Ding dong, the witch is… under my bushes! These DIY witch legs are made from one pool noodle, a pair of striped tights and a pair of $1 thrift store heels covered in red glitter, just like Dorothy’s ruby slippers in The Wizard of Oz. Tuck them against the house, under a shrub or in a planter, and it looks like a house fell right on the Wicked Witch of the East. They’re cheap, easy, and the neighbors will do a double take every time they walk by.
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Why Pool Noodle Witch Legs?
I’ve seen witch legs made with mannequin legs, chicken wire and batting, and even real broomsticks. In my opinion, the pool noodle is the easiest and cheapest way to pull this off. One noodle makes both legs, it’s lightweight, it cuts with regular scissors, and you can find one at almost any dollar store.
Supplies
- 1 pool noodle (I got mine at Dollar General). One noodle makes both legs.
- Black and white striped tights Like these on Amazon. Mine were $9.99.
- 1 pair of high heels. I found mine at a thrift store for $1.
- Red glitter
- Mod Podge
- Foam brush or paintbrush
- 2 old pillowcases (or any old fabric) to fill out the legs
- 2 wooden dowels that fit inside the pool noodle (optional, for staking them in the ground or a pot)
- Scissors
Total cost: about $20 or less, depending on what you already have at home.
Time: about 1 hour with a light coat of glitter, or up to 3 hours if you really bling out the shoes.
How to Make DIY Witch Legs
Step 1: Glitter the shoes
Brush a coat of Mod Podge over one section of the shoe, then sprinkle the glitter on generously. Work in small sections so the Mod Podge doesn’t dry before the glitter goes on. Let it dry, shake off the extra, and add more coats until you get the sparkle you want. This is the step that takes the longest. A light coat works fine from a distance, but the more coats you add, the more they look like real ruby slippers.
Step 2: Cut the pool noodle in half
Cut the pool noodle in half with scissors to make two legs.
Step 3: Shape the foot
Here’s the trick that finally made the foot work: put the shoe on the end of the pool noodle first, then cut the noodle at an angle with scissors so it follows the shape of the shoe. This gives you a “foot” that sits down into the heel naturally. Repeat for the second leg.
Step 4: Fill out the legs
A pool noodle on its own makes very skinny legs. To give them some shape, wrap an old pillowcase around each pool noodle. Wrap a little extra around the upper part of the leg to make a calf.
Step 5: Add the tights
Cut the tights apart into two legs. Slide each striped leg over a padded pool noodle and pull it snug, so the stripes run straight across. Tuck or tie off the extra at the top.
Step 6: Add the dowels (optional)
If you want to stake the legs in the ground or a flower pot, slide a wooden dowel straight up the middle of each pool noodle. Push it in far enough that it also helps hold the shoe in place. I found mine in the pantry. They were left over from my son’s teepee and fit perfectly!
Step 7: Put on the shoes and pose them
Slide the glittered shoes onto the feet and set up your witch.
Ways to Display Your Witch Legs
- “The house fell on her”: lay the legs flat on the ground with the tops tucked against the house, under a shrub, with the heels sticking up. This is the classic Wizard of Oz look, and the shoes stay on because they’re resting on the ground.
- Legs up in the air: use the dowels to stake the legs upright in a garden bed or a large planter, like she crash-landed headfirst.
- In a planter or under a bush: great for porches and front steps.
Tips and What I’d Do Differently
- Buy a regular-size pool noodle. Mine was a skinny one because that’s what the store had, and the legs looked too thin until I padded them. A standard noodle will give you fuller legs with less padding.
- Consider boots instead of heels. If you’re not set on ruby slippers, witch boots make this even easier. They stay on by themselves, and you don’t need to cut the noodle to fit the shoe.
- Keeping heels on: laying the legs flat keeps the shoes in place. If you pose them upright or it’s windy, push the dowel up into the shoe, or add a few dots of hot glue inside the shoe.
- Straighten the stripes. Pull the tights snug and smooth out any twisting before you photograph them. Crooked stripes are the first thing you’ll notice.
FAQ
How do you make witch legs for outside?
The easiest way is with a pool noodle. Cut a noodle in half, pad it with old fabric, slide on striped tights and add a pair of old shoes. Add a wooden dowel inside if you want to stake them in the ground or a pot.
How do you keep the shoes on witch legs?
Cut the end of the pool noodle at an angle so it fits inside the shoe, then push a dowel through the middle to help support it. Laying the legs flat also keeps the shoes in place. For windy spots, add a few dots of hot glue. Or use boots, which stay on by themselves.
How do you make ruby slippers for witch legs?
Find an inexpensive pair of heels at a thrift store, brush on Mod Podge, and cover them with red glitter. Add several coats for that sparkly Wizard of Oz look.
How much does it cost to make DIY witch legs?
Mine cost about $20 or less: a pool noodle from Dollar General, $9.99 striped tights, $1 thrift store heels, glitter and Mod Podge. The pillowcases and dowels came from around the house.
Will pool noodle witch legs hold up outside?
Pool noodles are made for water, so they hold up well. Bring them in during heavy rain to protect the glitter and tights, and they’ll last for years of Halloweens.
Ding Dong, You’re Done!
I hope this helps you make your own DIY witch legs this Halloween! Whether you go all out with sparkly ruby slippers like I did or keep it simple with a pair of witch boots, it’s one of the easiest (and cheapest) ways to get your neighbors laughing. And don’t stress about making them perfect. Mine didn’t turn out right on the first try, and a little padding and a new pose were all it took. If you make a pair, I’d love to see them! Tag me or leave a comment below, and be sure to save this to your Halloween board on Pinterest so you can find it next October. Happy haunting! 🧙♀️
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