Halloween is a magical time for children, filled with excitement, creativity, and of course - candy! One of the best parts of Halloween for kids is dressing up in costumes. While store-bought options are convenient, DIY costumes allow for more personalization, creativity, and often cost less. Here are 10 fun and easy DIY Halloween costume ideas that kids will love:
1. Stick Figure
The stick figure costume is a classic DIY option that is simple to make and instantly recognizable. Here's how to create this fun look:
Materials needed:
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White sweatsuit or pants and long-sleeved shirt
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Black electrical tape
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White paper plate
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Black marker
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Elastic or string
Instructions:
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Put on the white sweatsuit or pants/shirt combo.
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Use the black electrical tape to create the stick figure outline. Start by making a straight line down the center of the shirt for the body. Add lines for the arms and legs.
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Cut eye and mouth holes in the paper plate.
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Draw simple stick figure facial features on the plate with the black marker.
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Attach elastic or string to the plate to secure it as a mask.
This costume works great for kids of all ages. For added fun, consider making it glow-in-the-dark by using reflective or glow-in-the-dark tape instead of regular electrical tape. You can also customize the face with different expressions or add accessories like a hat or bow tie made from construction paper.
2. Jellyfish
This whimsical sea creature costume is perfect for ocean lovers. It's easy to make and allows for lots of creative customization.
Materials needed:
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Clear umbrella
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White or light-colored dress/outfit
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Streamers or ribbon in various colors
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Battery-operated string lights
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Hot glue gun
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Scissors
Instructions:
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Open the clear umbrella and turn it upside down.
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Cut long strips of streamers or ribbon in various colors and lengths.
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Use the hot glue gun to attach the streamers all around the edge of the umbrella. Layer them for a fuller look.
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Carefully wrap the string lights around the umbrella ribs, securing with tape or glue as needed.
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Have your child wear a white or light-colored outfit as the base.
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They can hold the umbrella above their head as they trick-or-treat.
This ethereal costume looks especially magical in the dark when the lights are turned on. You can customize the colors to create different types of jellyfish. Consider adding glow-in-the-dark elements for extra sparkle.
3. Lego Brick
Transform your child into everyone's favorite building block with this boxy but brilliant Lego costume.
Materials needed:
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Large cardboard box
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Paint in Lego colors (red, blue, yellow, etc.)
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6-8 plastic cups or small containers
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Hot glue gun
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Scissors or box cutter
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Suspenders
Instructions:
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Cut arm holes in the sides of the cardboard box.
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Paint the entire box in your chosen Lego color.
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Once dry, glue the plastic cups to the front of the box in the classic Lego brick pattern.
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Cut holes in the bottom of the box for legs.
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Attach suspenders inside the box to help hold it up.
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Have your child wear a matching colored shirt and pants under the box.
This costume is sturdy and recognizable. For a group costume, have multiple kids dress as different colored Lego bricks. You can also add a Lego mini-figure head by painting a large bucket and cutting eye holes.
4. Rain Cloud
This clever costume turns a potentially gloomy weather forecast into an adorable outfit.
Materials needed:
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Gray sweatshirt and pants
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Cotton batting or polyester fiberfill
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Hot glue gun
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Blue streamers or ribbon
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Cardboard
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Silver spray paint
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String
Instructions:
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Glue cotton batting all over the gray sweatshirt to create a fluffy cloud look.
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Cut raindrop shapes from cardboard and spray paint them silver.
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Attach blue streamers to the bottom of the sweatshirt.
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Tie strings to the cardboard raindrops and hang them from the streamers.
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Glue some cotton batting to a headband for a cloud "hat".
This costume works well for all ages and can be adjusted based on the child's preferences. For a sun shower, add a cardboard sun peeking out from behind the cloud. You could also create lightning bolts from yellow foam to add to the cloud.
5. Crayon
A colorful crayon costume is perfect for artistic kids and easy to customize in their favorite hue.
Materials needed:
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Solid colored shirt and pants (matching)
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Black electrical tape
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Poster board or cardstock
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Markers
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String or elastic
Instructions:
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Have your child wear a solid colored outfit - this will be the main crayon color.
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Use black electrical tape to create stripes on the shirt and pants, mimicking a crayon wrapper.
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Cut a large pointed triangle from poster board for the crayon tip "hat".
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Paint or color the hat to match the outfit.
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Write the crayon color name on the shirt using black tape or fabric paint.
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Attach string or elastic to secure the hat.
This costume works great for individuals or as a group costume with multiple crayon colors. For added authenticity, you can create a large paper label to wrap around the middle, just like a real crayon wrapper.
6. Bubble Bath
This adorable and unique costume transforms your child into a walking bubble bath, complete with rubber ducky!
Materials needed:
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White outfit (shirt and pants or dress)
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White and pastel colored balloons
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Safety pins
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Yellow foam or cardboard
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Shower cap or white hat
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Rubber duck toy
Instructions:
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Blow up balloons in various sizes to represent bubbles.
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Carefully pin the balloons all over the white outfit.
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Cut a duck shape from yellow foam or cardboard for a homemade rubber duck.
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Pin the duck to the costume.
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Have your child wear a shower cap or white hat.
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Carry a rubber duck toy as an accessory.
This costume is sure to get laughs and compliments. For added effect, you can create a "faucet" headpiece using silver pipe insulation or foam. Be careful with the pins and supervise young children closely with the balloons.
7. Bag of Jelly Beans
Turn your little sweetie into a bag of colorful jelly beans with this simple but effective costume.
Materials needed:
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Clear plastic garbage bag
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Colorful balloons
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Cardboard
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Markers
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String or ribbon
Instructions:
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Cut leg holes in the bottom of the clear garbage bag.
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Fill the bag with blown-up colorful balloons.
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Cut a large oval from cardboard and write "Jelly Beans" on it to create a label.
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Attach the label to the front of the bag.
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Use ribbon or string at the top to gather the bag and create shoulder straps.
This costume is fun, comfortable, and easily recognizable. You can customize the "flavor" by using specific balloon colors. For example, use only pink and red for "strawberry" jelly beans. Be sure to supervise children closely with the balloons.
8. Garden Gnome
Transform your child into an adorable garden guardian with this charming gnome costume.
Materials needed:
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Red cone-shaped party hat
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White felt or faux fur
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Blue shirt and jeans
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Brown belt
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Black boots
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Blush or face paint
Instructions:
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Glue white felt or faux fur around the base of the red party hat to create the gnome's beard.
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Dress your child in a blue shirt, jeans, and black boots.
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Add a brown belt to cinch the waist.
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Use blush or face paint to create rosy cheeks.
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Top off the look with the beard-adorned hat.
This costume works well for all ages and can be easily adapted. For a female gnome, use a dress instead of jeans and add braids to the beard. You can also add accessories like a toy shovel or watering can.
9. Bunch of Grapes
This fruity costume is a crowd-pleaser and easier to make than you might think.
Materials needed:
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Purple or green shirt and pants
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Balloons in matching color
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Safety pins
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Green felt or foam
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Headband
Instructions:
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Blow up balloons in various sizes.
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Carefully pin the balloons all over the shirt and pants.
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Cut leaf shapes from green felt or foam.
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Attach the leaves to a headband.
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Have your child wear the balloon-covered outfit and leaf headband.
This costume works for any age and can be adapted for groups. Consider adding a vine-like rope belt or painting your child's face to match the grape color. Be sure to use caution with the pins and balloons, especially for younger children.
10. Robot
A classic DIY costume that allows for lots of creativity and customization.
Materials needed:
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Large cardboard box
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Silver spray paint
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Various small boxes, bottle caps, buttons
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Hot glue gun
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Dryer vent tubing
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Colanders or plastic bowls
Instructions:
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Cut arm and head holes in the large cardboard box.
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Spray paint the box and smaller items silver.
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Glue on smaller boxes, bottle caps, and buttons to create control panels and details.
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Use dryer vent tubing for arms.
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Create antenna from pipe cleaners or wire.
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Use colanders or plastic bowls for shoulder pads.
This costume can be as simple or complex as you like. Add flashing lights, make sounds, or create a custom name for your robot. It's a great way to recycle materials and let your child's imagination run wild.
These DIY costume ideas offer a range of options for different ages, interests, and skill levels. Remember to always prioritize safety, especially with small parts or items that could pose choking hazards for younger children. With a little creativity and effort, you can create memorable Halloween costumes that your kids will love showing off as they trick-or-treat!
