45 Buy or DIY Family Halloween Costume Ideas

As parents, you only get so many Halloweens to dress up with your kiddos before they run off to haunt the town with their ghoulish friends. Relish the fun-filled holidays you spend together by making DIY family costumes for your crew. Short on time? We've got you, friend. From colorful crayons and toadstool troops to scary-chic sheet ghosts and miniature mermaids — we're covering all the bases with 45 buy or DIY family costume ideas you can order on the fly or make on the cheap.

First up: Haunt the neighborhood this Halloween by reprising the roles of iconic monsters à la blogger Lori Oberbroeckling. This creepy crew offers ample inspiration for yours, with mom and dad dressed to kill as Frankenstein's monster and his bride. The kids are fit to fright as Count Dracula, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, a fanged vampire and a mummy.

The forecast is bright for whoever snags this weather-inspired group costume for their Halloween crew this year. The three-costume set includes a cheery sunshine costume for the group chaperone and a fierce thunderstorm cloud and radiant rainbow costume for the trick-or-treaters. Pro tip: Let your meteorological ensembles shine by wearing plain black sweatsuits and sneakers under each costume.

Is there anything better than new school supplies? We think not, friend. Deck out your family as everyone’s favorite things: a big pink eraser, a blank page ready to write on and a sharpened pencil, ready to do the job. Snag plain yellow, white and pink t-shirts from your go-to dollar spot and use fabric markers to embellish with lines and iconic branding.

GET THE HOW-TO: DIY School Supplies Family Costume

Dress your family as everyone’s favorite fall libation: pumpkin spice latte. This three-costume bundle includes an adult and children’s pumpkin spice shaker costume and an adult latte costume topped with whipped cream and a cinnamon stir stick. Have your spice squad dress in monochromatic black, brown or rust orange as a base for the throw-and-go costumes. Slip on your go-to fall boots and spice up your look with bronze-toned makeup and gold glitter around your eyes for an elevated autumn look.