How to Make Styrofoam Headstones

Whether you want headstones for a Halloween decoration or a school project, they're easy to make from styrofoam. Make a paper pattern before you cut the styrofoam with a blunt kitchen knife. The following directions are for two headstones, one shaped like a cross, the other a traditional rectangle with a rounded top. If the headstones will be used outdoors, put a stick in the bottom of the styrofoam to hold it in place on the lawn. Since carvings in styrofoam can be hard to read, inscriptions can be added using blank white paper and straight pins.

Things You'll Need

• Rectangular pieces of styrofoam
• Kitchen knife
• Ruler
• White paper
• Thin black marker
• Straight pins

Instructions

Making Rectangular Headstones

1. Make the rectangular headstone with the rounded top first. This one is easier to cut, and it will let you get used to the feel of cutting styrofoam. Decide how big you want the headstone to be and make a paper pattern this size. Tape two pieces of paper together to enlarge it. To get the two side of the rounded top even, fold the paper in half lengthwise and make a half-circle before you cut. Line up the bottom of the pattern with the bottom of the styrofoam so the stone will sit flat without falling over.

2. Line a blunt knife up against the pattern. Use the knife to score (or outline) the headstone's bottom sides in the styrofoam, indenting lightly where you want to cut. Then score the rounded top.

3. Cut into the styrofoam carefully to cut out your headstone.

Making Cross-shaped Headstones

1. Make the cross-shaped headstone by measuring out the cross on paper. Fold the paper in half to make sure the two halves of the cross match. Cut out the paper pattern.

2. Line up the bottom of the pattern with the bottom of the styrofoam so it will sit flat. Line the knife up against the pattern. Use the knife to score the headstone in the styrofoam, indenting lightly where you want to cut.

3. Cut into the styrofoam carefully to cut out your headstone.

4. Put inscriptions on the headstones by writing the names and dates of the "deceased" on paper. Use straight pins to fasten the paper to the headstone.

Tips & Warnings

• If your child is making these, you can use popsicle sticks to carve out the styrofoam. If you make a mistake and cut off a piece of styrofoam by accident, reattach it using a toothpick. Stick the toothpick into either piece and push them tightly together. Make sure the toothpicks are all the way in so you don't get pricked by them.