Halloween is just around the corner and costumes will be at the top of your kids’ minds. Finding time to make lists and shop for costumes on your busy schedule takes a lot of effort and can be a burden on your pocketbook, too. Instead of going to the store, turn your eye inward and shop in your own home closets and cupboards.
Here are four costumes for young children that are easy to make, take minimal time and don’t require sewing skills. These fun DIY costumes use t-shirts from your kid’s closet and other items that you probably already have in your household. All you need is a bit of creativity and there is no need for a sewing machine or inserting zippers or buttonholes. Once you have gathered all the necessary items, let your creative powers flow and the costumes can be finished in a flash!
Black Cat
All you need is a black t-shirt and black leggings or pants. Make a tail by stuffing a long black sock and attaching it to the back of the t-shirt with a needle and thread or a safety pin. Cut out two ears from black fabric and loop the bottom edge of each ear around a plastic headband and hot glue in place. If you don’t have a hot-glue gun, fabric glue, tape or safety pins will work too. Finish the cat look by adding a nose and whiskers with face paint or eye liner.
Jack-O’-Lantern
Young kids love to dress up in this traditional Halloween costume. All you need is an orange t-shirt and black leggings or pants. To make the face, cut out large pumpkin eyes, nose and mouth from black craft felt (or cut up a black t-shirt) and glue or hand stitch onto the front of the orange t-shirt. Add a little pumpkin hat by gluing orange fabric onto a plastic headband. Twist green pipe cleaners onto the headband to form upright stems and then glue little green leaves onto the pipe cleaners. To finish it off, tie a bright green scarf around the neck.
Royalty
Your child will look very regal in this fun costume. Decorate a pink or purple t-shirt by gluing on sequins or glitter glue and wear over pink or purple leggings or skirt. For the cape, drape a white pillowcase around the shoulders and secure with a large twinkly brooch or hand-sew two ribbons to the upper corners of the pillowcase and tie a bow in front. For the crown, cut a three-inch wide strip of yellow Bristol board and glue in a circle to fit around your child’s head. Cut the top edge with several points, then decorate the crown by glueing on sequins or glitter glue. Add embellishments, such as long sparkly necklaces or bracelets.
Bumble Bee
Your child will be buzzing around in this amusing costume. Glue black horizontal stripes onto a yellow t-shirt and wear over black or yellow leggings. For the antennae, glue small, black pom-poms onto pipe cleaners and attach to a headband. Make the wings by cutting bubble wrap in two long oval shapes and then securing on the back of the t-shirt with a safety pin or duct tape. Add some magic by covering the wings with glitter glue.
Remember that Halloween costumes should have a bright or reflective component so that trick-or-treaters can be seen in the dark. Be sure to add reflective tape on their treat bags or a glow stick or necklace as they walk door to door. Happy Halloween!
