38 DIY Last-Minute Halloween Costumes for Kids and Adults

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!

Have some extra pool noodles lying around? Put them to work outside the water as a queen-worthy beehive costume, golden French fries or a radiant rainbow. Get the instructions below.

We give this costume our stamp of approval. A black dress paired with an address and you are good to go!

Your kids are all about candy on Halloween, so why shouldn't their costumes stick with the sweet theme? This DIY candy dots costume may require you to stop by the craft store for some supplies, but the actual project takes mere minutes to complete. Satisfy your child's sweet tooth with our how-to, below.

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.

Pull that sheet off your bed and learn how to transform it into a toga. It is literally the quickest costume you can make — takes about a minute.

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.

No costume ideas? “Gnome” problem. With a few common craft items and some everyday clothing pieces, you can quickly transform yourself and your plus one into the perfect garden-guarding pair.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Cat ladies get all the attention, but what about cat daddies? Put those old stuffed animals to good use and add them to your best cool Dad wardrobe. Bonus points if you can DIY a "Daddy" hat with vinyl lettering to complete the look.

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 is required.

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.

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.

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.

Be the belle of the ball — the disco ball! This costume is all about the accessories. Grab anything from your wardrobe that is silver and sparkly like a cocktail dress and pair it with some DIY disco ball accessories. Hot glue disco balls to a headband, add them to earring hooks and a bracelet to ensure you are the shiniest person at the party.

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.

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.

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.

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.

You and your boo! go together like avocado and toast. Break out the cardboard and paint to bring this breakfast classic to life. Pro Tip: Use the avocado pit to pridefully display your baby bump! Craft a delicious couples costume with our how-to, below.

Snails might be slow moving, but you can whip up this costume in a jiffy with items you probably already have. Roll up your comforter or sleeping bag to use as a shell and use belts to help carry it on your back. Wear all earth tones and make an antenna topper with a headband, wire and brown paper to complete the adorable look.

T-minus one afternoon before Halloween night and your little astronaut's costume is still stuck in orbit. Bring this adorable astronaut costume to Earth and finally put that stack of cardboard boxes in your garage to good use.

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.

Do you have the makeup skills to pull off this ethereal unicorn look by Emaan Khawaj? Copy this head-turning glam by following these steps:

1. Apply pale pink face paint as your base.

2. Replace your go-to contour product with a deep pink eyeshadow to create dimension.

3. Dust cool-tone pink or lavender highlighter on the high points of your face.

4. Use a peachy-pink liquid lipstick to create a subtle snout to match your pout.

5. Create a sultry smoky eye with deep purple shadows and over-the-top false lashes.

6. Round out the ethereal look with iridescent cosmetic glitter glued along your forehead, eyes and cheeks.

Want to DIY your own unicorn horn? Find our step-by-step tutorial below.

If you insist on a frightful Halloween costume, but you love a good pun, we've got the perfect last-minute DIY costume for you: Cereal killer. Get it? Give everyone a good laugh with more punny costumes, below.

It may come as a surprise, but making a handmade tulle tutu doesn't take very long, if you have a sewing machine. Pair it with a red sweatshirt outfitted with dots of black felt and pipe cleaner antennae, and you have yourself an adorable little ladybug!

Just like a delicious cupcake made up of pantry staples, like flour and sugar, this DIY cupcake costume is made from common craft drawer supplies like felt, wrapping paper and ribbon.

If your green thumb has earned you a reputation as a plant lady, wear the label with pride. Grab a terra-cotta colored T-shirt, some iron-on letters, a garland of greenery to use as a boa and your favorite plant.

We know, we know. Halloween is all about sweets. But, who doesn't love pizza? With assorted colors of felt and upcycled bottle caps, you can create your ideal pizza with all of your favorite toppings.

Even an amateur makeup artist can pull off the quintessential clown look, because there are really no set-in-stone rules. Sure, there are some basic guidelines, like a white face and red nose, but beyond this, you can really let your creative side shine. Start clowning around with our tutorial, below.

Super short on time? Pick up an inexpensive devil costume from a big box store and put a punny spin on it. By sticking a big, yellow egg yolk on a white T-shirt, you can transform a boring devil costume into a deviled egg 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.

Your toddler needs mommy like cookies need milk — wait, that gives us an idea! Whip up this cute costume using a cardboard box, felt, round chair cushions and basic craft supplies.

This DIY queen costume is so quick and easy to make, you'll wonder why anyone would rather buy than DIY. Give your little one a royal makeover with our how-to, below.

All aboard! If your little one loves trains, as so many do, make their Halloween dreams come true with a DIY conductor costume complete with a cardboard train they can wear. Chugga chugga choo choo toward an adorable costume with our how-to, below.