Halloween is one of the biggest days of the year for kids (and, let’s be honest, their parents, too.) Little ones might say it’s all about the candy, but we know a great costume truly makes the day.
The Care.com team came up with some easy DIY Halloween costumes for kids you can (for real) make at home, along with step-by-step videos to make things even more simple. While a cool costume is key, it shouldn’t add stress to your life or be cause to refinance your house.
From a farmer and tractor to spaghetti and meatballs (!), check out our list of easy DIY Halloween costumes for kids that are no-fuss, no-muss.
1. Spaghetti and meatballs baby
Your baby is always cute enough to eat, but we dare you to try to resist them when they’re wearing this adorable DIY spaghetti and meatballs costumes.
Materials needed:
- White onesie.
- Baby hat.
- Elastic.
- Bandana.
- Styrofoam balls.
- Fabric glue.
- Yarn.
- Brown paint.
- Scissors.
- Glue gun.
2. Snowman costume
This DIY snowman costume truly is as easy as it gets — and it’s perfect for chilly weather, too!
Materials needed:
- Long sleeve brown shirt.
- Grown up white tank top.
- Piece of elastic.
- White and black felt.
- White hat.
- Fake straw.
- Carrot nose (foam).
- Poly-fil.
- Fabric clue.
- Glue gun.
3. Flower bouquet costume
You don’t need much to whip up this easy DIY flower bouquet costume for kids. And talk about colorful!
Materials needed:
- All-green outfit.
- Green scarf.
- Green headband.
- Hemp string.
- Fake leaves.
- Fake flowers.
- Fabric glue.
- Glue gun.
4. Popcorn box costume
Few kiddos will be able to resist this fun DIY popcorn costume that looks store-bought!
Materials needed:
- Red shirt.
- Red pants.
- Red hat.
- White cardboard box.
- Packing tape.
- Box cutter.
- Red tape.
- Yellow tissue paper.
- Glue gun.
- Popcorn label.
5. Astronaut costume
Every kid loves an astronaut costume, and parents can appreciate how simple (and fun!) this DIY costume is to create.
Materials needed:
- Black shirt.
- Black pants.
- Bike helmet.
- Duct tape.
- 12 x 12 inch foam board.
- 2 two-liter bottles.
- Silver ribbon.
- Red and orange tissue paper.
6. Latte cup baby costume
Squee! How adorable is this DIY baby latte costume?! The cutest cozy drink you’ll ever see!
Materials needed:
- Tan overalls.
- White onesie.
- Gold iron-on letters.
- Green felt.
- White scarf.
- Scissors.
- Glue gun.
7. Lion costume
Roar! Kids of all ages will look super “scary” in this classic DIY lion costume.
Materials needed:
- Brown hoodie.
- Brown pants.
- Brown gloves.
- Orange, white and yellow felt.
- Ruler.
- Scissors.
- Glue gun.
- Rubber band.
- Orange yarn.
8. BLT wrap baby costume
Little ones can stay snug all night long in this — kind of hilarious — DIY BLT wrap Halloween costume.
Materials needed:
- Red, white, brown and green felt.
- Brown pipe cleaner.
- Beige swaddle blanket.
- Glue gun.
- Scissors.
9. Do-it-yourself Taylor Swift
In honor of her Eras Tour, create a DIY throwback Taylor Swift costume for your school-aged kiddo.
Materials needed:
- Dress.
- Jean jacket.
- Blonde wig.
- Silver glitter.
- Shoe box.
- Heavy duty cardboard tube.
- 6 rubber bands.
10. Pirate costume
Ahoy, matey! Everyone will surely get a kick out of this DIY pirate costume that works for kids of all ages.
Materials needed:
- Cardboard.
- Tin foil.
- Black marker.
- Glue gun.
- Sequins.
- Black felt.
- Black string.
- Plain black t-shirt.
- Black sweatpants.
- White button-down shirt.
- Scissors.
- Red bandana.
- Pirate hat.
11. Farmer and tractor costume
Little boys and girls everywhere will have a blast playing farmer and zooming around in their “tractor” with this cute DIY farmer costume.
Materials needed:
- Plaid shirt.
- Overalls.
- Bandana.
- Straw hat.
- Cardboard box with extra cardboard.
- Black, yellow and brown construction paper.
- Green paint.
- Box cutter.
- Tape.
12. Circus ringleader costume
Whether they’re trick-or-treating on their own or with a troupe, this DIY circus ringleader costume is super cool.
Materials needed:
- Red shirt (adult size).
- Black and white felt.
- Gold ribbon.
- Gold iron-on letters.
- Top hat.
- Mustache.
- Black pants.
13. Rockstar princess costume
What’s better than a DIY princess costume? A DIY rockstar princess costume!
Materials needed:
- Iron-on letters.
- Iron-on glitter guitar.
- Stick-on gems.
- Hot glue gun.
- Toothpicks.
- Black shirt.
- Tutu.
- Tin foil.
- Toilet paper roll.
- Duct tape.
14. Ice cream cone costume
Yum! Check out this cute DIY ice cream sundae costume that couldn’t be easier to throw together.
Materials needed:
- Black t-shirt.
- Brown pants.
- Black marker.
- Ruler.
- Scissors.
- Colorful construction paper.
- Hot glue gun.
- Red beanie hat.
- Red pom pom.
- Red pipecleaner.
15. Dinosaur costume
Watch out, trick-or-treaters, DIY dinosaur costume coming through!
Materials needed:
- Camouflage hoodie.
- White and white felt.
- Scissors.
- Glue gun.
- Gloves.
- Red paper plates.
- Black tights.
- Poly-fil.
- Elastic.
16. Ballerina costume
Let your little one pirouette their way through town with this sweet DIY ballerina costume, which is one of the easiest DIY Halloween costumes out there!
Materials needed:
- Elastic.
- Tulle.
- Hot glue gun.
- Leotard.
- Footless dancers tights.
17. Hot dog costume
Fact: Kids love costumes, so this DIY hot dog costume is sure to be a hit.
Materials needed:
- Red and white felt.
- Black marker.
- Scissors.
- Brown hoodie.
- Red hat.
- Yellow puff paint.
- Safety pins.
- Khaki pants.
18. Cowboy costume
Yee-haw! Every kid will look adorable in this DIY cowboy costume, which can be used for dress-up once Halloween is over.
Materials needed:
- Black or brown t-shirt.
- Brown felt.
- Ruler.
- Scissors.
- Plaid shirt.
- Jeans.
- Boots.
- Cowboy hat.
- Brown twine.
- Bandana.
19. Ladybug costume
Aww. This DIY ladybug costume will definitely get your little one extra candy when trick-or-treating.
Materials needed:
- Black shirt.
- Black pants.
- Red felt.
- Hot glue gun.
- Scissors.
- Black pipe cleaners.
- Black headband.
- Black duct tape.
- Red pom poms.
- Red wings.
- Red tutu.
20. Mermaid costume
Any child will love coming up for air when it means getting to wear this sweet DIY mermaid costume.
Materials needed:
- Purple elastic.
- Tulle in different colors.
- Purple shirt.
- Glitter glue.
- Blue pants.
- Shell necklace.
21. Milk and cookies
There isn’t a person alive who doesn’t love cookies and milk, so this DIY cookies and milk costume is a sure crowd-pleaser.
Materials needed:
- Tan bed sheets.
- Black felt.
- Fabric glue.
- Scissors.
- Stencils.
- Fabric paint.
- White tote bag.
- Poly-fil.
- Hula hoop (for outlining).
- Ribbon.
22. Picnic basket baby
Keep baby comfortable, cozy and festive this Halloween with a DIY picnic basket costume.
Materials needed:
- Car seat and stroller.
- Gingham picnic blanket.
- Mesh burlap.
- “Ingredients.”
- Hat.
- Hot glue gun.
- White onesie.
- Cracker box.
23. Princess costume
Make your kiddo the most original princess on the block with this DIY princess costume.
Materials needed:
- Elastic.
- Tulle.
- Shirt of choice.
- Leggings.
- Stick-on gems.
- Tiara.
- Hot glue gun.
