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90 Best Homemade Halloween Costumes Kids and Adults Can Easily DIY at Home

Solo, couple and group ideas to bring your spooky dreams to life.

By Amanda Garrity and Mariah Thomas

Updated: Oct 26, 2022

Tell Love and Party/ Studio DIY

Sure, purchasing a Halloween costume saves time and the effort that comes along with breaking out the sewing machine, but there's no denying that there's something magical about DIYing a costume of your own. This is especially true if your child has a special outfit in mind that you just can't find in the store, online or anywhere. Whether you're going solo, as a couple or in a group, we're sharing some of the best homemade Halloween costumes you can make at the last minute.

With our list, you'll find a range of costume ideas that are scary, cute, silly and punny — all perfect for babies, kids, teens, adults and anyone in between. Some are incredibly easy to put together, including colorful citrus slices and axe-holding lumberjacks, while others require a bit more effort (a.k.a Greek gods and a cake slice). Even if you consider yourself far from crafty, you'll find a range of simple costumes you can create just in time (even some TV- and movie-related ideas). And if you're looking for more to consider, check out our work appropriate choices and squad-approved options.

homemade halloween costumes, small girl wearing a white shirt, white leggings, a white mask and diy white wings

Mike Garten

Bird Costume

Turn your child into an eye-catching bird with striking wings to match. You need a white shirt and leggings, a white mask form, a cardboard box, white and metallic silver cupcake liners, white coffee filters and tape (double stick tape, gaff tape or strong duct tape).

Follow these steps to make your own:

Fold the cupcake liners and coffee filters in half.
Cut out two oval wing shapes out of your cardboard box.
Starting on one side, attach the coffee filters with tape, while overlapping them to create a ‘feathered’ look. Splay it out on one end to create a wing shape.
Add in smaller cupcake liners for extra texture and make sure to mix in a few silver liners so sections pop.
Make a tube out of cardboard and use gaff tape to secure it to the back of the 'wing.'
Hide the cardboard base by covering the backside of the wing with more coffee filters and cupcake liners.
Repeat steps 3-6 for the other wing.
Use tape to layer small-folded cupcake liners on your white mask form to create the tighter/smaller feathers that would be on a bird’s face.

SHOP WHITE COFFEE FILTERS

SHOP METALLIC CUPCAKE LINERS

Disco Ball Costume

You'll be the center of attention in this costume, which comes together with a cardboard box and some aluminum foil.

To make:

Cut 2 large circles from the cardboard box.
Spray paint both sides of the circles with silver spray paint and let dry completely.
While this dries, cut out 1"x2" foil rectangles.
Tear 1/2" wide strips of duct tape and place foil rectangles on the sticky side, so the majority of the foil hangs off (so it looks like a banner of flags).
Starting at the bottom, stick the tape/foil banner across the silver cardboard circle, so the layer above overlaps the layer below. This will create a tiled effect.
Trim or fold back the tape around the edge of the circle to maintain the round "disco ball" shape.
Complete 2 circles for the front and back.
To create shoulder and chest straps, measure length needed and place 2 strips of duct tape sticky side together.
Tape to the cardboard front and back, so you can easily slip it over your head.

SHOP SPRAY PAINT

Cassette Tape Costume

Don't throw out those cardboard boxes, seriously! This look is so effortless, you can probably pick up everything at your nearest general store.

Here are the steps:

Cut 2 large rectangles from the cardboard box.
Spray paint both sides of the circles with teal spray paint.
While this dries, print out 2 copies of the cassette label template provided.
Cut out the label and glue it to the center of the cardboard rectangles.
Using a black permanent maker, follow the template provided to add the cassette shapes and outlines.
To create shoulder and chest straps, measure length needed and place 2 strips of duct tape sticky side together.
Tape to the cardboard front and back, so you can easily slip it over your head.

GET TEMPLATE

homemade halloween costumes, woman wearing a long light purple wig with bangs, a forest green top and shimmery skirt replicating a mermaid tail

Mike Garten

Mermaid Costume

For this DIY, you'll need a green shirt and leggings, a pink wig, a green apron and gold and green metallic cupcake liners.

Fold the cupcake liners in half. Starting at the bottom of the apron, attach the straight folded part of the cupcake liners with a line of hot glue, with the rounded part facing down. Alternate the two colors to fill the entire width of the apron. Glue another layer of cupcake liners while making sure they overlap the first line before repeating the process until you have covered the entire apron.

SHOP METALLIC CUPCAKE LINERS

homemade halloween costumes, small boy wearing a basket with fake leaves inside

Mike Garten

Plant in a Basket Costume

If you're a plant lover, transforming your kids into plant babies will is the perfect idea this season. Cut out the bottom of an old basket for them to step into (make sure it's large enough, so they'll fit). Use green construction paper as your leaves, and green straws as your stems before hot gluing them to the basket to keep your paper greenery in place. P.S. make sure they're wearing green attire to blend in with their new look.

SHOP WOOD BASKET

Adult Plant Costume

A perfect matching idea! To create, cut 1.5” wide strips of light green crêpe paper and 1.75” strip of dark green. Curve the tops into points. Spread a glue stick all over a light green strip. Place a length of floral wire down the middle of the strip, and top with a strip of dark green crêpe paper. Smooth with your fingers and let dry. Curve the strips to create a leaf effect and attach to a hat with hot glue or safety pins. Fill shirt pockets with more leaves to complete the look.

SHOP HAT

Vampire Costume

Record Costume

Once you have your cardboard box: Cut 2 large circles from the cardboard box. Spray paint both sides of the circles with black spray paint and let dry completely. While this dries, print out 2 copies of the record label template provided. Cut out the label and glue it to the center of the black cardboard circles. To create shoulder and chest straps, measure length needed and place 2 strips of duct tape sticky side together. Tape to the cardboard front and back, so you can easily slip it over your head. *Optional: use the paint pen to draw on record grooves.

GET TEMPLATE

Tatertots and Jello

Western Box Costume

Here's another costume for the kids! Dress them in cowgirl or cowboy attire, and DIY a horse using cardboard boxes (in this case the blogger used Amazon Prime smile boxes). The horse and jacket were also designed using fabric paint.

Get the tutorial at Tatertots and Jello »

SHOP FABRIC PAINT

homemade halloween costumes wednesday and it, girl dressed in black dress while holding a bucket with sunglasses, string of white yarn and a black hat

Lolly Jane

Wednesday Costume

Dressing as a member of the Addams Family never goes out of style, especially when it comes to Wednesday's character. Replicate the look with a long black dress, a white collar shirt underneath and pigtails. Plus, this blogger DIY'd her own version of Cousin It using a treat bucket.

Get the tutorial at Lolly Jane »

SHOP BLACK DRESS

The House That Lars Built

Mona Lisa Costume

This last-minute idea requires subtle makeup, a DIY frame and a black dress. Don't forget to put on your best mysterious smile.

Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built »

homemade halloween costumes citrus slices

Studio DIY

Citrus Slices Costume

This is such a fun costume idea for a trio. You'll need a dress (or T-shirt) and this citrus slice template to get started.

Get the tutorial at Studio DIY »

Tell Love and Party

Butterfly Costume

Grab some paint, cardboard and stencils to DIY the wings. This is also an easy project you can work on the night before the big day.

Get the tutorial at Tell Love and Party »

homemade halloween costumes essential oils

A Beautiful Mess

Essential Oils Costume

No one would expect you to arrive at their Halloween party dressed as your favorite essential oil. It'll be more of a shocker to find out you crafted this one on your own.

Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess »

SHOP CORRUGATED CARDBOARD ROLLS

homemade halloween costumes marie antoinette

The House That Lars Built

Marie Antoinette Costume

Who wouldn't want to be the last queen of France for a day? This stunning headpiece was made using faux butterflies and pink spray paint, while the skirt features balloons!

Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built »

Club Crafted

Nail Polish Costume

Turn into your very own nail polish using a cardboard box as your base and a paper towel roll for the top.

Get the tutorial at Club Crafted »

Crafty Chica

Llama Costume

Different sized boxes and felt were used to make this llama costume. Add personality with faux fur and a pom pom garland.

Get the tutorial at Crafty Chica »

The House That Lars Built

Tomato Soup Costume

Put your creativity to the test with a soup costume made of cardboard sheets and cardstock. Have a friend join in on the idea and wear different colored wigs for a spunky look.

Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built »

homemade halloween costumes hot chocolate

Studio DIY

Hot Chocolate Costume

This adorable cup of cocoa costume is fun and easy to put together using foam rollers and pink wrapping paper. Wearing brown polka dot shoes will only add to the idea.

Get the tutorial at Studio DIY »

homemade halloween costumes pushing daisies

Sugar & Cloth

Pushing Daisies Costume

Here's another couple costume you can easily put together at the last minute. Pushing Daisies is a comedy about a man named Ned, who raises the dead to help solve murder cases. It's only natural he finds love along the way with his sweetheart Charlotte.

Get the tutorial at Sugar and Cloth »

A Beautiful Mess

Bjork Swan Dress Costume

Inspired by Icelandic artist Björk's outfit worn at the 73rd Academy Awards, this swan dress is a showstopper. Create the swan head or purchase one to sew into a white dress.

SHOP SWAN PLUSH HAT

Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess »

homemade halloween costumes wreckitralph

See Vanessa Craft

Wreck-It-Ralph Family Costume

Blogger Vanessa Coppola DIY-ed the Wreck-It-Ralph cast for her family of four. The characters include Fix-It Felix, Vanellope von Schweetz, Nicelander Mary and the internet breaker Ralph himself.

Get the tutorial at See Vanessa Craft »

homemade halloween costumes black widow costume

Made In A Day

Black Widow Halloween Costume

This costume has a spooky and gothic Victorian look. With a dainty top hat, long black gloves and an old-fashioned dress, you can become the scariest widow of the night.

SHOP TOP HAT

Get the tutorial at Made In A Day »

homemade halloween costumes space family

Tell Love and Party

Space Family Costume

The entire family can join in on this one. This might take some time to finish, but with lots of spray paint and creativity, you and your little ones will be the coolest extraterrestrials in space.

Get the tutorial at Tell Love and Party »

Crafty Chica

Cake Slice Costume

You're sure to win Best Costume dressed as a delicious slice of cake. You'll need some boxes, faux frosting, white spray paint and confetti to bring this treat to life.

SHOP CONFETTI

Get the tutorial at Crafty Chica »

The House That Lars Built

Hippies Costume

You can make this hippies costume with your family and friends using your closet finds. DIY a sun or love headpiece to complete your '70s theme bohemian look.

Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built »