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Cheap Dollar Store Supplies Make an AWESOME Halloween Prop

VanOaksProps

57,037 views

Can you build a convincing Halloween prop for under $20 using mostly Dollar Store supplies? In this DIY Halloween project, I’m challenging myself to build a vintage-inspired MAD SCIENTIST LAB PROP using plastic wine glasses, battery-powered lights, cheap containers, pill bottle caps, and a handful of scraps from around the shop.
The goal was to take inexpensive, everyday items and transform them into something that looks like it belongs in an old-school mad scientist laboratory—and in the end, the entire prop cost me just $16!

In this video, I’ll show you how I turned Dollar Store finds into a Frankenstein-style electrical antenna, added a flashing strobe effect, created faux wood and aged metal finishes, made a weathered copper patina, turned pill bottle caps into control knobs, added a vintage gauge, and used inexpensive string lights to illuminate a pair of beakers.

It’s a great example of how paint, weathering, lighting, and a little creative thinking can turn cheap materials into convincing Halloween props without spending a fortune.
Whether you’re building a mad scientist laboratory, Frankenstein display, haunted house, home haunt, or just looking for inexpensive DIY Halloween prop ideas, hopefully this project gives you a few techniques you can use in your own builds.

If you enjoy Halloween prop making, DIY haunt projects, foam fabrication, painting and weathering techniques, and turning ordinary objects into something completely different, be sure to subscribe for more builds.

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MATERIALS:
(please note: Sellers may change the products sold via these links without notice)
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10 plastic wine glasses - https://www.dollartree.com/caterers-c...
2 Round Magnetic Tins
Battery Powered Strobe light - https://www.dollartree.com/product/33...
Toy ball
String lights - https://www.dollartree.com/christmas-...
2 Beakers - https://www.dollartree.com/product/33...
CA glue - https://link.amazon/B06zd2jK7
Hot glue gun - https://link.amazon/B04LgwdyD
Hot glue sticks - https://link.amazon/B07bPxyBO

PAINT(S):
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Copper spray paint - https://link.amazon/B023vKqc5
Bone spray paint - https://link.amazon/B06B6ddzQ
Black spray paint - https://link.amazon/B030If5ur
Matte clear spray paint - https://link.amazon/B07iProSK
Burnt umber acrylic paint - https://link.amazon/B02WmnTHO
Matte mod podge ultra matte - https://link.amazon/B08v8ncMA
Graphite acrylic paint - https://link.amazon/B08Y2uzL7
White acrylic paint - https://link.amazon/B07LiCwKQ
Patina acrylic paint - https://link.amazon/B0hBllP9n

INSTAGRAM: @vanoaksprops

DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description may be affiliate links. I may receive a commission if you purchase a product or service via the links provided above. There is no additional charge to you; it helps support this channel!

#VanOaksProps #HalloweenProps #DIYHalloween #MadScientist #HalloweenDIY, #PropMaking, #DollarStoreDIY, #HalloweenDecor, #HauntedHouse, #DIYProps, #Halloween2026, #HomeHaunt, #MadScientistLab and #DollarStoreHalloween

20 Comments

@pvattimo4488 1 month ago

Well done!

I appreciate the budget-friendly, simplicity and no-unusual-tools approach.

Thanks!!!

@Chaedron1 1 month ago (edited)

The past couple of Halloweens I've turned my wheelchair into a "steampunk" style wheelchair as part of my Halloween costume that I wear when I'm handing out candy in addition to our cemetery style yard decs. Every year I add to the costume, and this is going to be a perfect addition for this year. Thanks for the tutorial and idea. I hope we get a full tour of what all did this year in your new location. I always watch your videos and love your techniques and eagerly await the next one. A couple of notes: Some of those dollar store/tree strobe lights are red and green instead of white, so be careful what you are getting. I'm going to use one of those DIY Christmas balls you can get from the dollar store/Tree/ MIchaels etc. for the top, so that is an option if you don't have anything laying around that you can use.

@headzsets4337 1 month ago

Love it - i made a similar build long ago as a mad scientist trunk-or-treat for kids, with experiments they could do. Adding some water, food coloring, and a couple bits of dry-ice to those beakers would sell it even more.

@vernerkuchan7658 4 weeks ago

A battery powered light wire run from one beaker to the other across the copper ball would be a fantastic finish detail

@grimacres 1 month ago

Science labs are my favorite props to build. I worked on a horror host and friends style show in the Detroit market and still have the key components of the mad scientist lab. This was a great afternoon kind of build.

@scaresandsparks 4 weeks ago

I made a set of this stuff a few years ago for my Frankenstein lab. Lots of fun to make out of random junk and dollar store stuff!

@mk7389 4 weeks ago

Fun that this is completed on such a low budget!

@blizatrex 3 weeks ago

This Would be perfect to Doctor Frankenstein's laboratory.

@theawesomer 3 weeks ago

Loved seeing how you built this with such inexpensive, off-the-shelf parts. Great build!

@Fictionfactoryinc 4 weeks ago

Well done. You never cease to amaze me.

@TroyB-sp5eq 1 month ago

Loved the BBD reference .

@pjosephlthewonder5082 2 weeks ago

This would be a very kid friendly build!! Maybe something like this for the Grandkids!!
Peace

@HLR4th 4 weeks ago

Great project! Next Week: A Tesla Coil to “motivate” tradesmen to behave while working in your home! (Sorry you’re property management is not properly managing.). Fingers crossed you find your dream place soon!

@FonteAlSoul 1 month ago

I made something similar last year for our haunt. I was lucky enough to find an old Signal Tracer and 3D printed some antenna coils. I also used an old candleholder and mosquito wristbands. It’s amazing what you can do with stuff just lying around!

@billg3356 1 month ago

Dude. This is a seriously cool build. Well done.

I think somebody else suggested in the comments that you should add a little dry ice to the beakers. I think that would put it over the top, especially with the lights underneath.

@Todd-m4h 5 days ago

Thanks for all your encouragement on not feeling mad at tbe world,you have help me thru some very tought times i noticed your hand in a video and you can do amazing things I have lost vision 75 percent in right eye and right hand does work do to neurological problem,while laying in hospital for months I came across your videos and stopped being mad at the world and feeling like iam nothing started making a few props,just takes me longer but it's ok you are a true inspiration and emotional support thank you

@rcredmon 4 weeks ago

Love this. Mad scientist lab is my aesthetic. It's my annual Halloween treat to the neighborhood kids. I make a lab in my garage with a bunch of props and sound effects. I wish it was a little more mainstream these days, as it's hard to find premade decor and props, and I just don't have the time to make as many things as I have in the past.