Try these 35+ Halloween costume ideas that are cheap and easy to make.

 

 

Meatballs and Spaghetti

 

 

 

1. Cut a hole for the head in the center of a red-checkered tablecloth (or 1.25 yards of 45-inch-wide red-checkered fabric) so that it can be worn like a poncho.
2. Cut 1/2 skein off-white yarn into spaghetti-length pieces. With a hot-glue gun, glue them in swirls and bunches to a large, sturdy paper plate.
3. Paint 8 small Styrofoam balls with brown acrylic paint to resemble meatballs. Let dry, then glue 4 or 5 balls to top of spaghetti. Mix brown and red acrylic paint to make a tomato-sauce color; drip that over meatballs and spaghetti. Smear a little on the side of a small pot.
4. Glue the plate to the front of the tablecloth.
5. Glue remaining meatballs to tablecloth where you like.
6. Glue some strands of yarn to the pot “hat.” Tie under chin if needed to keep pot on head.

 

 

Bubble Bath

 

 

1. Cut a hole in the bottom of an inflatable baby bathtub (we used Munchkin’s Inflatable Safety Duck Tub). Leave at least 2 inches for the rim.
2. On the remaining bottom rim, punch two holes near the front and back. To make the suspenders from wide ribbon, measure your child from shoulder to waist and multiply by 2; cut two lengths of ribbon to that size. Thread through the holes, knotting the ends underneath to secure.
3. Blow up 15 white balloons and attach them with double-stick tape inside the tub and to the sides to make it look like bubbles are overflowing.
4. Accessorize with bath poufs as hair accessories.

 

 

Static Electricity

 

 

1. From the inside, use safety pins to attach 6 socks in fun colors, a few pairs of underwear and 3 or 4 pieces of small clothing like baby T-shirts or tiny tank tops to a plain, solid-color outfit. Use your imagination! You could also attach the clothing with a hot-glue gun if you don’t mind ruining the outfit.
2. With hair gel, spike hair to look static-y.
3. Use a small laundry basket as a treat bucket.

 

 

Gumball Machine

 

1. Paint a plastic soda cap with silver paint. With a hot-glue gun, glue to red hat.
2. Cut a 5 out of black craft foam and glue to pants leg.
3. Cut hood and sleeves off a clear raincoat; put on backward (snaps in back). Use a 30-inch piece of elastic as a belt; blouse coat over it. (You can also use a clear bag.)
4. Blow up 20 multicolored balloons halfway. Put in through back of coat. Snap up coat; cut off excess, if any.

 

 

Flapper

 

1. With a hot-glue gun, glue 5 yards of 4-inch fringe on the front of a white ribbed tank top that’s a few sizes too big (leave the back plain; otherwise, it will be hard to get on). Begin at the bottom and work your way up, gluing in rows.
2. Glue a large feather to the middle of an 18-inch piece of 2-inch-wide ribbon. Fit around child’s head, leaving enough to glue or tie in back, and cut off excess. Wear with feather boa.

 

 

 

Pig in a Blanket

 

1. Cut pig ears, small rectangle and small circle out of two 8 by 11-inch sheets of pink craft foam.
2. With a hot-glue gun, glue ears to a pink headband.
3. Dot circle with glitter glue for nostrils. Fold rectangle around circle, gluing together to form snout. Glue one end of a 12-inch piece of elastic to each side, so that it can be worn over child’s nose.
4. Wrap blanket over shoulders; pin with large safety pin.

 

 

 

’80s Rocker

 

1. Search the Internet to find an image or logo of an ’80s band (think Poison, Bon Jovi, Guns N’ Roses). Print onto a sheet of iron-on printer paper specifically for dark fabrics. Iron onto front of a plain black T-shirt per manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Wear rocker wig and jeans (ideally, acid-wash). Accessorize with plastic-cord necklace, black eyeliner and black nail polish, if desired. Grab a guitar (or a blow-up one).

 

 

 

Jellyfish

 

1. Arrange half a bag of polyfill stuffing around the brim of a straw sombrero.
2. Cut circle of blue satin 10 inches larger than brim. With a hot-glue gun, glue it under hat bit by bit. Alternate sides as you go to make it even.
3. Repeat with same-size circle of sheer, shimmery fabric, covering the satin. Smooth top into dome shape.
4. Glue pieces of white curling ribbon underneath to hang down. Curl with scissors.

 

 

 

Smarty-Pants

 

 

1. With a hot-glue gun, glue 30 to 35 rolls of Smarties candies to the front of a pair of solid-color dark pants. You can place them in rows or randomly. (If you decide to glue the candy rolls in the back of the pants as well, avoid the top section so that your child can sit down comfortably.)
2. Glue individual Smarties candies to an inexpensive headband or cap.
3. Wear with a bright top and bright shoes.

 

 

 

Rubik’s Cube

 

1. Cut holes for the head and arms in a square box (we used a 16 by 16-inch). Cut the flaps off the open end so that child can pull the finished cube over head.
2. With craft glue, glue four 8 1/2 by 11-inch sheets of green paper to one side. Repeat with blue, orange, yellow and red paper on other sides. (You may need more if you use a larger box than we did.) Then create the squares with black electrical tape.

 

 

 

Snowball Costume

 

 

 

All you need is: an over-size pale-blue sweatshirt, string, batting, an extra-large sewing needle, white felt, seam binding, Styrofoam balls in assorted sizes, elastic, Velcro, fabric glue, a large safety pin

 

Talk about the perfect storm! Your little Jack (or Jacqueline) Frost will leave family and friends spellbound. And, as with the rest of our costumes, all the supplies can be easily found at any big arts and crafts store.

 

 

Rainbow Connection Costume

 

 

 

 

All you need is: a tutu, tulle and ribbon in various colors (including rainbow), a paper crown, felt, pipe cleaners, a paper paint bucket, rainbow-striped pajamas (the ones shown are from Little Miss Matched), or any rainbow-colored items you have on hand: tights, tops, socks… it all works!

 

 

Your girly-girl is the treasure at the end of the rainbow in this smashing and sweet costume. Use your imagination when picking out hues—ours are just a suggestion. Color us happy!

 

 

Weather Gal Costume

 

 

 

All you need is: a cardboard box, large helium balloon, dowels, fabric glue, burlap, batting, rope, jute twine, an extra-large needle, foam weather stripping, tape, and, if you want, a toy barometer, a lab coat, a clipboard and binoculars

 

Got a budding scientist at home? She’ll feel sky-high trick-or-treating as a meteorologist, complete with her own weather balloon!

 

Here Comes the Sun Costume

 

 

All you need is: an over-size yellow sweatshirt, orange and yellow felt, elastic, rickrack, pipe cleaners, fabric glue, a large safety pin

 

She’s the sunshine of your life, so show the world! A basic sweatshirt is the start of this cheery costume. The smiling face of the sun is made from felt. A plain long-sleeve tee and yellow kneesocks or tights finish it off!

 

 

All you need is: a child-size clear umbrella, black sticky felt (like Presto felt), black poster board, fabric pencil, gray thread, a needle

 

Drips are for kids! This clever idea is sure to be a hit in your neighborhood. Pair the decorated umbrella with the raincoat and rain boots your child already owns and she’ll be set to have a blast in any weather.

 

 

Fluffly Blue Cloud Costume

 

All you need is: an over-size pale-blue sweatshirt, white felt, batting, string, a large needle, small toy airplane or helicopter (make sure it’s age-appropriate), fabric glue

 

This is a heaven-sent get-up for a boy or a girl. You may already have the starting pieces for this costume—a sweatshirt, coordinating sweatpants and a long-sleeve plain tee. The fluffy effect of the cloud is surprisingly easy to achieve with batting.

 

 

Lightning Bolt Costume

 

 

 

All you need is: an over-size black shirt, silver lame, heavy cardstock, batting, black felt, fabric glue, black gloves

 

For the wild child whose energy seems to be heaven-sent, what better choice than a bright bolt? He’ll be sure to electrify the entire neighborhood!

 

 

Mr. Twister Costume

 

 

All you need is: a hula hoop, 2 large adult-sized dark-gray T-shirts, fabric glue, 10 yd black tulle, a stapler, twigs, dark-gray gloves

 

Your little one will have fun in this twister costume when he storms out of the house, ready for candy and trick-or-treating fun on Halloween night.

 

One Cool Cat

 

 

No cat will be cooler than yours on the trick-or-treat circuit.

 

 

 

Little Devil

 

 

Your little trickster will be quite a treat in this great devil costume.

 

 

Freakin’ Cute Frankenstein

 

 

 

It’s easy being green in this simple—and sweet!—little Frankenstein costume.

 

 

Boo-tiful Ghost

 

 

This little ghost is too adorable to be frightening.

 

 

What-a-hoot Owl costume

 

 

Moms who whip up this easy owl costume are wise, indeed.

 

 

Tomato Costume

 

 

This cute costume starts with an oversize sweatshirt—no sewing needed.

 

Carrot Costume

 

 

This cute costume starts with an oversize sweatshirt—no sewing needed.

 

 

Piggy Costume

 

 

This cute costume starts with an oversize sweatshirt—no sewing needed.

 

 

 

White Rabbit Costume

 

 

This cute costume starts with an oversize sweatshirt—no sewing needed.

 

 

Corn on the Cob Costume

 

 

This cute costume starts with an oversize sweatshirt—no sewing needed.

 

 

Knight Costume

 

 

This enchanting costume is all no-sew.

 

 

 

Pony Costume

 

 

This cute costume starts with an oversize sweatshirt—no sewing needed.

 

Chicken Costume

 

 

This cute costume starts with an oversize sweatshirt—no sewing needed.

 

 

Princess Costume

 

 

This enchanting costume is all no-sew.

 

 

 

Cow Costume

 

 

 

This cute costume starts with an oversize sweatshirt—no sewing needed.

 

 

 

 

Goldfish Costume

 

 

 

Your child will make a splash in this no-sew costume.

 

 

 

 

Mermaid Costume

 

 

 

Your child will make a splash in this no-sew costume.

 

 

 

 

Scuba Diver Costume

 

 

Your child will make a splash in this no-sew costume.

 

 

 

Jester Costume

 

 

This enchanting costume is all no-sew.

 

 

 

Sandwich Costume

 

 

 

This delicious costume is totally no-sew.