How to Maintain Your 12-Foot Skeleton and Other Giant Halloween Decorations

The 12-foot skeleton is 12 feet high and around 6 1/2 feet wide. The bones are made of high-density polyethylene, a lightweight plastic that is also very strong. This material is weather-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about leaving your skeleton yard decoration outside.

This skeleton includes eyes that operate with LEDs that seem to blink and move. To work, the eyes need four C batteries or a power source. You’ll need a Phillips head screwdriver to open the battery compartment. Once the batteries are installed, replace the cover of the compartment. Tighten the screws to secure it.

A timer function lets you turn the skeleton on for six hours. It will turn off automatically after six hours and stay off for 18. The on-off switch for the skeleton is located on the underside of its pelvis.

If you get a giant skeleton somewhere other than The Home Depot, its height, weight, materials and other specifications may vary.

Once you've received your skeleton, it's time for assembly. Try to open the skeleton’s box carefully. Storing it in the original box is recommended, so you’ll want to keep the box in good shape.

Before you put the 12-foot skeleton together, take all the parts out of the box. Review the instructions, which include a list of every part of the skeleton. As you take the pieces out of the box, match them to the parts list. Organize the pieces so you know which ones go on the skeleton’s right side and which ones go on the left.

Contact the manufacturer’s customer service department and let them know which parts are missing or broken, if any.

If the skeleton is complete with all its bones and other pieces, you’re ready to get started. For specific step-by-step directions, follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Here are some things to keep in mind:

• A minimum of two people should assemble the skeleton. However, the instructions recommend at least three people work together on assembly from the pelvis on.
• The assembly will take at least an hour. Each wire should be connected to a wire of a matching color.
• The skeleton comes with a base. You’ll start by attaching the feet to the base. Then you’ll add the shin connectors, then the shin bones.
• The upper leg supports will be next. You’ll slide the femur bones onto those support poles.
• When it’s time to connect the pelvis to the femurs, using a ladder is recommended. At least three people should work on this part of the assembly.
• To make putting the skeleton together a little easier, you use can use the box it came in. Lean the skeleton, back side up, against the box so that the pelvis is supported.
• Connect the spinal support to the skeleton, then add the rib cage. During this part of the assembly, you will need to begin putting together the wires that connect the on/off switch in the pelvis to the LED eyes in the skull.
• There is a loop that needs to be placed in an area inside of the spine, near the top. You’ll run a cable through this loop after attaching the arms. The cable will allow two people to hold the skeleton at an angle during the rest of the assembly.
• You will add the humerus bones of the arms to the shoulder sockets of the rib cage. Next, connect the forearms, which include the hands.
• The skull goes on top of the spine. Be sure to lock it into place.
• Take the stickers off the LED eyes before you add the skull to the body.
• The eyes need four C batteries to work. Install the batteries after you attach the skull to the skeleton. Turn on the eyes to see if they work before you put the skeleton in your yard. If they aren’t working, try another set of batteries.
• Remove packing materials before putting the skeleton together. As you add each piece, check it to see if there’s anything that needs to be removed.
• The skeleton contains small parts, which can be a choking hazard. Keep the pieces of the skeleton out of the reach of children or pets. After the skeleton is assembled, don’t let anyone play with it, and do not allow anyone to climb on the skeleton. This skeleton is intended for decorative purposes and is not a toy.

Whether you decide to keep the skeleton outdoors to greet the neighbors or you set it up inside your home, be sure to clear plenty of space for set up. The skeleton should be placed on a flat, level spot. When you’re setting up the skeleton in your yard, it doesn’t need to be close to an outlet or within reach of an extension cord. The spooky LED eye display runs on batteries.

However, if your skeleton display plans include lights, a smoke machine or a troop of inflatable friends, you may need to consider a power source when planning your outdoor Halloween decorations.

You can adjust the skeleton’s arms to different positions. Pose the arms before you place the skeleton in your yard. Add a prop or two for the skeleton to hold. If you want to adjust the arms after you set the skeleton up, you’ll probably need a ladder to reach them.

A total of at least three people should set the skeleton in your yard. One person should stand at the base of skeleton and hold both ends of the cable that goes through the loop in the spine. One end of the base should touch the ground.

Two other two people should hold either side of the skeleton’s rib cage. They should push the skeleton up as the person at the base continues to hold and guide the skeleton with the cable.

Once Skelly is upright, attach the base stabilizers. These pieces will extend from the base. Place the provided stakes into the ground to secure the skeleton.

For safety reasons, be sure to keep kids, pets and adults from leaning on the skeleton while it’s standing.

Skelly is weather resistant. However, if you’re expecting windy weather, take him down so that he won’t blow away.

If your skeleton gets dirty, it can be cleaned with mild soap and water. You can apply the soap with a non-abrasive brush, then hose off the skeleton. Don’t use bleach on your 12-foot skeleton.

Don’t pressure wash your skeleton. Getting pressure washer spray too close to the bones could damage them.

Don’t put your 12-foot skeleton near a fire pit or other heat source. If it gets very hot, it can melt. While you’re putting it together or taking it apart, avoid putting hot materials directly onto the skeleton.

To store the 12-foot skeleton, it needs to be taken apart. Lay the skeleton down before you begin disassembling it. Having at least three people to take down the skeleton and take it apart is recommended. Take all the pieces apart in the opposite order of assembly. Carefully place each part in the original box. As you prepare to store the 12-foot skeleton, remove the batteries that power the LED eyes.

The manufacturer recommends storage in the original package. If you don’t still have the box, you can use plastic storage totes. Look for boxes big enough to fit the longest bones, the pelvis and the ribcage.

In storage, make sure the skeleton isn’t exposed to heat or moisture. If you live in a place that gets hot and humid, storing Skelly in a climate-controlled space might be best.

Once your skeleton is assembled, it's time to decide on your theme. Due to its size, making Skelly the star of the scene is quite easy. Here are a few ideas:

• Make it the leader of a skeleton army by setting up smaller skeletons around it.
• Create a haunted house in your yard with Skelly as the main attraction.
• Set the skeleton up alone with just landscape lighting for understated spookiness.

Even 12-foot skeletons could use a scary friend or two. If your yard is large enough, think about setting up an entire Halloween scene in your front yard. Think: a village of graves and bones to spook trick-or-treaters or a haunted pirate theme complete with the creepy ship.

For a larger than life vignette, bring out other oversized decorations like an oversized animatronic reaper, werewolf or witch. Items like fog machines and additions like Halloween-inspired music will complete the scene.

Who says humans should have all the fun on Halloween night? Get creative and let your 12-foot skeleton in on the fun with a costume or lighting kit. Whether you purchase a ready-made lighting kit for your skeleton, or you make your own, updating Skelly is a creative way to put a fresh spin on this Halloween superstar. It's also a great way to make Skelly more playful and approachable, as well as lure trick-or-treaters in with his bright light.

If you aren’t ready to store your 12-foot skeleton, consider leaving it standing in your yard. You can easily repurpose it for other holidays.

• You could add a turkey to your yard to make a Thanksgiving scene.
• In December, try dressing it as Santa or an elf, or add a festive bow.
• For New Year’s, get a top hat and a “Happy New Year” banner.
• A Valentine message from a 12-foot skeleton takes the holiday to new heights.
• Add some colorful blossoms or an Easter basket for a spring scene.
• For summer, get the skeleton beach ready with a sun hat, shades and swim trunks.
• If there’s a graduate in your house, add a cap and gown.
• The skeleton can sport the colors for any team you follow, no matter what time of year it is.

Tip: Before leaving your giant Halloween decorations up past October 31st, check local zoning laws and homeowners associations’ guidelines. Some HOAs, for example, specify that decorations be taken down as soon as a holiday is over. You could be fined for leaving a giant skeleton on your lawn indefinitely.