The kids are back to school, which can only mean one thing - Halloween is right around the corner! And if you're looking to save some cash this year, you may be considering putting together DIY Halloween costumes for your kids instead of purchasing them at the store.
To help get your creative juices flowing, check out this list of easy DIY Halloween costumes for kids.
1. Jellyfish
This jellyfish costume tops the list because it only requires a few simple steps.
- Get a clear or white umbrella (or use one you already have).
- Save bubble wrap from packages you receive or buy a pack at the dollar store.
- Gather scraps of ribbon you have and/or ask friends and family members for theirs.
- Cut the ribbon and bubble wrap into strips and attach them to the umbrella so they hang down like tentacles of a jellyfish.
That's it! Just four steps and you're done. Your child simply needs to wear clothing that is white or another plain color and carry the umbrella to make the costume complete.
2. 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 top (or even better, use ones your child already has).
- 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.
3.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.
4. Wind-Up Toy
For a costume that wows without requiring much work, have your child dress as a wind-up toy. The steps to make this happen are simple.
- Help your child decide what type of wind-up toy they’d like to be. One simple choice would be a doll.
- Choose clothes your child already has to be the toy’s clothing. For instance, a dress and hairbow for a doll.
- Upcycle a cardboard box you have by cutting two identical key shapes. Spray paint them gold.
- Measure out matching pieces of elastic and attach the ends to one of the keys. These should end up as loops that your child will stick their arms through to hold the key to their back.
- Glue the two keys together, making sure the elastic is on the inside.
This costume is sure to impress others with its creativity without taking much of your time.
5. 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.
6. 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 shapes 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 blog.
*Some exclusions may apply. See the Visa® Founder's Card and Visa® Alumni Rewards Card Rewards Program Terms and Conditions for full details