Ghost and ghouls, gather ‘round… Halloween is here! 

Halloween is one of the most entertaining and festive holidays of the year. There are apples to pick, haunted mazes to explore, pumpkins to carve, and so much more fun to be had with the whole family. 

While you enjoy everything October has to offer, it can be tempting to save time with a store-bought Halloween costume. Store-bought costumes can be a life-saver, but we’re going to let you in on a little secret—DIY Halloween costumes can be just as easy, for half the price.

Below, you’ll learn all of the tricks (and treats!) you need to make DIY Halloween costumes your kids will love.

How Do I DIY a Halloween Costume?

It may seem like the only way to DIY a Halloween costume is to sew one from scratch. If you’re an expert crafter, you already know where to find fabrics, patterns, and bobbins to whip up some haunted haute couture. However, you also already know that sewing costumes from scratch can be complicated and time-consuming work. 

Thankfully, DIY Halloween costumes can be much easier than sewing a look from scratch. In fact, you can DIY a Halloween costume with items you may already have in your closet.

Whether you want to sew your costume or assemble it from your favorite go-to pieces, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about Halloween costume creation.

Sew a Costume

Does your little one want to be a magical princess for Halloween? Maybe every store is sold out of her favorite character, or she wants to create her own character from scratch. 

As we know, making a costume from scratch can take time, but the result is worth it. If you want to sew your little princess the exact dress of her dreams, it’s essential to plan ahead. Ideally, you should start the process a few months before October 31, taking measurements, assembling materials, and finalizing patterns before you get to work. 

In the end, your little girl will be wearing that princess outfit every day.

If you’re new to sewing, we recommend starting smaller with homemade pieces throughout the year like skirts, tanks, and dresses before committing to a complicated Halloween costume. 

Assemble a Costume

The easiest DIY costumes are the ones we assemble ourselves. We don’t always have time to sew a costume from scratch, but mindfully piecing together an outfit with items you love can have the same “wow” effect with half the effort. 

You can use a blend of items you already own and new accent pieces to bring your family’s costume dreams to life. Start with a reference photo, and find similar items that match your Halloween character and personal style. It’s as easy as that! 

No matter which DIY route you choose, your costume is guaranteed to be unique.

Which DIY Costumes Are the Easiest To Make?

Are you still searching for the perfect costume for your Halloween party this weekend? From mermaids to cartoon characters and everything in between, these easy impromptu DIY costumes are guaranteed to make a spooky splash from mermaids to Disney characters and everything in between. 

How To Make a Mermaid Costume

Get your glue guns ready: Simply grab a bralette or tank top, some seashells from your local dollar store, and some pretty gems, and you have a mermaid costume fit for the sea.

Use your glue gun to attach the shells and gems to your favorite top—it’s a simple, easy process that you can do while you watch TV with the family or listen to an audiobook while you take some much-needed R&R. 

For your mermaid bottom and tail, you can cut out scales from metallic fabrics and attach them to a pair of shiny leggings. Add a touch of colored tulle material at the end to get the flowy look of a mermaid’s tail.

How To Make a Rainbow Costume

Rainbows and clouds are so fun to make, and they’re easy, too. Best of all, there are no glue guns required for this Halloween look. Simply grab clothing items and accessories in every color of the rainbow—the more, the better.

This costume is especially fun because you can effortlessly tailor it to your family’s personal styles. If your son loves vests and bow ties, you can incorporate those pieces into his outfit in a flash. If your daughter is partial to tutus, grab as many as she wants for a costume she’ll never want to take off.

To make it even more fun, dress your little one in some high shine rainbow leggings and pair them with a rainbow heart sweatshirt.

How To Make a G.I. Joe Costume

Some of the most memorable Halloween costumes are when we get to dress up as our favorite characters from movies and TV shows. If you have a little boy or girl who loves G.I. Joe or G.I. Jane, these characters happen to be one of the easiest last-minute Halloween costumes for unexpected events or impromptu outings. 

Your boy’s favorite everyday clothing can work perfectly into this costume. Look in his closet for sets, joggers, or sweatshirts for a great foundation for your DIY costume. All you need to complete the costume is a camo hat and boots.

How To Make a Princess Costume

Disney princesses are classic Halloween costumes. Seeing our little girls in a big ball gown dress with matching gloves and a tiara just makes our hearts melt. You can easily recreate your daughter or son’s favorite princess costume with a little faith, trust, and pixie dust (and planning).

Find tutus, shirts with sweetheart necklines, and skirts online that match your little one’s favorite character. Add a sash and some accessories, and you’ll feel like Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother making your little princess’s fashion dreams come true.

A Trick That’s a Treat

Whether your family loves spooky, funny, or elegant costumes, these DIY tricks and tips can help you throw together a last-minute costume at an affordable price. You can even take these ideas from PixieLane to make intricate, unique costumes that your family will never forget. No matter what your Halloween plans are, these ideas will certainly make a spooky splash! 

Sources:

Last Minute DIY Costumes | Good Housekeeping

72 Easy Halloween Costumes for Women - DIY Halloween Costumes 2021 | Country Living

Best way for taking {BODY MEASUREMENTS} for sewing your clothes | Sew Guide