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If Halloween snuck up on you this year, you’re not alone! When life is busy, planning a costume can slip to the bottom of the list. But don’t worry – there are plenty of last-minute costume ideas that you can put together using everyday items you might already have at home. Here are some simple, creative, and fun last-minute costume ideas for kids that they’ll be excited to wear!
1. The Classic Ghost
- What You’ll Need: A white sheet and scissors
- How to Create: Simply cut two holes for eyes and drape the sheet over your child. For a twist, use a black fabric marker to draw a friendly or spooky face on the sheet. Tie a rope or belt around the waist to keep it secure if needed. This timeless costume is quick, easy, and always a crowd-pleaser.
2. Rosie the Riveter
- What You’ll Need: Denim shirt, red bandana, and red lipstick
- How to Create: Dress your child in the denim shirt and roll up the sleeves. Tie the red bandana around their head with a knot at the top, and use a dab of red lipstick if they’d like. This empowering costume is simple, recognizable, and great for photos!
3. Mummy
- What You’ll Need: White or beige fabric strips, medical gauze, or even toilet paper
- How to Create: Wrap strips of fabric or gauze around your child’s clothing, securing them with safety pins if needed. For a quick version, wrap toilet paper loosely around them just before they go out trick-or-treating (with backup supplies just in case!). Add dark eyeshadow around the eyes for a spooky effect.
4. Artist
- What You’ll Need: A beret, large shirt or smock, and a paint palette (real or homemade)
- How to Create: Dress your child in an oversized shirt or smock and add a beret if you have one. You can create a paint palette by cutting a piece of cardboard into shape and adding circles of colourful paint or markers. Give them a paintbrush, and they’ll look ready to create a masterpiece!
5. Animal Ears & Tail
- What You’ll Need: Headband, construction paper, and face paint
- How to Create: Choose an animal, such as a cat, bunny, or bear. Cut ears out of construction paper and attach them to a headband. Use eyeliner or face paint to draw whiskers or a nose. If you have extra fabric or felt, create a tail to pin onto their pants. Simple yet adorable!
6. Detective
- What You’ll Need: A trench coat, magnifying glass, and a hat
- How to Create: Dress your child in a trench coat and add a hat if you have one. Hand them a magnifying glass, and they’re ready to solve mysteries all night! You can also make a “detective’s notebook” with clues for them to write in throughout the night.
7. Scarecrow
- What You’ll Need: Flannel shirt, jeans, hat, and face paint
- How to Create: Dress your child in a flannel shirt, jeans, and add a hat. Use face paint or eyeliner to draw a triangle nose and stitches on their cheeks and mouth. Add some straw or raffia around their sleeves and pants for an extra touch. This cute costume is comfortable and classic!
8. Robot
- What You’ll Need: Cardboard boxes, aluminum foil, and markers
- How to Create: Cover a small box with aluminum foil for a helmet and cut out holes for eyes. Cover a larger box for the body, decorating it with drawn-on buttons and dials. Dress your child in grey underneath, and they’re ready to beep and boop through the neighbourhood!
9. Superhero of Their Own Design
- What You’ll Need: A cape (or blanket), mask (optional), and their favourite clothes
- How to Create: If your child has a favourite character or superpower in mind, let them design their own superhero costume! Use a blanket as a cape, and fashion a simple mask with construction paper or fabric. Add some “power bracelets” made from tinfoil or paper. Let their imagination take the lead.
10. Static Cling
- What You’ll Need: Dark-coloured clothes, safety pins, and small laundry items
- How to Create: Dress your child in dark clothes, then pin socks, small towels, or even fabric softener sheets randomly on them to create a “static cling” effect. This silly costume is quick to assemble and sure to get some laughs.
Tips for Putting Together Last-Minute Costumes
- Check your closet and craft supplies: Look for old costumes or items you can repurpose.
- Keep it simple: Sometimes, the easiest costumes end up being the most memorable.
- Make it fun for your child: Let them have a say, even if it means mixing and matching ideas for a unique look.
Halloween doesn’t have to be stressful, even if it’s last minute. With these quick and easy ideas, your child will be ready for trick-or-treating in no time, looking festive, and feeling fantastic!
