Got the itch to try out some DIY Halloween costumes for your toddlers? Suddenly Autumn is upon us! Before we realise it, it’s October half-term and there’s a last-minute party invite or request from the children to go trick-or-treating.
Sometimes making or buying a Halloween costume for your child can feel like a lot of pressure. And what if they don’t like it anyway?
Getting your little one involved can be loads of fun. So read on to save time and money on Halloween costumes with our top ten cheap and thrifty ideas.
1. Mask Up
The simplest way to vamp up (no pun intended) any outfit is by adding a mask. Download these free Halloween-themed templates. Add colour with crayons/felt-tips or alter for your own design. This can be a fun and calming after-school or nursery activity!
Check out this DIY tiger mask. Your little one will probably have their own mask ideas too. Think cats, bats, superheroes, goblins or any character.
2. Make A Hat
A simple witch or wizard hat is really easy to make. First, roll up a piece of rectangular paper in a cone shape. Then punch two holes to add string or elastic around the chin. Use a pencil to do this if you don’t own a hole-punch.
For extra sparkle, add stickers, sticky shapes, jewels or stars.
Or you could try this witch hat with a brim. If you have a bit more time, you can punch more holes around the rim and add decorations. You can make cardboard stars or cat faces and attach them with string or wool.
Add a cape for Dumbledore or Gandalf and broom/stick for Meg the witch.
Look at our World Book Day post for other character ideas you could add a spooky twist to!
3. Go For an Animal Outfit
Animal costumes are always a hit with little ones. You probably have something like cat ears or a unicorn horn lying around which can be used as they are, or covered in a different fabric. Just add a few stitches to keep the material in place.
Add ears to a hairband for a simple bat. Or you could make this bat costume – you will need black card, thread, glue and felt. If you have any fairy wings lying round, you could add black paper with double-sided sticky tape to turn them into bat or even dragon wings
For a spider, sew stuffed black socks to a black top and bottoms.
4. Size Up
The beauty of Halloween is that baggy, oversized outfits can be used again and again. Use a white sheet, towelling hoodie or adult-sized shirt to make a ghost. You can cut out circles for the face – these will show through if your little one wears something dark underneath.
“We have a giant t-shirt with glow-in-the-dark skeleton print that our son has happily pulled on every Halloween for the past few years!”
– Liz, Team Happity
5. Accessorise
Dark t-shirt on its own = spooky.
T-shirt plus mask plus toy spider = scary.
T-shirt, leggings and tail = cat.
Or T-shirt, leggings and mask = bat.
If your child would rather carry an accessory than wear it, check out our crafty blog post.
6. Be A Mummy – DIY Halloween Costumes For Toddlers
Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best. Wrap toilet paper around your little one for the mummy effect, and hey presto! (just make sure they have a mouth or nose hole) You can always be more eco by using the paper afterwards for cleaning or mopping up spills around the house!
7. Surf The Web
Your local reuse site on Facebook will often come up trumps when it comes to costumes. Around September/October, expect to see a glut of Harry Potter-themed outfits and other costumes as parents have a clear-out during the Autumn term.
Reuse sites are also great for picking up accessories or elements of a costume like scarves, jewellery, gloves and belts etc.
Or you can try second-hand sites like eBay or Vinted if you’re looking for something specific. There’s no need to spend a fortune.
8. Use What You Have – Anything Goes
If you have an existing dress or outfit that’s a favourite with your little-one, wearing it for Halloween parties or trick-or-treating can be really fun. It can be a great conversation -starter or icebreaker as other children and adults love guessing what the outfit is!
Don’t feel you have to stick to black, either – if your little one loves pink or purple, then mix it up!
“For little ones, I just let them pick whatever they want out of the dressing up box/my wardrobe, rather than going in a full ‘costume’. Last year my little one wore a pink ballet tutu, a Hawaiian shirt, a belt made of seashells and a straw hat, and he looked wonderful.”
– Lisa, Team Happity
9. Decorate A Cardboard Box
Grab a cardboard box and let your imagination go wild!
A robot can be a great costume. Add holes for arms and legs. This should be loads of fun to decorate. Here’s another robot idea using glowsticks for controls.
A cardboard box or piece of cardboard can also make a good spider. Add bits of paper or cardboard tubes for legs.
10. Go To The Dark Side
Make a Star Wars paper hat, add a cloak and your little one can be Darth Vader, Yoda or any character you like.
You can stick glowsticks on cardboard poster tubes or kitchen roll tubes for that lightsaber effect.
What DIY Halloween Costume Is Easy To Make For Toddlers?
Superhero characters like Batman are an easy Halloween make – get a bat mask (children can colour in with wax crayons or felt tips) or use face paint. Next, find a black or dark top. You can cut out a batman symbol on paper and stick or sew on. Cape is optional – this can be a bit of fabric or old tshirt. And voila!
Actor Neil Patrick Harris always does great costumes with his family too so look here for some more inspirational ideas!
How Do You Keep Kids Warm In Homemade Halloween Costumes?
Layer-up, layer-up!
Simply add a dark-coloured long-sleeve top and joggers underneath if it’s a chilly night. Or thermals if your child has them.
If it’s a daytime party, you can just slip a dress or costume over shorts/vest and a t-shirt. Or you can even double-dress for those extra layers!
What If My Child Doesn’t Want To Dress Up For Halloween?
Reassure your child. It’s totally fine to opt out of dressing up if they don’t want to and the most important thing is that they feel happy and comfortable! The beauty of Halloween is that it’s dark, so anything can go! If your child is keen to go on a trick-or-treat adventure, but doesn’t want to dress up, dark clothing with some reflective or brighter bits (for safety) might be more down their street! Or they might want to wear a favourite dress, or tutu. They can carry a torch or glowstick to shine around.
Pumpkins are everywhere now – so why not carry a miniature pumpkin with you?
Want to get out and about, have fun with your baby or toddler, and meet other parents?
Search Happity to find everything that’s happening for the under-5’s in your local area – from music and singing classes, to messy play, arts and crafts, baby massage, gymnastics and more. Simply enter your postcode and child’s age to search, and then book your spot in a few taps. Enjoy dedicated fun time with your little one, watch their skills develop, and make friends at the same time. Mums, dads, grandparents and carers will all find something to love!
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