Halloween Decorations That'll Thrill Your Trick-Or-Treaters | HuffPost Life

Have oodles of spooky fun with these clever animatronics, fog machines, props, lights and more.

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Half the fun of trick-or-treaters visiting your home is seeing everyone’s clever or adorable costumes. The other half is Halloween decorations. If you prefer conjuring up some spooky hocus-pocus to simply setting out a few pumpkins, have we got some gadgets for you: Set the mood with these lights and fog machines, crank up the creepy sounds and let some motion-sensor props send a thrill or chill up the spine of everyone who comes to your door. Even if you don’t go full haunted house, they’ll appreciate the atmosphere and effort.

(You may be wondering if Home Depot’s 12-foot skeleton is back this year after becoming the must-have item over Halloween 2020. A rep for Home Depot told us that although the skeleton is already sold out online for 2021, some people may be able to find it in their local store. And they recommend this 7-foot-tall flame-filled animatronic inferno reaper, among others, if not.)

HuffPost may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Prices and availability subject to change.

A 5-foot skeleton you can pose or hang

LED lights will glow in his eyes whether you place this character inside or out -- all it takes are the two included AA batteries. This skeleton is extra lifelike thanks to its height of five feet. It also comes in a darker-colored "decayed" version for the same price.

Get it from Home Depot for $29.98.

A delightful doorbell with an animated talking eyeball

Hang this battery-powered doorbell up where small trick-or-treaters can reach it and be the coolest person on the block. When the spider doorbell button is pressed, the eye blinks open, looks around and issues an ominous voice warning.

Get it from Target for $15.

An animatronic hanging corpse

They'll shriek! Check out this video that shows how its 35-inch body tries to break free of its shroud. It'll be so spooky hanging from a tree or the porch.

Get it from Amazon for $43.95.

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A low-lying fogger that'll blend right into your decor

Who doesn't love a moody cloud on Halloween? This coffin-shaped machine produces low-hanging fog and comes with a wired remote and auto-shutoff function. It's intended for indoor use and covered porches. (Don't forget fog liquid!)

Get it from Home Depot for $59.98.

An 87-foot string of indoor/outdoor purple lights

You can connect as many as 9 of these 87-foot indoor/outdoor light strings to set the perfect Halloween scene.

Get it from Home Depot for $19.98.

Or a 15-foot string of purple bats

This battery-powered string of 40 bats works in 8 display modes: flashing, twinkle, waves, sequential, slow glow, chasing, slow fade and steady. It's rated for indoor and outdoor use.

Get it from Amazon for $10.79.

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Don't forget: a WiFi-enabled outdoor smart plug

This weatherproof smart plug will not only double the capacity of each of your sockets, but let you control your outdoor Halloween lights with the easy-to-use app. Put them on a schedule, turn them on or off with your phone or connect it to Alexa for voice control. The smart plug has a 300-foot WiFi range.

Get it from Amazon for $19.99.

A bloody lawn zombie

It's a low lift, but effective: Just stick the three pieces in the ground. That's it!

Get it from Amazon for $19.99.

An LED-animated pumpkin ghoul

When triggered, this pumpkin-head creature's face animates thanks to battery-powered LED projections (and the batteries are included, making everything about it easier).

Get it from Target for $25.

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A fog machine that makes bubbles, too!

Kids will especially love this machine: Its gaping, skeletal maw spews forth fog and fog-filled bubbles at the same time. It's suitable for use indoors and on covered porches. (Don't forget to grab fog liquid and bubble liquid, too!)

Get it from Home Depot for $79.98.

Moving, creaking books

This motion-activated prop will be perfect to place outside your front door or in your entry, in view of trick-or-treaters. When triggered, the books shuffle forward and backward and play noises like creaks and doors opening.

Get it from Target for $32.99.

A swirling skulls projector

This swirling skull light projection is definitely a vibe. (Grab an outdoor-rated extension cord to go with.)

Get it from Amazon for $41.98.

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An animatronic killer clown

There's nothing scarier than a clown! This one has a motion sensor that will trigger its lights, movement and pre-recorded phrases. Use it indoors or on your lawn with three AA batteries (not included). Here's how it looks in action.

Get it from Amazon for $64.99.

Or a super-scary animatronic nightcrawler

Spirit Halloween

It'll be a real scream for older kids and teens. Just look at this video that shows how it pops into action. It might be a bit much for small ghouls and boys, but you can pair it with Spirit's remote for animatronics.

Get it from Sprit Halloween for $199.99.

A 7-foot inflatable animatronic mummy

Children will love seeing this giant smiling fellow's arms move up and down.

Get it from Lowes for $69.99.

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A yard-staked skeleton body

He'll just look so cute as he appears to be trying to climb out of the grave. A stake is included.

Get it from Target for $15.

A moving light-up eyeball

It's an eyeball... that rolls around... and lights up... and makes spooky sounds. Grab it immediately. (And a disembodied hand, too.)

Get it from Lowes for $19.98.

A 21-inch jumping spider

Spirit Halloween

This furry spider with LED eyes is frightful enough on its own. But with its jump-triggering motion sensor, you'll spook everyone who comes to your door. (It's also compatible with Spirit's animatronic remote control, if you prefer to decide when it jumps -- and at whom.)

Get it from Spirit Halloween for $49.99.

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A 12-foot-tall inflatable LED ghost reaper

One of the best things about inflatable Halloween decorations is that they deflate for storage. This 12-foot tall specter will loom over your trick-or-treating guests in the most impressive way -- and it's suitable for indoor use, too.

Get it from Target for $99.

A six-foot animated ghost bride

Why is it never a ghost groom? We'll ponder that later. This otherworldly lady is a whopping 6 feet tall. And not only does she move, but she emits spooky sounds and gazes upon your guests with her glowing red eyes. (See video of her in action.)

Get it from Home Depot for $99.

A 26-foot creepy cloth with spiders

Drape your deck, railings or even trees in this gauzy cloth to add just a bit more mystery.

Get it from Amazon for $20.99.

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Face-changing "moving" portraits to hang up by the door

If you look at these old-timey portraits straight-on, they appear normal enough. Move a little, however, and they turn into something more sinister. Stick them to a wall or your door with putty or double-sided tape.

Get it from Amazon for $15.99.

A delightfully creepy talking pop-up toy box

A clown, a Victorian doll and a surgically repaired bear are quite the combination when motion-triggered out of a toy box. Here's what happens.

Get it from Amazon for $149.99.

An album of 66 sound effects you can play individually

Whether you blast eerie sounds all night long or choose a few files to use with motion-activated sound machines, this album of 66 Halloween-themed mp3s has it all, from a breath whispering "help me" to various styles of screams to a haunting tune from a mournful organ.

Get it from Amazon for $5.99.

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Bonus fun: a prop-dropping mechanism

Spirit Halloween

Trigger a ghost, spider, clown, witch -- whatever you want! -- to drop down and spook your visitors by attaching it to this mechanism. It works with either Spirit's remote control or step pad activator.

Get it from Spirit Halloween for $32.99.

A 72-inch witch

Her eyes light up and her tattered clothing will sway in foul breezes. Hang her from the drop mechanism above for frightful fun.

Get it from Walmart for $38.26 (also available in a phantom style).

A swirly ghost LED light projector

Cast a whirl of spirits onto your home from the pumpkin LED projector. (And if you don't already have one, grab a 25-foot outdoor extension cord, too.)

Get it from Lowes for $19.98.

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A relatively scary setup for little kids

If you have a lot of small children coming through, you may not wish to go any scarier than this inflatable scene. But with a ghost, tombstone and a pumpkin, it's like getting three decorations in one.

Get it from Amazon for $33.99.

Or one they won't find scary at all

This 5-foot friendly ghost is ready for nothing but fun, something even the littlest pumpkins can love.

Get it from Amazon for $35.14 (also available at Wayfair).

This full-size mummy

If you can be as gory as you want, grab this 72-inch "body" that's covered in blood and spiders. When its motion sensor is triggered, its eyes light up and it emits scary sounds.

Get it from Amazon for $29.99.

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A 16-foot string of LED eyeballs

They come in multicolor, blue, purple or red. And no matter your choice, these LED eyeball lights will be watching you. The remote control switches the set between 8 display modes, includes flashing, twinkle and chasing. (Note: Though these lights are for indoor and outdoor use, reviews suggest you should keep them out of the rain.)

Get it from Amazon for $19.99.

And some ghostly pathway lights

Lowes

This six-foot string of three lighted ghosts on stakes will help mark the way to your door. Each ghost's arms are wired for shaping and the attached battery pack (with batteries included) means you don't have to run an extension cord into your yard.

Get it from Lowes for $22.28.

Before You Go

Everything You Need For The Perfect Halloween Dinner Party

A set of four matte black and copper glasses(01 of31)

These spellbinding goblets and coupes are just the thing for creating your spookiest table ever. Artisans hand-paint each glass with a metallic copper color and matte black exterior that is fascinating and rich.

(There's a similar gold coup style in metal at Target.) (credit:Williams Sonoma)

A set of 8 cute Halloween cups(02 of31)

Kids and adults alike will be delighted to drink from these paper cups! They'll also help everyone keep track of whose drink is whose. (credit:Maisonette)

Some beautiful bat or ghost glassware(03 of31)

Serve your favorite Halloween cocktails in these handblown double old-fashioned glasses covered in a cloud of bats. They also come in a white ghost pattern! (credit:Crate & Barrel)

Midnight-black plates(04 of31)

They'll bring the right touch of darkness to your Halloween gathering, but there's a bonus: These stoneware plates from Hearth & Hand by Magnolia at Target will be chic year-round. (credit:Target)

Or charming Halloween-themed paper plates(05 of31)

Doing casual? Delight your family or guests with these adorable disposable plates in a sweet kid-friendly print or a groovy checked pattern.
(credit:Maisonette)

A ghost mug!!!(06 of31)

Can you even stand it? Give your chilled little trick-or-treaters some hot chocolate (or keep yourself warm with a little spiked cider) in this adorable bestselling ghost mug that's exclusive to Williams Sonoma. There's a similar style at Target, too. (credit:Williams Sonoma)

Cauldrons for serving, of course(07 of31)

Offer up cider, soup or snacks in these iron-black cauldron bowls from Crate & Barrel. The food-safe ceramic stoneware is also dishwasher-, microwave- and oven-safe up to 350 degrees.

(credit:Crate & Barrel)

And a mist maker for your caldron(08 of31)

And what's a cauldron full of beverages without a spooky mist? This little machine is all you need to create that eerie cloud (well, this and some water). It also comes in black.
(credit:Amazon)

Some nostalgic "Peanuts" Halloween tableware(09 of31)

We died a little when we saw this adorable Peanuts-themed candy bowl that, when all the candy is gone, reveals Snoopy and Woodstock mixing up a witch's brew at the bottom. Williams Sonoma's Peanuts Halloween collection also includes pumpkin-shaped salad plates with characters, pumpkin-shaped mugs and more. (credit:Williams Sonoma)

A '70s horror film garland(10 of31)

Drape a door, set up a photo backdrop or use it as a table runner: This garland of classic horror characters will be a scream no matter what. You even have the option to choose the characters you want, like Carrie and Michael Myers. (credit:Etsy)

Or an eyeball balloon garland(11 of31)

Forty watching eyeballs will spook your guests in the best possible way. This pack comes with everything you need, including the balloons, cord, glue dots and instructions for assembly. The resulting Instagram photos are up to you! (credit:Meri Meri)

Some incredible skeleton glassware(12 of31)

Look at those bone fingers! These stemless wine glasses are part of Pottery Barn's skeleton drinkware collection, which also includes Champagne flutes, highballs, a punch bowl and more. (credit:Pottery Barn)

Or a 24-pack of plastic skeleton hand goblets(13 of31)

You won't want to give up the ghost if you drop one of these boney-hand goblets — they're plastic. Sold in a box of 24, they come in three Halloween colors. They're also available in a Champagne flute style, both with spider web-printed bases.
(credit:Dollar Tree)

A set of creepy bottle labels(14 of31)

Don't serve wine. Instead, use these wickedly clever stickers on your wine bottles to serve "blood," "poison" and "spider venom" instead. (credit:Amazon)

A spiderweb tablecloth(15 of31)

Morticia Addams would approve. And it's machine-washable, so it can be a staple of your Halloween decor for years. (credit:Amazon)

The perfect stove-to-table pumpkin(16 of31)

Dish up soups, casseroles, sides and more in this enameled cast iron pumpkin Dutch oven from Staub, which can go straight from the oven or stove to the tabletop. It's available in black, white, orange and burnt orange.
(credit:Williams Sonoma)

Or a more affordable Dutch oven in beautiful black(17 of31)

The interior is enameled cast iron, and the semi-matte finish is as dark as the night beyond the campfire when you hear a scary noise. This bestselling Dutch oven from Drew Barrymore's Beautiful line will look good year-round, but shines on a Halloween table.

(credit:Walmart)

Keep it sweet, small and disposable(18 of31)

These adorable pastel paper plates will squeeze any little heart — even those of the undead. At 7.5 inches across, they're perfect for desserts and little hands.
(credit:Maisonette)

Candy corn placemats(19 of31)

You can never have too much candy at Halloween, even if it's paper placemats. (credit:Maisonette)

A pumpkin-shaped 45 for your soundtrack(20 of31)

It's the songs of "It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" by Vince Guaraldi, pressed onto limited edition vinyl in the shape of a pumpkin. And it really works! Let it spin for a jazzy vibe. (credit:Amazon)

A 48-pack of frightful paper cups(21 of31)

If you're hosting an army of ghosts and goblins — or you just love a good deal — grab this pack of four dozen 12-ounce paper cups in pumpkin, bat and Frankenstein designs.
(credit:Amazon)

Elegant black tapers(22 of31)

Replace your regular candles with this set of 14 10-inch tapers in jet black. The dripless design will keep things neat. (credit:Amazon)

Smokey, spooky gray glassware(23 of31)

If you're going for a tablescape only a goth or ghost or goth ghost could love, check out H&M's dark gray glassware, which in addition to wine glasses comes in a coupe ($12.99), flute ($12.99), and tall ($5.99) and short beverage glass ($3.99).

You can also check out this smoke-hued glassware set from Libbey. (credit:H&M)

A vibe-creating strobe with spooky sounds(24 of31)

Set the tone for Halloween in your entry or dimly-lit dining room. This strobe machine also makes scary sounds, which you can turn on or off. (credit:Amazon)

A welcome mat with glow-in-the-dark eyes(25 of31)

When you want to get your guests in the mood, but not scare them away, this handwoven mat by West Elm and children’s author and illustrator Ed Emberley is perfect. The eyes glow in the dark and the mold- and mildew-resistant coir fibers keep people from tracking in dirt. (credit:West Elm)

Or an inexpensive welcome mat that's deliciously dark(26 of31)

You can never have enough cheap thrills, but your guests can track in too much outdoors. Not so with this mat, which also comes in less scary Halloween designs, too. (credit:Amazon)

Some delightfully disturbing portraits(27 of31)

Stick these Gothic horror portraits on laminated cardstock on your walls. Their haunted subjects will keep an eye on you and your guests no matter where you go. (credit:Amazon)

An adorable kid-friendly "trick or treat" banner(28 of31)

This garland has everything: witches, draculas, skeletons, pumpkins and more. (credit:Amazon)

Tabletop pumpkins you can use the whole fall season(29 of31)

They'll fit your fall decor and stay for Halloween, too. These pumpkins are made from upcycled books and will look just as nice on your mantle as your table. They're available in three sizes or a set of all three. (credit:Etsy)

Striped table runners(30 of31)

Grab this two-pack of cotton table runners that can go with just about any Halloween decor. They come in two lengths.
(credit:Amazon)

A blood-red dinnerware set(31 of31)

It's a look perhaps only vampires could love, but this is the exact right time for that. This 16-piece set will fun up a small Halloween dinner and last for years to come. (credit:Walmart)

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