How to Build a Miniature Coffin for Halloween

Entertain trick-or-treaters with spooky outdoor decorations.

Decorate your front yard for Halloween with miniature coffins that you build yourself. A coffin on the front lawn will have trick-or-treaters wondering what's inside. Create a graveyard full of convincing coffins by personalizing each one with the name of a fictional person. The coffins will appear more realistic as night falls, and to add to the spookiness, play a recording of howling noises and turn on a fog machine.

Things You'll Need

• Marker
• Cardboard
• Ruler
• Foam board
• Utility knife
• Black utility tape
• Black paint or spray paint
• Paint brush
• White paint or spray paint

Instructions

1. Draw an outline of your miniature coffin on a large piece of cardboard. At one end of the cardboard, draw a 4-inch straight line parallel to the bottom edge using a ruler. Measure 36 inches from the bottom line and draw a 6-inch straight line parallel to the 4-inch line. These lines represent the head and foot portion of the coffin. The longer line is the head portion.

2. Draw one 6-inch-long line diagonally outward from the left end of the 6-inch line, or the head portion of the coffin. Draw another line the same length from the right end. This is the widest part of the coffin for the upper body, including the shoulders and chest.

3. Draw a line diagonally outward from the left end of the 4-inch line -- the foot portion of the coffin -- and connect it to the widest portion of the coffin. Draw another line the same length and at a similar angle from the right end. When complete, you should have the outline of your coffin. Cut out the model and trace it on to your foam board. Cut the coffin outline from the foam board using a utility knife.

4. Measure and cut four squares and two rectangles from your foam board. These pieces will be the sides of your coffin. Three square pieces should be 6-inches-by-6-inches for the head and the two side pieces. The fourth square piece should be 4 inches long and 6 inches tall. This is for the foot piece. The two rectangular pieces should be 30 inches long and 6 inches tall.

5. Tape the foam pieces together using black utility tape. When placed on a flat surface, the open end of the coffin is placed down. To close the coffin completely, make another coffin shape by tracing your cardboard outline onto another foam piece, cutting it out and taping it to the side pieces.

6. Paint or spray paint the exterior of the coffin with black paint. Painting the letters "R.I.P." near the head of the coffin with white paint adds a spooky touch. Let the paint dry. Apply a second coat of paint if needed.