There isn't a spookier place to be on Halloween than in a graveyard, so transform your yard into one for maximum thrills and chills! It's easy and inexpensive to create these 3D cardboard tombstones, and you'll have loads of fun coming up with creative fun or spooky names for the "deceased." Make your front yard the talk of the town this season with this simple tutorial!
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Things You'll Need
Cardboard boxes
Tape measure
Scissors
Packing tape
Sand or bricks
3-in. stencils
Newspaper
Decoupage glue
Spray paint (gray, rustic umber, and flat black)
Hot glue gun
1. Draw and cut the tombstone shapes
Determine how big you'd like your tombstones to be. We made ours 27 inches by 20 inches. Use your desired measurements to draw a tombstone shape on cardboard.
Tip
If you'd like to create a curve at the top of the tombstone, you can use a large bowl as an outline.
Be sure to leave 3 inches of extra space at the bottom of the tombstone to fold under it later. Cut out the tombstone shape and then use it as a pattern to trace an identical tombstone on another piece of cardboard. Cut out the second tombstone. You will use both to create a 3D effect.
2. Build a support piece
Cut two pieces of cardboard at 20 inches by 3 inches. Cut down the center of each piece by 1 1/2 inches. Take these pieces and slide the cut parts together, inserting them into each other to make an "X" or a cross. This piece will go between the two tombstone pieces you cut to give the tombstone support and help it not fold into itself.
3. Tape the tombstones pieces together
Stand the two tombstone pieces side by side with the extra 3 inches folding underneath each other to create the bottom of the tombstone. Tape the bottom pieces together with packing tape.
4. Create the sides of the tombstone
Create the side pieces of the tombstone by cutting two strips of cardboard and measuring from the bottom of the tombstone pieces to just before the curve starts at the top by 3 inches wide.
Tape the X-shaped support piece of the tombstone to one of the interior sides of the two tombstone pieces. Then, place the side pieces in the gap between the two tombstone pieces to create a complete 3D tombstone. Tape them to both of the tombstone pieces.
5. Place weights inside the tombstone
Fill two plastic sandwich bags with sand and place them on the inside of the tombstone. Alternatively, you can use bricks. This will help to keep the tombstone standing tall when it's outside.
Then, cut out one strip of cardboard measuring 3 inches by 24 inches. This will serve as the curved top of the tombstone. Tape this in place at the top of the tombstone between the two tombstone pieces.
6. Papier-mâché the tombstone
Use newspaper and decoupage glue to create a papier-mâché over the top of the tombstone to give it that final rounded effect. Apply about three layers of newspaper for a solid feel. Let it dry completely, which may take several hours.
7. Paint the tombstone
Use spray paint to paint the tombstone in a well-ventilated area or outdoors. Use either a gray or dark gray spray paint color for the first layer. Use a rustic umber textured spray paint for the second layer. This will give it a more realistic concrete look.
Tip
Sponge some flat black paint around the edges of the tombstone for a weathered effect.
8. Create the tombstone lettering
Use 3-inch stencils to outline the letters you will use for the names and words on the tombstone. Cut out the letters with scissors and spray paint them with a flat black paint.
Tip
The easiest way to paint the letters is to place them in a box and spray paint them so you don't get your hands covered in paint and so the letters won't blow away.
9. Glue the letters to the tombstone
Use a glue gun to glue the letters onto the tombstone. Lay the tombstone flat and place the letters where you want them before gluing them down.
Extra-spooky finishing touches
Go the extra mile and embellish your tombstone to make it even more haunting!
- Decorate the tombstone with cotton spider webs and fake spiders.
- Place a fake rose or bouquet of bloody flowers in front of the tombstone.
- Lay a brown towel in front of the tombstone with bunched-up newspaper underneath for a "freshly dug" feel.
- Create a spider web effect by drawing one with a hot glue gun.
- Sponge some flat black paint around the edges of the tombstone for a weathered effect.
