A staple to my Halloween decorations are skeletons. However, I have been limited to having them sit on something or propped-up against a wall. I wanted another option - I wanted them to stand on their own!

I gave my husband the following requirements for the skeleton stand:

it needs to securely hold a 5' posable skeleton (with clothing and props)
it needs to breakdown easily for storage
it must be reasonably priced

He met and exceeded all my requirements. Hope you enjoy our Halloween Decor Instructables!

Step 1: What You Need to Build the Skeleton Stand

You will need the following to build a stand for a 5' skeleton.

5' tall posable skeleton
18" long wood base (we used a 2x10)
(2) 3/8" metal floor flanges
(8) screws for the flange (we used screws we had on hand, so we had to use washers because the screw heads were too small)
(2) 6" long 3/8"nipple to fit into flange (we used a 12" nipple and cut it in half with a hacksaw)
3/4" PVC pipe (sch 40). Cut the PVC pipe into the following lengths:
- (2) 33" (legs)
- (1) 16" (spine)
- (2) 2" (hips)
(2) 3/4" PVC 90 degree elbows (hips)
3/4" PVC 'T' joint (hips)
strong tape to secure the skeleton to the scaffolding (we used packing tape)

Step 2: Assemble Base

Figure out where skeleton should be placed on base, and marked for flanges
Mounted the flanges with screws
inserted the nipples and tightened

NOTE: If your base will be seen, you may want to paint it.

Step 3: Build Skeleton Stand

Just connect all the PVC pieces together to form the stand as pictured.

Start with the 'T' upside down
On the left and right opening, Insert the 2" hip pipes on either end
On the top opening, insert the Spine pipe
On the 2" hip pipes, attach the elbows on either end
Insert the Leg pipe on each elbow
Put the leg pipe over each nipple on the base

We did not glue or otherwise permanently secure the PVC pieces to each other or to the base - just hand tightened. The length of the nipple inserted into the PVC held the stand upright.

Step 4: Attach the Skeleton to Stand

Since I was dressing all my skeletons in Halloween apparel, I didn't worry too much about hiding how I was attaching them to the stand. I simply used packing tape (duck tape would work too, but may leave tape residue) to secure the skeleton. I wrapped tape (a few revolutions) in 2 places: ribs and legs (see photo.)

Step 5: Enjoy and Decorate Your Standing Skeleton

Dressing the skeleton is fairly easy.

For dresses, simply put over the skeletons head and secure with binder clips in the back if the dress is too large.

For pants, I removed the scaffolding (with the skeleton attached) pulled the pants on, secured the waist of the pants with binder clips, and put the PVC pipe back over the nipple. I was able to do this alone, but if you have a friend to help guide the PVC over the nipple...it makes it easier.

More than one skeleton...

To attach more than one skeleton to a base, simply make the base longer. The rest of the steps remain the same. Make sure you allow for any clothing and/or prop clearance between skeletons. The base that we made for 3 skeletons was 5' long.