17 best scary and fun outdoor Halloween decorations

CNN
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With Halloween just around the corner, it’s time to get ready for the sweet and spooky season. Whether you’re looking for a giant inflatable ghost, a scary animated clown or something sweet for your family, we’ve rounded up some favorite decorations for your house and yard this year.

Haunted House Personalized Magnetic Garden Sign ($12.59, originally $17.99; personalizationmall.com)

Welcome trick-or-treaters with this cute sign you can personalize with two lines of text that is magnetized to a stake for your yard. You can switch out signs for other holidays too!

Standing Pumpkin Ghost Halloween Decoration ($15.99; orientaltrading.com)

“Cute characters are always a big hit with the little kids,” says Brian Moen, chief marketing and merchandising officer at Oriental Trading. This happy pumpkin ghost hybrid is the perfect accent on your patio or porch.

Glowing Face Witch Halloween Decoration Set ($79.99; orientaltrading.com)

Witches, but make them friendly. These green-glowing-faced ladies aren’t so scary that the kids will run away, but they will weave a spell of spookiness in your yard.

LED Ghost Yard Stakes ($20.99; orientaltrading.com)

These little ghost cuties can be stuck in the ground in your yard, in your garden or even in a large potted plant for maximum Halloween thrills.

Life-Size Posable Skeleton Halloween Decorations, 4-Piece ($229.99; orientaltrading.com)

“Skeletons, for indoor or outdoor, continue to be a hot theme this year,” says Moen. Dress up your porch with a scary scene.

Life-Size Original Mermaid Skeleton Halloween Decoration ($80.99; orientaltrading.com)

Make the mood even more spooky with this mermaid skeleton that Moen says is a “top-selling customer favorite.”

Yard Stake Witch Feet Halloween Decorative Holiday Scene Prop ($10; target.com)

Feeling witchy? Each of these decorative yard stakes features a black high-heeled witch foot attached to a printed orange-and-black leg, and they’re sure to delight trick-or-treaters.

Animated Haunting Ghost Trio Halloween Decoration ($190.98, originally $280.99; orientaltrading.com)

“For those who love thrills and fright for Halloween, creepy and scary are the way to go. Lights and animation always up the scare factor,” says Moen about these moaning and swaying ghouls.

Underworld Clown Animated Halloween Decoration ($286.98; orientaltrading.com)

Speaking of upping the scare factor, we’re pretty sure this animated terror clown is the most terrifying outdoor decoration to be found anywhere. We might skip your house.

Hoojo 6-Foot Halloween Inflatable Scarecrow With Pumpkins and Built-In LEDs ($76.99; amazon.com)

Keep it sweet, not scary, with this highly rated, jolly scarecrow and pumpkins that is 6 feet tall, lights up and will convert your garden or porch into a seasonal spectacle.

Bonropin Halloween Balloon Garland Arch ($21.99; amazon.com)

Up the wow factor with a scary spider balloon arch that’s highly rated and perfect for a Halloween party or just giving your entryway major pop for trick-or-treating.

SdeNow 8-Foot Halloween Inflatables Ghost Decoration ($42.98; amazon.com)

Filled with bright spinning red LED lights, this inflatable ghoulie will keep all the children running for candy on Halloween night. Built for outdoor use, this decoration comes with a fixed sandbag, tethers and stakes to secure to the ground.

Video SeasonBlow 9-Foot Animated Fire and Ice Dragon With Wings ($99.99; amazon.com)

If you want to go really over the top, this 9-foot-high flame-breathing dragon will light up your yard whether you’re in the city or the desert. The whole block will be talking!

Halloween Glow-in-the-Dark Peel-and-Stick Giant Wall Decals ($26.99; roommmatesdecor.com)

“Because Covid-19 is still likely going to play a role in how we celebrate this fall,” says PJ Delaye, president at RoomMates Decor, “people should consider how to decorate for what the outside world can see! Deck out window displays and front door decorations for contactless trick-or-treating. Set up a ‘spooky selfie’ corner on your front porch for kids and trick-or-treaters to get in the spirit.”

Skeleton Family Personalized Halloween Doormats ($19.99, originally $29.99; personalizationmall.com)

Get the whole family in on the scare with this personalized doormat you customize with your family name and each family member’s first name above their spooky skeleton version.

Halloween Trick or Treat Glow-in-the-Dark Decal ($16.99; roommatesdecor.com)

“Sayings such as ’Trick or Treat’ or ’Happy Halloween’ will not scare anyone and puts the entire house in Halloween spirit,” says Delaye. These cute stick-and-peel decals will let kids know your house has the best treats!

Halloween Pumpkin Faces Glow-in-the-Dark Peel-and-Stick Decals ($16.99; roommatesdecor.com)

Add a little Halloween fun to your garage or front windows with these decals that can go anywhere, says Delaye. “Our peel-and-stick pumpkin faces all along the wall of your staircase will give anyone a scare. Or stick them in unexpected places to give someone a shock. Another beautiful (or spooky!) benefit of peel-and-stick is the ability to stick anywhere, such as the mirror.”