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ChildrenHolidays

10 DIY Costume Ideas You Can Afford

By October 23, 2018January 27th, 2023No Comments

Halloween is just a week away. If you haven’t figured out your children’s costumes yet, don’t despair.

You don’t have to break your budget on a last-minute costume.

Look around the house for some great DIY costume options.

  1. Cardboard, a T-shirt, balloons, and some leggings or tights become a bubble bath.
  2. Paint a target on a brown T-shirt, make a sign, “Bummer birthmark, Dude!” that your child carries, make some antlers or grab the Rudolph Christmas ones you have lying around, find a red ball nose, and you have an Unfortunate Rudolph. Thanks, Far Side©.
  3. Got some suspenders, tight high-water pants, a white button-down shirt, and a bow tie? Presto! You have Alfalfa from Little Rascals.
  4. Felt, Stitch Witchery or Velcro, and an old sheet could become a slice of pizza.

You get the idea. Hopefully, your creative juices are flowing.

Have some time to do a little shopping? Try these tips:

  1. Swap costumes with a friend. Call a friend to see what costumes her kids don’t want to wear this year. Ask to borrow or buy them from her. You get a new costume for your kids, and she gets an item or two out of her house. Win-Win.
  2. Shop your closet. What do you have in your closet or attic that could be part of a costume? Be creative. Got an old graduation gown and mortar? Chemistry scholar. Add a few bottles of something weird to complement the idea.
  3. Shop your Mom’s or Grandma’s closet. If your parents or grandparents live nearby, you have a goldmine. Ask if you can look through their stored items to come up with pieces you can turn into a crazy costume. One year I wore my Dad’s Naval uniform and went as a midshipman.
  4. Shop a thrift store. What can you find to make a costume that’s unique? Once, for an office costume party, I went as a fruit cocktail after finding a hideously bright dress on a rack. Also, you might find some previously worn costumes for pennies on the dollar.
  5. Browse Pinterest for some creative ideas. Check out some of these ideas I found in a brief search for DIY Halloween Costumes:

23 Pun Costumes for a Clever Halloween

22 Easy DIY Halloween Costumes for Kids and Adults

15 Awesome DIY Halloween Costumes

13 Easy Last Minute Halloween Costumes

98 Quick & Easy DIY Halloween Costumes

50 Last Minute Halloween Costume Ideas You Can Whip Up At Home

This year, be unique.

Whether the costume is for you or your kids, think outside the box (hmmm . . . there’s a 10th costume idea there). Make it a game with your kids to see who can be the most creative and spend the least amount of money.

I know my readers are a super creative bunch. Post your costume pictures in the comments below or on Facebook. I’m excited to see your costumes.

Happy creating,

If you need help, please reach out. I promise to listen without judgment and help you take the next step.