We select and review products independently. When you purchase through our links we may earn a commission. Learn more.
X

DIY Halloween: 5 Ways to Make Fake Blood

A man and woman in zombie costumes, covered in fake blood.
Tinxi/Shutterstock

Of course, you can always buy premade fake blood for your costume, but the DIY vibe is a big part of Halloween. So, why not whip up your own batch of fake blood?

Warning: If the sight of blood (fake or otherwise) makes you a bit woozy, now’s probably the time to bail on this article and check out our budget-friendly Halloween decorating tips, instead. We’ve listed the tutorials below from least to most realistic.

If you’re planning a more low-key night of the living dead this year, check out our Halloween movie-binge schedule.

Tasty Edible Fake Blood

Edible fake blood in three vials next to a smoking goblet of fake blood.
Vintage Kitty

If you’re planning to have fake blood dripping from your mouth, you might want to use a mixture that tastes good. You’ll also want to make sure it’s nontoxic, which is another reason to DIY fake blood.

This recipe from Vintage Kitty allows you to make a delicious, bloody concoction with just two ingredients. It’s great for cupcakes, bloody shooters, and (of course) scary, bloody mouths.

Easy Spray-Bottle Blood

If you need bloody clothing (and don’t care if it’s permanently stained with red pigment), the spray-bottle blood in the video above will give you that spattered look.

All you need is a spray bottle, food coloring, and water. Mix ’em up and spray away.

Thick Fake Blood

If you need blood that will stick to a fake wound and create a gross dripping effect, the recipe in the video above is for you. You don’t need a lot of ingredients to make this thicker, faux blood, either. Just grab some corn syrup, corn starch, and red and blue food coloring.

Then, just follow the step-by-step instructions in the video. It also shows you how to make runnier blood by using less corn starch.

Coagulated Blood

Sometimes, you just need some coagulated blood for your Halloween project. The gross gore of clumpy blood just adds a little something special to any costume or look.

The secret ingredient shown in the video above is aloe vera gel, which gives you that gloppy look. Just add food coloring!

Stain-Free Fake Blood

If you’re looking for faux blood that’s more reminiscent of Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, and you want it to actually wash out of your clothing, try the recipe in the video above! While this recipe does call for chocolate, it’s definitely not edible.

What makes it easy to get out of clothing is you make it using clear dish soap or laundry detergent! The only other ingredients you need are corn syrup and some food coloring.


Making fake blood is a fun DIY Halloween activity. Plus, you’ll save some cash because you probably already have everything you’ll need in your kitchen!

Yvonne Glasgow Yvonne Glasgow
Yvonne Glasgow is a professional writer with two decades of experience. She has written and edited for nutritionists, start-ups, dating companies, SEO firms, newspapers, board game companies, and more. Yvonne is a published poet and short story writer, and she is a life coach. Read Full Bio »
LifeSavvy is focused on one thing: making your life outside of work even better. Want to know more?