Deciding what to wear on Halloween has always been a challenge. In my mind, the best costumes are cheap, easy and have instant impact. All it takes is a little creativity to make halloween costumes your little tricksters will love! Just think about all the money you will save over buying those flimsy and expensive store bought versions. Here are some cool kid costume ideas plus some nifty it’s-the-night-before-Halloween-and-my-kid-doesn’t-have-a-costume-yet suggestions.
For a fun sandwich board costume try the ‘Ace Of Hearts’. Paint a big red heart in the middle, along with an “A” and a heart in each corner. You can get creative and come up with your own playing card design on the back or you can simply repeat the front. Black pants and top plus a toque with a genuine ace of hearts card affixed to the brim finishes off the costume.
Butterfly A black leotard and tights or leggings and turtleneck become the base of this costume. Black pipe cleaners attached to barrettes act as the antennae and poster board decorated in bright colours can be used for the wings.
Astronaut A couple of boxes and a few accessories make easy work out of this Astronaut costume. Cut a hole for the face in a square box the right size to fit over a child's head. Cover the box with foil or paint it with non-toxic silver paint. For some nifty control knobs, affix a smaller box to the front of the costume and paint on the knobs. A white or silver clothes-dryer vent hose is makes great sleeves. Run a small plastic tube for ‘air’ from the back of the face box to the ‘oxygen tank’ attached to the back of your costume. Finish the costume off with a snowmobile helmet with plastic face guard and an oxygen tank (a blown up oblong balloon or a removable water reservoir from a large plastic water gun).
Pair of Dice This two-in-one costume is ideal for twins or best friends who consider themselves joined at the hip. Cover two large boxes with white paper, paint dots on each to look like dice and cut holes for their arms and head. Slip boxes over their heads - and presto, a fast and easy costume!
Crayon Crafty kids will love this colorful kid costume. Use poster board to fashion a large tube that fits around your child. Cut holes for arms. Velcro or staples can be used to secure the back. A pointed hat should also be made out of the same colour. Decorate the tube with markers so it resembles a crayon. It is best to have your child dress in non-competing dark coloured leggings and turtleneck.
Bag of Garbage This is an easy costume to pull together at the last minute. Grab a big green garbage bag. Start by cutting arm and leg holes. Dress your child (or yourself for that matter) all in black. Once on, start stuffing the bag with old newspapers, make a few holes so you can leave some straws, plastic bags and other garbage type stuff sticking through. Gather up the neck with and old tie and paint the subject’s face with a murky mix of brown and green make-up. For the finishing touch, mess up the hair, add a little gel, hairspray and a bunch of twist ties.
Bubble Bath (Or A Bunch Of Grapes) Another fun costume is to blow up 30 pink or purple round balloons and have the kids go as bubble-bath, or a bunch of grapes. Just before sending them out attach the tip (the knot-end of the balloons) to a track suit. Top of with a green hat or scarf for a great stem!
EZ Sew Drawstring Costumes Drawstring costumes can be fashioned from sheets or large pieces of fabric. Cut the material (plastic or fabric) in a long strip which measures twice the child's height from shoulder to knees. The width should match the child's measurements from elbow to elbow. Sew the casing together at the top and bottom. With right sides together, sew back seam, leaving the casing open. Push elastic through the casings, leaving the ends protruding. Next, let your child try it on while you mark the armholes. Cut two slits in each side of the bag for arms. Turn the raw edges inward and sew. Now let your youngster step into the bag while you pull the drawstrings. If you’re using fabric, stuff with wads of newspaper until the costume is round and full. Pull the drawstring over the child's shoulders and tie. That’s all there is to it. Drawstring costumes can be adapted to anything a youngster’s heart desires by dyeing the fabric, adding fabric cut-outs, making hats, and painting faces. And, just because your baby may not be able to say “Treat or Treat’ it doesn’t mean that you can’t dress her up and go out and enjoy the festivities yourself. Get the whole family (especially if there are older siblings) involved by adding a little creativity to an otherwise plain sleeper.
Bunny Attach a pompom to the backside of a white or pale coloured sleeper or pair of similarly coloured P’J’s. Ears can be fashioned out of white cardboard or felt. The same basic steps can be used to make a teddy bear or a cat, you just need a different coloured outfit and matching ears.
Bumble Bee Yellow pyjamas and antennas made from black pipe cleaners make a bumblebee. Black stripes can be made with electrical tape, permanent marker, or from black felt and hot glue. Make sure the costume cools and dries completely before trying it on your child.
Lady Bug Start with a red sleeper or pair of pyjamas. Use the same technique as above for the spots.
Remember that it’s imagination and creativity - not expense that is the key to a great Halloween! |