Haunters are an ingenious bunch. They’re always thinking of ways to make their props and decorations more realistic, elaborate, and impressive. While their efforts are no doubt scaring the pants off their victims, sometimes simpler is better. How often to do you hear that “gore isn’t scary” and that mood or “hinting at the monster” is what really gave someone the chills?

I stumbled upon this Hand in a Box prop, and could immediately imagine the shock of those who unwittingly pushed the red button. “…the observers are supposed to push the ON button. After a while the lid of the trunk opens, a hand comes out and turns off the machine. The trunk closes – that’s it!”. Normally I try to present project ideas that come with at least a few instructions, but this simplistic prop seemed very worthy of mention anyway. Imagine this chest sitting on a pedestal at your front door. Before knocking to get their candy, Trick-or-Treaters would invariably push the button and scream as the hand shot out and slammed the lid. I am probably far too motivated by the screams of kids, but that thought is inspiring me to try my first pneumatic prop.

For all you other animated prop newbies, here are a few online resources to get you started. If you make a prop like this (or have already made one), please let us know!

• Haunting With Compressed Air– 3 part series
• Pneumatic Information– lots of detailed pages, specific to prop making
• Pneumatic Cylinders– some planning info on how to actually use a cylinder
• Animated Prop Mechanisms– overview of basic animated prop options