Ohhh, for this month’s Dollar Store Design Squad project, I made Skeleton Cages out of plastic baskets and other random items from the Dollar Tree!
How to make Skeleton Cages for Halloween
- Plastic Baskets (2 for each project)
- Skeletons
- Link Chain
- Rats
- Spider Web Material
- No Trespassing Tape
Items you may have on hand:
- Spray Paint
- Hot Glue Gun (E6000 or similar is also a good option)
- Zip Ties (optional)
All of the above listed items are available at your local Dollar Tree Store.
Spray Paint Laundry Baskets
The first thing to do is to spray paint the bright colored baskets with black paint.
Speckled Spray Paint to Age Baskets
After allowing the paint to dry, I used some metallic spray paint on the baskets to match the look of the plastic chain. This was achieved by a light and sporadic spray.
Add Skeletons to Cage
I used a hot glue gun to secure the skeletons in their “cage”. You may want to use something a little stronger like E6000.
Affix Chain to Cage
Because every other link on the chain is removeable, I separated the chain to make it easy to glue to the top of the basket. Again, Something stronger than hot glue might work best. I propped the chain link up against a rat to hold it until the glue set up. This closeup picture allows you to see how well the speckled painted basket matches the chain.
With the chain being separated on every other link, it easily allows you to add to or take away from the length of the chain.
Join Top & Bottom Baskets to Make Cage Complete
This is where zip ties may come in handy to secure the basket top to bottom. Did you notice I used tall shepherd’s hooks to hang the skeleton cages?
Embellish Halloween Vignette with Spider Webs & More
I have the skeleton cages in my yard with the Scary Pumpkin Head I made using the Wagner Heat Gun for a contest. There’s still a little time left to vote by liking the pumpkin head on their IG Page. The prize if $500 !!
The Scary Pumpkin Head was also made with items from the Dollar Store. 
Dollar Store Design Squad Fall Projects
Now, let’s take a look at what my friends have been up to for this month’s themed challenge.
DIY Dollar Store Halloween Wreath
Have you made a fun Fall or Halloween project using items from the Dollar Store? Please share them below!
gail
Love how your cages turned out Gail and it looks like I was just a teeny weeny bit late to vote for your scary pumpkin head. He's awesome too
Thanks Michelle! I was so far behind in the vote, but I appreciate you trying to vote. 🙂 I have taken down the decor as someone alerted me to the dangers of the fake spider webs to birds.
gail
I did! I especially loved the wreath so neat! And who knew a hat would make such a cute door wreath!
It's amazing what you can do with those dollar store finds!
gail
These are so cool! Never thought of using the baskets!
Thanks Christina! Did you see the other fabulous dollar store basket idea?
gail