109 Easy DIY Halloween Costume Ideas for Kids of All Ages to Wear in 2024

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.

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.

Get the tutorial for Pool Noodle Ponies.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 striped 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.

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.

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.

Shop Sequins Dress

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.

Get the Snow Globe Costume tutorial.

Shop Clear Umbrellas

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!

SHOP SWEATBANDS AND SOCKS

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.

Get the Farmhouse Barbie tutorial

SHOP STUFFED HEN TOYS

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.

Get the Milkshake Costume tutorial.

Shop Pool Noodles