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Top Picks for Creating the Ultimate Haunted House Experience

When it comes to Halloween, nothing sets the stage for fright-filled fun like a well-crafted haunted house. Whether you’re transforming your home for trick-or-treaters or hosting a spooky soirée, creating an immersive, spine-chilling atmosphere is essential. With the right props and decorations, you can turn any space into a haunted haven that will have guests screaming—and begging for more.

This year, Hammacher Schlemmer offers a range of exclusive, eerie, and unforgettable decorations to help you bring your haunted house vision to life.

From color-changing ghosts to animated skeletons, crawling spiders, and even a sweet reward for those brave enough to survive the terror, we’ve gathered the ultimate picks to add to a few basics, like cobwebs and a fog machine, to make your haunted house the highlight of Halloween night.

Read on to discover the top products to transform your home into a world of chilling thrills and ghastly delights.

Ghostly Encounters: Color-Changing Ghosts

No haunted house is complete without the presence of restless spirits. Hammacher Schlemmer’s c olor-changing ghosts are designed to keep your guests in a constant state of suspense as they float ominously through the air, shifting from one eerie hue to another. These spectral figures add a hauntingly beautiful ambiance while leaving visitors guessing what will happen next.

The unpredictable color transitions—from chilling blues to ghastly greens and blood-curdling reds—create a dynamic, otherworldly effect that enhances any haunted setting. For maximum fright factor, consider placing these ghostly apparitions near the entrance to greet visitors as they step inside, or suspend them from the ceiling in dark hallways where they can silently watch over your guests. Their eerie glow will keep everyone on edge, adding to the overall atmosphere of mystery and dread.

Perfect for both indoor and outdoor setups, these color-changing ghosts are a versatile addition to your haunted house, bringing a spectral glow to every corner. With these phantasms floating through the air, your haunted house is sure to send shivers down spines and leave a lasting impression on all who dare to enter.

Winged Terrors: 13-Inch Twinkling Illuminated Suspended Bats

No haunted house is truly terrifying without creatures of the night. Hammacher Schlemmer’s 13-inch twinkling illuminated suspended bats are the perfect addition to fill your space with winged terror. These eerie, glowing bats hover menacingly above, their twinkling lights casting an ominous glow across your haunted lair. Suspended from ceilings or trees, they create the unsettling feeling of being watched as they flicker in the darkness, ready to swoop down at any moment.

The bats’ illuminated design is not only spooky, but also adds a touch of enchanting beauty, with their lights twinkling in the shadows like stars in a haunted sky. Hang them throughout your haunted house for an eerie effect, or string them above doorways and corridors to surprise guests as they enter darker areas. Their subtle flicker creates an unnerving ambiance, enhancing the supernatural mood of your haunted house.

Whether used indoors to complete your haunted hallways or outside to greet visitors in the yard, these bats are a must-have for setting the scene. The combination of their menacing silhouettes and mysterious illumination is sure to leave your guests both impressed and thoroughly creeped out.

Skeletons That March and Dance: The Skeleton Band and Other Animated Figures

Every haunted house needs a cast of characters that are as lively as they are creepy, and Hammacher Schlemmer’s collection of animated skeletons delivers exactly that. These life-sized, 5-foot-high figures—whether marching in a band, dancing eerily, or waving from a window—bring bone-chilling fun to your haunted setup. LED lights illuminate their bony frames, while their lifelike movements create the unsettling illusion that they’re ready to come alive at any moment.

The marching band skeletons are a standout feature, perfect for welcoming guests to your haunted house with their eerie, synchronized march. Set them near the entrance, and let their glowing eyes and rhythmic movement set the tone for the chilling experience ahead. Their animated motions, combined with their LED lighting, create an atmosphere of ghostly celebration that’s both unsettling and whimsical.

But the fun doesn’t stop with the marching band. The dancing skeletons are another must-have for adding an unexpected touch of humor and horror. Placed in a dimly lit corner or a hallway, these figures seem to revel in their own macabre dance, keeping guests on edge with their unpredictable movements. And for those who want a truly spine-tingling experience, the skeletons emerging from the floor or waving from a window will send shivers down the bravest of spines.

These animated figures offer endless possibilities for creating immersive scenes in your haunted house. With their glowing features and hauntingly lifelike movements, they are sure to be the stars of your spooky spectacle, leaving a lasting impression on anyone who dares to enter.

The Creepy Crawlies: 4-Foot Animated Crawling Spider

Nothing stirs up primal fear quite like the sight of a giant spider creeping out of the shadows. Hammacher Schlemmer’s 4-foot animated crawling spider brings that terror to life, scuttling its way into your haunted house with a sinister, lifelike crawl. With its enormous size and eerily realistic movements, this animated arachnid is sure to send your guests’ pulses racing as it appears to stalk its prey.

Positioned strategically—perhaps guarding a darkened staircase or lurking in a dimly lit corner—the spider’s sudden movement and glowing eyes will catch visitors by surprise, adding a jump-scare moment that’s as thrilling as it is terrifying. Its legs move in a slow, deliberate crawl, making it look like it’s ready to strike at any second, while the LED lighting enhances its menacing presence, casting long, spindly shadows across the floor.

For the ultimate scare, place the spider where guests least expect it—perhaps under a table, hidden in the shadows, or at the entrance to a key area. The moment it begins its creepy crawl, the panic will set in. Whether used indoors or outdoors, this spine-chilling spider is the perfect addition to any haunted house looking to inspire fear and unease.

No haunted setup is complete without a few terrifying creepy crawlies, and this 4-foot animated spider delivers just the right amount of horror to keep guests on edge. Beware—the moment it starts to move, it’ll have your visitors jumping out of their skin!

A Final Treat for the Brave: Halloween Hot Cocoa Bombs

After braving the ghosts, bats, skeletons, and spiders, your guests will need something to calm their nerves—and what better way to reward their courage than with a delightful, warm treat? 

Hammacher Schlemmer’s exclusive Halloween Hot Cocoa Bombs are the perfect sweet surprise for those who make it through the haunted house unscathed. These handcrafted cocoa bombs don’t just deliver a deliciously rich hot chocolate; they also provide a little Halloween magic of their own.

Each 2 1/2-inch sphere is made from premium Belgian chocolate and filled with a hidden treasure of marshmallows, waiting to be released. Simply drop the bomb into a mug of hot milk, and watch as it dramatically dissolves, revealing the marshmallows inside and creating a creamy, decadent cup of hot cocoa. It's the perfect way to transition from fright to delight.

These Halloween-themed cocoa bombs aren’t just a treat for the taste buds; they’re a visual delight as well. Whether served at the end of your haunted house tour or handed out as a reward for the bravest of your guests, these unique cocoa bombs offer a festive way to end the experience on a sweet note. 

Perfect for adults and children alike, they bring a playful, delicious conclusion to a night of spine-chilling thrills. Exclusive to Hammacher Schlemmer, these hot cocoa bombs are more than just a treat—they're a reward for surviving the horrors of your haunted house!

Conclusion: Haunting Memories Await

Bringing your haunted house vision to life has never been easier with Hammacher Schlemmer’s collection of eerie, spine-chilling décor and props. From color-changing ghosts to animated skeletons and creepy crawlers, these items are designed to make your haunted house unforgettable.

The right blend of sights, sounds, and scares will have your guests talking about your haunted house long after the last ghostly wail fades. And for those brave enough to endure it all, a warm, sweet treat like the Halloween Hot Cocoa Bombs is the perfect way to wrap up a hauntingly fun night.

Make this Halloween your best one yet—whether you’re crafting a terrifying haunted house or just looking for some spooky inspiration, Hammacher Schlemmer has everything you need to deliver the ultimate scare.