How to Make Human-Size Chicken Wire Ghosts for Halloween

Create an eerily life-sized ghost from chicken wire and lights – a show-stopping Halloween yard decoration.

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This guide shows how to build a human-size ghost using chicken wire, a foam mannequin head, and color-changing spotlights. You'll cut and shape wire into a torso, arms, head, and flowing skirt, then assemble and light it for a spooky glow. Optional cheesecloth adds a ghostly drape. The result is an impressive outdoor Halloween decoration.

Directions

Put on work gloves. Use wire cutters to cut chicken wire into a 2-foot by 3-foot rectangle for the body. Twist the two longer edges together to create a cylinder. Repeat with two 2-foot by 1-foot pieces for the arms, and one 1-foot by 1-foot piece for the shoulders.

Cut a chicken wire section about 1 foot by 2 feet. Wrap it around a foam mannequin head, twisting to secure and bending to match the head shape. Remove the mold and adjust any details that flattened.

Cut an 8-foot section for the skirt. On each short end, cut a tapered V so when joined it forms a waist. Twist the sides of the V together. Shape and gather the skirt around the top for a realistic look.

Insert the torso cylinder into the skirt and shape it as desired.

Insert the shoulder piece and arm cylinders into the torso.

Shape the arms into your preferred positions.

Attach the head piece to the top of the torso using thin wire if necessary.

Add final touches such as adjusting folds or securing loose ends.

Optional: Drape the ghost with cheesecloth for a gauzy effect.

Illuminate the ghost with color-changing outdoor spotlights.

Ensure any draped ghosts are lit safely, avoiding overheating or fire hazards.

Watch the how-to video for additional guidance.