20 DIY Last-Minute Halloween Costumes

Some people spend all year creating their perfect Halloween costume, while others ... don't. If you fall in the latter camp, we've got you covered. These last-minute costumes will still satisfy your DIY DNA, but you can still procrastinate as long as you want.

By: Kamron Sanders

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Shop This Look

Photo By: Jalynn Baker

Photo By: Yasmin Murphy

Photo By: Jalynn Baker

Photo By: Jeff Mindell for Studio DIY

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Photo By: A Beautiful Mess

Photo By: Jalynn Baker

Photo By: Jeff Mindell for Studio DIY

Photo By: Jalynn Baker

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Photo By: Yasmin Murphy

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Photo By: Sarah Busby

Photo By: Jalynn Baker

Photo By: A Beautiful Mess

DIY Your Way to the Haunted Hall of Fame

Is it just us or does Halloween seem to sneak up every single year? If it seems that your dreams of elaborate DIY costumes are long gone, think again. These DIY last-minute Halloween costumes are easy to make at a moment’s notice and are sure to please even the pickiest of poltergeists!

Like what you see? Cannonball into these clever pool noodle costumes, below.

GET THE HOW-TO: Too Cool for Pool: 3 Last-Minute DIY Costumes

Craft a Colorful Crayon T-Shirt Costume

Help your kiddo make their mark this Halloween with an oh-so-cute crayon costume. All you need to pull this last-minute look together is a brightly colored T-shirt, some black felt and color-matched card stock. Craft this colorful look with our how-to, below.

GET THE HOW-TO: Three Last-Minute T-Shirt Halloween Costume Ideas

Freshen Up With a Centerpiece Costume

Who doesn't love a fresh flower arrangement? Channel all that beautiful floral energy by turning yourself into a flower arrangement. Simply stop by the store and grab a few vibrant faux flower stems, some thick ribbon and a round laundry basket if you don't already have one. Don't forget the watering can! Water you waiting for? Get growing, below.

GET THE HOW-TO: Goodbye Laundry, Hello DIY Costumes

Sound the School Bell

Regardless of your feelings toward school being back in session, you have to admit that this school supply costume from Studio DIY is an ideal last-minute option. This versatile idea can serve as a couple’s costume or a family costume depending on your needs. Study up on the how-to, below.

GET THE HOW-TO: DIY School Supplies Costume

Unlock Your Inner Strong Man

The best DIY Halloween costumes come with props and accessories. Unfortunately, this isn't always doable with short notice. Luckily, this no-sew strong man costume, complete with an ultralight barbell, takes very little time to make, while still looking like a labor of love. Flex your DIY muscles with the how-to, below.

GET THE HOW-TO: Easy Halloween Costume: Carnival Strong Man

From: Cheri Heaton

Double Scoop This Adorable Ice Cream Sundae Costume

Who doesn't love ice cream? Seriously — we all scream for it. Roll into your Halloween party dressed as everyone's go-to sweet treat. This costume's cherry on top (literally) is a red balloon cherry in a dollop of coffee filter whipped cream. Get scooping with our oh-so-sweet how-to, below.

GET THE HOW-TO: DIY Halloween Costume: Ice Cream Sundae

Shoot Your Halloween Shot

Jordan who? The only G.O.A.T. discussion we're interested in is which DIY last-minute Halloween costume is the greatest of all time. This laundry-basket-turned-basketball-hoop has our MVP vote for sure. Give it a shot with our how-to, below.

GET THE HOW-TO: Goodbye Laundry, Hello DIY Costumes

Print Out the Perfect Last-Minute Costume

If you have a printer, you have a Halloween costume. These printable unicorn masks are so quick and easy that you'll have plenty of extra time to color them in. Download the free printable mask or check out more cute kids' costumes, below.

See More Photos: 85 Cute + Easy DIY Halloween Kids' Costumes

Give Man's Best Friend Something to Rawr About

It's never too late to give your precious pooch a last-minute Halloween makeover. With a little glue and a few felt strips, you can turn man's best friend into the king of the jungle in just about an hour. That's right — no sewing machine required. Get your paws dirty with our how-to, below.

GET THE HOW-TO: Halloween Pet Costume: No-Sew Lion's Mane

Or, Opt for a Storybook Makeover

Trick-or-treating is always better with your four-legged friend in tow, so what better way than dressing as Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf? These DIY costumes are made from inexpensive, easy-to-find items and require minimal time and effort. Have storybook success with our step-by-step guide, below.

GET THE HOW-TO: This May Be the Perfect Halloween Costume for a Girl and Her Dog

Conceive an Inconceivably Great Costume

The key to crafting a stunning last-minute Halloween costume that's easy to DIY is to find recognizable characters with simple, easy-to-recreate looks. Westley and Buttercup from the 1980s classic The Princess Bride are the perfect examples. While A Beautiful Mess's version is nearly spot on, this DIY can easily be recreated with a red dress and an all-black outfit. Just don't forget the recognizable black eye mask! Prep the look "as you wish" with the how-to, below.

GET THE HOW-TO: DIY The Princess Bride Costume

Turn a Box Into a Hot Air Balloon

In a world full of online shopping, we're willing to bet you've got a box laying around. If so, you've got a Halloween costume. This DIY hot air balloon costume is so impressive that fellow trick-or-treaters will think it took hours to make, but it's actually, quick, easy and, best of all, budget-friendly. Take flight with our step-by-step guide, below.

GET THE HOW-TO: 3 Out-of-the-Box Halloween Costumes Made From Cardboard

Put a Sweet Spin on a Pool Noodle

What's more on-brand for Halloween than this sweets-inspired costume from Studio DIY? Though this is a couple's costume, it can easily be broken into its individual components for those going solo. The showstopper is the giant candy necklace made from sliced pool noodles and rope. Sweeten up your costume game with the how-to, below.

GET THE HOW-TO: DIY Sweet Tooth Costume

Or, Slice Up a Breakfast Favorite

You know what else sliced pool noodles almost perfectly resemble? Fruity cereal. Turn your child (or yourself!) into a heaping bowl of sugary cereal for Halloween. Complete your well-balanced breakfast, below.

GET THE HOW-TO: Goodbye Laundry, Hello DIY Costumes

Turn a T-Shirt Into a Skeleton

Sometimes last minute actually means the last minute. When you're crunched for time, a little makeup and a cut-up white T-shirt are all it takes to create a seriously scary skeleton. Dig up this and more white T-shirt costumes, below.

GET THE HOW-TO: 5 Easy Halloween Costumes You Can Make With a T-Shirt

Solve the Mystery of the Perfect Family Costume

While there's no shortage of costumes for small dogs, larger dogs have slimmer pickings once Halloween rolls around. Luckily, everyone's favorite mystery-solving gang keeps a big dog by their side. To recreate Shaggy and Velma, follow Ananda Elena's lead and use the clothes you already have. Once all three costumes are together — jinkies! There's no denying the resemblance. DIY more adorable pet costumes with our inspo, below.

See More Photos: 37 DIY Pet Costumes for Halloween

Fall Hook, Line and Sinker for this DIY Fisherman Costume

Reel in the most adorable fisherman costume with little more than an upcycled paper grocery bag, though a fishing hat and fishing pole certainly tie the look together. Set your hook into our helpful how-to, below.

GET THE HOW-TO: Paper Bag Halloween Costumes 3 Ways

Turn Trash Into Frankenstein's Monster

What's better than a last-minute DIY costume that everyone is sure to love? One that's upcycled. That's right! This classic Frankenstein costume might just save you a trip to the recycling center. Get started on your own monster, below.

GET THE HOW-TO: 3 Halloween Costumes You Can Make From Trash

Or, Turn Your Trash Into Something Cuter

In a pinch, old soda bottles and laundry detergent caps transform into a super-cute scuba diver costume that rivals store-bought costumes. This is the perfect costume for your little diver to have a hand in creating. Dive into our how-to, below.

GET THE HOW-TO: 3 Halloween Costumes You Can Make From Trash

Pun Your Way to a Perfect DIY Costume

Fresh out of ideas for a last-minute get-up? Try personifying a well-known pun. Business attire + a stuffed monkey and banana phone = monkey business. Check out more punny costumes with our round-up, below.

Let Your Inner 80s Kid Shine

Still buzzing on the latest Stranger Things developments? Then we have a costume for you! You and your boo will have the lights flickering when you roll out in this Mike and Eleven couples costume courtesy of A Beautiful Mess. Bonus points if you shave your head! Pair up with our favorite couples' costumes, below.

See More Photos: 48 Couple's Costume Ideas For You and Your BOO!

20 DIY Last-Minute Halloween Costumes

Related To:

Shop This Look

DIY Your Way to the Haunted Hall of Fame

Craft a Colorful Crayon T-Shirt Costume

Freshen Up With a Centerpiece Costume

Sound the School Bell

Unlock Your Inner Strong Man

Double Scoop This Adorable Ice Cream Sundae Costume

Shoot Your Halloween Shot

Print Out the Perfect Last-Minute Costume

Give Man's Best Friend Something to Rawr About

Or, Opt for a Storybook Makeover

Conceive an Inconceivably Great Costume

Turn a Box Into a Hot Air Balloon

Put a Sweet Spin on a Pool Noodle

Or, Slice Up a Breakfast Favorite

Turn a T-Shirt Into a Skeleton

Solve the Mystery of the Perfect Family Costume

Fall Hook, Line and Sinker for this DIY Fisherman Costume

Turn Trash Into Frankenstein's Monster

Or, Turn Your Trash Into Something Cuter

Pun Your Way to a Perfect DIY Costume

Let Your Inner 80s Kid Shine

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Too Cool for Pool: 3 Last-Minute DIY Costumes

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Three Last-Minute T-Shirt Halloween Costume Ideas

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