There’s a particular kind of October stress. You’re standing in the middle of the craft aisle, holding a plastic vampire cape, and thinking: we’ve had this cape’s cousin before. This year I want to try something made by hand — something the kids will remember next October.
I used to think DIY costumes meant a week of late nights and a craft table buried in glitter. It doesn’t have to. Most of what I actually made took a weekend, used cardboard and paper bags already in the house, and ended up better than anything off a hanger. So I’ve rounded up 24 ideas I keep coming back to — a mix for adults, kids, and last-minute panic situations. Grab a mug of tea and let’s browse.
24 DIY Halloween Costumes, From Five-Minute Masks to Full Builds
A quick note before the list: most of these are adult costumes with a few that work for kids too, and a handful are kids-only. I’ve marked the effort level on each, so you can match the idea to the weekends you actually have.
- Simple basics, done right. Hello Wonderful has a set of clean, easy costumes that work for adults and kids, plus a cotton candy costume that’s all soft fluffiness. The simple ones are the ones I’d actually make — no fuss, all charm. Effort: easy. the Hello Wonderful tutorial.
- The table costume. Last year I planned to be a table, complete with homemade props, and didn’t finish in time. This year I might try again. The World of Interiors did a whole photoshoot of furniture costumes — the table one is modeled by Omari Douglas, inspired by the 1980s book Jane Asher’s Fancy Dress. Effort: involved.
- The bird costume. I made a bird costume for my son, and it’s still my favorite thing I’ve ever sewn. Relatively easy, and the wings actually flap — that detail is the whole costume. Effort: moderate.
- Mailbox and letters duo. A classic for siblings or couples — one person is the mailbox, the other is the letter. Merrilee Liddiard has the idea. Effort: easy.
- Paper bags and cardboard boxes. The recycling bin is a costume closet. I found this idea while hunting for sewing patterns — the reusable paper masks are a cute accessory, but the star is the hand-sewn pants. There’s a free PDF pattern from the Made With Harmony pattern page. Effort: moderate.
- The table-side lamp. One more from The World of Interiors shoot, because everything in it is good. The lamp costume — modeled by Alice Inggs — is the kind of thing that makes people stop at the door. Effort: moderate.
- Mushroom hats, made of cardboard. Sostrene Grene turned cardboard into little mushroom hats, and I’m in. Pair one with a plain red dress and you have a costume that looks twice the work. Effort: easy.
- Retro television. A cardboard box plus a couple of extra items and you’re a 1950s living room. Oh Happy Day has the build. Effort: easy to moderate.
- Where the Wild Things Are family set. I still can’t believe how good this family costume is. It’s from The House that Lars Built, and it works for parents and kids together. Effort: moderate.
- Mouse costume, any age. Looking for something last-minute? This baby mouse costume works for kids, babies, and honestly adults with a few modifications. Effort: easy.
- Gold-leaf sunshine mask. detokay made a gold-leaf sun mask that’s just beautiful — the perfect five-minute addition to whatever you’re already wearing, whether it’s a party or a trick-or-treat run. Effort: easy.
- The sardine can. Oh Happy Day’s sardine can costume is the cutest thing in a tin. Effort: easy.
- Wednesday Addams. I loved Wednesday when I was younger, so a version of her is basically a must for me — complete with DIY fishtail pigtails to update her signature look. Effort: easy.
- Baby clown. Clowns aren’t usually my thing — I’m a little scared of them, generally. But this baby clown costume is too cute to be terrified of, don’t you think? The original post has a few more infant costume ideas if that’s your crowd. Effort: easy.
- Paper crane costume. Paper costumes are my favorite kind — cheap and easy. The House that Lars Built’s paper crane is one of the coolest paper ideas I’ve seen. Effort: easy.
- Hot air balloon. This kids costume uses an old basket and balloons, and it’s adorable. Sostrene Grene has the tutorial. Effort: easy.
- Vintage carousel. The Merrythought made a carousel costume that’s sweet and original — I don’t think I’ve seen anything quite like it. Effort: moderate.
- Studio DIY’s yearly classics. Kelly from Studio DIY comes up with some of the best costumes I’ve seen, year after year. It’s easier to just head to her site and browse everything than to pick a single one. Effort: varies by project.
- Wearable cardboard cars. A few years ago I made a few wearable cardboard cars for my son’s construction-themed birthday party. They’d work just as well as a Halloween costume. Effort: moderate.
- Bird costume, all cardboard. Amelia and I made a bird costume for Curbly this year, and the whole thing is cardboard and paper with a couple of pieces of ribbon for good measure. If you need a budget-friendly starting point, this is it. Effort: moderate.
- Pac-Man costume. The Effortless Chic has a Pac-Man costume that’s just good. Effort: easy.
- Crayon costumes. That Brittany from The House That Lars Built is clever — her DIY crayon costumes are a great group option for a family or a friend group. Effort: easy.
- The moon costume. Another last-minute idea that works: a DIY moon costume. It’s a super cute infant costume, but it can be modified for any age. Effort: easy.
- The Grand Budapest Hotel couple costume. And finally, this couple’s costume is one of my absolute favorites — The Grand Budapest Hotel, from Sugar & Cloth. So cute, right? Effort: moderate.
The Gentle Version of This Whole Thing
Here’s what I’ve learned after a few Halloweens of making costumes: the cardboard ones are the good ones. They cost almost nothing, they use what you already have, and they feel like a real tradition instead of another thing you buy and toss. You don’t need every idea on this list. Pick one, set aside a Sunday afternoon, and let the kid help — that’s the part they’ll remember. 80/20 is enough: a costume that’s half-finished but made with your hands beats a perfect one off the rack.
FAQ
How far in advance should I start a DIY costume?
The easy ones (mask, mailbox, sardine can) are genuinely a few-hours job. The moderate builds — the bird costume, the cardboard cars — are a weekend project. Start two to three weeks out if you’re doing something with sewing, and you’ll have room for a redo.
Are any of these good for really last-minute, this-weekend plans?
Yes. The cardboard mushroom hats, the paper masks, the mouse costume, and the moon costume are all doable in an evening with materials you probably already have.
Which of these work for both adults and kids?
The bird costume, the Pac-Man costume, the crayon costumes, and the moon costume can all be scaled up or down. The Grand Budapest Hotel one is designed for a couple, but the principle works for any group costume.
a note from Hazel
My son asked me last night if we could make a costume again this year, even though he’s only had one so far. That’s the whole point, I think. The cape from the store is a cape. The costume we made together is a story. See you on October 31st.