Easy DIY Halloween Costume Ideas

Halloween is such a fun holiday! It brings out the child-like spirit in all of us. I love that Halloween plays on the themes from the year– new movie releases, trends and more all make their way into costumes. And if you want to keep things simple, there are always the Halloween classics to fall back on. Whether you have kids and are planning on trick-or-treating this year, or are going to a party and need to pull together a quick costume– it can be daunting trying to come up with ideas and materials.

Halloween is quickly approaching and if you haven’t put any thought into your costume(s) yet have no fear! Today we are sharing some fun and easy DIY Halloween costume ideas to keep things simple this year. Skip that trip to the Halloween store and use what you have around the house or get crafty in making a Halloween costume that will be just as spooky, cute, or funny as you want!

Easy/DIY Halloween Costume Ideas

Adult Costumes

Tanya from White Lotus

For those of us that know and love the show White Lotus, I thought this was such a fun and easy costume idea. Grab a long floral dress, heels, and a pink scarf to drape over your head and around your neck. Wear large flashy sunglasses and maybe even a blonde wig if you have one lying around. Load up on eye makeup and lipstick, purse your lips and you are good to go!

Wednesday Addams

Wednesday has always been a popular character and a fun one to dress up as. With the most recent Netflix show, Wednesday has made a comeback. Throw on a black dress or shirt and skirt maybe even with a white collar underneath, tall black socks and penny loafers. If you have a black wig even better! Add some white face paint for a pale effect and a dark lipstick to seal the deal.

Barbie and Ken

With Barbie fresh on our minds, it makes for a fun costume, especially this year. Or better yet, be Weird Barbie if you’re going for funny. For Barbie, wear your neon leotard from the 80s that you’ve been hanging onto, a high ponytail and sun visor. Throw on some roller skates if you’re feeling extra ambitious. Weird Barbie can be done with an awkward pink/colorful babydoll dress, short blonde wig (or teasing to make your hair a little crazy) and some face paint to add some random scribbles.

Cowgirl

Cowgirl is a classic costume that is easy to pull together last minute. All you need is jeans, a flannel, cowgirl hat and boots. You can add a handkerchief too. For a fun spin try Coastal Cowgirl with a little western-beach inspiration. Trade out your jeans for a flowy dress and jean jacket! Add a white cowgirl hat for extra emphasis.

Emily In Paris

For the show we hate to love, Emily is Paris is another fun modern costume. All you need is a red beret, heals or boots, short skirt and top. Look at pictures from the show for inspiration and see what you have in your closet that might work.

Little Mermaid

The recent Little Mermaid remake makes for another great modern take on a classic. Keep this costume simple by wearing a purple shirt, red wig, and green skirt or scarves for a tail. Throw a ribbon or scarf around your waist to pull the outfit together. Props like shells help to make your costume recognizable.

Flapper

I’ve been a flapper a few times and it’s always a fun one. Head to your local thrift shop and see if you can find a flapper like dress, gloves, fishnet stockings and some heels. Wear some red lipstick and a headband to seal the deal.

Kid or Adult Costumes

Disco Ball, Cassette Tape & Record

If you’re looking to get crafty a disco ball, cassette tape or record all make fun DIY projects at home. For a disco ball you’ll need cardboard, spray paint and aluminum foil. Cut out two circular shapes in the cardboard for your disco balls and spray paint. Then cut out some aluminum foil rectangles to glue to your disco ball. Use yarn or straps to connect the two circles and throw over your shoulders. Add some sequin glasses to seal the deal!

For the cassette tape you will also need cardboard to cut into a rectangular shape. Paint your rectangle to mimic the cassette of your choice. Add your straps and put on top of black layered clothing. Add sneakers and headphones for authenticity!

For a record cut your cardboard into a circular shape and paint the outer circle black and inner circle white. You can jazz it up by adding headphones.

Tree

I saw this idea online and love how simple, yet creative it can be. For a tree costume simply wear brown pants and a green shirt. Use an old headband or grab one from the store. Collect some tree branches outside and use hot glue to connect them to your headband. You can be an autumn tree by wearing a colorful shirt in shades or red, orange and yellow and spray paint your branches gold. There are so many fun ways to make this costume your own!

Lumber Jack

Lumber Jack is another classic costume that you see year after year. It’s easy to put together– grab some jeans, a flannel, boots, suspenders, a beanie and a toy axe and you are ready to go!

Farmer

Another simple costume to throw together in a jiffy is a farmer. Wear overalls, a flannel, straw hat and work boots. Grab a farm animal stuffy, like a chicken, cow, goat, pig, sheep or horse to add authenticity.

Butterfly

As a kid, my friends dad made us sunflower costumes out of cardboard. We were wearing mismatched green sweat suits and these very homemade looking sunflower heads and it is still one of my favorite pictures to this day! I love the butterfly idea too! Grab your extra cardboard and cut out two large butterfly shaped wings. Paint or spray paint them whatever colors you choose and then attach an elastic black band which will loop through your child’s arms. Add a simple black headband with antenna and pair with all black clothing. Tada!

Cat

The cat costume is another classic and favorite for both kids and adults. Wear all black and use some face paint to make whiskers and a nose. Make your own kitty ear headband using an old headband and black construction paper or buy one. Add a little extra flair to kitty by winding a yarn ball around your arms and legs.

Family Costumes

Super Mario Bros.

Super Mario was a popular movie release this year and it is fun to share the love of our favorite Super Mario characters with our little ones. Why not make it a family affair and each dress as a different Super Mario character. Each family member can choose their favorite character and put together a costume with things you can find around your home. Mario needs overalls, a red shirt and a red hat. Luigi needs overalls, a green shirt and green hat. Princess Peach needs a princess dress. Toad needs a fun red and white mushroom hat. Yoshi needs a green dinosaur costume. Get creative and have fun with it!

Crayons

Crayons are another fun and easy family costume. You can each pick your favorite color and dress in that color head to toe. Make little cone hats in each corresponding color. Use some black tape to write “Crayon” along the length of the costume and voila!

Skeleton

Similar to the crayon costume, a skeleton is also simple. Dress in all black and use white tape to represent the bones around your body. You can look online for patterns and ideas!

Robots

Robots are another great costume idea for those families with lots of boxes laying around the house. Paint or spray paint your large boxes silver and then add decor like buttons using construction paper or other materials you have laying around the house. Cut two circles on each side of the box for the arms and a circle for you or your child’s head. Throw on your box and you are good to go! If you want to take it to the next level you can attach a smaller box to the top of the larger box to go around your head. You will just need to cut out a rectangle to see out of.

Greek Gods

Another fun theme for the whole family to partake in is greek gods and goddesses! Grab your old sheets and golden embellishments. Use gold and white sheets, scarves and fabric to wrap around your bodies as a dress or toga. For extra flair you can wear golden headbands, use props like shields and strappy sandals.

The most important thing about Halloween is having fun with it! Use your creativity and don’t take it too seriously. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It’s always fun to pretend no matter how old you are. So choose something you will enjoy being for the evening and keep it simple. No need to spend hundreds of dollars at the costume store!