media

Halloween is just around the corner, which means your kids are likely either begging to go to the costume shop or scrambling to think of a costume idea. If the idea of crowded costume shopping spooks you, consider the following do-it-yourself ideas. With a few accessories and a little imagination, you can outfit your kids creatively and inexpensively.

Bag of Jellybeans

Your kids will look as sweet as can be with this easy-to-make costume.

What you need:

• Clear trash bag

• Scissors

• Balloons

• Ribbon

• Computer and printer (optional)

How to make it:

• Cut a waist-sized hole in the bottom of the trash bag and two armholes.

• Blow up balloons.

• Put your child in the bag and fill the bag with balloons. Tie the top of the bag loosely around your child’s neck with a decorative ribbon.

• To brand your jellybeans, find a label online and print it out. Adhere it to the bag.

Zombie

For the kid who wants to look scary this Halloween, try a zombie costume. It’s simple!

What you need:

• Flour

• Eye shadow

• Scissors

• Old clothes

How to make it:

• Take an old outfit, possibly clothing that is outgrown, and rip and cut it with scissors. To fray the edges, wash and dry the clothes. Find some dirt and rub the clothes in it.

• Apply a layer of flour on your child’s face. If you would like it to be thicker, apply lotion to the face beforehand.

• Use gray or black eye shadow to darken the area around the eyes and to make the face look dirty.

• If you have green eye shadow, apply it to the eye area as well for a decayed look.

• Put some flour in their hair to make it look dirty and dusty. 

Black Cat

A classic kids’ costume that never goes out of style, the cat is adorable on children of all ages.

What you need:

• Eyeliner

• All-black clothing and shoes

• Two bobby pins

• Black construction paper

• Headband (optional)

How to make it:

• Cut two triangle-shaped pieces of black construction paper. Bend the base of the triangles and tape over the bent pieces, leaving loops in the bottom. Push bobby pins through the open holes and pin the ears onto the hair (or headband if your child prefers a headband that can easily be removed).

• Draw a cat face on your child with the eyeliner.

• Dress your child in all black.

Minion

The lovable stars of the movie Despicable Me are all the rage right now. Your child will be comfortable and current in this costume.

What you need:

• Overalls

• Yellow t-shirt

• Yellow scarf or knit cap

• Swim goggles

How to make it:

This one is easy. Put the outfit on and go! 

Steve Minecraft

All aboard the Minecraft train. Get crafty and your kid will be able to bring virtual reality into Halloween reality!

What you need:

• One box about twice as large as your child’s head

• Construction paper

• Box cutter

• Scissors

• Glue

• Blue or green t-shirt

• Jeans

How to make it:

• Close the box and cut a square in the top just big enough to go around your child’s neck. This will be the bottom of the head.

• Cut a horizontal rectangle shape where the eyes will go.

• Cut 3×3″ squares of all the shades of Steve’s face.

• Start by placing blue construction paper squares on either side of the nose. Create the mouth next. Work from there.

• Once the face is created, all you need is to outfit your child and slip the box over his or her head. Tape the bottom of the box.

Super Mario

What you need:

• Overalls

• Long-sleeve red shirt

• Red newsboy cap or trucker cap

• Suspenders

• Black shoes

• Eyeliner or fake mustache

• White paper

• Tape or glue

How to make it:

• Draw the Mario “M” on a white piece of paper and cut a circle around it. Glue or tape it to the red cap.

• Put on the outfit.

• Draw on a mustache or adhere the fake mustache to your child’s face.