Let’s be honest, girl—Halloween décor hits different when it’s not just cute, but a little creepy too. If you’re going for that haunted carnival vibe this year, you need snacks that look like they crawled right out of a nightmare. Enter: DIY fake carnival popcorn that looks so real it’ll fool your guests… until they notice the creepy crawlies on top. 🪳🕷️
This project is budget-friendly, fun to make, and the perfect prop for your haunted “Rotton Candy Stand.”
What You’ll Need
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Insulation foam spray (GE Insulating Foam from Walmart has to best price that I have found, make sure whatever foam you get is the yellow color)
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Brown paint or marker (for the “kernel” detail)
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Red-and-white striped popcorn containers (classic carnival style) (These can be found at the Dollar Store sometimes)
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Plastic creepy insects (roaches, spiders, beetles—whatever makes your skin crawl 🪳🕷️🐜)
Optional extras:
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A little fake blood or black paint for that “rotten snack” vibe
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Cobwebs to drape over the stand for extra creep factor (These can be found at the Dollar Store in the Halloween Decor section)
Step 1: Popcorn Base
Spray small dollops of insulation foam onto parchment paper. Once they expand and are mostly cured, pinch and shape them while they’re still soft so they look like lumpy popcorn kernels. Remember—imperfection makes it more realistic.
Step 2: Add Rotten Details
Once hardened, add a small dab of brown paint in the middle of each piece for that “kernel” look. For an extra-spooky vibe, splatter on a little fake blood or smudge with dark paint to make it look like popcorn that’s been sitting out for decades.
Step 3: Introduce the Insects
When filling your popcorn containers, tuck your fake bugs right into the foam on top then let some crawl out over the edges. The key is randomness—make it look like they’re infesting the whole stand.
Pro tip: Hot glue a few onto the outside of the containers and around your stand so it looks like they’ve escaped. Instant goosebumps.
Step 4: Build the Creepy Display
Fill your carnival containers with the foam “popcorn” and insects, then pile them high on your “Rotton Candy Stand.” Add webs, dim lighting, and maybe even a flickering bulb if you want to push the abandoned carnival effect.
Why You’ll Love This Project
✔ Freakishly real-looking props without spending big bucks
✔ Adds the perfect gross-out factor to a haunted carnival display
✔ Works beautifully with other spooky snacks like spiderweb cotton candy or candy jars filled with eyeballs
✔ Gets the best reaction when guests lean in and say, “Wait… are those bugs?!”
Halloween is all about creating those little moments that make people laugh, scream, or squirm—and this creepy carnival popcorn checks every box. Pair it with your other haunted treats, and your “Rotton Candy Stand” will look like it was plucked straight from a nightmare midway. 🎪👻