Giant Rat Outdoor Halloween Decoration
Materials Needed:
- 2' x 2' piece of plywood
- jigsaw
- fine-toothed wood-cutting jigsaw blade
- electric drill and extra-large drill bit
- two 18" wood landscaping stakes
- pneumatic nailer and nails
- hammer
- paintbrush
- gray exterior paint
- scissors
- sanding block with 80-grit sandpaper
- pencil
- Download: Halloween Rat Template
Print and Cut Out Template
To create an oversized rat, have a local copy shop print out a 2' x 2' version of this template. Using scissors, cut out pattern.
Tip: If you'd prefer, you can create smaller versions of the rat using templates printed onto standard printer paper.
Trace Template
Use a pencil to trace the rat template onto a 2' x 2' piece of plywood.
Cut Rat Out
Use a jigsaw equipped with a fine-toothed wood-cutting blade to cut the rat out by slowly following your pencil lines.
Create a Hole for the Eye
Create a starter hole in the center of the eye using an extra-large drill bit. Insert the jigsaw in the drilled hole and continue cutting out the eye.
Attach Stake
Apply construction adhesive to the upper portion of one wood landscaping stake, and attach the stake to the back side of the rat's legs (Image 1). Flip the rat over, and use a pneumatic nailer to further secure the stake to the rat from the front side (Image 2). Flip the rat over again, and hammer down the ends of any nails that are sticking through the back (Image 3).
Sand and Paint
Use a sanding block to smooth rough edges, then coat both the front and back sides of the rat and stake in gray exterior paint and allow to dry.
Place Rat in Yard
Select an outdoor location for the rat and use a second wood stake to drive a shallow starter hole into the ground. Remove the stake, then firmly push the rat's stake down into the hole.