Cheap & Easy Giant Spider Illusion

Sometimes simple is the best way to go when it comes to freaking people out. The unseen can be more terrifying at times. Do you know someone with a fear of spiders? Just seeing these legs will probably totally freak them out. They don't even have to see the actual spider that "should" be connected to them and that is the BEST part about it!
With this prop you will create the illusion of a giant spider without having to make the complete thing, which saves on time, money & storage.

Step 1 What you need

1 can of spray foam
Some wire pieces
Glue - that won't eat foam
Black latex paint
Piece of plywood
Putty Knife/Spatula
Thin bamboo plant supports or heavy wire
Knife - to trim pieces as necessary

Comments

[Technotaoist]

Another Great way to do these is take a length of coat hanger, and tape a plastic shopping bag to one end. Wrap up in a spiral and overlap more where you want it thickest. Then paint with flat black spray paint. I use this for lots of spiders, but had not thought to do just legs poking out like yours. Great idea!

[Abeverage]

Why don't you show us?

[PaHalloweenFreak]

Thanks! I will have to try doing the legs like yours. I have a friend who uses plastic shopping bags for some of her Halloween things, with great results!

[autumnwind3]

I am imagining these poking out from under the front porch, or even from between the steps leading up to the front porch. My daughter's friends are going to freak out when they show up for our Halloween party. Thanks for a truly inspired idea! You're right - the IMPLIED horror is always worse!

[rodvyperstar]

amazing! its REALLY creepy, i almost can imagine the whole body and it freaks me out...

[EdurusFas]

When I saw the pics, I was spooked -- I don't like spiders. (I'm glad no one has made these things and placed them near me :P ) Great Job!

[PaHalloweenFreak]

LOL! Thanks!

[Ecogeek]

Great idea and I plan to do this for my Halloween decorations....but spiders have 8 legs.

[redghostrider]

Yeah, in the instructions, if you'll read them, she says that you can do just a few (which increases the wonder as to where the rest of the spider actually is), or you can do all 8 of 'em. 

[wolfy_9005]

the other 2 are on the ground behind the thing :)

[BadTable Manor]

You're right PA, sometimes the simplest ideas are the most effective. I give it a "Bloody Brilliant!"

[PaHalloweenFreak]

Thanks! I do appreciate it! I am glad you like them!

[Speidumb]

I thought spiders had 8 legs?... This is more like a giant ant.

[Tobita]

find an inactive arachnophobe, pop this in his yard, and put a solar powerd treadmill under him when he jumps :D

[bethehammer]

That is a simple but effective idea! Thanks for sharing.

[bcr8ve]

This is fantastic! Just the thing I need for my rock garden out front. I've got a variety of your more typical garden decorations out there, but I need something to balance out the itty bitty tombstone and lifelike rattlesnake curled up in the corner. I love it when neighbors or irksome kids selling something look at the garden and do that OMG twitch.

[PaHalloweenFreak]

Oh Boy!! A rattlesnake?!! EEEKK! I hate snakes!! But I bet it freaks everyone out and that I LOVE!!! Hee hee hee!! Thanks for the comment!

[grimdaddy]

Super creepy and super easy. It rawks!!

[canida]

Simple, but creepy.
I like the way you think. ;)

[canida]

Also, this works well in daytime; have you considered glow paint or internal lighting for an equivalent nighttime effect?

[PaHalloweenFreak]

Unfortunately, at the time I didn't think to light it by itself. I did have spotlight lighting up the display but now know how important effective lighting is. Looking at the pic now, I should have used my green spotlight behind the stone to give it an eerie glow! Never thought of the glow paint!! Bet that would look great too!

[fizil]

or black light paint :) thanks for this instructable!

[darkmuskrat]

The finished product looks just as good as the ones in Eight legged freaks, great job here (my dad also hates spiders so this will entertain me) :P

[GorillazMiko]

It looks really awesome to do. You're posting super duper coolio things, I might do this and hide it behind a tissue box or something to freak out my mom.