21+ Bowling Ball Halloween Ideas for Unique Decor

Every year, Halloween decorations seem to repeat the same plastic skeletons, inflatable pumpkins, and store-bought spider webs. If you’re looking to create something fresh, budget-friendly, and eye-catching, you’re not alone. Many people want Halloween decor that stands out without spending a lot of money.

The good news? Old bowling balls are the perfect base for creating spooky, bold, and creative pieces. With a little paint, imagination, and a few supplies, you can transform them into one-of-a-kind bowling ball Halloween decorations that wow your guests and neighbors. Whether you’re decorating your porch, garden, or a Halloween party table, these DIYs bring both fun and fright to your space.

Why Use a Bowling Ball for Halloween Decorations?

Bowling balls are heavy, durable, and smooth—ideal for crafting. They won’t blow away in the wind, they can handle outdoor weather, and they’re easy to clean and paint. That’s why more people are choosing them for bowling ball Halloween decorations that last all season long.

Unlike foam or cardboard props, bowling balls give your decor a polished look. Plus, they’re fun to find and recycle. You can often score them at thrift stores, yard sales, or old bowling alleys.

Supplies You’ll Need for Halloween Bowling Ball DIY Projects

To get started, you don’t need much. Here’s a list of common supplies:

• Acrylic paint (black, white, orange, red, green, purple)
• Spray paint (matte or glossy)
• Paintbrushes, sponges, or rollers
• Mod Podge or clear outdoor sealer
• Hot glue gun, googly eyes, or craft embellishments
• Optional: glow-in-the-dark paint, stickers, or stencils

For outdoor setups, make sure to seal the final product to protect it from weather.

21+ Bowling Ball Halloween Ideas That Are Fun, Creepy, and Creative

1. Classic Jack-o’-Lantern Bowling Ball

Turn your bowling ball into a pumpkin by painting it orange and adding a carved face. Use black paint for the eyes, nose, and jagged smile.

Top it off with a green-painted cork or stick as the stem. This is a simple and classic design that works in any Halloween setup.

2. Glow-in-the-Dark Ghost Ball

Paint the ball white, and use black for ghost eyes and a mouth. Then, add a layer of glow-in-the-dark paint.

Place it along your walkway or porch so it glows at night. This is one of the easiest Halloween bowling DIY projects to make.

3. Spider Web Bowling Ball

Paint your ball in a dark base color—black or purple works great. Then use white paint or a thin marker to draw a spider web design across the surface.

Add a plastic spider with hot glue for an extra creepy effect. This looks amazing in the garden or next to pumpkins.

4. Frankenstein’s Monster Face

Give your bowling ball a green base. Then, paint on black hair, large eyebrows, and stitches across the forehead.

Don’t forget to add bolts on the sides using painted bottle caps or buttons. It’s a creative and spooky character addition.

5. Wrapped-Up Mummy

Use beige or off-white paint to mimic wrapped bandages around the ball. Leave space for big, googly eyes.

You can even wrap real gauze or white fabric around parts of it. This gives texture and adds realism.

6. Witch-Inspired Bowling Ball

Paint the ball green and add sharp eyes, a pointy nose, and a wart or two. Top it with a miniature witch hat.

Add purple hair with yarn or fabric strips. It’s perfect for placing on your front porch with other witch-themed decor.

7. Pumpkin Patch Scene

Instead of one face, paint a full scene of tiny pumpkins, vines, and leaves all around the bowling ball.

Use a mix of orange, green, and brown tones for depth. It brings a softer, autumn vibe while staying Halloween-friendly.

8. Bloody Eyeball Design

Start with a white base, then paint a huge colored iris and black pupil in the center. Add red vein lines branching outward.

This eerie design looks great up close and from a distance. Pair it with other horror-themed props for full effect.

9. Skeleton Skull Bowling Ball

Paint the ball all white, then sketch and fill in black eye sockets, a nose hole, and teeth.

You can make it realistic or cartoon-style depending on your preference. Set it next to bones or tombstones.

10. Creepy Clown Face

Use bright colors like red, blue, and yellow to paint a clown face—big eyes, wide smile, and red nose.

The more exaggerated, the creepier it looks. Ideal for anyone creating a haunted carnival theme.

11. Zombie-Inspired Bowling Ball

Paint the ball in shades of gray or green. Add uneven eyes, fake blood, and missing teeth.

Make it look cracked or bruised for realism. This gruesome idea is great for horror lovers.

12. Black Cat Face Bowling Ball

Paint the whole ball black. Add eyes, ears, and a pink nose with whiskers.

This is a charming yet spooky touch for your Halloween display. You can add felt ears with glue.

13. Haunted House Scene

Paint a dark night sky around the ball. Then add small haunted houses, bats, and glowing windows.

This design tells a whole story and works well with string lights or candles around it.

14. Dripping Wax Skull

Paint the ball like a skull and drip melted red or black wax on top.

It gives a melted candle effect—spooky and gothic. Place it on a stand to complete the haunted look.

15. Bats Flying in the Moonlight

Paint a full moon on one side and surround it with black flying bats.

Keep the background dark blue or purple to mimic the night sky. This makes a great scene ball among plain pumpkins.

16. Sugar Skull / Day of the Dead

Paint vibrant patterns, flowers, and shapes to create a Día de los Muertos sugar skull look.

Use bold colors like pink, teal, and yellow. This is a festive and cultural twist to traditional Halloween decor.

17. Creepy Doll Head

Paint a pale face with cracked lines, large eyes, and red lips. Add smudged makeup or broken teeth.

This one is unsettling in all the right ways. Great for a horror-themed yard.

18. Vampire with Fangs

Use pale paint for the skin, then add red eyes, sharp fangs, and a widow’s peak hairline.

Pair with red paint drips to mimic blood. A great choice for gothic-style displays.

19. Clawed Werewolf Ball

Paint claw marks and fur textures across the surface. Use dark browns, grays, and reds.

This design brings energy and looks best under a spotlight.

20. Haunted Tree Silhouette

Create a spooky tree using black paint on an orange or dusk-colored background.

Add small gravestones or ghosts around the base. This looks great at the center of a Halloween vignette.

21. Hanging Ghost Ball

Paint a ghostly face on the ball, then suspend it with clear fishing wire.

The floating effect adds movement and spookiness to your display. Great near windows or porches.

22. Witch’s Brew Cauldron

Paint bubbling green goo over a black background. Add purple swirls and eyeball shapes floating in the mix.

This design looks fun and magical. Pair it with a fog machine for extra drama.

Where to Display Your Bowling Ball Halloween Decorations

These spooky creations can be placed:

• On your front porch steps
• In the garden among pumpkins and hay bales
• On side tables at your Halloween party
• Near your door to greet trick-or-treaters

For outdoor setups, seal the paint with a waterproof finish so they last the whole season.

Tips for Finding and Prepping Old Bowling Balls

You don’t have to buy new. Look at:

• Thrift stores and flea markets
• Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist
• Old bowling alleys with retired stock

Wipe the ball clean, sand lightly if needed, and apply a base coat of primer. This helps paint stick better and last longer.

Final Thoughts

Creating your own bowling ball Halloween designs is a fun way to add personality and style to your decor. They’re sturdy, affordable, and endlessly customizable.

Whether you go cute, creepy, or somewhere in between, these ideas make your decorations stand out from the rest. So grab an old bowling ball, some paint, and a little creativity—it’s time to scare in style!