9 Homemade Halloween Costumes for Kids

You don’t have to fork over big bucks for that Halloween costume your child loves. Turn everyday household items into magical costumes that are easy-and inexpensive.

1 / 9

1. If your child wants to be a: Knight

Make it! Use silver and purple paint to turn a grocery bag into a suit of armor. Make a sword out of a wrapping paper tube and turn a plastic milk jug into a helmet, according to Parents. 

Or buy it here >>

Photo: amazon.com

2 / 9

2. If your child wants to be a: Judge

Make it! Bring the court to order with this clever costume from Parents: Turn toilet paper rolls into an old-fashioned wig with a little white paint. Use a chopstick and another toilet paper roll, both painted brown, to make a gavel.

Or buy it here>> 

Photo: amazon.com

3 / 9

3. If your child wants to be a: Rocket man

Make it! A rocket man’s power pack comes together with Pringles containers and party hats that are spray-painted silver. Streamers simulate fire. Pair with white pants and a white shirt and your little one will be a space age sensation in this Real Simple costume.

Or buy it here>> 

Photo: amazon.com

4 / 9

4. If your child wants to be a: Chef

Make it! A chef’s toque is a cinch to recreate using a paper-wrapped oatmeal container and a white shower cap. Add a large white button-down shirt, a chef’s towel, and a few kitchen accessories, and your little cook is ready for business in this costume from Parents.

Or buy it here>> 

Photo: amazon.com

5 / 9

5. If your child wants to be a: Safari guide

Make it! This idea from Real Simple features a safari vest made from a brown paper grocery bag. Kraft paper envelopes serve as pockets for all of an explorer’s gear; make binoculars with a pair of toilet paper rolls, felt floor protector pads, and some string.

Or buy it here>> 

Photo: amazon.com

6 / 9

6. If your child wants to be a: Turtle

Make it! For this Reader’s Digest costume, disposable aluminum turkey roasting pans are transformed into a turtle’s shell with yellow, orange, and green spray paint. Use a shoelace to create a strap, and dress your youngster in green to create a base for the look.

Or buy it here>> 

Photo: amazon.com

7 / 9

7. If your child wants to be: Macaroni and Cheese

Make it! Yellow-orange paint can turn toilet paper and paper towel tubes into cheesy macaroni, just like this fun get-up from Coolest Homemade Costumes. Create a bowl by cutting a hole in the bottom of a round laundry basket, wrapping it in cardboard, and painting it white (or if you’re artistically inclined, painting it to look like a microwaveable Easy Mac container).

Or buy it here>> 

Photo: amazon.com

8 / 9

8. If your child wants to be: Corn on the cob

Make it! A no-sew corn on the cob costume is easy, thanks to this how-to from Parenting: paint paper egg cartons yellow to make the kernels, then pair with a green sweatshirt and corn husks fashioned from green felt.

Or buy it here>> 

Photo: amazon.com

9 / 9

9. If your child wants to be a: Scuba Diver

Make it! A deep-sea diving costume is a walk on the beach with these tips from Parenting and Real Simple -silver or black spray paint turns a 2-liter plastic bottle (or two) into an oxygen tank; plastic safety goggles serve as a scuba mask, and cord organizers stand in for tubing.

Or buy it here>> 

Photo: brandsonsale.com

Newsletter Unit