DIY Soaking Skeleton Bathtub Candle: “Humerus” Halloween Decor

Inside: These DIY Halloween candles are a super inexpensive way to bring humor to your Halloween decorations with Dollar Tree bowls and pillar candles, and a two dollar WalMart skeleton!

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There’s something about posing skeletons in day-to-day normal activities that cracks me up to no end. So when I saw this skeleton soaking in a bathtub candle craft, I just had to make my own.

I’m so simpatico with this spa skeleton—because treating myself to a soak in the tub is one of my very favorite things.

So if you like to add a touch of humor to your Halloween decor, you’re in for a treat (or should I say trick?) with this easy DIY.

Soaking Skeleton Candle at a Glance:

• Cut skeleton and hot glue figure into bowl
• Melt candle wax, remove wicks and glue in bottom of bowl
• Pour the wax into the bowl and let cool, Trim the wicks
• Cut washcloth and hot glue towel pieces

Materials You’ll Need:

• Small skeleton (preferably one that can bend a little): I used this less than five-dollar 8-inch skeleton
• Bowl or bathtub-shaped container: I used a cereal bowl from Dollar Tree
• 3 white wax candles in glass jars: also from Dollar Tree
• Hot glue gun
• Something to hold the wicks in place like a bamboo skewer
• White washcloth

Feel free to use your own wax kits in place of the dollar store candles if you’re a more advanced crafter. You can find them in most craft stores.

How to Make a Soaking Skeleton Bathtub Candle.

1. Remove the legs from the skeleton torso. This will keep the plastic away from the candle flames as the candle burns down.

2. Hot glue the skeleton to the bowl: Using the hot glue gun, attach the skeleton shoulders to one side of the bowl. Position the head and torso as if it’s lounging in the tub, and gently bend the arms to look like they’re resting on the edges. You can also add a little hot glue to keep the hands in place.

Then bend the legs to hang over the side of the tub, and glue them on the opposite side.

3. Melt the wax: Heat the candles in a pot of boiling water until the wax is totally melted.

4. Put the wicks in place: Carefully remove the wicks from the melted candles with tongs or tweezers. Then place two of the wicks into the bowl, spacing them away from the plastic skeleton. I used all three but in hindsight, I would only use two to make it easier to keep the flames away from the skeleton. You can use a dab of hot glue under the base of the wicks to keep them in place before pouring the wax.

5. Brace the wicks up above the level of the candle wax so they don’t sink in. I used some wood skewers and clothespins, but you could also use tape, a wooden spoon, and other kinds of clips.

6. Pour the wax: Slowly add the melted wax into the bowl, taking care to keep it away from any materials you braced the wicks with. You might not use all of the wax from the third candle, depending on how large the bowl is.

Optional: Add a few drops of essential oils for a scented candle. I added a little mix of eucalyptus and lavender to go with the spa vibe. (Don’t add more than one ounce per 16 ounces of wax or it may become a fire hazard.)

7. Let the wax cool: Let the candle sit undisturbed while the wax cools and hardens (mine took about an hour). Then trim the wicks to 1/4-1/2 inch.

8. Add the towel touches: Cut a piece of a white washcloth (or cheesecloth) and hot glue it to the back of the skull. Then bring it around top of the skull and fold it over the top until it looks like you want and secure it with more glue.

(I added the towel turban to the head while I was waiting for the candle wax to melt.)

At the end after the wax was poured and cooled, I added another fun touch with a second washcloth scrap to make a tiny folded bath towel hanging on the edge. Again, take care to glue it on far away from the candle flames.

Light up your bath candle and enjoy Skelly’s relaxed and blissful me-time where he soaks his aching bones!

FAQ’s:

Q: Is this safe to burn around kids or pets?
A: Use under supervision—place out of reach, on a stable surface, and never leave unattended.

Q: How long will the candle burn?
A: Approximately 4–6 hours, depending on wax type and skeleton insulation.

Q: Can I reuse the skeleton figure?
A: Yes—once the candle is burned, carefully remove it, clean off wax, and you can craft with it again.

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