85 Cute + Easy DIY Halloween Kids' Costumes

Break out the craft supplies and enlist the kiddos to help make these creative, funny and budget-friendly homemade costumes.

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March 14, 2021

By: Chelsea Faulkner

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DIY Halloween Costumes Your Kids Will Love

It's that time of year again when you have to choose between spending a small fortune on a store-bought Halloween costume for your kiddo (or kiddos) or spend hours of precious free time crafting something they'll actually want to wear. Well, stress no longer! We've pulled together the ultimate list of cute, clever costumes that are easy to make, take minimal time and look like something you bought off the rack. Grab our step-by-step tutorials for a variety of kid-friendly outfits like this scuba diver costume made from leftover soda bottles and much, much more.

Soda Bottle Scuba Diver Costume

Make this adorable scuba diver costume in a pinch from items you would normally toss in the trash, like 2-liter soda bottles and a laundry detergent cap.

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

Sweet Scoops Ice Cream Costume

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ... this adorable ice cream costume! Let the kiddos dress up as their favorite sweet treat this Halloween by crafting our simple ice cream cone hats. Style your scoops with comfy, solid-color clothing that coordinates with the featured flavor.

GET THE HOW-TO: How to Make Ice Cream Cone Party Hats

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

No-Sew Roman Toga Costume

This easy, no-sew costume uses everyday items like a pillowcase, cereal box and flip flops to create a majestic costume fit for Roman royalty. No sheet-wrapping involved, which means there’s no need to worry about the toga falling off during trick-or-treating.

GET THE HOW-TO: Last-Minute Halloween Costume: Roman Toga

From: Cheri Heaton

Color Me Spooky Costume

Have a t-shirt, craft felt and some construction paper? Then you have everything you need to craft this oh-so-colorful costume.

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

Queen of Hearts Costume

The Queen of Hearts may be the antagonist in Lewis Carroll's children's book classic Alice in Wonderland, but this sweet costume will make the villainous queen look downright adorable. There is minimal sewing involved and the sewing can even be skipped if needed. Best of all, this costume is easy to customize to fit children of any age, or even an adult.

GET THE HOW-TO: A Charming Queen of Hearts

Cardboard Train Costume

All aboard! Reduce, reuse and recreate this charming choo-choo from discarded cardboard boxes and some craft supplies you likely already have on hand.

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

Paper Bag Fisherman Costume

Cleverly crafted from a large paper grocery bag, this DIY fisherman's vest is reel cute. Complete the look with a button-down shirt, a kid-sized brimmer hat and a handy fishing pole — you could even swap the pole for a fishing net to hold candy while trick-or-treating.

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

Hot Air Balloon Costume

Turn your tot into an aeronaut with a laundry basket and a helium balloon. As a bonus, the tall balloon will make it easy to keep track of your child on Halloween night. Don't have a laundry basket on hand? A cardboard box works great, too.

Carnival Strong Man Costume

Cue the shenanigans with this clever, last-minute costume you can pull together from items in your child's closet. Just add muscles and a mustache.

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

From: Cheri Heaton

Milk + Cereal Costume

Sure to be the star of any costume party or trunk-or-treat, this sugary-sweet ensemble is a breeze to make from a laundry basket and multi-colored pool noodles.

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

Starry Night Face Paint Costume

New Orleans artist Crystal Turner has an enviable sidekick when it comes to costume creation in October. “My son and I love Halloween and I dress up with him every year,” she says. “The inspiration behind our unzipped look was to showcase [that] we are all magical and made of the universe!” To follow in their footsteps, buy a zipper at a craft store (or upcycle one from a worn-out item of clothing), then snip off the excess fabric on either side of the teeth. Experiment with laying the zipper at different angles on your face, trimming it to length, then dusting over it with a bit of loose powder so you’ll know where it will be affixed. Dab spirit gum within the outlines that remain, lay the zipper on your face, then use a combination of sponged, brushed, and stippled water-based makeup to create the effect of your choice on the “unzipped” portion of your face.

SEE MORE: 40 Face Paint & Makeup-Only Halloween Costumes

Pink Flamingo Costume

Turn a bunch of inexpensive feather boas into a fun flamingo costume for your little one. Pair it with a pink dress and tights, and you have a unique, handmade Halloween costume that won't break the bank. Design by Jess Abbott.

Pretty Peacock Costume

An easy-to-craft tulle tutu makes this no-sew costume a favorite among skirt-swirling little ones everywhere. Add a few fashion-forward peacock feathers for a Halloween costume they'll never want to take off.

GET THE HOW-TO: Kid's Halloween Costume: Pretty Peacock

From: Kim Stoegbauer

Cactus Cutie Costume

Inspired by the fact that the creator's young child was still walking holding her parents' hands, a simple saguaro cactus costume was a hilariously cute choice for his first Halloween. You only need a few materials to make one of your own. Looking for a matching grown-up cactus costume? Check out our easy cactus dress tutorial.

GET THE HOW-TO: Make a Prickly Cactus Costume for a Toddler

From: Emily Fazio

Soapy Bubbles Costume

Keep it clean this Halloween with a DIY soap costume that will get the party popping. Follow our step-by-step instructions to learn how to turn a plain white T-shirt into a bubbling bar of soap, plus five more easy DIY t-shirt costume ideas.

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

Little Red Riding Hood (and the Big Bad Wolf)

Is there anything cuter than kids and dogs trick-or-treating together? We don't think so. This Little Red Riding Hood costume is perfect for any little one and their "Big Bad Wolf" (aka pupper), and is sure to have the whole block smiling.

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

Merry Minion Costume

Is your kid obsessed with these adorably funny, yellow movie characters? Grab pair of overalls, a bright yellow hoodie and some round, vintage-style goggles for an easy, funny and comfy DIY costume your kid will love.

BUY IT: Walmart.com, $8.99

Printable Unicorn Masks

Kids will love coloring and glittering their very own mythical creature masks this Halloween. Download and print our free, unicorn mask coloring pages, then set up outside or in the garage for an afternoon of crafting fun. Punch a hole in the sides and tie on masks with a string or elastic, then let the kiddos pick out their best unicorn-inspired outfits to match.

Ceiling Fan Costume

We love a good pun and this ceiling "fan" costume fits the bill. The beauty of this simple costume is it works with any shirt you’re willing to take stickers or a marker to. Finish off the look with a pair of pompoms, and you have yourself a cheap, last-minute costume that is sure to get some laughs.

GET THE HOW-TO: 15 of the Punniest Last-Minute Halloween Costumes Ever

Wind-Up Doll Costume

Is your little one as cute as a doll? Turn them into a vintage wind-up doll for Halloween using a bit of cardboard, spray paint and our step-by-step instructions linked below.

Superhero Squad Costume

Empower your kids to feel invincible by helping them create their own DIY superhero outfits. Offer them the creative freedom to dream up their own superpowers and help design a personal emblem for their costume. The best part? Most of the items for this DIY can be found in your kid's closet.

Epic Viking Costume

With a bit of faux fur and a hilarious yarn beard, your little one will be ready to trick-or-treat in Valhalla.

Out of This World Costume

A shiny silver dress, green tights and basic craft supplies are all you need to turn your little space cadet into an adorable alien. Follow the link below for step-by-step instructions on how to turn the whole family into an out-of-this-world cast of characters.

GET THE HOW-TO: DIY Family Costumes That Are Out of This World

Pool Noodle Rainbow Costume

Summer might be over, but don't put those pool noodles away just yet. Craft this cute, colorful rainbow costume by bending and gluing the foam floaties together into a pretty piece that wears like a backpack.

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

All Eyes on Me Costume

Turn an old expression into a fun Halloween costume that's sure to pack a pun-ch. Grab a white t-shirt and a lot of Ping-Pong balls to make this quick and inexpensive costume.

Bewitching Tutu Costume

Even the biggest Halloween humbugs will be delighted by this cute, handmade witch costume made from a no-sew tutu and foam hat, and paired with striped tights and a black t-shirt. Throw in a pint-size broom fashioned from a stick and twigs for an authentic witchy look.

GET THE HOW-TO: Make a Kid's Witch Costume for Halloween

From: Marian Parsons

Watercolor Artist Costume

Create a trick-or-treating masterpiece by turning your little artist into a classic watercolor paint tray. Top it off with a handmade French-inspired beret and a jumbo paintbrush made from a pool noodle.

Dust Bunny Costume

Sure, you could cover your kids in dust and call it a day, or you could opt for this adorable alternative that utilizes a fun pair of bunny ears and a feather duster to create a punny dust bunny costume.

GET THE HOW-TO: 15 of the Punniest Last-Minute Halloween Costumes Ever

Bo Peep Costume

Disney's Toy Story 4 gave a beloved character a major makeover. In the original movie, Bo Peep looked like your stereotypical shepherdess. However, ever since she's been on her own, forging a new life in the wilds and protecting the "Lost Toys," Little Bo Peep's look has morphed into something more practical and exciting. Learn how to recreate this low-sew cute costume by following our easy step-by-step instructions, below.

GET THE HOW-TO: A Charming, Easy to Craft Little Bo Peep Costume

Haunted Hipster Costume

Southern California-based makeup artist and hairstylist Morgan Silva used her expert skills to transform her little brother into a spooky-skeleton for Halloween. To spookify a sibling (or yourself) in a similarly spine-chilling way, find our skeleton makeup tutorial below, then check out our full list of DIY Halloween makeup ideas.

GET THE HOW-TO: Halloween Makeup Tutorial: Skeleton

Cute Golf Caddy Costume

This cute costume is a hole in one! If your kiddo loves to play (or pretend play) golf, dress them up in this easy DIY ensemble made from items they probably have hanging in the closet and a golf bag made from an upcycled oatmeal container.

GET THE HOW-TO: Kid's Halloween Costume: Vintage Golfer

From: Kim Stoegbauer

Spooky Bat Hoodie Costume

Your little one's imagination will take flight in this bat costume made from an inexpensive hoodie and felt. Pair it with black leggings or sweat pants for a comfy Halloween costume they'll want to wear long after the holiday has passed.

GET THE HOW-TO: Hoodie Halloween Costume: Black Bat

From: Sam Henderson

King of the Jungle Lion Costume

Transform your favorite kiddo into the king or queen of the savannah with some water-based face paint and a fluffy bodysuit. Get the full instructions for this roaring makeup look below.

GET THE HOW-TO: Kid's Halloween Makeup Tutorial: Lion

Little Explorer Costume

Adventure awaits! Outfit your little one for the wilds of trick-or-treating in this easy-to-create vintage explorer costume.

GET THE HOW-TO: Kid's Halloween Costume: Adventurous Explorer

From: Kim Stoegbauer

Fairy Princess Costume

Cast a spell in this magical fairy costume made from a few rolls of tulle and some dollar store materials. Find our DIY, no-sew tutu tutorial here, then follow the instructions below to finish off the enchanting ensemble.

Vintage Aviator Costume

Your little one's imagination will take flight in this vintage aviator costume. Embellish everyday clothing with handmade felt patches, then add a custom-made scarf and bomber hat to bring the look together.

GET THE HOW-TO: Make a Kid's Pilot Costume for Halloween

From: Marian Parsons

Comfy Dinosaur Costume

Sewing your kid's Halloween costume is a parent's rite of passage. Not a sewer? This dinosaur costume is simple to make from a comfy green hoodie and requires only very basic sewing skills.

GET THE HOW-TO: Make a Kid's Dinosaur Costume From a Zip-Up Hoodie

From: Marian Parsons

Candy Dots Costume

In a pinch for a clever homemade Halloween costume? No worries, you can quickly whip up this sweet costume that mimics the look of the classic Halloween candy. Want to go as a pair? Check out our DIY grown-up version, as well.

GET THE HOW-TO: Kids' Halloween Costume: Candy Dots

From: Kim Stoegbauer

Chimney Sweep Costume

"Chim-chiminy, chim-chiminy, chim chim cher-ee," this Halloween costume is as cute as could be; and easy too!

Little Ladybug Costume

A handmade tulle tutu, basic red sweatshirt and felt are all you need to craft this cute ladybug costume complete with a personalized leafy trick-or-treat tote bag.

GET THE HOW-TO: Make a Kid's Ladybug Costume for Halloween

From: Marian Parsons

No-Sew Ninja Costume

Get your little warrior ready for Halloween with a no-sew costume that's a snap to pull together with faux-leather armor and a cool ninja sword holder.

GET THE HOW-TO: Easy Halloween Kid's Costume: Ninja

From: Cheri Heaton

Milk + Cookie Costume

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 our step-by-step instructions, below.

GET THE HOW-TO: Mom and Child Halloween Costume: Milk and Cookies

Roaring Twenties Flapper Costume

Give a nod to the infamous party decade by dressing the whole crew in 1920s-style clothing — think fun dresses, feather boas, suspenders and fedoras. Shop your kids' closets to pull together the look or craft this cute, easy kid's flapper dress from inexpensive craft materials.

Mummy Makeup

Complement a mummy costume with this undead makeup treatment only a mummy could love — snag our step-by-step instructions below.

GET THE HOW-TO: Halloween Makeup Tutorial: Mummy

Brave Knight Costume

Turn your little hero into a brave knight for Halloween. Our free printable template and step-by-step instructions make this and easy-to-craft, last-minute costume.

GET THE HOW-TO: Kid's Halloween Costume: Brave Knight

From: Kim Stoegbauer

Glow-in-the-Dark Stick Figure Costume

Need a last-minute Halloween costume? With some black clothing and a pack of glow necklaces, you can whip up this bright outfit in less than 10 minutes.

GET THE HOW-TO: DIY Glow-in-the-Dark Stick Figure Costume

Hoppy Halloween Frog Costume

Your trick-or-treater will be hopping with excitement over this fun frog costume. Grab a hoodie, felt and a few other inexpensive materials to craft a warm, cozy costume for your little tadpole.

GET THE HOW-TO: Hoodie Halloween Costume: Frog

From: Sam Henderson

Cupcake + Sprinkles Costume

Turn your sweetie into their favorite treat by decorating a laundry basket in brown wrapping paper accordion-folded to look like a cupcake liner. Top with some felt "icing" and your little cupcake is ready for a night of sugary fun.

GET THE HOW-TO: Kid's Halloween Costume: Cute Cupcake

From: Kim Stoegbauer

Party Fowl Costume

Nobody wants to make a party foul, but you can easily be one for Halloween with this easy DIY costume idea.

Pig in a Blanket Costume

This little piggy might have the coziest costume of all for a brisk night of trick-or-treating. Start with a pink sweatsuit, then add piggy ears and a sweet snout (or buy/DIY a pig nose face mask). Wrap it all up in a warm blanket and prepare to be the cutest piglet on the block.

SEE MORE: 15 of the Punniest Last-Minute Halloween Costumes Ever

Rocketship Wagon Costume

Is your little one not quite ready to trick-or-treat on Halloween night, walking the long distances up and down the block? Turn a wagon into a portable, out-of-this-world costume.

Trolls Princess Poppy Costume

No need to spend a lot of money on a branded Halloween costume. Shop your kid's closet for pink leggings and a little blue dress, then follow our step-by-step instructions to whip up Princess Poppy's iconic pink hair.

GET THE HOW-TO: How to Make a No-Sew Troll Hair Headband

From: Emily Fazio

Multi-Use Wings

These beautiful feathers are the perfect addition to any costume that requires wings — think angel, fairy or flying dragon. Plus, they're sturdy enough to be worn long after Halloween for everyday imaginative play.

GET THE HOW-TO: How to Make Feathered Angel or Fairy Wings

From: Marian Parsons

Shark Hoodie Costume

Take a bite out of Halloween with this simple sewing project that turns an ordinary gray hoodie into a great white shark.

GET THE HOW-TO: Make a Kid's Shark Costume for Halloween

From: Marian Parsons

Pizza Pie Costume

Does your child love pizza? Let them proudly wear their favorite meal this Halloween. They can even choose the toppings!

Sassy Black Cat Costume

If you already have a black shirt, pants and shoes you're half way to having this costume made. After that you'll just need a few craft supplies, tulle fabric and some black makeup.

Big Yellow School Bus Costume

Let your toddler or non-walker ride in style this Halloween by transforming a plain wagon into a big yellow school bus.

Wacky Waving Tube Man Costume

They're standing in front of retail stores everywhere, now you can be one for Halloween with this no-sew costume made from a child's nylon tunnel.

Mighty Viking Costume

Who knew brown toilet seat covers could look so dashing? Fashion these home decor duds into a mighty costume worthy of Valhalla. The hammer is made out of dense foam so kids can't really injure each other — but they do think it's the coolest thing ever.

GET THE HOW-TO: DIY Halloween: Easy and Affordable Viking Costume Under $25

Playing Card Soldier Costume

The whimsical playing card soldiers from Alice in Wonderland is an easy DIY costume that kids will love.

GET THE HOW-TO: A Storybook Soldier

Baby Bull Costume

Looking for a cute parent & baby costume? Dress up as a matador, then fashion this cute, comfy bull costume for baby. Find our free, downloadable template and step-by-instructions below.

GET THE HOW-TO: Easy-to-Craft Baby Bull Halloween Costume

Baa Baa Sheep Costume

You don't need to know how to sew to create this adorable costume for your own Little Lamb.

GET THE HOW-TO: Craft This Cute Child's Little Lamb Costume

Little Monster Makeup

Minnesota hair and makeup artist Carissa Espey created this so-cute-she’s-scary three-eyed monster look with a combination of paint, glitter and well-deployed rainbow pom poms. When using glitter — a material that’s notorious for bedazzling everything in its path — she advises a bit of creative containment. “Apply Vaseline on [the] desired area, then apply glitter with a makeup sponge, whether it be for Halloween or the basic everyday makeup look.”

SEE MORE: 40 Face Paint & Makeup-Only Halloween Costumes

Mama + Baby Kangaroo Costume

This Halloween, keep baby close and portable by taking a cue from our furry friends down under and fashioning your baby-wearing device into a kangaroo pouch.

GET THE HOW-TO: Make a Matching Mom and Baby Kangaroo Costume

Cute Canoe Costume

Ahoy, trick-or-treaters! Save your shipping boxes to craft this sweet, seaworthy costume.

Porcelain Doll Makeup

Ireland-based makeup maven Kayleigh Jordan's daughter is obsessed with dolls, so she decided to give her a classic broken dolly look for Halloween. The process was equal parts creation and negotiation, she says: “It was hard to keep her still for sure but I let her look in the mirror every few minutes and because she could see the process it kept her engaged and excited. Having some snacks also helped." Get more fun Halloween makeup ideas at the link below.

SEE MORE: 40 Face Paint & Makeup-Only Halloween Costumes

Budding Beauty Flower Costume

Using some felt and ribbon, you can easily turn any pair of green jammies into a quick flower costume that your kids will love.

Stomach in Knots Costume

Bring that nervous feeling to life with this quick, easy costume that'll have you all tied up in knots.

Last-Minute Llama Costume

Is your tween full of llama drama? Upcycle an old white sweatshirt into this funny farm friend — no sewing required.

Vampire Halloween Costume

Help your teen channel their inner Count Dracula this Halloween with our easy-to-follow makeup tutorial.

GET THE HOW-TO: Kid's Halloween Makeup Tutorial: Ghoulish Vampire

Robin Hood Costume

Easily turn budget-friendly felt and polyester fabric into a dashing costume worthy of everyone's favorite legendary outlaw — complete with a bow made out of a backyard stick.

GET THE HOW-TO: Make a Robin Hood Kid's Costume for Halloween

From: Kim Stoegbauer

Woodland Fairy Costume

Looking for a cottagecore-inspired twist to the typical fairy costume? Make this pretty autumnal skirt paired with a set of wings, a crown and a magic wand.

Remote Control Costume

Let your child be in control of the remote (for one night only) with this funny cardboard box costume.

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 them into a giant soft-serve cone.

GET THE HOW-TO: Kid's Halloween Costume: Ice Cream Cone

From: Kim Stoegbauer

Mac 'n' Cheese Costume

Start saving cardboard paper towel and toilet paper tubes to make this clever costume. The macaroni tubes adhere to a yellow cheese-colored rain jacket and the bowl is made from a laundry basket covered in blue cardboard.

Candy Rapper Costume

Drop some sweet beats in this cool-clever costume you can make for less than $10.

Bull in a China Shop Costume

Every parent, at one time or another, has thought their child was like a bull in a china shop. Turn this timeless expression into an adorable Halloween costume by following our step-by-step instructions below.

Book Worm Costume

Help your child show off their love of reading (and their goofy sense of humor) with this DIY book worm costume.

Feathered Wings Costume

These bird wings are fun and easy to make, and are the perfect beginning for a fabulous bird Halloween costume. It's easy to craft and requires minimal sewing, so your kids will be flying around the yard in no time.

DIY Dinosaur Costume

Start practicing your ROAR! This fun dinosaur hat and spiky tail costume will have your child stomping with delight.

Not-So-Wicked Witch Costume

Double, double, toil and trouble! Conjure up this cute, classic costume (hat included!) with the help of an adult black maxi skirt and some craft felt.

Candy-Crazed Robot Costume

Beep, boop, bop! Channel your kid's energy into crafting this candy-crazed cyborg costume from cardboard boxes and an old, scratched CD.

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

Smartphone With Earbuds Costume

Every kid wants one, so why not let them be one? To make this costume, simply take a screenshot of your phone’s screen and take a photo of the back of another phone. Send the images to a copy center to have them enlarged. Adhere the front-and-back images to two pieces of cardboard then tie the cardboard together with string. A set of round potholders covered in foam are used to make the earbuds.

Cup of Cocoa Costume

Nothing satisfies quite like a mug of hot chocolate on a cool October day. Use a cardboard-covered laundry basket to make the cup, chiffon fabric for the liquid and a roll-up pillow batting for the mini marshmallows.

Giant Spider Costume

Incite arachnophobia! You can try, but this spider costume is too cute to be afraid of. The legs are super easy to make and cost just a few dollars with items from a dollar store.