Introduction: Our 2010 Haunted House With Ideas From Instructables
Our family Haunted House started out around 15yrs ago with the kids wanting a party instead of going trick or treating so we decorated the yard and everyone had fun scaring the trick or treaters. The next year we put more effort into the decorations and the next year and the next, until now we're upto around 1600 square feet of covered haunt and much more in the yard. There are a lot of props and ideas adapted from the pages of instructables. If you see your idea used THANK YOU and please post a link to your page in the comments
Step 1: Getting Started
We actually begin planning next years Haunt while we're building the current years, or at least start swapping ideas but the real work begins early in september with the erection of the portable carports which we then cover in black plastic with wire fencing on the outside for protection and to keep the plastic from blowing. The inner walls are built tinkertoy fashion from 2' pvc pipe. A HUGE tip from instructables, I remembered almost to late to use, was to cut approx 1"wide pieces of the pipe and remove about a 3rd of the resulting ring, the remaining 2/3's work a lot better than tape to hold the plastic "walls" to the pvc supports, next year we'll LOTS ready to use !
Step 2: The Building of a Few Props
With this years new layout we needed a different setup for the jailcell which meant building bar walls. We built a pvc pipe frame similar to the way we build the walls laid outthe bar spacing and cut holes to fit the pipes, some of which are from salvaged dog runs and the thinner ones from a curb rescued screen house/gazebo. We also needed to replace a broken banner pole, replacement costs were OUTRAGIOUS so we made a couple out of the same 2"pvc and curb rescued tile underlayment. You can find more details on my other "ibles" https://www.instructables.com/id/Building-a-Jail-cell-for-a-Haunted-House/https://www.instructables.com/id/Entrance-Banners-for-a-Haunted-House/
Step 3: ENOUGH ALREADY SHOW US THE HAUNT !
The start of the Haunt hasn't changed much since last year, the original idea came from instructables, it was modified to fit our location and situation, we used an atv sized winch to raise and lower the drawbridge. Over the drawbridge and thru a fog filled tunnel you head towards the old style coffin used as a doorway
Step 4: Enter If You Dare
Once thru the coffin door you enter twisting hallways filled with ghouls, skelatons and etc, hearing the door slam behind you helps add to the thrill level, Im not going to show any pics of the dark tunnels, theres nothing there but some hanging strings and gauze and pitch black doesnt photograph well with a flash... once thru the dark tunnel your met but a 9foot clown under a bright strobe light
Step 5: Lock Up
Past the clown you enter the haunted jail, a forgotten prisoner rots away in the stock, beware of the insane inmate, did that body bag just move? notice the detour sign that distracts you from the next scare
Step 6: To the Mad Butcher
through the gate your heading towards the meat market and missing the small dark cubicle to the right, until the young lady lets out an ear peircing scream and kicks the bottom of the plywood wall ! Directly ahead is a rack with hands and feet still attached, the body lays in front of the mad butcher ask for your favorite cut of meat or step next door and allow the short order cook to make you a fresh tongue sandwich or perhaps you'd rather finger and toe food..
Step 7: Spider Tunnel
We were calling this the "spider tunnel" basically so we knew where it was, yes there are some large spiders but there are also ghouls and some great spot for our roaming charectors to get a good scare. Pass the feasting spider and you enter the Ghouls Dyener
Step 8: Ghouls Dyener and Chernobyl Bar
This next section relies on flurescent and glow paint, some tables and chairs with ghouls and place settings make up the diener, the large jug of zombie juice is made using 3 yellow highlighters and water, a couple of dollar store toys that "grow" in water fill a couple of containers and a pickled punk inspired by instructables fill up the "bar". Just outside the Haunt is the Buccanners Roost
Step 9: Pumpkin Patch and Graveyard
Past the demon rising from the pool is the graveyard, a dvd projector shoots a b&w movie on the side of the truck while your attention is on the movie and your thinking your finely safe a 6'8 scarecrow leaps out of the pumpkin patch. In the background is the zombie with headless bride wedding (its the last year for this setting)
Step 10: Chapel and Exit
The wedding chapel is the last exhibit before your exit thru the candy tent, yes she is really pregnant, you can see how we made her belly cover here. https://www.instructables.com/id/A-tale-of-2-bellies-a-halloween-costume-for-the-e/ to finish up a couple of our actors

Participated in the
Halloween Contest
12 Comments
10 years ago on Step 6
These prices are too high! I get better at Costco.
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
LOL.. You mean in the butcher shop? That's where the email said the comment came from. we ended up closing that down because it wasn't making any money = S
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
Oh well. :( I have skeleton envy. I don't have a connection like you did and can't afford to buy the medical ones so I'll be trying to make the paper mache ones from this site. https://www.instructables.com/id/Paper_Mache_Skeletons/
Not for a haunted house, but basically just to creep the neighbors out. And the family, of course. Can't forget them.
11 years ago on Introduction
wow amazing i just give candy out yours is amazing
Reply 11 years ago on Introduction
LOL, at least your participate ! My neighbors now figure that they participate enough by putting up with the hundreds of people each night of our haunt although the majority of them also look forward each year to experiencing what we've done. It's taken a lot of time to get where we are and considering the budget we try to stick to ($1000-1500 a yr) we do pretty well. Be warned.. if you start Haunting it can quickly become addicting !
12 years ago on Step 10
That Was awesome thanks for posting. I love Halloween so much you gave me some good ideas
Reply 12 years ago on Step 10
Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment, I'm glad you enjoyed it ! Halloween is like an addiction around this house so its really fun to share with others, be sure to check out my other haunt related "ibles" and if you get a chance show us what you create !
12 years ago on Introduction
what can i say THAT WAS AMAZIN!"!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 2000/10 STARS!!
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Thanks for stopping by ! We have a LOT of fun during the days we're open (this year we're trying for 4 nights) It's a lot of work but the thrill is addicting. I should have some new prop "ibles" coming up in sept and oct and then in nov, one on the new and expanded haunt. I hope you stop back....
13 years ago on Introduction
I love your setups! I would love to do this myself but i know if I do I will leave most of it up all year!... And while my fiancee would be all for it.. I dont think my neighbors would appreciate it!... lol But I will do some of your stuff next year I cant resist!... I cant wait!... I want to start right now... So who knows what it will grow to by next Halloween!...
I will definitely take pics and show you how I do!
One thing tho... What age of kids do you think can handle all of the scares?...
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
oooops, hit the wrong key ! You really have to leave it up to the parents, and we dont allow any kids to enter without a parent. You can follow me on facebook, Correa Ct Haunted House if you want and be sure to check out the Haunts of many of my "friends"
Reply 13 years ago on Introduction
Thanks for the great comment ! If we didn't use temporary shelters Id probably leave a lot up all year myself. We start planning next years haunt while we're still building this years, I have probably 2 dozen sketches of layouts and possible new "gags" already, some which will be used and some due to time constraints or cost will be shelved and of course like any plans they change as we begin working them.
We try to knock back the scares when we have little ones go thru but we have kids of all ages enjoy themselves so much they want to go back thru again but then there are those who refuse to even enter, even teens and young adults