Growing up, I thought the plastic masks and flimsy costumes were the height of Halloween costumes. My mom wasn’t crafty, though she did sew on a cat’s tail for one of my costumes one year even though it was cold out, so I had to hide my tail under my bulky coat. Halloween seemed like a lot of work for little pay off when I was a kid.
Honestly, Halloween hasn’t always been a favorite, but I discovered a hidden talent once I became a mom.
Over the years, my kids and I have made some fun and unconventional costumes with the most basic supplies. My kids will start to brainstorm about what they want to be starting in August because it has become such a fun tradition, not because they feel pressure. They come up with the idea, and then we research how to make it. We go to the dollar store and get the supplies we need. Some years we have had to go to the craft store or hardware store if we needed something specific, but the dollar store is a treasure trove of costume-making materials. Some of the recent favorites we have made have been a Unites States Postal Box and the Empire State building.
Last year was a bust for many kids trick or treating, and we are excited to have our small-town parade and trick or treating back. Though my son was a mime and my younger son recycled our T-Rex skeleton. I think homemade costumes are the best and don’t have to be overwhelming to make. I once made my son the Hungry Hungry caterpillar out of a knitted hat we had and a puffer jacket, so simple.
So to encourage you to get creative, I will share my favorite supplies.
Things I have found at local dollar stores or craft stores:
- A glue gun- I am not a great seamstress, so I have used my glue gun instead of sewing. If you have a glue gun you can make anything.
- Bungie cords or paracord- use them to make straps
- Spray paint- Use a mask and do it in the grass for less mess. We have painted in the past but spray paint cover and dries quickly
- Foam boards- They are light, easy to cut, and come in colors.
- Poster boards if you need a more flexible material to create say a dome roof
- A bag of poly filler- To stuff anything or create clouds
- Foam (Foamma)- I used this to make a T-rex skeleton and giant toast
- Battery operated candles or string lights
- Fabric
Things you will find in your home:
- Boxes – all shapes and sizes from all those amazon orders 😉
- Duct tape and Packing tape
- Scissors
- exacto knife (only for grownups to use)
- old hats or gloves – add cut-up foam for claws or horns
- old sweaters or old dress clothes
The only thing you can’t buy, which is the most important thing, is a spirit of fun and creativity. As I tell my son, we don’t want them to look perfect; otherwise, people won’t know we made it.
There is plenty of time left to create your homemade costume and make some treasured memories in the process.