The air is crisp, the trees have traded their summer greens for shades of gold and crimson, and fall festivities are officially in full swing. At the top of the list is Halloween, the perfect time for kids to dress up, let their imaginations run wild, and collect a mountain of candy.
This year, consider skipping the store-bought costumes and trying something homemade instead. We’ve gathered a fun mix of kids’ costume ideas that you can put together right at home, with no tricky sewing or expensive supplies required. These costumes are creative, easy to make, and unique enough that your little one will stand out from the crowd. Whether you’re dressing a baby, toddler, or tween, you’ll find plenty of clever and comfortable options—from a sweet baby mushroom to a cheerful piñata to classic cowboys riding pool noodle ponies.
Of course, if time slips away, a store-bought costume will always do the trick. But if you want something that feels more personal and memorable, this collection is a great place to start. With 104 homemade kids’ Halloween costumes to choose from, you’re sure to find one that becomes a favorite. Don’t be surprised if they ask to wear it long after Halloween night is over.
Kids won’t mind wearing this colorful and comfortable tissue piñata costume, and you'll likely win an award for the most creative dress-up attire. (And nothing pairs more perfectly with a piñata than a bucket full of candy!)
To make: Slip pieces of cardboard between the front and back of a one-piece romper. Attach lengths of tissue festooning to the front of the romper with hot-glue.
2
Cowboy on a Pool Noodle Horse Costume
Giddy up! This pool noodle pony is second only to the cute cowboy saddled up on it. Throw on a pair of jeans, a cowboy hats, and boots, and take this costume for a ride.
Could this idea "bee" any cuter? This buzz-worthy costume will be a hit with kids because who doesn't love a pair of fancy fairy-like wings? Simply adding letters to a black dance leotard turns this bee costume from ho-hum to oh-so-clever! Make the words using iron-on letters, or have a local T-shirt printing shop add them.
4
Baby Mushroom Costume
Cute as a button! (Get it?!) This sweet shroom costume comes together is no time—only the hat needs crafting. Then, dress your baby in a simple taupe-colored long-sleeve shirt and pants. Costume done! For the photo op scatter toy mushrooms around.
To make: Cut 10 to 15 different-size circles from white felt. Attach to a toddler-size red beret with hot-glue.
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5
Spaghetti and Meatballs Costume
Mama mia, more meatballs, please! Grab a fork and dig into this cute spaghetti-and-meatballs costume. Got dogs? Bring them along as Lady and the Tramp.
To make: Attach loads of off-white yarn to a paper plate with hot-glue to create the spaghetti. Attach red yarn on top of the white yarn to create the sauce. Use brown yarn and a pom-pom maker to make three meatballs; attach on top of the sauce using hot-glue. Glue a piece of red ribbon to the back of the plate for wearing.
6
Mom and Child Pumpkin Patch Costumes
You'll be the sweetest pumpkins in the patch with this adorable family look! These store-bought adult and kid pumpkin costumes get a quick upgrade with the addition of a few fabric patches. You can either sew on the patches, attach them with fabric glue, or use Stitch Witchery. Wear a long sleeve t-shirt and tights under the costume if it's chilly!
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7
Soccer Trading Card Costume
Staples
This last-minute DIY costume is as simple as your kid’s soccer uniform plus a life-size printout of their favorite player’s trading card, ordered up from a local print shop. Simple paperboard tabs attach the card’s frame to the soccer field backdrop, and your kiddo goes in between. Staples offers same-day pickup for print orders when you order by noon.
8
The Sandlot Costumes
COURTESY OF ASHLEY BYROM
The Sandlot is a coming-of-age film from the early 1990s follows the story of young baseball players in 1962 Southern California. What the ragtag team lacks in crisp uniforms, they make up for in heart.
This is a super-cute costume idea for a child's sports team or even a few neighbor friends. For these costumes, all you need is a few baseball gloves, ball caps, and jeans and T-shirts. Bonus points for raglan tees and vintage button-up jerseys. To get the full effect, have a few kids carry bats and balls.
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9
Lion and Ring of Fire Costume
Image taken by Mayte Torres//Getty Images
Step right up! The circus vibes are cute with this fun lion costume. Simply sew or glue a triangle of brown fur fabric on the front of a brown hoodie, then add more fur fabric around the hood for the "lion head." Use black eyeliner to color in a nose. For the ring of fire, simple attach yellow and red triangles of "fire" around a red hula hoop.
10
Black Cat Costume
Yuliya Taba//Getty Images
There's nothing cuter or more classic than a black cat costume. For this one, simply sew cat eyes and whiskers to a black jumper and pair with a pair of cat ears.
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11
Firefly Costume
Becky Luigart-Stayner
This simple idea makes a big impact on Halloween night. Start with a neon green dress. Add an antennae headband and a pair of black wings. Secure a clip-on white safety light to the wings so that the firefly “glows” throughout the evening. Pair with a classic neon green jack-o-lantern trick-or-treat pail.
12
Duck Pond Costume
Becky Luigart-Stayner
This one’s so easy! Start with a solid yellow shirt and a pair of jeans. Coat a plastic plant saucer (ours is 13 inches; size up as needed) with blue spray-paint. Secure rubber ducks to the saucer with Velcro. Add a “Duck Pond” sign to the “pond,” then hang it around the neck using grosgrain ribbon. (You can secure the ribbon to the pool with duct tape or drill holes.) Hot-glue a rubber duck to a blue headband.
Note: This costume idea can also be repurposed for a pet; simply secure the duck pond with Velcro to the back of a yellow pet raincoat.
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13
S'Mores Fairy Costume
Becky Luigart-Stayner
Is there such a thing? There is now! Start with a white dress. (Tip: Seek out used flower girl dresses on eBay or Facebook Marketplace.) Add a band of tan velvet ribbon and a DIY cardboard or felt “graham cracker” at the waist. Add brown felt “chocolate bars” to the shoes. Find a stick from the yard and add a marshmallow for the fairy wand. Cut out wings from cardboard; add graham-cracker like dots and dotted-line (perforations) using a dark brown marker. Construct a complete “s’more” with felt; secure to headband with thread or hot-glue. Pair costume with a vintage Campfire Marshmallows tin repurposed as a trick-or-treating bucket.
14
Corn Dog Concessionnaire
Becky Luigart-Stayner
Come and get yer corn dogs! Start with an open-topped cardboard box (ours is 9 by 18 inches), such as a store display or produce box. (There are plenty to be found on Amazon, but most are sold in bulk.) Spray-paint box white, then use red one-inch painter’s tape to create stripes. Add a band of wide yellow rickrack and the words “Corn Dogs” across the front. Fill box with red and white food sleeves and corn dogs made from felt. Add a mustard and ketchup bottle. Pair with a red apron, white shirt, paper hat, and your strongest salesman’s voice.
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15
Flower Pot Costume
Becky Luigart-Stayner
Start with a light blue t-shirt, light blue leggings, and a plastic plant pot from the hardware store (a 17-inch pot with a 12-inch-wide bottom was roomy enough to accommodate our 6-year-old model). Use a mini hand-saw to cut out the bottom of the pot. Drill four holes (two in the front, two in the back) to accommodate grosgrain ribbon “straps” that will make the pot wearable. Fill with faux hydrangea blooms, securing stems to pot interior with duct tape. (Note: It’s best to do this once the child is wearing the costume.) Cut off a single bloom to secure to a blue headband with hot glue. Pair costume with a galvanized flower stem bucket or watering can, either of which can be used for collecting candy.
16
Sad Swiftie Costume
Kids can get in on the Eras Tour fun too! Print a screenshot of the infamous ticketing waiting screen on an 18- by 24-inch foam board at a local printer or UPS store. Add pink grosgrain ribbon and wear it around your neck like a necklace. Pair with your favorite Eras-inspired look and a few tear-shaped rhinestones on your cheek.
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17
Souvenir Snow Globe Costume
This idea is sure to win any Halloween costume competition. Make it personal based on where you live, or perhaps a favorite place to travel. Then pair the idea with a coordinating outfit from her closet.
Everybody loves field day, making this a fun costume that's comfortable and pretty easy to throw together. For a group Halloween costume, pick a color palette (here, primary colors rule), then pile on the sweatpants, athletic shirts, and sweatbands for a fetching field day look. Props like racquets and trophies bring the nostalgic theme to life. And you can even let your pet in on the fun with a referee costume!
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19
Farmhouse Barbie
Becky Luigart-Stayner for Country Living
This one is for the girls who dream of chicken coops, farmhouse living, and wide open spaces. Dress in denim overalls, a solid tee, and a pink bandana tied headband style. Props like a stuffed chicken and a basket of faux eggs brings home the promise of "more hen, less Ken." She'll likely want to shed the box when it's time for trick-or-treat.
This super-sweet idea even has the cherry on top! This milkshake costume comes together easily with a few crafty supplies, plus a white shirt and tights from her closet.