25+ Easy DIY Halloween Costumes for Kids
Here are 25 of my favorite ‘how-tos” to create DIY Halloween Costumes for Kids. These homemade costume ideas are great for Halloween or a fun dress-up day. Many of these easy DIY costumes are no-sew and are great if you’re looking for last-minute Halloween costume ideas! Each one of these tutorials is simple enough for beginners.
Halloween Costumes for Kids are some of my favorite things to sew! I had so much fun when my kids were growing up planning out our costumes for tour year costume should “match” our costumes as a family. Yes, I’m “that” mom.
Over the years I’ve tried to share the tutorials for kid’s costumes that I would sew. Some years I’d sew elaborate homemade costumes and some years all I could muster was “organizing” a bunch of store-bought “normal clothes” items into a costume.
Semi-Homemade Costumes
One of my favorite things is to create what I consider a “half-homemade” or semi-homemade Halloween costume. I like to combine purchased items or things we could find in our closet at home (such as wigs, headbands, boots & accessories) with things that I sew or craft to save me time when I’m sewing the kid’s costumes.
What are some clever last-minute Halloween costume ideas?
If you’re reading this at the last minute, here are the DIY Halloween costumes that I recommend.
- Mad Scientist Costume: All you need is a lab coat (you may be able to get an old lab coat from a doctor or dentist’s office) gloves, & goggles (buy at the hardware store).
- Witch Costume: You can easily find Witch’s hats at big box stores. Purchase a Witch hat and wear black clothing.
- Zombie Sports Player: Repurpose an old sports uniform into a halloween costume. Make it a bit more spooky by adding some face paint to turn the simple uniform into something scary enough for Halloween.
- Rock Star: Raid your closet for jeans and an old concert t-shirt. Create a crazy hair style (go for the 80’s and use a crimper). Accessories with bulky jewlery and heavy makeup.
- For a punny Halloween Cosutme go as “Smarty Pants”, purchase a package of Smarties Candy at the store and hot glue them to an old pair of jeans or overalls.
What are some DIY ideas for group Halloween costumes?
- M&M’s. Have each member wear a different solid t-shirt. Cut out the M&M’s logo from construction paper and staple it to the t-shirts.
- Rock, Paper & Scissors. Using a Cricut machine, cut out the words “Rock”, “Paper” & “Scissors” from black iron-on vinyl and apply them to simple t-shirts or sweatshirts.
- Toy Story Green Aliens: Have several memebers of the group dress up in simple Toy Story Green Alien costumes.
- Disney Musketeers: Use a Cricut machine to create personalized t-shirts (we recommend baseball type shirts). Pair with a set of Mickey Mouse Ears. This costume is great for big groups and as a couples costume.
Easy Costume Ideas & Halloween Costume Tutorials
Many of these tutorials feature “semi-homemade” costumes. If you’re making costumes try to think out of the box! Use what you have around the house. Trust me, it makes for some really fun and creative Halloween costumes! You’ll be the hit of the Halloween party with any one of these fun and easy DIY Halloween costumes.
If you’re new to costume making, you might check tips for sewing your Halloween costumes.
Easy DIY Halloween Costumes to Make for Kids
DIY'ing a kid's Halloween costume does not need to be complicated! You don't even need to sew. You can create cute and unique costumes using household supplies and a bit of ingenuity!
Teens, Tweens, Kids & Babies, we've rounded up some of the best DIY Halloween Costume ideas that we could find. There's something for everyone on this list!
Most of the easy DIY costumes & tutorials on this list have full tutorials and many have free instructions. Some of them require purchased sewing patterns to complete the costume.
DIY Ariel Costume for Halloween
This Disney Ariel Halloween costume does not require a pattern. You can save time constructing the costume by using a purchased white blouse. The skirt is a simple circle skirt (with a link to a tutorial). The vest is created easily without a paper pattern.
Mad Scientist Costume
It's hard to find costumes for kids as they get older. Especially teenage boys. This Mad Scientist Costume is made using all purchased supplies (a lab coat, a black t-shirt, jeans, goggles & gloves). No sewing is required.
Quick and Easy DIY Cat Costume - {including tutu tutorial!}
This fun Scaredy Cat Costume is no-sew. It's made from a black leotard and tutu. It uses a Cricut Machine to help you save time as you're making it. The simple tutu tutorial can be used for other costumes as well.
DIY Kids Robot Halloween Costumes
This costume was dreamed up by my sister several years ago. It's not a full tutorial but you should be able to make one yourself very simply using some felt.
Harry Potter Quidditch Robes Costume
One year our whole family dressed up as Harry Potter characters for Halloween. My son went as a quidditch player. This tutorial features a simple store-bought sewing pattern. I walk you through the steps to add the quidditch numbers and extra details in the tutorial. You can order a broom and other Wizarding World accessories on Amazon to complete your costume.
How to Make a Kids Mummy Costume
This is one of my all-time favorite Halloween costumes! It's made using lots of scraps of fabric and requires only very basic sewing skills. It is made by adding strips of fabric to store-bought t-shirts and sweatpants. Easy!
No Sew Alice in Wonderland Costume Ideas
I love to sew but sometimes I just don't have time. These Alice in Wonderland Costumes were created using store-bought supplies. We include instructions and ideas to create a White Rabbit, Ace of Spades, Cheshire Cat & Mat Hatter costume.
Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman Halloween Costume Ideas
This is my son's favorite costume from when he was a kid. It's not a full tutorial but you'll be able to easily reproduce the results yourself.
Unique Witch Costume Ideas for Halloween
I love to dress up with my kids! These witch Halloween costumes were created using a combination of purchased clothing and sewn items.
Make your own Witch's Hat Fascinator
Not in the mood for a big witch hat? Why not make a fascinator instead? You'll be the most stylish witch at the party!
How to make a Hooded Cape
Capes are great for all kids of costumes. Learn how to make a simple basic one here.
DIY Skeleton Halloween Costumes & Free Cricut SVG Files
DIY a simple Skeleton costume with a Cricut machine and some black sweats. Great for older kids or teens. My son actually wore his skeleton sweats for months after Halloween.
Cute & Simple DIY Gilmore Girls Costume Ideas
Oy with the Poodles Already! DIY a simple Gilmore Girls costume that even Paris would approve of! All you need is a cardigan, plaid skirt & a few accessories.
Simple DIY Toy Story Costume Ideas
These cute DIY Toy Story Costumes are great for older kids and teens. They are no-sew and can be assembled with clothing items you may already own.
Halloween Costumes to Make for Kids from other Sewing Blogs
There are so many great sewing and DIY blogs on the internet. Here are a few kid's costume tutorials and ideas from some of my favorite blogs.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Costume DIY!
We absolutely LOVED the new Spiderman movie. If my kids were younger I know that these costumes would be on their "wish list" this year!
Bowl of Cereal Costume
I love funny and punny costumes! This one is so cute and clever! It's made with a pool float and a few craft supplies.
Baby Shark Costume DIY
Okay, I admit I had to ask someone last Halloween why there were so many baby shark costumes! Kate from SeeKateSew shows you how to make one of your own!
DIY Ice Cream Cone Costume
Is there anything cuter than a baby in a costume? This Ice Cream Cone costume is so simple and cute!
DIY Greek God Costume: EROS
This might be the cutest thing I've seen all day! How cute is this costume? Ashley walks you through making one step by step.
Make a Quick and Easy, NO SEW, Cheeseburger Costume!
Another adorable and clever no-sew costume. This costume is made from craft supplies. You could even use a cardboard box as a base if you want.
DIY Toothless Costume…from 'How To Train Your Dragon'
We love How to Train Your Dragon! My kids read all the books. This toothless costume is simple to make and oh so adorable!
Wonder Woman Costume Pattern for Kids
Who had a set of Wonder Woman underoos growing up? (*raises hand*) . I loved dressing up as Wonder Woman and would have loved it if my mom made me this costume!
Easy No Sew Olaf Costume
Such a cute idea for a costume for a baby!
Cute Fifties Unicorn Costume
My girls went as 50's "girls" one year for Halloween. It's still one of my favorite costumes! Bev teaches you how to make your own poodle skirt with this tutorial.
Jedi Robes | Diary of a Quilter - a quilt blog
Star Wars. Jedi Robes. Need I say more?
Disney's Jane Costume
This costume is a bit more involved to make but the result is stunning! Find out how the girls at Simple Simon & Co created it.
Anna Frozen Inspired Costume (make in an hour!)
This Frozen costume can be made in an hour! Great for last-minute costume makers.
Fruit Costumes Tutorial
How cute and clever are these? They are also great costumes for warm-weather trick or treating!
Super easy Superhero Cape Tutorial
Let's just say she had me at "lazy mom" LOL! This simple to sew super hero cape is made from polar fleece. It's great for Halloween or just for kids to use for dress up.
