Cheap and Easy Halloween Costumes

There are so many costumes for sale these days. A lot of them are alike. Some of us mom's (me included) want our kids to be unique. That and we always have to wait till Pay Day to buy a costume.  I thought I'd put together a list of cheap and easy do it yourself costumes that you and your kids can make together.  These costumes aren't limited to just kids. Come on guys lets get in on the fun and make ourselves a costume. The kids will love it!!

1. Static cling – Wear a sweat suit and attach socks and dryer sheets with clothespins.

2. Gypsy – This is a Halloween standard, but if you have some long skirts, beads, shawls and handkerchiefs already around the house, this is a very simple costume to piece together. Really big hoop earrings if you or your daughter has their ears pierced would be a nice touch too.

3. Cat – Wear solid-colored clothing in a reasonable cat color, make a collar out of paper or a strip of fabric and do the same for ears, attaching them to a headband.You can make the ears out of pipe cleaner and felt. I have the instructions on that  if you want them.  The tail can be made from another strip of fabric. A nose and whiskers can be added with make-up, if you happen to have dark colors handy, or you can also use poster paint.

4. Dog – You can create a dog costume in the same general way as a cat, but you might need to put a little extra work into the tail to make it thicker like a dog's. You can even get a dog collar to wear around your neck (if you have an extra. We are all about saving money here. Don't go buying one if you don't have one.

5. Bunny – A bunny costume can also be made along the same lines as the cat and dog, but you'll need a large powder puff or pom-pom for the tail.

6. Superhero – You can make up a unique hero with special skills that fit items you have around the house (SuperCook, maybe?) or you can go the more traditional route by making a logo for your chest from paper, felt or scrap fabric decorated with markers and a cape made from a towel. If your child is like mine and can't deal with stuff around there neck. Stick velcro on there shoulders and on the cape and velcro the cape to the shirt.

7. Farmer – If someone in your house has a flannel shirt and a handkerchief/bandanna, you've got the basic materials. Jeans would work with this costume, but overalls are best. Carry a shovel or pitchfork if it's safe for you to do so.

8. Cowboy/Cowgirl – Just add a cowboy hat and boots to the jeans, flannel shirt and bandanna.

9.Gardener - You can also use jeans and flannel for this costume, but then add gardening gloves and a sun hat, and carry around a potted plant, if possible.

10. Sports fan – Wear as much paraphernalia from your favorite sports team as possible.

11. Football player – If you or someone in your house plays football, give the uniform an extra use on Halloween.

12. Tourist – Wear a loud Hawaiian shirt, strap a camera around your neck and carry a map everywhere you go. Don't forget to take pictures!!!

13. Construction worker – Find a tool belt and load it up with as many tool as you can carry. Pair it with a jeans, a flannel shirt, and work boots (or the closest shoes you have.)

14. Ghost – It's a Halloween cliché, but draping a sheet over yourself and cutting out eye holes is a perfectly viable costume. Just be careful of the length. Don't want your ghosts to be tripping all over the place!

15. Dice – If you have a large square box in the basement, you can spray paint the entire box white, add cut-out black dots and then cut out holes for the arms and head, cutting off the flaps of one side to be the bottom.

16. Rubik's Cube – You can also make a Rubik's Cube from a large square box, but it will take a little more time and effort to add the proper squares. If you have a lot of construction paper sitting around, it might work well, though.

17. TV – The large square box can also turn you into a TV. Draw the screen and appropriate buttons on the front. You might also want to add an antenna made from wire coat hangers or wrapped up foil.

18. Gift – Another use for the large square box – simply wrap it like you would any other gift or just tape a piece of paper to each side, and then cut out the neck and arm holes. Add a bow or gift tag to jazz it up.

19.Car or truck – A more rectangular box can also be turned into a vehicle of your choice, although the longer you have to plan your costume, the more detail you can add. But at its most basic, you just need wheels, a solid colored box and some lines drawn for doors and windows and so on.

20. Fisherman – Wear fishing clothes like waders and a vest and carry a fishing pole slung over your shoulder.

21. Trash – Take a large trash bag and cut out holes for your arms and legs, bunching the top around your neck. Add crumpled up paper inside the bag for added volume.

22. Play on words – Think of a common saying or an everyday object and dress in a way that describes it. For instance, dangle a leaf from a hat in front of your face, and blow on the leaf, so you can call yourself a “leafblower.” I crack myself up sometimes!!!

23. Painting – Carry a large picture frame in front of you, or attach it to your clothing If you're feeling creative, you can make yourself a specific type of painting, like a Picasso with some misplaced body parts made out of construction paper.

24. Zookeeper – Wear khaki clothing and carry around a few zoo-appropriate stuffed animals. For added affect talk in an Australian accent and you can be either Bindi the Jungle girl or her dad "The Crocodile Hunter"

25. Hula dancer – Wear a bathing suit and make a “grass skirt” by cutting strips in a trash bag and wrapping it around your waist. Most everyone has a lei that they've kept around after a party or other event, but if not, you can make one by stringing together tissue paper flowers or artificial flowers. Again be mindful of the weather on this one. I wouldn't want to be responsible for a sick kiddo!

26. Nerd – Look for the nerdiest clothing in the house. Some essentials include pants that are too short, slicked back hair, suspenders and thick glasses that have been taped together. OOHH and Dad's briefcase!!! My husband carried a briefcase to school in Middle school. LOL. That's why I thought of that.

27. Skier – Wear your snowsuit, hat and mittens and carry around your ski poles or skis.  I would only recommend this one if it's going to be cold that night or else you or your child will be sweating big time. So check the weather that day!!!

28. Hippie – This one depends a little more on having the right clothing around the house, but a tie-dyed shirt or a long, flowery flowing dress can be the basis of the costume. Add some beads and paint peace signs on your face with make-up or paint. If you have bell bottoms around from one of the times when they were fashionable again, even better.

29. Mad scientist – If you have a lab coat from chemistry class, wear it over an outfit of your choice (perhaps the previously described clothing for a nerd costume). Use hairspray to make your hair stand on end and carry around a plain glass with a colored-water “potion” in it.

30. Old man or woman – For an old woman, wear a long, plain dress, thick hose or rights and sensible shoes. For an old man, use plain dress pants or long shorts with knee socks and a button-up shirt. Carry a cane and wear glasses if they're available. Use flower to make your hair white.

Let the creativity begin!!!!

And please grab a button for the Celebrate Fall Extravaganza !!! And this week I will have a giveaway to get you all in the mood for Fall!

 

Tiffanie