Spooky season is almost here, and the only thing that should give you chills is Halloween night, not your costume bill! Save money on expensive Halloween costumes by making your own. You just need a little bit of time and materials you already have at home.
A Building Block
What you'll need: A large cardboard box, paint, plastic or Styrofoam cups, glue
How to make it: Paint a large cardboard box in your child's favorite color. Cut holes for their head and arms, then glue plastic or Styrofoam cups to the front in a grid pattern. Even better, this an easy costume to layer a jacket underneath for chilly weather.
Crayon
What you'll need: Head-to-toe clothing in one color, a matching party hat (or construction paper)
How to make it: Dress your child in their favorite color from head to toe. Add a party hat in a matching color, or roll a cone from construction paper, and write their color name across the front. Simple, cozy and cute for a classroom parade.
Marathon Runner
What you'll need: A comfy running outfit, a printed race number
How to make it: Got a toddler whose favorite pastime is running? Lean into it. Dress them in their comfiest athletic gear, pin on a printed race number and they're ready to run in the candy marathon. It doubles as the most practical costume on this list: comfy clothes and good shoes for a long night of door-to-door dashing.
Race car (or any wheeled vehicle)
What you'll need: A cardboard box, paint, paper plates
How to make it: Turn a cardboard box into a race car, fire truck or bus with paint and a few paper-plate wheels. These "boxtumes" are adaptable. You can size and shape it to fit your child comfortably, including around a wheelchair or wagon.
Other Costume Ideas
Robot
What you'll need: Cardboard boxes, aluminum foil, duct tape, bottle caps or construction paper
How to make it: Cover a box with aluminum foil, then use duct tape and bottle caps to build the control panel buttons on the front. A smaller box with cut-out eye holes makes a great robot head. The reflection of the aluminum foil is great for nighttime visibility.
Cat
What you'll need: Black clothes, a black headband, felt, eyeliner
How to make it: Dress your little one in black, attach felt cat ears to a headband and draw on whiskers and a nose with eyeliner. A full costume in under 10 minutes.
Scarecrow
What you'll need: A plaid shirt, overalls, straw or yellow yarn, face paint
How to make it: Stuff the ends of the sleeves and pant legs with straw or yarn, add a floppy hat and draw a classic scarecrow face with face paint.
Dust Bunny
What you'll need: Headband, pipe cleaners or construction paper, feather duster, cotton balls
How to make it: Make a pair of bunny ears using a headband and construction paper or pipe cleaners. Then all your little one needs is a duster. Or cotton balls stuck to their clothes. Who doesn’t love a punny bunny?
Garden Butterfly
What you'll need: Two paper plates or coffee filters, paint, pipe cleaners, elastic straps
How to make it: Paint two coffee filters or paper plates in bright colors and let them dry, then attach with elastic straps like a backpack. Add pipe cleaner antennae to a headband for a costume that's light enough for little ones to wear (and comfortable enough that they'll actually keep it on). If you’re feeling real crafty, try making these beautiful, pressed flower wings.
Pint-Sized Superhero
What you'll need: A solid-colored onesie or t-shirt, a felt or fabric cape, a fabric marker
How to make it: Attach a felt cape to the back of a favorite onesie or tee then draw an emblem like your child’s first initial on the front with fabric marker. It's comfortable, machine-washable and can be added to the dress-up pile after Halloween is over.
Tips for Making DIY Halloween Costumes for Toddlers
- Prioritize comfort over accuracy. Little ones will pull off anything itchy, so choose soft fabrics and skip stiff embellishments near the neck and face.
- Keep face paint simple and test it early. Dab a small amount on your child's wrist before Halloween to test sensitivity.
- Build in bathroom breaks. Costumes with a lot of layers are easiest with a Velcro or snap closure, not buttons.
- Make it a family project. Painting the box or gluing on felt ears is a wonderful shared activity. Let your child help with the parts that are safe for their age, even if it's just choosing the color.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest Halloween costume to make at home? Ghost costumes are the easiest DIY option. Just cut eye holes into a plain white sheet or oversized t-shirt. It requires no sewing, no paint and takes only a few minutes.
What household items make good Halloween costumes? Cardboard boxes, old sheets, solid-colored clothing, paper plates and aluminum foil are some of the most versatile items for DIY costumes.
How can I make a Halloween costume without sewing? Use no-sew methods like gluing, taping, pinning or tying. Felt cat ears on a headband, a taped-together cardboard box and a knotted fabric cape are all no-sew projects.
Are DIY costumes safe for babies and toddlers? Yes, with a few precautions: avoid small, detachable pieces that could be a choking hazard, keep costumes lightweight and easy to move in, use non-toxic, child-safe face paint and make sure the costume doesn't obstruct your child's vision or ability to walk safely. Bring along flashlights and glowsticks for added visibility.
