DIY Shrunken Heads

2 min read September 13, 2026 Michelle Stewart
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Craft your very own set of DIY Shrunken Heads to serve as the perfect decor for a Haunted Skull Island Halloween Party. This easy craft makes a great Halloween party decoration that can be used year after year!

Project Time
60 to 70 min
Difficulty
Intermediate
Step
1

Start by mixing 1 part water and 1 part Mod Podge in a glass bowl. Stir well.

DIY Shrunken Heads step 1
Step
2

Dip 2-3 paper towels in the mixture. Wring out the excess liquid.

DIY Shrunken Heads step 2
Step
3

Wrap the skull with paper towels then apply more mixture on a Skull with a brush. Let dry.

DIY Shrunken Heads step 3
Step
4

Once the paper towels are hard to the touch, rub the skull with Paint. Apply multiple colors to create the look of dried skin. My skulls ended up having a dull and brown to them which looked perfect!

DIY Shrunken Heads step 4 part 1
DIY Shrunken Heads step 4 part 2
Step
5

Apply Black Paint to the eye sockets. Let dry.

DIY Shrunken Heads step 5
Step
6

Once the paint has dried, cut pieces of the Barbwire Cord and glue them to the very top of the skull to make a ponytail of hair.

DIY Shrunken Heads step 6
Step
7

Glue pieces of the Barbwire Cord to the eye sockets and over the teeth. This makes the skulls look as though the eyes and lips have been sewn shut.

DIY Shrunken Heads step 7
Step
8

Tie the hair with a piece of Jute Cording to make a pony tail.

DIY Shrunken Heads step 8
Step
9

Place the shrunken heads on your party table on top of a Tropical Fern Leaf Lei.

See the whole Haunted Skull Island Halloween Party and find the tutorials for a DIY Danger Sign and a Skeleton Bone Wind Chime.

DIY Shrunken Heads step 9

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