DIY Halloween Costumes and Makeup Tricks
Deck out your little trick-or-treater and yourself with one of our 60+ handmade Halloween costumes or silver screen-ready makeup ideas.
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November 25, 2014
By:
H. Camille Smith
Go With a Classic
Turn items you probably already have on hand like a king-size pillowcase, cereal box and flip flops into this last-minute costume that's fit for Roman royalty. Our step-by-step instructions make this clever costume a snap.
Mad Scientist Costume On the Cheap
Turn a basic white T-shirt into a clever last-minute Halloween costume in just a few steps, using materials you likely already have at home. Get ideas for 4 more last-minute costumes you can create from white T-shirts.
Fun Frog Hoodie Costume
Kids will love this fun costume that doubles as an imagination-stirring jacket they can wear anytime. Our step-by-step instructions and free printable templates ensure that even a sewing newbie can stitch one up for their little tadpole.
From:
Sam Henderson
Unleash Your Child's Inner Ninja
Faux leather material and all-black clothing will get your little warrior ready for Halloween with a no-sew costume that's a snap to pull together. Get crafting with our step-by-step instructions.
Turn Your Toddler Into a Cute Cactus
This super-easy costume is perfect for little ones just learning to walk with their hands in an adult's for assistance — their arms-up position gives their body the shape of a saguaro cactus. Our step-by-step instructions show how to turn a comfy infant's onesie into one prickly character.
From:
Emily Fazio
Old White T-Shirts = Easy Mummy Costume
Coffee and a few old T-shirts are all you need to create stained mummy's rags. Finish the look w/ a layer of all black clothing underneath and makeup. Get ideas for 4 more last-minute costumes you can create from white T-shirts.
Pretty as a Peacock
This is one costume she'll want to wear year-round for imaginative play. The fluffy tulle tutu is sure to be a hit and so easy to craft that you'll want to make them in lots of colors. Learn how to make the no-sew tutu plus a peacock feather headband with our step-by-step instructions.
From:
Kim Stoegbauer
Let Them Show Their Strength
This no-sew costume is a showstopper but can be pulled together last-minute using a few inexpensive supplies from the craft store. Learn how to make your own.
Mommy-and-Me Costume: Cookies and Milk
You and your toddler go together like ... well, milk and cookies! Whip up this cute costume using a cardboard box, felt, round chair cushions and basic craft supplies. Learn how to make your own.
Glow-in-the-Dark Stick Figure
An all-black outfit, glow sticks and packing tape are all you need to pull together this last-minute costume that gets 'glowing' reviews. Get our tips for dressing the kids or yourself in a snap.
Adorable Baby Bull Costume
Inexpensive felt, a ready-made beanie cap, black leggings and a top and are all you need to craft this cute (and comfy!) bull costume for your baby or toddler. Get crafting to make this cute cap.
Easy Skeleton Costume
Turn a basic white T-shirt into a seriously creepy Halloween costume with a pair of scissors and a little imagination. Get ideas for 4 more last-minute costumes you can create from white T-shirts.
Scary Skeleton Makeup
Realistically resemble the deceased with this skeleton makeup treatment. Although the finished result looks hard, our how-to instructions will make creating a skeletal look quick and easy — transform yourself in under an hour. Learn the trick to making your eyebrows disappear.
Sweet in a Snap
Card stock, coffee filters and a cherry-red balloon are all you need to turn wardrobe basics into a last-minute ice cream sundae costume. Get our tips for pulling off this oh-so-sweet look.
Pirate Makeup
Transform your little buccaneer into a pillaging pirate this Halloween with our easy-to-follow makeup tutorial and costume tips. Get step-by-step instructions.
Witch Costume
Your little one is sure to cast a spell in a wee witch's costume made up of a no-sew tulle tutu, pointy craft-foam hat, DIY twig broom, black T-shirt and striped tights.
From:
Marian Parsons
Lion Makeup
Turn your cub into a roaring lion for Halloween with our easy-to-follow makeup tutorial. Learn how to replicate fur with face paint.
Troll-Tastic Headband
Harness a little good luck this Halloween and craft this troll-themed headband. It's a no-sew accessory that'll put the easy finishing touch on a colorful costume. Get crafting with our tutorial.
From:
Emily Fazio
Squeaky Clean Costume
Channel your inner clean freak to turn a plain white T-shirt and balloons into a clever bar of soap costume. Get ideas for 4 more last-minute costumes you can create from white T-shirts.
Hoodie Costume: Black Bat
Our printable templates make it easy to turn a basic black hoodie into a warm and cozy bat costume that's perfect for trick-or-treating on a chilly night or just a game of pretend in the backyard. Sew up one of your own with our free printable templates and step-by-step instructions.
From:
Sam Henderson
Mommy-and-Me Costume: Kangaroos
Keep your baby close with a clever costume idea that's comfy for your little one while keeping your hands free. Our downloadable templates and step-by-step instructions make crafting the hats quick and easy.
Adventurous Explorer Costume
Adventure awaits! Outfit your little one for the wilds of trick-or-treating in this easy-to-create Halloween costume that uses clothes they already have and a few materials from the fabric store.
From:
Kim Stoegbauer
Dinosaur Costume
This inexpensive dino costume is easy to make with just basic sewing skills, and so comfy that kids big and small will want to wear it long after Halloween. Get crafting to turn a basic hoodie into a kid-pleasing costume.
From:
Marian Parsons
Mummy Makeup
Basic makeup, coffee (yes, coffee!) and spirit gum are all you need to turn your kid into a card-carrying member of the undead. Our step-by-step instructions show you how to perfect the sunken eye look.
Ladybug Costume
A handmade tulle tutu (that's actually reversible), basic red sweatshirt and felt are all you need to craft this comfy ladybug costume complete with a personalized leafy trick-or-treat tote bag. Get crafting to make this cute costume.
From:
Marian Parsons
Cupcake Costume
An old laundry basket, wrapping paper, felt and basic craft supplies are all you need to dress your little sweetie up as their favorite icing-and-sprinkle-topped treat. Get crafting with our step-by-step instructions.
From:
Kim Stoegbauer
Glam Dark Fairy Makeup
Adults with a flair for the dramatic can take the typical fairy costume for a walk on the dark side with this step-by-step makeup tutorial.
Aviator Costume
Get your little flying ace ready for a night on the town with our easy-to-follow instructions for transforming everyday clothing into a vintage pilot's uniform complete with a custom-fitted aviator's hat.
From:
Marian Parsons
Candy Dots Costume
Need a little girl's costume you can whip up in a flash? Then this clever costume idea is for you. Just hot-glue painted foam halves onto a white jumper for a sweet disguise based on the classic candy. Make your own with our step-by-step instructions.
From:
Kim Stoegbauer
Adult Pirate Makeup
Turn your childhood dreams of Caribbean piracy into reality with this silver-screen-worthy makeup treatment. Basic makeup plus a specialty item from the costume shop will have you shiverin' timbers in under an hour. Learn the easy trick for faking gold or blackened teeth.
Feathered Fairy or Angel Wings
These feathered wings are perfect for occasions that require a costume, like Halloween or a Christmas nativity play, but are also sturdy enough to be worn for everyday imaginative play. Learn how to make your own.
From:
Marian Parsons
Creepy Ragdoll Makeup
Go disguised as a ragdoll this Halloween. Our easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions will show you how to totally transform your look with makeup. Plus: Learn how to add 3-D stitches with yarn and eyelash glue.
Shark Costume
Inexpensive felt and basic sewing skills are all you need to turn a child's gray hoodie sweatshirt into a warm-and-cozy great white shark costume. Get step-by-step instructions.
From:
Marian Parsons
Teenage Frankenstein Makeup
Little girls and tweens will love going decked out as this fashion-forward monster teen. Our step-by-step makeup tutorial shows you how to get the look.
Brave Knight Costume
Turn your little hero into a brave knight for Halloween. Our free printable template and step-by-step instructions make it easy to pull this look together even a last-minute costume.
From:
Kim Stoegbauer
Easy Viking Costume
For less than $25, turn your little marauder into a fearsome Viking warrior with furry brown toilet seat covers or bathmats, leather cording and a store-bought helmet and hammer. Get crafting to make your own.
Cute Puppy Makeup
Turn your little one into a cute puppy this Halloween with minimal makeup you can apply in a jiffy. Requiring just cream face paint, a black eyeliner pencil and basic tools, kids will love this makeup treatment so much that you may want to keep extra supplies on hand to pup them up for birthday parties or school carnivals.
Wee Golfer Costume
Just a few easy do-it-yourself additions will turn clothes they already have into a cute Halloween costume on the fly. Dress your little duffer in traditional golf attire, then finish the look with a DIY pom-pom topped knit hat and golf bag that can also be used to stash their candy haul. Learn how to quickly craft a yarn pom-pom with our step-by-step instructions.
From:
Kim Stoegbauer
Hula Girl Costume
A hula girl costume is a classic but rather than dressing your little girl in a store-bought costume, craft a one-of-a-kind look using crepe paper and air-dry clay. Get step-by-step instructions.
Let Halloween Go to the Dogs
Don't forget to get your best friend in on the action. When constructing your pup's costume, just be sure to use only soft, lightweight materials that won't obstruct their eyes, nose or mouth. Also, don't pile on the layers as pups tend to heat up quickly, making a minimal costume best. Note: Always keep Halloween treats safely out of your pup's reach. Both chocolate and the sugar-free sweetener Xylitol can be deadly for dogs.
Ghoulish Vampire Makeup
Turn your teen into a bloodthirsty vampire for Halloween with our easy-to-follow makeup tutorial. Get step-by-step instructions.
Robin Hood Costume
Easily turn budget-friendly felt and polyester fabric into a no-sew Robin Hood costume that you can pull together in a jiffy. Make your own with our step-by-step directions.
From:
Kim Stoegbauer
Chalkboard Treat Bucket
Create a Halloween treat bucket that can be decorated and customized each year to coordinate with a costume or theme. Kids will love this interactive trick-or-treat accessory that can be topped with a lid to safely store their stash. Make your own.
From:
Marian Parsons
Ice Cream Cone Costume
Your trick-or-treater will have a license to chill in this clever homemade costume that uses craft store supplies and white tights to transform your little ice cream fan into a giant soft-serve cone. Get crafting with our step-by-step instructions.
From:
Kim Stoegbauer
Fairy Princess Makeup
Give your little girl a glittering fairy princess makeover for Halloween with our easy-to-follow, step-by-step makeup tutorial.
Glittering Trick-or-Treat Bag
Get kids ready for trick-or-treating with a custom-painted and glittered Halloween tote bag. Our free printable templates and instructions make this a great kids' craft.
From:
Kim Stoegbauer
Enchanting Mermaid Makeup
Fishnet hose and shimmering eye shadow are the trick to replicating fish scales for a seductive-siren look this Halloween. Our step-by-step makeup tutorial shows you how.
HGTV Fans' Best Costume Ideas
HGTV fans are a creative bunch! Check out 25 of our favorite ideas submitted by folks just like you.
Garden Goddess Makeup
This Halloween, go as the enchanting comic book and feature-film villainess. Our easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions show you how to apply the fantasy makeup to give even a basic costume a silver screen-worthy look.
Halloween Headbands
Turn plain headbands into fun Halloween party favors and costume props with card-stock cat ears or a tiny witch's hat. Get the kids crafting with this easy project.
From:
Kim Stoegbauer
Zombie Makeup
This Halloween stop them dead in their tracks with this ghoulish zombie bride look using makeup you already have on hand plus a few extras from the costume shop. Learn how to create a corpse-like pallor.
Paper Princess Crowns
Surprise your little princess with a handmade Halloween crown. Perfect as party favors, these crafty goodies also make great costume accessories or gifts for your favorite trick-or-treaters. Our (free!) printable templates make this craft a snap.
From:
Kim Stoegbauer
Butterfly Makeup
Face paint, gel glitter and basic makeup are all you need to transform your little one into a beautiful butterfly this Halloween. Our step-by-step instructions make it a snap.
Mini Witch's Hat
This fascinator is the trendy finishing touch to an adult or kids' witch costume. Felt and cardboard are all you need to make the basic hat which you can embellish with feathers, ribbon, lace, rhinestones or whatever you'd like. Learn how to make your own.
Capitol City Vixen Makeup
This Halloween show that you're a fan of the popular book series and feature films with this step-by-step makeup tutorial for achieving the Capitol's big-screen look.
Spider Makeup
If your little one is a fan of spiders, this makeup treatment is for them. Use everyday makeup, white face paint and liquid latex to give them a serious case of the creepy crawlies, our step-by-step instructions show you how.
Pumpkin Mini Hat
Budget-friendly felt, quilt batting and cardboard are all you need to craft this cute pumpkin top. Stitch on a bit of ribbon as a chin strap to create a quick-and-easy costume accessory. Get step-by-step instructions.
Cat Makeup
Let your inner party animal roar with this Broadway-stage-worthy cat makeup that takes only 30 minutes to apply. Finish the look with a headband with attached felt ears, a solid color ensemble and a tail. Learn the trick to creating dramatic cat's eyes.
Sunflower Mini Hat
Top a cardboard circle with layers of felt petals to craft this cheery sunflower hat-ette.
Dragon Makeup
Use face paint and craft brushes to turn your little one into a colorful dragon this Halloween — complete with scales. Our step-by-step instructions make it easy.
Match the Setting to Your Costume
HGTV fan 1flatoolman put his handyman skills to work turning the bed of his truck into a pirate's ship to delight kids at his local trunk or treat. A concrete tube forms the mast, while old sheets were dyed black to create the weathered sails.
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