Simple Halloween Cage Props

Amanda
by Amanda
3 Materials
$4
1 Hour
Easy

Here is a super simple, inexpensive way to make decorative cages for Halloween. Each cage costs less than $4 to make if you already have some basic supplies, like spray paint.

Materials

Hometalk Recommends!

Make your own Halloween porch decor with these recommended laundry baskets and black spray paint that Amazon reviewers swear by!

Tools and Materials

  • Two small laundry baskets
  • Fake chain
  • Zip ties or shower curtain rings (I used the shower curtain rings to make my cages easier to open and close if needed)
  • Black spray paint (If they have black baskets, buy them instead! It will save you a step later)
  • Silver spray paint
  • Scissors
  • Halloween decor


I found all of this at Dollar Tree!

Cut the Handles

Cut the Handles


Because the baskets have slightly raised handles, my first step was to cut out a spot for the handles on one of the baskets, so the two baskets can sit flush with each other.

I used the cut basket as the top of the cage so if they are placed in an area that can get rained on, the water will drain out instead of puddling in the lip of the basket.

Attach with Shower Curtain Rings

Attach with Shower Curtain Rings


Here is my test fit after cutting the handles. I used a shower curtain ring at each end of the chain to attach it to the bottom side of one basket (the top of the cage). I also am using a couple rings to hold the two baskets together.

Now is a good time to think about what you want to put in your cages. I found this miniature skeleton at Michael’s.

Paint

Paint Black


It was hard to get a decent picture here, but I spray painted the baskets (and shower curtain rings) using a flat black, then lightly went over them with a metallic silver. You want the silver to be a little splotchy to give the look of aged, dirty metal.

Hang

Hang


Put everything together and hang it up! We hung ours from hooks on our patio.


If you need things for inside your cages, Dollar Tree also has lots of fake bats, skulls, spiders and other spooky critters! We put a couple bats in the top of one cage.


I’d love to see pictures of your cages and how you decorate them in the comments!


DIY Halloween decor

For more creative Halloween decor projects, discover Hometalk's best  DIY skull and skeleton decoration ideas or these Frightful Halloween Ideas for Your Front Yard.
 

Resources for this project:
Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Hometalk may collect a small share of sales from the links on this page.More info
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
3 of 23 questions
  • Denise Castle Denise Castle on Sep 12, 2021

    How tall was your skeleton

  • Babette Babette on Sep 14, 2021

    Where can I find large chains that are lightweight, seems they are made of plastic (?) and would be better / cheaper for me than "real chain"? cannot find them anywhere. Where did you get them, and how much cost for the chains? Very cool, I want to do this! Thanks for sharing!

  • Ros67484048 Ros67484048 on Aug 23, 2022

    How big were the baskets??


Comments
Join the conversation
3 of 168 comments
  • Lynda Lynda on Sep 22, 2022

    Thanks for the great idea we did 2 kinds here is how they came out not quite finished but almost.

    comment photo
    comment photo
  • Gail Lavazoli Volk Gail Lavazoli Volk on Sep 28, 2022

    This is a Navage Patch original. You should give them the credit.

    • 17335038 17335038 on Oct 13, 2022

      As the 'pattern' for these skeleton decorations is not copywritten and they are not being sold, the concept for making them (diy) is open to anyone.


      Besides, perhaps the poster genuinely was not aware of the original source, which, at this point in time, does not really matter anyway.


      Many times the world is a better place when fun ideas are shared.


Next