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DIY Ghost Halloween Lights – Easy Halloween Pathway Lights

diy outdoor halloween lights lining the path in front of gravestones with the title "ghost pathway lights"
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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.

homemade ghost lights lining the path in front of a house with the title "diy halloween lights - ghost pathway lights"

Materials to Make the Homemade Ghost Halloween Lights

  • 2 Popsicle Sticks (Amazon)
  • Fillable Plastic Ornament (Amazon)
  • 1 Set of Fairy Lights (Amazon)
  • White Plastic Tablecloth (Amazon)
  • Black Permanent Marker
  • Glue Gun (Amazon)
Chuya Wood Craft Sticks Garden Label Wooden Popsicle Ice Cream Sticks for Hand DIY Craft (4.5 inch 200 Pack)
Chuya Wood Craft Sticks Garden Label Wooden Popsicle Ice Cream Sticks for Hand DIY Craft (4.5 inch 200 Pack)
HahaGo Christmas Clear Baubles Transparent Ball Plastic Fillable Sphere Ornament for Xmas Tree/Home Decoration/Wedding/Birthday/Party/Gift Box etc (6cm, Set of 12Pcs with lid)(Round)
HahaGo Christmas Clear Baubles Transparent Ball Plastic Fillable Sphere Ornament for Xmas Tree/Home Decoration/Wedding/Birthday/Party/Gift Box etc (6cm, Set of 12Pcs with lid)(Round)
Brightown 12 Pack Led Fairy Lights Battery Operated String Lights Waterproof Silver Wire 7 Feet 20 Led Firefly Starry Moon Lights for DIY Wedding Party Bedroom Patio Christmas (12 Pack, White)47%
Brightown 12 Pack Led Fairy Lights Battery Operated String Lights Waterproof Silver Wire 7 Feet 20 Led Firefly Starry Moon Lights for DIY Wedding Party Bedroom Patio Christmas (12 Pack, White)
$18.99 ($1.58 / Count)
DecorRack 2 Rectangular Tablecloths BPA-Free Plastic, 54 x 108 inch, Dining Table Cloth, Rectangle Table Cover for Parties, Picnic, Camping and Outdoor, Disposable or Reusable, White (2 Pack)
DecorRack 2 Rectangular Tablecloths BPA-Free Plastic, 54 x 108 inch, Dining Table Cloth, Rectangle Table Cover for Parties, Picnic, Camping and Outdoor, Disposable or Reusable, White (2 Pack)

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.

using a yellow glue gun to add glue to the end of a popsicle stick
pressing two popsicle sticks together

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.

adding glue to the base of a plastic fillable ornament

After the glue is dry, push the the fairy lights into the ornament (I like using these white ones).

pressing a popsicle stick to a plastic fillable 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.

using a glue gun to add glue to a popsicle stick with fairy lights hanging off
a clear plastic ornament filled with fairy lights and glued to a popsicle stick

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.

a clear plastic ornament filled with fairy lights and glued to a popsicle stick on top of a piece of 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. Be careful not to burn yourself!

adding glue to the base of a plastic ornament on top of a white plastic tablecloth
pressing the white plastic tablecloth on the outside and folded over

Repeat the process on the other side.

lifting the plastic table cloth to add glue to the base of the plastic ornament

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.

scrunching the white plastic table cloth around the plastic ornament

Use the permanent marker to draw too long ovals for the eyes.

drawing eyes onto the ghost light with a black permanent marker

Now your Halloween ghost light is ready! Make a whole bunch for a whole row of ghost pathway lights.

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the finished diy halloween pathway light in the shape of a ghost on a table

Quick light test before going in the ground! During the day just the head glows, but at night more of the ghost glows.

the ghost halloween pathway light lit up so the head and face is glowing

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.

DIY ghost light in front of a diy gravestone in front of an animatronic spider on top of a large rock in front of a house

I place them all along the driveway and in front of the house.

DIY outdoor halloween lights in the shape of ghosts lining the pathway with homemade gravestones behind them

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

halloween lights and decorations on the front line with the diy ghost lights lining the path, homemade gravestones, and an animatronic spider on top of a large rock

And here’s what last year’s Halloween decorations looked like at dusk. You can see the ghost lights glowing.

halloween decorations in front of a house including ghost pathway lights, a light up animatronic spider, gravestones, and halloween lights hanging from the house

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.

PartySticks Glow Sticks Party Supplies 100pk - 8 Inch Glow in the Dark Light Up Sticks Party Favors, Glow Decorations, Neon Party Glow Necklaces and Glow Bracelets with Connectors23%
PartySticks Glow Sticks Party Supplies 100pk - 8 Inch Glow in the Dark Light Up Sticks Party Favors, Glow Decorations, Neon Party Glow Necklaces and Glow Bracelets with Connectors
$12.99
32 PCS Ultra Bright 6 Inch Glow Sticks - Emergency Bright Chem Glow Sticks with 12 Hour Duration - Camping, Hiking Glow Stick Lights - for Parties and Kids Activities - Blackout Or Storm Ready Use
32 PCS Ultra Bright 6 Inch Glow Sticks - Emergency Bright Chem Glow Sticks with 12 Hour Duration - Camping, Hiking Glow Stick Lights - for Parties and Kids Activities - Blackout Or Storm Ready Use

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.

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homemade ghost lights lining the path in front of a house with the title "diy halloween lights - ghost pathway lights"

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!
Yield 1 Ghost Light
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Project Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

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
    pressing two popsicle sticks together
  • Glue the popsicle sticks to the base of the plastic ornament.
    1 Fillable Plastic Ornament
    adding glue to the base of a plastic fillable ornament
  • Push the the fairy lights into the ornament.
    1 Set of Fairy Lights
    pressing a popsicle stick to a plastic fillable ornament
  • Glue the battery pack right below the plastic ornament.
    a clear plastic ornament filled with fairy lights and glued to a popsicle stick
  • Cut out a square piece of the tablecloth that’s roughly 18×18 inches.
    White Plastic Tablecloth
    a clear plastic ornament filled with fairy lights and glued to a popsicle stick on top of a piece of 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.
    pressing the white plastic tablecloth on the outside and folded over
  • Repeat the process on the other side.
    lifting the plastic table cloth to add glue to the base of the plastic ornament
  • Add glue all around the base of the ornament and scrunch the tablecloth around it.
    scrunching the white plastic table cloth around the plastic ornament
  • Draw too long ovals for the eyes.
    Black Permanent Marker
    drawing eyes onto the ghost light with a black permanent marker
  • To use the ghost lights push the popsicle stick into the ground.
    DIY outdoor halloween lights in the shape of ghosts lining the pathway with homemade gravestones behind them
Keyword Ghost, Halloween, Lights
Picture of Daniela Kretchmer

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.

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