Your house might not actually be haunted but your neighbors don't have to know that. This Halloween you can create a spooky scene, without breaking the bank thanks to this DIY Lawn Coffin Halloween Prop.

Step 1: Materials Needed

1” x 4ft x 8ft Rigid Foam Insulation Board (available at home improvement stores)
Bamboo Skewers
Stainless Steel Wire Stripping Brush
Electric carving knife (a long serrated bread knife will work too)
Permanent Marker
Ruler
Large Paint Brushes
Glidden Universal Color sample 217 ml- Flat CEDAR BROWN
Glidden Universal Color sample 217 ml- Flat CASTLE WALL GREY
Downloadable Assembly and Measurement Diagrams
Optional- Halloween Skull Mask, Tealights, Masking Tape Hands

Step 2: Measure Out the Pieces

Use the downloadable guide to map out all the coffin parts on the foam board. Draw out the pieces as close together as you can to help create as many “common cuts” as you can.

Cut out all the pieces with the electric knife. You want the pieces to resemble weathered uneven wood so don't worry about any messy cuts.

Step 3: Create the Wood Texture & Paint

Using the wire brush, make long, rough strokes on each of the foam pieces. This will create a fine dust, so it's best to do this step outside. Make sure to rough up both the front and back of each piece.

Make long lines in the foam by pressing a bamboo skewer into the surface, hard. The lines can be uneven, and you can make circular lines to form “knots” that mimic real wood.

Paint each piece with the cedar brown paint. It may take 1-2 coats of paint to cover the foam evenly.

Wait until the paint is dry to the touch. Use a large stiff bristle paintbrush and a very small amount of gray paint to apply very light streaks to all the pieces to highlight and add texture to the pieces.

Step 4: Assemble the Coffin

Lay out the pieces as shown in the diagram.

Break a bamboo stick into 3 equal parts.

Place piece A on the top edge of piece D. Flip over piece D and from the back, use the sharp end of a long skewer to punch a hole going through both piece D and A. Remove the skewer and press one of the shorter pieces back through the hole.

Use a hammer, or the back of a wooden spoon to press the skewer piece all the way into the foam. You can add a small amount of hot glue to keep the piece from sliding back off the skewers. Attach 2 more skewer pieces along the edge to secure piece A to D.

Next, attach pieces C to either side of the coffin (piece D) using the same technique with the skewers. Refer to the assembly diagram to ensure the pieces are lined up in the correct direction.

Step 5: Attach the Stands

Prior to attaching piece B, you may need to trim down one edge of the piece, so that it will wedge into the opening between piece A and C. Once the piece is the right size, attach it with the skewers. Trim the last remaining piece, attach and touch up any of the paint.

The main part of the coffin is now complete. Cut 2 wedge pieces based on the diagram. Attach the wedges to the back of the coffin, as shown. Once attached, the coffin should sit up on its own at an angle.

Step 6: Create the Lid

Cut another piece of foam, based on the measurements of piece D. Cut long, vertical gouges into the foam, making it look like the wood split apart.

Cut a long piece of foam and attach to the lid to serve as a cross piece. Use the steel brush and skewer to rough up the coffin lid. Use the skewer to carve the letters RIP in the lid.

Paint the lid the same as the coffin, use the black marker to make the letters darker. The lid gently rests on the coffin at an angle. Place in the dirt or grass in your yard to scare your neighbors.