Halloween is such an exciting time of year for kids. From the costumes and party games to the decorations and trick-or-treating, it’s non-stop fun. Skip the shop-bought costume (which can also be pricey) and try these ideas for colourful and creative homemade Halloween costumes instead!
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When it comes to homemade Halloween costumes, the possibilities are endless. Whether you’re into spooky sights, playful pumpkins or giggling ghouls, there’s something here for everyone. It’s a great chance to get creative, reuse what you already have at home, and enjoy a bit of DIY fun as a family.
Here are some of our favourite ideas for homemade Halloween costumes – let your imagination run wild, and let us know what you create!
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Homemade Halloween Costumes for Kids
#1. Robot Family
Image: Tell Love and Party
If you tried to put the whole family in matching robot costumes from Tell Love and Party, you might get some funny looks – but they’re great inspiration for the kids’ costumes! They look really cool, and are a lot easier to make than you might think. Raid the toolbox for washers and any old scraps – the more the merrier.
You may also enjoy: DIY Halloween Pirate Costumes for the Whole Family
#2. LEGO Brick
Image: Simple Joy
LEGO fans, look no further! This ridiculously simple DIY LEGO costume from Simple Joy needs just a rectangular box, some primary colour paint, and empty yoghurt pots.
You may also enjoy: 13 Easy (and Eerie!) Ideas for LEGO Halloween Fun
#3. Scuba Diver
Image: Delineate Your Dwelling
Ready for an adventure? Keep a few large soda bottles in the weeks leading up to Halloween, and you can make your very own scuba diver Halloween costume like this one from Delineate Your Dwelling. Pool masks probably won’t be lying around the house, but you can always make your own.
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#4. Be Your Own Planet
Image: Delineate Your Dwelling
Any hula hoops lying around after summer? Turn one into a DIY planet costume – perfect for wannabe astronauts. All that’s left is for them to name their new planet!
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#5. Fluffy White Cloud
Image: Oh Happy Day
Homemade Halloween costumes don’t come much more unique than this fluffy white cloud from Oh Happy Day, made using old pillows and plenty of patience.
You may also enjoy: 5 Cheap and Easy to Make Ideas for Kids Halloween Costumes
#6. Granny
Image: Brit.co
A trip to the charity shop might be in order to pull together the right level of grandma chic for this costume. You can make a walking stick by attaching fake “legs” to a stick, bat, branch or even a long wrapping paper tube.
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#7. Pac Man
Image: The Effortlessly Chic
We absolutely adore these Pac Man-inspired homemade Halloween costumes from The Effortless Chic – guaranteed to be a firm favourite with the kids!
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#8. A Bag of Jelly Beans
Image: The Sits Girls
This jelly bean costume is a perfect homemade Halloween costume idea for kids. You’ll need a printer to print off the logo (or draw it freehand on craft paper), a selection of coloured balloons and a clear bag. Keep the balloons for party games later that evening too!
You may also enjoy: 12 Not So Scary Halloween Games Perfect for Younger Kids
#9. Toy Soldier
Image: Wild Ink Press
Remember the little green army guys from childhood? Bring the Toy Story favourite to life with your own life-sized toy soldier. Pick up a cheap army costume and simply spray paint it green – it’s that easy. It might not be the most comfortable outfit, but the kids will love it for the length of a trick-or-treat outing.
You may also enjoy: 30 Fangtastically Fun Halloween Projects For Kids
#10. Cupcake Cutie
Image: Sew What Alicia?
You know the way you tell your kids you could just eat them all up? Well, now you (nearly) can! This adorable cupcake costume is perfect for pint-sized cuties who aren’t quite ready for a scary Halloween look. The DIY part is as simple as gluing multi-coloured pom poms onto a white t-shirt or onesie to create the look of sprinkles.
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#11. Hot-Air Balloon
Up, up and away! This hot-air balloon costume is so cute, and it’s actually fairly easy to assemble with a cardboard box, some helium balloons, string and a bit of imagination. Paint the basket or box to add some extra colour.
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#12. Bubble Bath
Image: Giggles Galore
Sometimes the simplest homemade Halloween costumes are the best – and the most original. This bubble bath costume, complete with rubber ducky, takes creativity and bath time to a whole new level! They can splish, splash and splosh their way around trick-or-treating this Halloween.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need sewing skills to make these Halloween costumes?
Not at all. Most of these costume ideas use everyday materials like cardboard boxes, balloons, pom poms and paint, so they’re achievable even if you’ve never picked up a needle and thread.
What’s the cheapest homemade Halloween costume idea on this list?
Ideas like the fluffy white cloud (made from old pillows), the toy soldier (a spray-painted secondhand costume) or the jelly bean costume (balloons and a clear bag) are among the most budget-friendly, as they mostly rely on things you may already have at home.
How far in advance should I start making a homemade Halloween costume?
It depends on the costume, but giving yourself at least a week or two is a good idea, especially for costumes that involve painting, drying time or sourcing specific items like balloons or boxes.
Can these costumes be adapted for different ages?
Yes. Most of these ideas can be scaled up or down in size and complexity, making them suitable for toddlers right through to tweens, with a little adult help for the trickier steps.
Related Reading
If you enjoyed these homemade Halloween costume ideas, you might also like:
- DIY Halloween Pirate Costumes for the Whole Family
- 30 Fangtastically Fun Halloween Projects For Kids
- 50 Fun Halloween Activities for Kids
Got a favourite homemade costume of your own? We’d love to see it – save this article or share it with a friend who’s still looking for Halloween inspiration this year.
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