Wonderful school festival / cultural festival

[School Festival] Ideas for gimmicks to incorporate into a haunted house

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSICsasashina
Deputy Editor of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. I’m Sasashina, a mom currently raising an elementary schooler and a preschooler. During my student years at Kyoto College of Science and Technology, I studied a wide range of fields including sound, lighting, and video technology, building a foundation in comprehensive stage production and creative expression. After graduation, I joined a music production company, where I still work, consistently building experience in production and engaging in a variety of music-centered tasks. Currently, I mainly handle articles for children, drawing on what I’ve learned about parenting and what I feel and discover through daily interactions with my kids. I hope my work can be of help to you, even in a small way!

Have you ever seen that moment at a school culture festival haunted house when a friend looks confused and says, “Wait, who is this person?” In the dark, people swap places, the floor turns wobbly under your feet, and when you approach a creepy doll, its head suddenly spins…

Successful haunted houses hide lots of clever tricks that keep participants on edge.

From cardboard-made tombstones and talismans for spooky effects to floor pranks, with a bit of ingenuity the entire venue can be filled with screams and laughter.

Here, we introduce a variety of fun haunted house ideas.

Set props, decorations, and concepts (11–20)

rap doll

4 Scary Decoration Ideas to Make Your Halloween Unforgettable

rap doll

Let’s try making a mummy-like human figure using plastic wrap.

The method is simple: wrap a human body with multiple layers of plastic wrap, cut it open and remove it, then tape the cuts back together.

You’ll end up with a life-sized figure molded from a real person.

It’s creepy hanging from the ceiling, and you can also place it on the ground or combine it with other props—there are lots of possibilities depending on your ideas.

It already looks eerie like a mummy, but creating and dressing it in a costume will make it even more realistic.

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sickle

Let's make fun and spooky Halloween decor! Create furniture with cardboard crafts♪ HIMAWARI House No. 5 himawari-CH

sickle

A scythe can be used not only as a prop object but also as a handheld accessory for the person playing the ghost.

Since it’s a large prop, it also has the appeal of conveying a strong impact.

To make one, shape it out of cardboard and use aluminum foil on the blade to create the effect.

Alternatively, you can form it out of newspaper.

Choose whichever method seems easier for you.

By the way, as a specific use case, it’s recommended for someone dressed as the Grim Reaper to carry it.

If they pose with it, it will result in a pretty scary look.

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skeleton

Let's make fun and spooky Halloween decor! Create furniture with cardboard crafts♪ HIMAWARI House No. 5 himawari-CH

skeleton

Skeletons are also a common prop you see in haunted houses.

Another advantage is that it’s easy to adapt the design to different ages and styles.

For example, a stylized skeleton can give a comical or cute impression.

In contrast, a realistic-looking skeleton will create a scarier feel.

You can also add touches like painting the skeleton with fluorescent paint.

If a skeleton glows in the dark, it’s sure to give people a start.

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Monsters, Inc. Ride & Go Seek!

Let’s create an attraction where you shine lights on monsters in a dark room! Here’s an idea inspired by Monsters, Inc.

Ride & Go Seek.

A ride with seats moves around a course set up in a darkened classroom.

Attach monsters made from colored construction paper to the course walls.

Guests hold red and green lights and enjoy searching for the monsters by following the beams.

To darken the classroom, try using black-colored plastic bags or cardboard.

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mask

[Haunted House] Terror Train 'Jingxia Train' / Janfusun Fancyworld (Taiwan)

mask

It ramps up the creepiness and sets the mood! Here are some mask ideas.

When you think of masks, many people probably imagine characters or demons.

However, the masks used in this idea are simple, expressionless white masks.

Masks that reveal no expression are unsettling on their own, but if you stick them on the wall to create a “mask room,” you’ll end up with a truly eerie space.

In the video, green light is also shining out from where the eyes of the masks are.

Give it a try!

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