Spooky Strings: 20 DIY Halloween Garlands, Pennants, & Banners

This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our full Disclosure Policy for details.

Halloween decorations set the mood for the entire spooky season, and nothing adds personalized charm quite like a handmade DIY Halloween garland, banners, pennant, or bunting. These decorations are easy, budget-friendly, and perfect for getting the whole family involved in a fun crafting session.

Whether you’re looking for a simple paper banner or a durable, weatherproof bunting for your mantel, classroom, or porch, you will find the best ideas, materials, and techniques to craft the perfect spooky string-decoration for your home. Find everything creative from ghost and pumpkin buntings to spiderweb pennants and glittery “Boo” banners. These comprise of ideas to create spooky, cute, easy and even Halloween FREE printable garlands.

DIY Halloween Garlands, Banners, Buntings and Pennants

1. Extra Easy Bat Garland

2. Beware Halloween Banner

Made with doilies and foam letters.

3. Candy corn garland

Mini DIY tissue paper candy corn garland with pom poms.

4. DIY Bat Garland

made with paper bats cutouts.

5. DIY Halloween Garland

Cut semi circles and sew them together.

6. Easy Halloween Banner

Burlap pennant cutouts and spider web garland.

7. Fabric leaf garland

8. Halloween Boo Garland

Find 150 Best Halloween Free Printables for a Spooktacular Celebration to make decorations.

9. Halloween Patterns Pennant Garland

Print these FREE Halloween Pennant Printables to make this one.

10. Halloween Banner

Fun garland made using gift tags and ribbon.

11. Gothic Halloween spiderweb garland

Made with cut files.

12. Spooky Halloween Banner

Make a memories banner with photos garland from previous years.

13. Jack Skellington Halloween String Garland

Dip string in a school glue solution and roll on a balloon. Pop the balloon and remove once string dries.

14. DIY Monster Halloween Garland

Use paper cups and craft supplies to make one.

15. Paint chip pumpkin garland

16. Glow in the dark Halloween Garlands

Make with glowing paper, glow sticks, or glow paint.

17. Creepy Crawly Spider Garland

Use pom poms and paper straws.

18. Trick or Treat Banner

Print this Trick or Treat Halloween free printable Banner.

19. Witch Hat Garland

20. Yarn Ghost Garland

I hope you enjoyed these creative Halloween garlands.

DIY Tips for Weatherproofing Your Outdoor Garlands

One of the most common questions is how to make homemade decorations last outdoors. Here’s how to ensure your garland survives the spooky season:

Choose the Right Base Material: Opt for materials that naturally repel water or are durable:
Vinyl/Duct Tape: Weatherproof duct tape cut into strips and folded over nylon string is incredibly durable and vibrant.
Burlap and Synthetic Felt: These fabrics dry quickly and are more resistant to moisture than cotton.
Plastic and Foam: Use recycled plastic or foam sheets (like foam headstones) for cutouts and secure them to plywood stakes if needed.
Seal Paper/Cardstock: If you must use paper outdoors, seal it with a spray sealant, clear contact paper, or laminate the shapes before stringing them.
Use Outdoor-Rated String: Use durable materials like nylon string, jute cord, or fishing line instead of simple baker’s twine, which can degrade in moisture.
Securely Hang: Use weatherproof hooks or Command hooks designed for outdoor use. Mount heavy items (like wooden or concrete-draped decorations) securely to stakes so they won’t blow away in high winds.

Answering Top DIY Halloween Decoration Questions

1. What is the difference between a garland, a bunting, and a pennant?

While often used interchangeably, the terms technically refer to the style of the hanging decoration:

Garland: A string of decorative material, often a repeating shape or material (e.g., a bat garland or a simple string of lights).
Pennant: A single triangular or tapering flag, traditionally used for signaling. When several are strung together, they form a Bunting or Banner.
Bunting/Banner: A string of flags or fabric pieces, usually in the triangular pennant shape or small rectangles, used for festive display (e.g., a “Happy Halloween” banner made of pennant flags).

2. What’s the easiest no-sew garland for beginners?

The Accordion-Fold Paper Garland is the easiest. Fold a sheet of paper (like a fan), trace half a shape (like a ghost or cat) along the fold, cut it out, and unfold to reveal a chain of connected shapes. It requires only paper, scissors, and no separate stringing step.

3. How do you store a homemade garland for next year?

Wrap it: Gently wrap fabric or yarn garlands around a piece of cardboard or a decorative object to prevent tangling and bending.
Flat Pack: Store paper or cardboard banners flat inside a plastic bag or plastic container to protect them from moisture and crushing.
Label: Always label the container clearly with “Halloween Garland” and note any special care instructions.

4. Can you use a regular hot glue gun for DIY decorations?

Yes, hot glue is a go-to for DIY banners, especially for attaching fabric, felt, or paper shapes to the hanging cord. For outdoor projects, consider a weatherproof adhesive or glue sticks designed for outdoor/heavy-duty use for stronger holding power against the elements.

Creating DIY Halloween garlands, pennants, buntings, and banners is one of the easiest ways to decorate for the spooky season without breaking the bank. Whether you prefer minimalist “BOO” banners, colorful candy corn garlands, or farmhouse burlap buntings, these handmade decorations add warmth and character to your Halloween celebration.

So grab your scissors, some string, and a handful of spooky inspiration — your DIY Halloween banner is waiting to come to life!