There are so many options for Halloween kids’ costumes, it’s almost impossible to settle on just one cute idea for your little monster. Let’s be honest, kids dressed up as animals (baby pandas, owls, and lions), kids as book and movie characters (Fantastic Mr. Fox, Where the Wild Things Are, Star Wars, and Harry Potter), and kids as food (strawberries, cupcakes, and even pizza)—it’s all just downright adorable for both boys and girls!
This roundup of 84 easy DIY Halloween costumes for kids includes something for everyone. We’ve gathered Halloween DIYs that cater to a wide range of skill sets, from super easy (heat up that glue gun) to pretty fancy costumes (like, you might need a sewing machine to pull it off), and ideas that speak to all ages, from baby Halloween costumes to toddler Halloween costumes and even the best tween Halloween costumes. There is even a selection of costumes based on iconic women, including Jane Goodall and Rosie the Riveter, to educate young girls about strong women in history.
You can always buy a costume if you run out of time, but if you want to go the homemade route this Halloween, we just know you’ll find a sweet look in this collection for your favorite little trick-or-treaters. Here, 84 spooktacularly easy homemade kids’ Halloween costumes to try this year, from Care Bears to cowboys and more!
1Ted Lasso Kids’ Costumes
Lauren Mancke may have just won Halloween with this trio of costumes based on the Apple TV+ show Ted Lasso. Her tiny Ted, Rebecca Welton, and Dani Rojas are pitch-perfect (notice the box of biscuits!). Follow Lauren on Instagram for more inspiration as she posts her special #manckemonthofcostumes!
See more at @laurenmancke.
2DIY Gingham Witch Halloween Costumes
Start a country coven! Gussied up in black-and-white gingham, these sweet witches are ready to cast some serious spells on Halloween night.
Make the Costumes: Cut two 31- by 20-inch rectangles from black-and-white gingham fabric. Sew ends together, leaving armholes toward the top of the rectangle. Fold in the top 1 inch of the fabric and sew a channel, leaving a 1-inch opening. Thread a ribbon or string through the channel. Once on, pull the ribbon to gather it at the top. Cut a 3 1/2- by 36-inch strip from black eyelet fabric. Sew a hand-running stitch along the edge of one of the long sides. Leave a knot at one end and pull the string on the other side to create gathers. Pin at the back of the costume or add a snap. Finish with witches hats.
3DIY Strawberry Halloween Costume
This strawberry costume is so berry sweet! We love the watering can prop, which can be used for the trick-or-treating candy haul.
Make the costume: Cut seeds from yellow felt. Adhere to a plain red dress with StitchWitchery. Trace leaves onto green fabric; cut out. Adhere to dress with Stitch Witchery. Use StitchWitchery to adhere same green fabric to a piece of green felt. Trace hat onto fabric and cut out. Cut out a 3- by 1-inch rectangle and roll lengthwise into a tube; adhere end with hot-glue. Add stem to the center of hat with fabric glue. Sew a small barrette to the underside of hat.
4DIY Cowboy and Horse Halloween Costume
Make your youngster’s wild west dreams come true with this one-of-a-kind costume.
Get the tutorial at Made for Mums.
5DIY Haunted House Halloween Costume
Embellish a cardboard box with craft paint, muslin for the shutters, and paper and wire for the bats.
Get the tutorial at Oh Yay Studio.
6DIY Jar of Pickles and Pickle Halloween Costumes
We love this costume idea for a pair of siblings!
For the jar, use corrugated paper and cardboard for the lid, plastic sheeting for the glass, craft paper for the label, and long green “twister” balloons for the pickles (blow up to roughly seven inches long).
For the pickle, craft a romper with felt polka dots over a green onesie for a more sweet than sour “sidepick.”
Get the tutorial at Oh Yay Studio.
7DIY White Swan Halloween Costume
8DIY Cheese Grater & Wedge of Cheese Halloween Costumes
This dairy-themed duo calls for some sewing skill, but it’s worth it for the grate-est costume ever.
Get the tutorial at Oh Yay Studio.
9DIY Hot-Air Balloon Halloween Costume
Colorful helium balloons help this cheery number hit new heights.
Get the tutorial.
10DIY Librarian Halloween Costume
Quiet, please! This smartly dressed librarian costume is one of our favorite ideas for kids. A library card canvas tote is an on-theme candy carryall, while a Peter Pan collar blouse, cardigan sweater, and plaid skirt (which you likely already have in your closet) complete the look. Don’t forget to add a pair of glasses.
11DIY Lego Block Halloween Costume
With glossy spray paint and round boxes, construct a building block that can’t be beat.
Get the tutorial.
12DIY Flower Pot Halloween Costume
You only need a few supplies for your little one’s flower costume to be in full bloom! Start with a base of a green leotard and tights. With green felt and dark green embroidery thread, construct leaf sleeves. Then use pink felt (or her favorite color) to make a petal face piece. Replace the plastic pot with a green tutu to create a flower ballerina.
Get the tutorial at Pepper Design.
13DIY Star Wars Obi-Wan Halloween Costume
The force will be with your child when he wears this DIY Star Wars costume that’s surprisingly easy to make. It even ingeniously uses a pool noodle for a lightsaber!
Get the tutorial at Delia Creates.
14DIY ‘Where the Wild Things Are’ Halloween Costume
Let the wild rumpus start with this no-sew costume of Max, the main character from the beloved children’s book, Where the Wild Things Are.
Get the tutorial at A Night Owl.
15DIY Homemade Lemon-Lime Halloween Costumes
Best friends or sisters of all ages can pull off this super-easy Halloween costume that starts with oversized, brightly colored T-shirts.
Get the tutorial at Sugar Bee Crafts.
16DIY Where’s Waldo? Halloween Costume
If you’re an avid crocheter (or want to become one), this DIY Waldo hat is easy to stitch up. Pair with a red-and-white striped shirt and round black glasses for the complete look.
Get the tutorial at Repeat Crafter Me.
17DIY Baby Gumball Machine Halloween Costume
We’d pay well over 25 cents to see a little cutie rocking this candy-inspired getup. Major props if you can get your baby to leave the pom-pom hat on long enough for a photo.
Get the tutorial at Peek-a-Boo Pages.
18DIY Football Field Halloween Costume
Your sports fanatic will score the most original Halloween costume in the neighborhood this year. Plus, made with supplies from the Dollar Store, it’ll make you feel like the ultimate winner, too.
Get the tutorial at Design Dazzle.
19DIY Cowboy and Cowgirl Halloween Costumes
Whether best friends or siblings, kids can go as cowboys and cowgirls together.
Get the tutorial at Crafting Chicks.
20DIY Penny Halloween Costume
Here’s a costume that just makes “cents” if you’re looking for a clever, surprisingly quick Halloween get-up.
Get the tutorial at The Merry Thought.
21DIY No-Sew Care Bears Halloween Costume
No one can resist giving candy to Sunshine Bear and Love-A-Lot Bear on Halloween. Even parents can get in on the fun for a full Care Bear family—cloud wagon included.
Get the tutorial at See Vanessa Craft.
22DIY Bullseye Halloween Costume
23DIY Yarn Halloween Costume
Moms who knit will have a ball (get it?!) dressing their daughter or son as a skein of yarn.
Get the tutorial at Dukes and Duchesses.
24DIY Black Sheep Halloween Costume
Chances are you won’t even need to make a trip to the store to turn your little nugget into the black sheep of the family.
Get the tutorial at Say Yes.
25DIY Lemonade and Ice Cream Stand Costumes
Halloween is all about indulging in sweets, so why not carry over the theme to your kids’ costumes?
Get the tutorial at Love the Day.
26DIY Elsa Halloween Costume
27DIY Popcorn Halloween Costume
28DIY Rag Doll Halloween Costume
The red yarn “hair” is what makes this costume such a winner, and it’s a snap to create!
Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.
29DIY Olaf Halloween Costume
Since a little cold never bothered your children anyway, let it snow (in spirit, of course) and channel this beloved Frozen snowman.
Get the tutorial at Desert Chica.
30DIY State of Liberty Halloween Costume
Pressed for time before the Halloween party? Whip up this last-minute Lady Liberty replica, torch and all, in just 20 minutes. Expect your patriotic daughter to proudly perfect her power stance all day long.
Get the tutorial at Sewing Rabbit.
31DIY Hedwig Baby Owl Halloween Costume
Whooooooo can make this seriously sweet Harry Potter Hegwig baby costume? Because it’s no sew, the answer is everyone, that’s who!
Get the tutorial at Make Life Lovely.
32DIY Peter Pan Halloween Costume
This adorable costume will remind your adventurer to never grow up!
Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.
33DIY PAC-MAN Halloween Costume
Watch out for this fruit-chomping blast from the past, which will definitely serve up some video game nostalgia from the adult crowd.
Get the tutorial at The Effortless Chic.
34DIY Rosie the Riveter Halloween Costume
You’ll get a kick out of turning your little girl into a pint-size version of the WWII icon—especially since it only takes a bit chambray and a polka dot head scarf.
Get the tutorial at Say Yes.
35DIY Toddler Strawberry Halloween Costume
36DIY Bee Halloween Costume
You won’t be busy as a bee DIYing these adorbs antennae—they’re super-simple to make. A yellow and black sweater can complete the costume.
Get the tutorial at Delia Creates.
37DIY Flamingo Halloween Costume
This precious little thing girl dressed as a pretty-in-pink flamingo for Purim, but the totally on-trend costume works just as well for Halloween, too.
Get the tutorial at The Small Details.
38DIY ‘Harry Potter’ Halloween Costume
39DIY Belle from ‘Beauty and the Beast’ Halloween Costume
40DIY Angel Wings Halloween Costume
41DIY Baby Cow Halloween Costume
This adorable costume will get your little one in the moooo-d to trick-or-treat.
Get the tutorial at Make It and Love It.
42DIY Moon and Stars Mommy and Me Halloween Costumes
43DIY Firefighter Halloween Costume
Your little hero will surely save the day in this firefighter Halloween costume.
Get the tutorial at Stitched by Crystal.
44DIY Jane Goodall Halloween Costume
What better role model is there for your little monkey to look up to than this animal rights activist?
Get the tutorial at Smarties.
45DIY Julia Child Halloween Costume
Make your favorite kitchen helper’s dreams come true with this adorable costume.
Get the tutorial at Smarties.
46DIY Ghost Halloween Costume
The ghost costume is a classic for a reason! Try this no-sew version this year.
