really look like a scarecrow. Then sit in an awkward position and wait for trick-or-treaters to arrive. If you like, put a bowl of candy on your lap so they don't have to ring the doorbell, and jump up as they reach into it. Be nice to the little ones; save your energy for the teens, especially those who get greedy.

2. Build a coffin and hide inside it. The open coffin will look like part of your Halloween decor, and guests might think there is just a stuffed dummy inside. Wait until you hear footsteps coming up the sidewalk then start rapping on the side of the coffin, quietly at first. Once you have their attention, sit up and start moaning or howling. Avoid jumping up and chasing the little children away; that's just mean.

3. Hide severed body parts in candy bowls. Imagine the trick-or-treaters' surprise when they reach into a bowl for a treat and feel a hand. Better yet -- cut a hole in a box and attach a glove to prevent losing the candy, then put your hand in the glove and poke at the reaching fingers. Scatter severed hands and feet around the yard, covering them in ketchup or fake blood for a more realistic look.

4. Decorate with fake spiderwebs and spiders. Don't overdo it, or it will be obvious from the start they are not real. Hang cobwebs in corners where they might actually be. Be inconspicuous. You can also place them in 'surprise' corners, like underneath the table. Do the same with fake spiders, rodents and others insects; hide them in drawers, cabinets or in the corner of the room where some unsuspecting person might come across the creepy Halloween guest.

5. Buy decorations that have motion sensors. Fake paintings, zombie dummies and more...anything realistic that moves or makes noise will surprise your visitors -- but not in a good way. You can buy them online or in any Halloween store. Set your motion detecting decoration near the door to greet visitors as they arrive.

6. Glue a quarter to the sidewalk. Then watch out the window on Halloween night as trick-or-treaters try to pick it up. You will get a chuckle out of their baffled expressions when it sticks to the ground.

7. Make creepy shadows in the windows. Cut scary scenes from black paper -- or even a person's profile. Attach it to the window and dim the lights so it is almost completely dark; it will look as if someone is standing in front of the window, or a crime is happening inside the house.

8. Set stuffed ravens on the porch. They need to be very realistic to fool anyone. Place them along the railing or on your patio furniture so it looks like there are real birds on it. As your party guests or trick-or-treaters walk up to the house, they will wonder why the creepy black birds aren't scattering. They might even start to yell at the ravens and try to shoo them away. It's a hilarious Halloween prank if you are watching from inside the house.

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