The chill in the air and the crunch of falling leaves can only mean one thing - Halloween is just around the corner! While store-bought costumes can be pricey, there’s no need to break the bank for a fun, memorable costume for your kids. Do-it-yourself (DIY) costumes offer a budget-friendly alternative, allowing you to get creative with items you already have or can buy for cheap.
To help you save some cash and get your creative juices flowing, check out this list of easy DIY Halloween costumes for kids that are fun, simple to make, and won’t cost you a small fortune.
Jellyfish
This creative costume is a showstopper. This jellyfish costume only requires items you might find around the house and only takes a few simple steps to complete.
- Get a clear or white umbrella (or use one you already have).
- Use bubble wrap from packages you receive or buy a pack at the dollar store.
- Gather scraps of ribbon you have around the house and/or ask friends, neighbors, or family members for theirs.
- Cut the ribbon and bubble wrap into strips and attach them to the umbrella so they hang down like the tentacles of a jellyfish.
That's it! Just four steps and you're done. Pair the umbrella with a white or light-colored outfit for your child to wear, and voila - a unique and budget-friendly costume finished. Your child can simply carry the umbrella to make the costume complete.
Black Cat
Traditional and easy to make, a black cat outfit is a great choice for a quick DIY Halloween costume. Simply do the following:
- Purchase black leggings/sweatpants and a black top (or even better, use ones your child already has in their closet).
- Buy a black cat ear headband from your local dollar store or make ears out of black felt and attach them to a headband you already own.
- Roll black felt into the shape of a cat tail, sew it (leaving one end open), stuff it with newspaper to hold its shape, and attach it to the back of the pants.
To spruce up this costume, you can use face paint to make a nose and whiskers and add black tulle around the waist and ankles of the pants.
Puppy
If your child prefers dogs, a puppy costume can be cute and easy, too.
- Have your child choose what color dog they’d like to be and purchase a coordinating sweatsuit in that color or use one they already have. To make it easier to attach the ears for kiddos who don’t like to wear headbands or have things clipped in their hair, use a sweatshirt that has a hood.
- Use matching felt to cut out floppy ears that can be sewn onto the hood or attached to a headband. Use the same color to create a tail that can be pinned to the back of the pants.
- Cut and attach red felt to line up with the neckline of the sweater to look like a collar. Use yellow felt to create a dog tag that can be attached to the collar.
You can keep it simple or make this costume as intricate as you’d like. For instance, you can add patterns using felt to create a Dalmatian or other specific dog breed.
Pop or Rock Star Performer
For kids who love music and dream of being on stage, a pop or rock start costume is trendy and easy to make:
- Find sparkly, glittery, or edgy clothing your child already has, or check a local thrift store for some unique pieces.
- Pair the outfit with boots, sunglasses, and bold accessories like a toy microphone or inflatable guitar.
- Add some temporary tattoos or face paint for that rock star edge, or go for glittery makeup to channel a pop star vibe.
This costume lets your child show off their inner performer while keeping your budget in check.
Snowman
Skip ahead to winter and stay cool with this easy-to-make snowman costume.
- Order a white sweatsuit or white leggings and a long-sleeved t-shirt (or repurpose ones you already have.)
- Purchase a white winter beanie (if you don’t already have one, consider checking a local children’s consignment shop to get one on a budget).
- Trace circles for the eyes and buttons on black felt and cut out. Attach the eyes to the beanie and the buttons to the sweatshirt or other top you chose.
- Use orange felt to make the carrot nose. Attach it to the rim of the beanie.
Attach sticks to the sleeves of the sweatshirt to give the costume even more personality.
Knight
Save the day with this knight costume that requires only five items.
- Purchase a gray sweatsuit (or use one your child already has.)
- Pull out your child’s bike helmet.
- Cut cardboard in the shape of a sword and shield.
- Cover the bike helmet, sword, and shield in tinfoil to give them a shiny flair.
To save money, buy a bulk pack of tinfoil or purchase an off-brand roll at the dollar store.
Earn Cash Back on Your Costume Purchases
These ideas can make your kid’s Halloween costume affordable, but there still may be some out-of-pocket expenses. For those items you can’t avoid purchasing, use a cash rewards credit card, like our Founder’s Rewards Card. You’ll earn cash back on every purchase, every time*.
For more ideas on how to have affordable fun this season, visit our Resource Center.
*Some exclusions may apply. See the Visa® Founder's Card and Visa® Alumni Rewards Card Rewards Program Terms and Conditions for full details
