Fun DIY Kids Halloween Costume Ideas: 25 Halloween Costumes to Try
Updated on September 16, 2021
Halloween during Autumn is pretty much like Christmas during Winter: Kids love it, decorations are everywhere, and somewhere someone is eating a lot of candy for no particular reason.
Well, since one of the core elements of Halloween is the act of dressing up as whatever character you like, we decided to create this article where we will be showcasing some of the most popular costume ideas that you should try out this year.
However, not everyone can afford to go to the costume store year after year, and even if they do, sometimes the costumes don’t exactly look the way they want them to.
That’s why we decided to focus on DIY costume ideas where with minimal investment and some arts and crafts skills you can create a Halloween costume that your kid will positively adore!
Here Are the Best Kids Halloween Costumes for Kids
Scary Halloween Costumes for Kids
1. Glow in the Dark Skeleton Halloween Costume
Since it gets dark so early in the fall where you live, have you long been thinking about the fact that most of the appeal of your child’s costume kind of wears off about half way through trick-or-treating?
Well, believe it or not, there are actually some ideas out there that might look even cooler in the dark! This simple glow in the dark skeleton idea featured in simple, accessible detail onArmelle is the perfect example of what we mean.
Funny Halloween Costumes for Kids
2. Adult Costume
You don’t need complicated Halloween costumes if you want your kid to be funny. Just make him look like what he wants to grow up into: an adult.
Go to your wardrobe and find some old yet very stereotypical adult clothes (such as a suit for boys), give him a briefcase, a fedora, and maybe even some glasses, and he’ll look exactly like a delightful little taxpayer.
However, keep in mind that since the clothes will be far too big for your kid, chances are that he may lose some during Halloween night simply because they fell off.
More so, if you give him adult shoes as well, then make sure you somehow make them fit, since it can be pretty annoying to walk around wearing footwear 10 sizes bigger.
3. No-sew Dinosaur Funny Halloween Costume
Have we got you feeling very intrigued indeed by the idea of making a warm costume that your kids won’t be cold in wearing outside to trick-or-treat but you don’t think you can sew well enough quite yet for something like the zebra costume we showed you earlier?
In that case, we think you might have more success in this equally toasted but no-sew dinosaur costume instead! Get the full story courtesy ofGingersnap Crafts.
4. Easy Baby Bird Funny Halloween Costume for Kids
Are you the parent of an active toddler who you justknow will probably rip most of their costume off the moment you get them into it, so you’re looking for something adorable but also easy to just wrap around them and set them free to run around in?
In that case, we’dabsolutely suggest taking a look at howFantastic Fun and Learning made this very fluffy baby bird costume from a feather boa and a fascinator in just a few simple steps!
Cute Halloween Costumes for Kids
5. Cupcake Baker Funny Halloween Costume
Are you all kinds of interested in the idea of making your child a costume that relates to both something they enjoy doing but also something they might want to be when they grow up, but your kids have always been more interested in getting creative in the kitchen than they have been in picking up a paint brush?
Then we have a sneaking suspicion this simple cupcake baker outfit might be a little more up your alley! Learn how simply it can be made onDesign Dazzle.
6. DIY Funny Halloween Tropical Fish Costume
Are you the kind of sewing enthusiast who, despite being slightly new at the whole garment making thing, has a lot of patience and is willing to invest a lot of time into whatever you’re making?
Well, this adorable tropical fish costume that makes a perfect Halloween outfit for kids doesn’t actually takethat long, but layering the scales just right certainly isn’t something we’d rush through, since the look is so worth it in the end! Find out how it’s done in more detail onThe Sweet Seattle Life.
7. Watercolor Paint Tray Funny Halloween Costume
Like you, do your kids absolutely love crafting and doing DIY projects any time they possibly can? Then we think you just might be the perfect people to try out this adorable watercolor paint tray costume outlined step by step on DIY Network! Besides being quite simple to do, it’s simply the perfect costume for any budding little artist.
8. DIY Zebra Halloween Costume
Did we pique your interest quite well with our mention of animal costumes because your kids like animals more than they like most people? Perhaps you just live in a very chilly place so you’re looking for something warm that will keep your kids well covered well they trick-or-treat. In either case, we’d absolutely suggest taking a look atThe Nesting Spot to see how this adorable zebra costume that’s built like a comfy onesie was made from scratch!
Cool Halloween Costumes for Kids
9. At Home Halloween Costume Ideas – Dragon’s Tail
If your child has a pageant for dragons or dinosaurs (they all do at some point), making them a reptile-themed Halloween costume quickly becomes a reliable option.
However, that doesn’t mean that you need to design claws, a big head, or even make them a pair of winds since there are times when simpler is better.
For example, you can dress up your kid as a dragon or dinosaur with a little bit of face paint, some green clothes, and a fake tail.
Sure enough, the latter may sound like the most complicated piece of the costume, but if you follow this video tutorial from HGTV, you’ll be done with it in no time at all!
10. Kids’ Space Shuttle Halloween Costume
Has your favourite idea so far on our list actually been the astronaut but you think your child is still to small to handle the whole concept of wearing something they can lean entirely back on? Well, if they still want something space themed but a little simpler but they’re also still willing to wear something slightly bulky, then we’ddefinitely suggest taking a look at howIzzaroo made this adorable hand detailed space shuttle costume from cardboard and tissue paper instead!
11. DIY Astronaut Halloween Costume
Perhaps you’re the kind of parent who isvery crafty indeed and has quite a bit of experience, so you’re always on the lookout for costumes with some kind of novelty or gimmick to them? Well, particularly if your kids are a little older and don’t mind wearing something alittle more cumbersome in order to play along with the concept, then we’d be willing to bet that this awesome astronaut costume that’s made with a built-in stand your child can lean on in order to “fly away” on their jet pack will be a huge hit in your house! See how it’s made with full instructions onIzzaroo.
12. Kids PAC MAN Halloween Costume
Are your kids the kind of video game loving youngsters that know and have probably beaten not just the games of their own generation, but also all the classics that you remember playing as a kid? Then we think you’ll probably have the best luck making your little gamers something like this awesome cardboard Pacman outfit thatThe Effortless Chic outlined in full awesome detail.
Easy Costume Ideas
13. DIY Toddler Ghost Halloween Costume
There’s no way you can get any simpler than with a Halloween ghost costume, especially since all you need to do is have a large sheet of white cloth where you make 2 small holes for the eyes, and maybe even 2 larger holes for the arms.
You can take this costume a little bit further by ripping the cloth a bit for a more raggedy look, drawing some symbols or a mouth using a marker, or by adding some sparkling powder or glow-in-the-dark.
Not only is this costume easy to create, but it’s also suitable for both boys and girls, as well as children of all ages (as well as adults), so if you lack ideas for a good Halloween costume, or you just don’t have the time or materials for something more elaborate, just go full Casper.
14. Karate Kid Halloween Costume
The best DIY Halloween costumes are the ones where you not only already have the materials at hand, but you don’t need to do too many adjustments either, and if your kid is into martial arts, the kimono from his Dojo is pretty much a costume in itself.
Sure enough, you can add some extra elements if your children are interested in specific martial arts-themed characters (Samurai Jack, the white Power Ranger, a Mortal Kombat character).
All you need is to add a simple mask, or maybe some makeup, replace his belt with a fancier DIY alternative, maybe even throw it a plastic katana, and your kid can go out trick or treating while showcasing that his tiny little fists can be weapons of mass destruction.
15. Easy Last-Minute Fox Halloween Costume
Have we really caught your attention with this whole concept of making something very easy and last minute using clothing as a base because you really are new to this whole costume making thing but your child was Peter Pan for halloween last year? Well, if your little ones are animals like ours, then we think you might have better luck with something like this adorable little fox costume outlined step by step onDesign Dazzle!
16. No-Sew Pineapple Halloween Costume
Just in case you’re still in the market for no-sew ideas but you’re also still feeling very intent indeed on making your child’s whole costume yourself, here’s a great idea for those little tykes who love dressing up but would rather look like something bright and fun than something scary!
Delia Creates teaches you step by step how to make this adorable no-sew pineapple costume that can be adapted for kids of just about any size.
If you don’t have a lot of time on your hands, but still want to make an amazing Halloween costume for your kids, we’ve written a dedicated article featuring some of the easiest DIY Halloween costume ideas.
Halloween Costumes for Kids: Girls
17. Harley Quinn Halloween Costume for Kids
The Joker’s better half has been the latest rage among girls ever since the first Suicide Squad movie came out, so it should come as no surprise that a Harley Quinn costume made its way onto our list, such as the one showcased above by Nova Rini Laksmana.
All you need is a blonde wig (if you’re a little girl who already has golden locks, that all the better) that you dye using some kid-friendly hair coloring.
Then strap on some flashy red clothes that you later paint blue on one side (or blue clothes that you paint red), throw in a bat, and your costume is pretty much done.
Just remember that it’s best if you don’t actually give your little girl an actual wooden bat, but rather a foam or a hollow plastic one because you know how crazy kids can be sometimes, especially when trick-or-treating candy is involved
18. DIY Black Cat Halloween Costume
What if you’re still looking for a costume for your child that’s on the warmer side but youknow that they’ll choose to be a cat, without a single doubt, because cats are their absolute favorite animals?
Then we’re pleased to report that this tutorial featured on 5 Minutes for Mom has precisely what you’re looking for! Check out how they made this adorable black cat costume with some cozy furry details in surprisingly few simple steps.
If you’re interested in more cute DIY costume ideas for little girls, we’ve made a dedicated article where we included a lot of popular and classical ideas, so go ahead and check it out.
Halloween Costumes for Kids: Boys
19. Easy Peter Pan Halloween Costume
Are you feeling pretty intent on making your child’s Halloween costume yourself but you’re also in a slight hurry because the party they’re attending is earlier than the real day, so you’re looking for somethingreally easy?
In that case, we think you might appreciate the wayBabble created this adorable Peter Pan outfit from easy clothing pieces that only needed a little bit of customization!
20. DIY Captain Hook Halloween Costume
If one of your children is going to dress up as Peter Pan, would you much prefer to make your other child a coordinating costume so they can go trick-or-treating or to their first Halloween party as a set? Then we think you’ll get a real kick out of the wayBabble outlines the wonderfully simple steps for making this Captain Hook costume that would be any pirate lover’s ideal look!
If you’re interested in more DIY costume ideas for little boys, we’ve made a dedicated article where we included a lot of costume ideas for your little man of the house.
Halloween Costume Ideas for Kids: Video Tutorials Included
21. Simple Halloween Costume Ideas – Mermaid
Walt Disney’s beloved characters have always been a source of inspiration for costume designers everywhere, so it’s no wonder that a fan-favorite, especially among girls, has always been the mermaid costume.
That being said, here’s a video from Sunny Side Up showcasing how you can make your own DIY mermaid costume without using too many complicated decorative elements.
Not only that, but since the tutorial itself is actually made by a little girl, you already know that this costume idea is easy to pull off!
22. DIY Halloween Costumes for Kids – Night Ninja
PJ Masks have been the latest rage among small children, both boys and girls, and with so many characters in the franchise, you have plenty of options to choose from when it comes to DIY Halloween costumes.
For example, here’s a DIY costume idea on how to make the PJ Masks’ very own Night Ninja, straight from the PJ Masks YouTube channel.
All you need are some tights, some glue, cardboard, a few markers, and by following the simple video instructions, and in less than an hour your kid can also become a warrior of the night in pajamas!
23. Homemade Halloween Costume Ideas – Elsa
When Frozen was released back in 2013 girls everywhere were singing Let it go! And were sporting Elsa’s iconic braids, and this trend continues today, the proof being that Elsa costumes are still the most popular options in all Halloween stores.
Of course, our goal is to talk about DIY costumes, and if you want your little girl to become the best-looking Elsa on the block, simply follow this video tutorial from TheSorryGirls.
All you need is some shiny blue fabric, maybe some sparking powder, some basic tailoring skills, and the ability to braid your hair in the classic Elsa style, and your little princess will be the spitting image of Frozen’s most beloved character.
24. Bag of Sweets
It may sound ironic that you may want to dress your kid up like a bag of sweets, especially considering that his goal is to fill his own bag with sweets, but that’s what makes this costume idea all the more amusing.
As you can see from this cute video tutorial from Mumsnet, all you need is some plastic foil, some colores tin foil, balloons, and some candy logos, and your child will be dressed up as the sweetest thing in the neighborhood.
The best part about this costume is that many of the requirements are things that you most likely already have in the kitchen, so you don’t have to spend too much just for the sake of making this costume.
25. Queen Bee
A lot of girls want to be princesses, and a lot of girls want to be queens, but how many are there in your neighborhood that want to be Queen Bees?
All you need are some yellow ribbons, some glue, black pompoms, a headband, and other common materials, and your little girl will definitely be worthy of the nickname “Honey”.
The costume may be a bit more complicated than some of the others on our list, but with a little bit of patience, it will all be worth it. Besides, you can customize the custom in whatever way you want, there’s no need to follow the design from the picture to the letter.
DIY Kids Halloween Costume Ideas: Closing Thoughts
This concludes our list of best Halloween costume ideas that you can make at home, and while there are plenty of others to choose from on the Internet, feel free to use the ones showcased in this article as an inspiration to create your own unique costume.
All the costume ideas that were featured in the article were chosen based on multiple criteria, including how popular they are, how easy they are to make, and much does it cost to create them.
If you’re interested in reading about other Halloween-themed articles that we haven’t covered yet, submit your requests in the comments section below and we’ll whip up a similar article as soon as possible!