Introduction: 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
Step 2: Creating the Legs
First take your piece of plywood and begin spraying lines of 3 different lengths (long, medium and short) for each segment of a leg. You can do all 8 legs or you can just do a few, it just depends on how you are going to display it. (**Note that in the pic in the Intro there are only 4 legs showing but in the final pic there are 6 legs)
Once the segments are dry, take a putty knife/spatula and sliding it between the foam and the plywood. It should come off fairly easy.
Next take a long and medium section and insert it into the center of the end of each piece. Don't glue it yet. You want to bend the segments, at the wire into the position you want. Cut off any pieces that keep them from being flush against each other.
When you have them the way you want, remove the wire and put some glue on the ends and re-insert them into the ends. If you use a hot glue gun let it cool a bit before you insert it or you may melt the foam. Now do the same with the smaller segment.
Once you have them together take a piece of bamboo, a heavy piece of wire or whatever you want to use to stake them into the ground with and glue it in the bottom end of the longest segment. (The stakes help in the painting process too. If you paint them outside, you can stake them into the ground or if you do them inside you can stake them into a bucket of sand so that you can paint them in one shot)
They are ready to paint now. I used black latex paint but feel free to make your spider legs any color you like. (Do NOT use spray paint unless you first paint the foam with a latex primer. The spray paint will eat away the foam.)
Step 3: You Are Ready to Scare
That is it! Simple as that, you have some versatile spider legs that you can put just about anywhere!
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24 Comments
12 years ago on Introduction
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!
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Why don't you show us?
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
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!
12 years ago on Introduction
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!
12 years ago on Step 3
amazing! its REALLY creepy, i almost can imagine the whole body and it freaks me out...
12 years ago on Introduction
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!
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
LOL! Thanks!
14 years ago on Introduction
Great idea and I plan to do this for my Halloween decorations....but spiders have 8 legs.
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
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.
Reply 14 years ago on Introduction
the other 2 are on the ground behind the thing :)
13 years ago on Step 3
You're right PA, sometimes the simplest ideas are the most effective. I give it a "Bloody Brilliant!"
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
Thanks! I do appreciate it! I am glad you like them!
14 years ago on Introduction
I thought spiders had 8 legs?... This is more like a giant ant.
14 years ago on Introduction
find an inactive arachnophobe, pop this in his yard, and put a solar powerd treadmill under him when he jumps :D
14 years ago on Step 3
That is a simple but effective idea! Thanks for sharing.
15 years ago on Introduction
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.
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
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!
15 years ago on Introduction
Super creepy and super easy. It rawks!!
15 years ago on Introduction
Simple, but creepy.
I like the way you think. ;)
Reply 15 years ago on Introduction
Also, this works well in daytime; have you considered glow paint or internal lighting for an equivalent nighttime effect?