DIY Cats & Owls Yard Critters – Easy Halloween Silhouettes from Scrap Wood
Not every Halloween project needs to be complicated. These charming black cat and owl silhouettes were cut from leftover plywood and add the perfect finishing touch to our spooky yard. They perch, prowl, and guard the witches’ coven with simple elegance — and best of all, they’re quick, budget-friendly builds anyone can do in an afternoon.
✨ Materials You’ll Need
Scrap plywood (leftovers from the witch or tombstone projects work perfectly)
Cat and owl templates (you can freehand your own, or download and print any silhouette image you like)
Pencil for tracing
Jigsaw
Sandpaper or power sander
Primer (Kilz Multi-Purpose Primer)
Exterior flat black paint (we used Glidden)
½-inch round PVC pipe (for stakes)
U-clamps + ¾-inch panhead screws (same style used for the witches)
Drill or powered screwdriver
🪄 Step 1: Trace Your Templates
Start by finding a silhouette you love — a curious cat arching its back, an owl perched mid-hoot, or even both. You can draw your own or download a free silhouette image online and print it across multiple pages to trace.
Place the pattern on your plywood and trace it with pencil.
Use painter’s tape to hold your paper steady while tracing.
✨ Pro tip: A mix of small and large silhouettes gives your display a layered, natural look.
🪚 Step 2: Cut & Sand
Use a jigsaw to carefully cut along the traced lines. Smooth all edges with sandpaper or a power sander so they’re safe to handle and ready to paint.
🎨 Step 3: Prime & Paint
Apply a coat of Kilz Multi-Purpose Primer to seal the wood.
Once dry, paint two coats of flat black exterior paint.
Let dry completely before attaching to the PVC supports.
The matte finish gives them the perfect shadowy look at twilight.
🌙 Step 4: Mount & Display Your Critters
We attached our silhouettes using ½-inch PVC pipe and U-clamps — the same sturdy setup we used for our witches.
Cut PVC pipe to your desired height (ours were about 3 feet).
Line the PVC up behind your cat or owl silhouette.
Use U-clamps and panhead screws to attach the silhouette securely to the pipe.
This method keeps your critters upright, portable, and easy to reposition in your display.
🕯 Step 5: Placement Ideas
Perch owls near porch lights or trees for an eerie, watchful glow.
Position cats beside tombstones or your glowing cauldron to tie the whole scene together.
Add a subtle spotlight for a crisp silhouette after dark.
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🎃 The Final Effect
By day, they’re bold, classic silhouettes. By night, they blend into your yard lighting, catching just enough glow to feel alive. These little additions bring personality and balance to your Halloween yard — proof that even scrap wood can look spellbinding.
