How to Make Glowing Eyes for Your Bushes: DIY Outdoor Halloween Decor

Looking to give your yard a spooky, unexpected twist this Halloween? Creepy glowing eyes peeking out from the bushes are the perfect way to surprise nighttime visitors and set an eerie mood. This simple DIY project is quick, affordable, and adds a fun element to your outdoor decor that will have trick-or-treaters and guests looking twice. With just a few basic materials, you can easily create a chilling display that makes it look like something sinister is lurking in the shadows. Let’s dive into how you can craft these glowing eyes and bring some spooky fun to your Halloween setup

Materials You’ll Need

Before you start crafting your creepy glowing eyes, gather the following materials:

• Toilet Paper Rolls: These will serve as the base for your glowing eyes. You can use as many as you’d like depending on how many glowing eyes you want to create.
• Glow Sticks: The glow sticks are what make the eyes light up in the dark. Choose a variety of colors (green, red, or purple) for a fun, eerie effect.
• Black Tape: This will help block any unwanted light from escaping, so the glow is focused only through the eye cutouts.
• Scissors or an X-Acto Knife: You’ll need these to cut the eye shapes into the toilet paper rolls.

With these simple materials, you’re ready to start creating your spooky glowing eyes!

Cutting Out the Eyes

The key to making your glowing eyes look creepy is in the design of the eye shapes. Here’s how to do it:

1. Draw Your Eye Shapes: Start by lightly sketching your eye shapes on one side of the toilet paper roll. You can go with classic spooky eyes, like narrow slits or wide, rounded ones, or get creative with different expressions such as angry, surprised, or mischievous eyes.
2. Cut Out the Shapes: Using scissors or an X-Acto knife, carefully cut out the eye shapes you’ve drawn. Make sure the eyes are large enough for the glow sticks to shine through, but not too big—this will keep the effect subtle and mysterious.
3. Clean Up Edges: If needed, smooth out the edges of your cuts to ensure the eyes look neat and defined. You can also cut small details like sharp corners or lashes for added effect.

Once you’ve finished cutting out the eyes, your toilet paper rolls should already start to resemble something spooky!

Inserting the Glow Sticks

Now that your eyes are carved, it’s time to add the glow!

1. Activate the Glow Sticks: Crack your glow sticks to activate them, shaking them until they’re fully glowing. Choose colors that match the vibe you’re going for—green for a classic eerie look, red for a sinister feel, or purple for a more whimsical touch.
2. Insert the Glow Sticks: Place one or two glow sticks inside each toilet paper roll. Position them so the light shines through the eye cutouts. You can tape the glow sticks in place to prevent them from moving around inside the roll.
3. Cover the Ends with Tape: To maximize the glow through the eyes and prevent light from escaping the sides, use black tape to cover both ends of the toilet paper roll. This will ensure the eyes look more focused and glowing, especially in the dark.

Your glowing eyes are now ready to spook anyone who passes by!

Where to Hide Them

The best part about these DIY glowing eyes is their versatility in placement. Here are some ideas on where to hide them for maximum effect:

1. In Bushes: Place the glowing eyes deep within bushes or hedges to make it look like something is lurking within. The darker and more concealed the spot, the more startling the eyes will appear.
2. In Trees: Hang or tuck the glowing eyes into tree branches for an eerie, high-up gaze. This works especially well if the trees are near walkways or driveways, catching people off guard.
3. Under Porch Steps or Railings: For an unexpected surprise, place the glowing eyes beneath porch steps or along railings. The glow from the hidden spot will make it look like creatures are peeking out from the shadows.
4. Window Sills or Dark Corners: Add glowing eyes to window sills or dark corners inside your home to give the illusion that something is watching from inside.

Experiment with different hiding spots to make sure your glowing eyes have the maximum spooky effect!

Creating glowing eyes for your Halloween decor is an easy and budget-friendly way to add a chilling, unexpected element to your yard or home. Whether peeking from the bushes or glowing from the trees, these DIY eyes are sure to make a memorable impression on anyone who passes by.

Try making your own glowing eyes this Halloween and share where you’ve hidden them using #GlowingEyesDIY for a chance to be featured on our blog!