top of page
Writer's pictureShae Hicks

Easy DIY Halloween Costumes from Household Items for Kids and Parents

Halloween is just around the corner, and it's time to stress out completely….I mean….get creative with costumes. Whether you are looking to skip the expensive store-bought options and embrace the DIY spirit, or you just ran out of time - here are some easy DIY Halloween costume ideas that are not only budget-friendly but fairly easy to put together.


From toddlers to teenagers to parents, there's something for everyone in this DIY Halloween costume guide.

 

DIY Halloween Costumes for Kids 4 and Under


Mummy Toddler

Materials Needed: White bedsheet or rolls of toilet paper, safety scissors, and face paint


Wrap your little one in white sheets or toilet paper, leaving gaps for their eyes and mouth. Add some spooky face paint, and voilà, you've got a mummy on the loose!


Bumblebee Baby

Materials Needed: Black clothing, yellow construction paper or felt, headband, pipe cleaners, and scissors



Cut out yellow stripes from the construction paper or felt and attach them to the black outfit. Create antennae using the headband and pipe cleaners for an adorable bumblebee look.


Little Pumpkin

Materials Needed: Orange onesie or outfit, green felt, and scissors


Cut leaf shapes from the green felt and attach them to the orange outfit. Your little one will be the cutest pumpkin in the patch!

 

DIY Halloween Costumes for Kids 5-12


Cardboard Robot

Materials Needed: Cardboard boxes, aluminum foil, colored markers, and scissors


Cut and decorate cardboard boxes to create a robot suit. Use aluminum foil for added flair. Your child will look like they just stepped out of a sci-fi movie.


Superhero Siblings

Materials Needed: Old T-shirts, markers, and scissors


Let your kids design their superhero logos on old T-shirts. They can become a dynamic duo or even a whole team of crime-fighters.


Scary Scarecrow

Materials Needed: Old jeans, flannel shirt, straw (or raffia), and face paint


Stuff the old jeans and flannel shirt with straw or raffia to create a scarecrow costume. Add some face paint with stitched details for a spooky touch.


Medieval Knight

Materials Needed: Cardboard, aluminum foil, paper towel rolls, and scissors


Create a knight's armor from cardboard and aluminum foil. Fashion a sword and shield from cardboard; your child is ready for a medieval quest.


Book Character

Materials Needed: Clothing that matches a favorite book character, a prop related to the character, and creativity


Encourage your child to choose a beloved book character and dress up accordingly. Whether it's Harry Potter, Matilda, or a Dr. Seuss character, this costume celebrates reading.

 

DIY Halloween Costumes for Teenagers


Classic Movie Monster

Materials Needed: Old black clothing, face paint, and creativity


Transform into a classic movie monster like Dracula, Frankenstein, or the Mummy using old clothing and some well-applied face paint.


Emoji Ensemble

Materials Needed: Cardboard, paint, and scissors


Choose a favorite emoji and create a cardboard cutout of it to wear. Paint it to match the emoji's expression. It's a trendy and fun costume choice.


Retro Gamer

Materials Needed: Old video game-themed T-shirt, cardboard, and creativity


Create a costume inspired by a favorite retro video game character. Add pixelated details to the T-shirt for an authentic look.


Rock 'n' Roll Star

Materials Needed: Old band T-shirt, jeans, sunglasses, and a toy microphone or instrument


Dress like a rock 'n' roll star with an old band T-shirt, jeans, and sunglasses. Add a toy microphone or instrument to complete the look.


Bag of Jelly Beans

Materials Needed: Clear Trash-Bag, Permanent Markers, Tape, Balloons


This quirky and fun idea is sure to be a hit! Decorate a clear trash bag with a creative Jelly Bean candy logo, then cut leg holes into the bottom and fill the bag with blown-up balloons of different colors. Tape the top of the bag so that it makes something like overalls. This is not the most comfortable costume in the world, but if you need something quick and creative - this could be it!

 

DIY Halloween Costumes for Parents


Cat Lady/Gentleman

Materials Needed: Pajamas, stuffed cats (or stuffed animals), and hair curlers


Put on your comfiest pajamas, add some stuffed cats, and wrap your hair in curlers. You're officially the "crazy cat lady" or "gentleman."


Tourist Trap

Materials Needed: Any shirt from your favorite vacation destination, a fanny pack, sunglasses, and a camera


Embrace your inner tourist with tourist gear, a fanny pack, sunglasses, and a camera.


Don't forget to ask for directions!




DIY Dead Chef

Materials Needed: Apron, chef's hat, utensils, make-up, and a pot with something gross and gory appearing


Put on an apron, don a chef's hat, make your eyes dark and lips scary, and carry utensils or a pot with something scary. You're ready to whip up some Halloween tricks...I mean.....treats.

 

What do you think about these ideas? Too much? Too little? What are the easiest ways you've made a splash on Halloween?



Comments


bottom of page