How to Create Gravestones or Tombstones for Halloween Props

Styrofoam sheets are easily transformed into realistic creepy gravestone props for Halloween.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sheet(s) of Styrofoam- at least ½ inches thick. Size depending on size stone you wish to create.
• Low-temperature glue gun and glue sticks
• Liquid acrylic paints (spray paint may be used, but test on foam before using)
• Markers (optional)
• Paintbrushes or foam brushes
• Smaller brushes for filling in name and dates
• Wood burning pen
• Acrylic paints in colours such as black, white, grays, browns and even greens. Use whatever you have one hand that you feel will work
• Long thin serrated knife, such as a cake knife or other means of cutting the StyrofoamClothes hanger or heavy wire or wooden dowels for propping up the stone
• Wire cutters and/or pliers

1. Start by planning the size and shape of the stone. If necessary, cut a larger sheet of Styrofoam into two or more smaller sheets. Two sheets of Styrofoam of equal proportion are needed to create each tombstone. Mark the shape of the stone on one sheet of Styrofoam.

2. 
   Illustration by Sharon Keith

   Depending on the size and shape of the stone you plant to create, cut or bend the wire or hanger (a hanger is suitable for smaller stones and soft soil) in order to make a large elongated horseshoe. If using a hanger simply bend the top of the hook portion back and forth until it breaks away from the hanger. Use the bottom portion to make the horseshoe shape.

3. 
   Illustration by Sharon Keith

   Place the horseshoe on top of one sheet of Styrofoam to where the bent portion will lie between the sheets with about 1/3 or so extending from the bottom of the complete piece.

4. 
   Illustration by Sharon Keith

   Apply glue with the glue gun. Follow the guidelines in illustration 2 for best hold. (If using dowels then apply glue to the dowels before placing on the sheet, then place in a fashion where the dowels will protrude from the stone in a similar fashion as with the wire hoop.

5. 
   Illustration by Sharon Keith

   Place the second piece of foam on top of the first, matching edges. If possible, cover with a sheet of plywood and place a weight on top in order to assure a good bond. Allow to set for 10 minutes or until dried. Cut the top corners with the knife using a sawing motion, then use the burning tool to further shape and add scallops or worn edges. Alternately you can use another piece of Styrofoam to sand and shape the edges.

6. 
   Illustration by Sharon Keith

   Sketch out the details such as name and dates on your stone. Add decorative motif if desired. With great care a wood burner or foam cutter to burn the details into the gravestone. Take your time, but understand that none of this has to be perfect. Many older gravestones were hand-chiseled into a slap of rough stone often stone that had been discovered nearby. If a cracked stone is preferred, add it with the wood burning tool.

7. 
   Photo by Sharon Keith

   Construct several stones to complete your graveyard! After your cemetery is set up use a glue gun to create a spider web effect on some of your stones or drape stone with tea dyed or purchased dyed cheese clothe. Use your imagination!

Tips & Warnings

• Ask friends and family to save any suitable sheets they may have received as packing from their purchases.
• In addition, you may find that local furniture and appliance store may have or will save the sheets for you.
• Special cutters for cutting Styrofoam are available for purchase at most craft stores. If you have one on hand definitely use it! However for this project, a long serrated knife and inexpensive wood burner work very well.
• Use knife and glue gun with care!