If you’re looking for ideas for DIY Halloween costumes for people of all ages—from kids, toddlers, and infants to adults—look no further. We used models of all ages for our DIY costume ideas, but the beauty of a DIY Halloween costume is that you can make it work for people of any size by using the right supplies. Anyone can be Little Miss Sunshine or Raining Cats and Dogs with a little elbow grease. These creative ideas are doable, even if you’re not that crafty, and they look adorable. Some of them don’t even take too much attention, so you can work on them in between spouting off Halloween quotes and watching Halloween movies on Netflix. If you’re working under a tight deadline, you may be better off picking a costume that puts items you already have around the house to use. You may have to explain some of the Halloween puns behind these costumes, but you can rest assured that they’ll look great for every spooky class photo and trick-or-treating pic. Click through these smart DIY costume ideas (and their how-to guides) for inspiration and instructions. Once you find one that fits your needs, it’s time to start finding the right accompanying clothes and supplies—you might be surprised by how quickly your crafty costume comes together.
Large piece of cardboardPrimer spray paintGray paintPink permanent markerBlack permanent markerThin elastic stringCraft knifeMagna Tac glueGray clothes
Craft developed by Morgan Levine
White crewneck sweatshirt and pantsWhite long sleeve shirtCotton ballsBlack tapeBlack beanieBlack felt
Grey hooded sweatshirt and pantsWhite feltBlack buttonsGrey feltHot glue gunScissorsRound cardboard cake baseRed felt
CardboardBrown fabricHot glue gun and sticksPolyester fiber fillBrown pom-pomsGrey and pink feltHeadbandWhite shirtBlue jean overalls
Yellow shirt and pantsRed foam core boardHot glue gun and sticksRed electrical tapeYellow pool noodleYellow ribbon
Brown winter hat with earflapsWhite t-shirtKhaki pantsBrown crewneck sweatshirt (if you don’t have a leather jacket)Brown tapeWhite scarfFurry felt fabricGoggles
White paper½-inch-thick foam cushionDark green fabricLight green fabricBrown dressLight and dark brown felt
PaperPencil4 pieces of pink felt (we like E-Z felt, which is stiff and easier to work with)Pink headbandScissorsHot glue gunLarge bottle cap (we used a Gatorade cap)Pink ribbonPink buttonNewspaperPink acrylic paint (water-based)Paintbrush
Yellow dress and tightsYellow party hatsYellow headbandRibbon (two colors, one thin and one thick)Glue6 sheets of yellow adhesive feltLetters with adhesive backs
UmbrellaStuffed animalsHot glue gun
Red long sleeve shirt and pants, or red dress and tightsScissorsPaper and pencilGlueGreen beanieGreen feltGreen pipe cleanerOchre yellow craft paint
Turquoise leotard, long tutu, tights (or shirt and leggings)Turquoise strawsTurquoise tissue paperGold, turquoise, and blue cupcake linersHeadbandPipe cleanersBlue mini pompomsTurquoise ribbon (about 1 yard)
Hot glue gun and sticksGreen T-shirt and pantsArtificial leavesArtificial apple
Gold half maskGold contact paperSolid colored washi tapeBlack permanent markerMagna Tac glue
Craft developed by Morgan Levine
Yellow sweatshirt and sweatpantsYellow baseball capOrange rain bootsYellow feather boaPing Pong ballBlack markerScissorsGlue
Black long sleeve shirt and pantsWhite hatGlueScissorsWhite pleated ribbon (about 2 to 3 yards)
Orange marabou feather trim (found at the crafts supply store)Orange shirt or dressParty hatBlack feltHeadbandBrown craft foamDark brown marker
Black leotardBlack tightsBlack pipe cleaners2 hangersClear recycling bagsVelcroYellow tapeAdhesive letters
White pants and shirt2 empty Pringles canisters2 wine corksDuct tapeGlueParty hatsStreamers in red, orange, and yellowSilver spray paint
Hawaiian shirtBike or running shortsFlip flopsBrown paper bag (or butcher paper for a DIY costume for adults)Cupcake linersDouble-sided tapeGlueRibbonStapler
Pants and a shirt (or a jumpsuit) in the same colorBath towel (or trash bag)Duct tape (in assorted colors)Adhesive felt sheets
Black shirtBlack pantsCape (preferably in a dark color)2 beige baseball capsBlack ribbonCanning jar lidSponge brush handleBlack spray paint
Adhesive lettersBlack shirtBaseball capGold paperBeltPlastic handcuffsNotepadSunglasses
Blue jumper or jumpsuitWhite or blue long sleeve shirtScarves in various colorsGold party hatGold jacket fastenersGold round dot stickersGold tapeStringRug or doormat
CardboardGraduation capKhaki pants and a sweater, a suit, or another smart outfitBrown fabricTapePolyester fiber fillBrown pom-pomsBlack ribbon
Plain half maskFeathers of various sizes and shapesYellow cardstockMagna Tac glueBrown clothes
Craft developed by Morgan Levine
Blue dress or oversized t-shirtBlue tights, leggings, or pantsBlack feltHot glue gun and sticksTulle in red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purpleToy coinsHeadband
Red crewneck sweatshirt and pants or leggingsRed hatHot glue gunScissorsBlack markerCupcake liners in assorted colors (red, orange, yellow, blue, green, blue, purple)Ping Pong ball
Hot glue gun and sticksYellow buttonsGreen shirtYellow webbingVelcroGreen pantsYellow scarfArtificial red rose
Orange marabou feather trim (found at crafts supply stores)White shirtWhite feltHeadband2 foam core boardsBrown craft paperSpray adhesiveBrown tapeBrown ribbon
Khaki shortsWhite t-shirtSneakers or bootsBrown grocery bagPencilScissorsKraft mini envelopes (in natural)ButtonsGlue stickToilet paper rolls (2)Felt padsTwine or stringGlue
Brown capeletBrown tutuVelcroScissorsFabric glue2 pink tank topsBrown leggingsFishnet fabric (available at fabric stores)HeadbandBrown ribbon (about a yard)Brown feltPipe cleaners (various colors)Styrofoam ball (medium-sized)Glitter glue
Yellow foam sheetRed apronAdhesive lettersRed plastic party hat
Yellow fabricHot glue gun and sticksBlack dressYellow craft foam2-inch and 1½-inch styrofoam half ballsMarkersSilver confetti stars (found at party supply stores)Headband
Large sheet of cardstock Pink plastic tablecloth Spray adhesive Pink felt Iron-on fabric transfer paper Dress Butterflies Headband Optional: selfie stick
Red, pink, and black feltScissorsFabric gluePipe cleanersTutuTightsLong-sleeved shirtWire hangerHeadbandRibbonRed paper stock
Party hatHot glue gun and sticksPolyester fiber fill4 sheets of purple and 2 sheets of pink feltPink elastic cord or ribbonPurple hoodiePurple pants or leggings
White crewneck sweatshirtGrey sweatpantsScissorsWhite capAluminum silver tapePolyester Fiber
Green long sleeve shirt and pantsYellow hatScissorsHot glue gunYellow and pink feltGreen pipe cleaners
Dark blue leotard, short tutu, tights (or a shirt and leggings)Blue tissue paperGold, turquoise, blue cupcake linersBlue strawsHeadbandPipe cleanersBlue mini pompoms
Small white balloonsBathrobe and pajama pants or leggingsWooden dowelBlue and yellow cardstockStringIce packHeadband
White dressPink sticky notesScissors or fringe scissorsRed metallic tapeStaplerGold dot stickerMini cupcake linersHeadband
White leotard or bodysuit with tutuCoffee filtersGlueScissorsRound cake cardboard baseChopsticksAluminum tapeSilver garlandWhite headbandStar stickers
Green ribbonStraw hatLeather beltBooksButton-down shirtWhite apronLong skirt
Black maternity dress (or a regular black dress if you’re not pregnant)White fabric paintAdhesive feltPurple cardstockAdhesive lettersBlack laundry bag
Green feltHot glue gun and sticksGreen pipe cleanersGreen T-shirtGreen baseball capAdhesive letters (“J” and “R”)
Matching hooded sweatshirt and pantsGreen streamersScissorsPing Pong ballsOrange and white feltCupcake linersFabric glueScissorsBlack marker
Black pantsCardiganBow tieBeretPastry bagDrawer pullSmall chalk boardBlack duct tapeStyrofoam coneSpray paint in black and redWhite tape
Pants and pullover hooded sweatshirt in greenScissorsStyrofoam ballGreen feltFabric glueGreen pipe cleanersBow tieGreen string
Brown long sleeve shirt and pants or brown dress (tights optional)Fabric capeGlue gunCupcake liners (in brown and gold)FeathersGlassesHeadband (in brown or black)WireRibbon
Khaki pantsPlaid shirtBow tieWhite dress shirt (the larger the better)CD sleevesGlueCarpenter’s goggles
White fabricDressIridescent fabricWhite printer paperPink feltWhite pom-pomsHeadband
Black leggings and shirt4 HangersBlack trash bagsDouble-sided tapeBlack adhesive feltScissorsElmer’s glueClear packing tapeOffice dots (in white and gold)Orange feltVelcroBlack headband
Black shirt and pantsHula hoopsStar stickersOversized gold sweatshirtScissorsNewspaperOrange acrylic paint (water-based)PaintbrushFabric glue
Brown feltGreen dressYellow feltArtificial sunflowersHeadband
2 one-liter bottlesBlack spray paintYellow utility tapeBlack shoelacesHot glue gunBlack cord coversPacifierBoard shortsRash guardWater shoesProtective goggles
TracksuitCheckered duct tapeBlack masking tapeBaseball capRace car–themed stickersIron-on patchScissorsGlueWhite ribbon (about 2 yards)Black ribbon (about 2 yards)Dowel
Bottle caps (from water or soda bottles)NewspaperGold acrylic paint (water-based)PaintbrushRed utility tapeHot glue gunOatmeal canisterScissorsWhite construction paperGlue dotsHole punchWhite shoelacesWhite shirtBlack pantsDrum or curtain rod
Blue or green dress or shirt and skirt with matching leggingsCrepe paper streamersGlue gunCupcake liners (in assorted colors and sizes)HeadbandTeal ribbon (about two yards)StarfishGold cord
Raincoat and pantsSilver tapeRain bootsGlueTapeDowelCeiling hook (available at hardware stores)RibbonPlastic fishToilet paper roll2 bottle capsGrey paint
Gold pipe cleanersPencilHole punchCoffee filtersWhite cardboardWhite shoelacesTape or glue dotsWhite clothes and shoes
Yellow feltBlack feltElastic stringMagna Tac glue
Craft developed by Morgan Levine
