This year for Halloween, we decided to make a Transformers Halloween display. This consisted of 3 x 12.5 foot high transformers - Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, and Megatron. We added in fog, lighting, background music, as well as individual speakers with voices for Optimus Prime and Bumblebee.

Supplies

Styrofoam, styrofoam and more styrofoam - we purchase sheets of insulating styrofoam, ask for scraps from larger items (fridges, TV's, furniture etc.) from neighbours through Facebook groups, and look on Craig's List and Facebook Marketplace for people/companies giving styrofoam away. - https://www.homedepot.ca/product/durospan-250-insulation-durospan-250-2-inch-x-4-ft-x-8-ft-r8-54/1001748329

Foam Filler- we go through so many cans of this - https://www.rona.ca/en/product/great-stuff-12-oz-paintable-gaps-cracks-insulating-foam-spray-expands-to-1-in-99108825-56495026?viewStore=61240&cq_src=google_ads&cq_cmp=19786481412&cq_con=&cq_term=&cq_med=pla&cq_plac=&cq_net=x&cq_pos=&cq_plt=gp&&cm_mmc=paid_search-_-google-_-aw_pmax_generic_Building+Materials-_-&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIn53Z6eXCggMVjyCtBh1D7Q3pEAQYAiABEgKquvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Ruler/tape measure

Exacto knife

Sharpie - for drawing shapes, outlining

Paint - outdoor paint - works great - doesn't chip easily, doesn't wash off *will often purchase returns as they can be significantly less expensive - https://www.homehardware.ca/en/exterior-acrylic-latex-flat-paint-high-hide-white-364-l/p/1835796

Plastic sheeting - thin sheeting to be used for 'windshields' - https://www.amazon.ca/Large-Clear-Plastic-Sheets-Terephthalate/dp/B08DWMVSW1?ref_=Oct_d_otopr_d_11853118011_2&pd_rd_w=wUAVB&content-id=amzn1.sym.a7e32360-e793-4626-8be6-0e726ac90cbb&pf_rd_p=a7e32360-e793-4626-8be6-0e726ac90cbb&pf_rd_r=8Q5AMSF3HVX96MHDFG33&pd_rd_wg=jMOSV&pd_rd_r=6674fe19-9a05-429e-96fe-044a910a4900&pd_rd_i=B08DWMVSW1

Blue saran wrap role - we used this to cover Optimus Prime's 'windows' - https://www.amazon.com/Plastic-%C3%971000ft-Storage-Industrial-Shipping/dp/B0CGZS81C8/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=blue%2Bcling%2Bwrap&qid=1699941587&sr=8-4&th=1

Hot wire cutters - https://www.amazon.com/RoMech-Foam-Cutter-Styrofoam-Accessories/dp/B07JBQ58L2/ref=sr_1_11_sspa?crid=VO1NTON7GH92&keywords=hot%2Bwire%2Bcutter%2Bfor%2Bfoam&qid=1699941663&sprefix=hot%2Bwire%2Bcu%2Caps%2C160&sr=8-11-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9tdGY&th=1

Respirator - for when cutting the styrofoam and when painting - https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B01GVSYO10/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_plhdr=t&aaxitk=fbc5d4d95617bd50beead75680f3aab8&hsa_cr_id=9771715440801&qid=1699941786&sr=1-1-9e67e56a-6f64-441f-a281-df67fc737124&ref_=sbx_be_s_sparkle_lsi4d_asin_0_title&pd_rd_w=LGbIR&content-id=amzn1.sym.8e0ef875-4e67-47f1-80ff-d43b41956e2f%3Aamzn1.sym.8e0ef875-4e67-47f1-80ff-d43b41956e2f&pf_rd_p=8e0ef875-4e67-47f1-80ff-d43b41956e2f&pf_rd_r=2J8FVM005FK7Y3SFVMTW&pd_rd_wg=Hjr5a&pd_rd_r=b22ff07f-07d2-4f48-bef9-703b166c0a12

Transformers action figures and/or patterns for transformers (often found on Etsy)

Speakers/music source

Outdoor spot lights

Step 1: Optimus Prime

We first decided how tall we wanted the transformers to be (around 12-feet, ended up 12.5 feet). Using an Optimus Prime action figure - we took the dimensions, and upsized them. We did head, then upper chest, lower chest, hips, arms, legs. We used the foam - and built each section - using the hot-wire foam cutter, and then attaching everything together with foam filler. Once the foam filler dries, we need to trim (it expands a great deal), and then do spot-filling (often there will be small holes in the foam once dried). After doing this 1-2 times, we would again refer to the action figure and paint to match. For the 'windshields' - we cut a the hard/bendable plastic sheet to the right size. We then wrapped it multiple times with the blue saran wrap to get the light blue color. For the transformer symbol, we printed it off, used an exacto knife to cut it out and then traced/painted it on.

Step 2: Megatron

Process is the same as for Optimus Prime. An action figure/pictures on the internet were used to determine dimension/style. Then cutting the styrofoam with the hot wire cutter, attaching with foam filler, painting and tracing the Megatron symbol on. We didn't really like the colors on the action figure (there are so many different iterations of each Transformers). So, while we did use it for some of the dimensions, we also utilized pictures off the internet. In the end, our Megatron is a bit of a mix of a few different versions.

Step 3: Bumblee

We again utilized the same process as for Optimus Prime. An action figure/pictures on the internet were used to determine dimension/style. Then cutting the styrofoam with the hot wire cutter, attaching with foam filler, painting and tracing the Bumblebee symbol on. Fun to note, you can tell we were getting tired, as when we went to put Bumblebee together - one of his thighs was a good 5" shorter than the other.

Step 4: Setting Up in the Yard

I added a quick pic, to show how full of styrofoam our house was at the end. :) We built in sections so storage would be easier, and this worked well.

When putting them up, we made a small hole in the leg sections, and filled them with water to add weight and prevent them from falling over. We drilled holes and put dowling through all the sections. We used foam filler to further attach the sections. And then we used cables to attach them to our house, nearby trees, and our fence, again to ensure that we don't have any of them fall over during our storm season.