Easy DIY Halloween Costumes

Lions, tigers, umm…giraffes, oh, my! This young adventurer’s outfit begins with basic khaki shorts, white tee, and sneakers (or boots). The vest and binoculars are made from a paper grocery bag and empty toilet paper tubes (get the how-tos). And what safari is complete without at least one “wild” animal?

• Boys’ Washed Cargo Shorts, landsend.com.
• Child’s Safari Hat, orientaltrading.com.
• Converse Kids Chuck Taylor All Star Core Hi, zappos.com.
• Ty Hightops Giraffe, amazon.com.

Uh-oh: Watch out for poodles! Pull out your child’s slicker and Wellies and a few of her furry friends for a clever conceptual costume. All you need is an old umbrella and a hot glue gun to attach the toys (get the how-tos). Now just wait for the compliments to rain down.
 

• Wippette Kids’ Basic Yellow Parka, tootsiesrainwear.com.
• Girls’ big dot tights, jcrew.com.
• Kids’ Wellie Boots, landsend.com.

An idea that’s—c’mon, we have to say it—out-of-this-world. This getup revolves around black pants and shirt (or black sweats) sprinkled with a constellation of shining star stickers. Layer on a bright sweatshirt that you’ve painted with Saturn-like bands (get the how-tos). Then add a pillow for stuffing and top it all off with as many “rings” as your little star can twirl.
 

• Hanes Crewneck Sweatshirt, hanes.com.

Take the plunge with an ensemble you can assemble from your child’s summer wardrobe: board shorts, a rash guard, and water shoes (walking in flippers will definitely cut into trick-or-treat time). The protective goggles come straight from the toolbox, and the oxygen tank is made from spray-painted water bottles (get the how-tos).
 

• Beach Rays Floral Cargo Boardshorts, swimoutlet.com.
• O’Neill Kids’ Basic Shortsleeve Rashguard in yellow, isnorkel.com.
• O’Neill Kids Reactor Neoprene Reef Shoes, isnorkel.com.

Ah, Mommy’s little angel, in a simple costume that comes together practically on the fly. Dress your little girl all in white—a favorite dress or nightgown, tights, and comfy shoes. For her halo and wings, you’ll need pipe cleaners, cardboard, and coffee filters (get the how-tos). Finish by scattering on a few leaves from the pile she fell into when she tumbled from heaven.
 

• Girls’ Short Sleeve Pintuck Oxford Dress, landsend.com.
• Kids’ No lace Slip-on shoes, landsend.com.
• Solid Color Nylon tights, welovetights.com.

Beat it, kid—a drum, that is. Whip up this uniform out of a shirt and pants you trim with red utility tape and spray-painted bottle caps; the hat is a paper-covered oatmeal container (get the how-tos). Switch out the drum for a curtain rod and your child is the leader of the local band (of trick-or-treaters).
 

• Jersey knit pant, gap.com.
• Converse Kids Chuck Taylor All Star Specialty Ox, zappos.com.
• Tin drum, toysrus.com.

Hands down, the hit of the Halloween party season. Start by decking out your little one in pink, head to toe. Add felt ears and a bottle cap/button nose (get the how-tos). Wrap her in her favorite blankie and you've got one little piggy way too adorable to stay home.
 

• Pink Leggings and Turtleneck, carters.com.
• Pink Ballet Flats, oldnavy.com for stores.

What You Need
Brown Grocery Bag
Pencil
Scissors
Kraft Mini Envelopes (in natural)
Buttons
Glue Stick

1. Measure the paper bag against the child. Mark holes for the arms and head; cut these out.
2. Glue envelopes on the front of the vest to create pockets. Glue buttons on the envelopes. Let dry overnight.

What You Need
Two Toilet Paper Rolls
Felt Pads
Twine or String
Glue

1. Take 2 toilet paper rolls and glue 4-5 felt pads between the two tubes in order to keep them together.
2. On the exterior of each roll, make a small hole for stringing the twine through and creating a strap.

What You Need
Umbrella
Stuffed Animals
Hot Glue Gun

1. Open up the umbrella and hot glue one animal at a time on the outside. Let them rest in place to dry overnight.

What You Need
Black Shirt and Pants
Star Stickers
Oversized Gold Sweatshirt
Scissors
Newspaper
Orange Acrylic Paint (water based)
Paint Brush
Fabric Glue

1. Place the black outfit on a flat surface. Adhere "stars" all over, specifically covering the legs and arms, the areas not covered by the gold vest.
2. Cut the arms off this old sweatshirt. To create a polished look and to remove frayed edges, hem the arm holes with fabric glue.
3. Place the vest on a sheet of newspaper on a flat surface. Paint diagonal stripes using your paint and brush. Let dry overnight.

What You Need
One Liter Bottles (you'll need 2 of these)
Black Spray Paint
Yellow Utility Tape
Black Shoe Laces
Hot Glue Gun

1. Make sure the bottles are empty and dry. Spray paint one bottle at a time. Let dry overnight.
2. Take the now black bottles and wrap rings around the bottoms and the tops of each bottle with the yellow tape.
3. Glue the shoelaces to the tops and bottoms of each bottle. Secure around the child’s shoulder.

What You Need
Black Cord Covers
Pacifier
Hot Glue Gun

1. Cover one end of the cord with yellow tape.
2. Glue pacifier to the other end of the cord cover. Let dry overnight.

What You Need
Gold Pipe Cleaners
Pencil
Hole Punch
Coffee Filters
White Cardboard
White Shoelaces
Tape or Glue Dots

1. Make a halo shape by twisting the gold pipe cleaners into proper form.
2. Draw the shape of two angel wings on cardboard; cut them out.
3. Decide on the most comfortable spot for your child to wear her wings, then punch 4 holes in the cardboard. String shoelaces through them to tie around your child's shoulders.
4. Fold coffee filters in half and adhere them with tape or glue to the cardboard to resemble feathers.

What You Need
Bottle Caps (from water or soda bottles)
Newspaper
Gold Acrylic Paint (water based)
Paintbrush
Red Utility Tape
Hot Glue Gun

1. Place bottle caps on a piece of newspaper and paint them gold. Let dry overnight.
2. Make 3 to 4 lines on shirt using the red tape. Adhere each strip about 2 to 3 inches apart.
3. Glue painted bottle caps at the ends of each strip of red tape. Let stand to dry overnight.

What You Need
Oatmeal Canister
Scissors
White Construction Paper
Glue Dots
Red Utility Tape
Hole Punch
White Shoelaces

1. Wrap paper around the container to fit to size. (You want to completely cover the oatmeal container.) Trim any excess paper off the top or bottom. Secure paper to the container with 2 or 3 glue dots.
2. Wrap a ring on the bottom of the canister with the red tape.
3. Position the hat on your child’s head and find the best spot for securing strap. Punch 2 holes and string shoelaces through the holes.

What You Need
Paper
Pencil
4 Pieces of Pink Felt (we like E-Z felt, which is stiff and easier to work with)
Pink Headband
Scissors
Hot Glue Gun

1. Create a template by drawing one ear on a piece of paper and cutting it out.
2. Place template on the felt as your guide. Cut out 4 ear-shaped pieces of pink felt.
3. Glue around the edges of two pieces of felt. Stick each piece to the felt pieces without glue. (You’ll need two pieces of felt per ear so they are stable and won’t flop over.)
4. Glue the ears to the pink headband.

What You Need
Large Bottle cap (we used a Gatorade cap)
Pink Ribbon
Pink Button
Newspaper
Pink Acrylic Paint (water based)
Paintbrush
Hot Glue

1. Lay bottle cap on a piece of newspaper and paint it pink. Set it aside to dry overnight.
2. Once dry, glue the button to the center of the bottle cap.
3. Glue the ends of the ribbon to the inside of the cap. Tie around your child’s head to secure.