Shadows are emblematic of Halloween: dark and fleeting, and always lurking a step behind you. But decorating with them is impossible -- at least without black magic -- so use some black paper and a little craftiness to make silhouettes, and you'll get the next best thing. Our Halloween silhouettes are simple and inexpensive to make. Use our templates to haunt your home with flying bats and a prowling shadowy figure.

Bats in different sizes give the illusion that some are close, and some are far away. To make one: Print and cut out the bat template; tape wing sections to body, matching up the dotted lines. Use a utility knife to cut out facial details. Our bats range from 6 inches to 3 feet across; template sections can be enlarged or reduced on a photocopier as desired. Trace template onto heavy black construction paper, taping pieces together for larger bats; cut out. Use removable double-sided tape to attach bats to wall, curving them over moldings and leaving edges of wings free to "flap."

Staircase Silhouette
Greet trick-or-treaters with a menacing silhouette that climbs the stairs. The rise on steps doesn't differ much from one staircase to another, so these pieces can be saved and used in another location next year. To make a large silhouette for your staircase, print out our staircase template; cut out each section. Following the numbered diagram, tape together the sections for each stair (numbered 1 through 9) at the dotted lines. Trace onto pieced-together black construction paper, and cut out. Number the back of each stair section according to the diagram; attach each section to the appropriate stair riser with double-sided tape.

Searching for other Halloween decorating ideas? Let Candle Creatures, a Flying Witch, and spooky Window Decorations rule the roost on the scariest night of the year.