Two adults in butterfly and catcher costumes with monarch wings, butterfly headband, khaki outfit and handheld net
Butterfly and butterfly catcher costumes. (Image credit: DIY JOY)

DIY Halloween costume ideas can start with felt, cardboard or everyday clothes, whether you want a character outfit, a food costume or a coordinated pair. I’d choose the detail that makes your costume recognizable, then read the creator’s complete tutorial before gathering supplies. For a more focused list, try our last-minute DIY Halloween costumes or costumes for couples; our Halloween makeup tutorials can help finish your look. For the younger crowd, our friends at DIY Projects for Teens have costumes for teens.

Costume sorted? Then it’s the food’s turn. These Halloween cookie recipes are what you bring when you’d rather show up with treats than tricks, and these Halloween snack recipes cover the rest of the table.

Table of Contents

Creative DIY Halloween Costumes to Try

1. DIY Cereal Bowl Costume

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Child wearing a white cereal bowl costume with colorful pool-noodle cereal, cereal box and cardboard spoon outdoors
A colorful cereal-bowl costume with pool-noodle cereal and a cardboard spoon. (Image credit: I Heart Arts n Crafts)

A cardboard spoon and cereal box make the joke clear before you notice the bowl itself. Jackie at I Heart Arts n Crafts uses a white 17-gallon plastic tub, colorful pool-noodle cereal around the rim and ribbon straps to hold the costume in place. Get the complete cereal-bowl costume tutorial from I Heart Arts n Crafts, then take a look at Jackie's other creative projects.

2. Gumball Machine Costume

Adult wearing a colorful pom-pom gumball machine costume with red skirt, coin label and matching pom-pom headband
A pom-pom gumball machine costume with a red skirt and coin label. (Image credit: DIY JOY)

Bright pom-poms give DIY Joy's Gumball Machine Costume its candy-filled look, while upcycled materials support the rest of the wearable design. I like that the same budget-friendly idea works for a Halloween party, an office event or trick-or-treating. See the complete gumball-machine costume tutorial on DIY Joy, then browse more costume ideas from our team.

Adult wearing a blue Cookie Monster eye headband and holding a brown chocolate-chip cookie clutch against a blue backdrop
A Cookie Monster eye headband paired with a chocolate-chip cookie clutch. (Image credit: Persia Lou)

Alexis's Homemade Cookie Monster Costume for Persia Lou pairs blue clothes with two clever accessories. The slightly crooked black pupils on the foam-ball-and-feather headband feel exactly right to me. A round faux-leather clutch adds painted chocolate chips and a zipper for small belongings. Don't want to sew the bag? The source also suggests decorating a purchased brown round bag. Visit Persia Lou for Alexis's complete Cookie Monster costume tutorial and more of her imaginative craft ideas.

4. Easy No-Sew Scarecrow Costume

Child wearing patched denim overalls, plaid shirt, burlap scarecrow hat and yarn cuffs while holding a wood basket
A no-sew scarecrow costume with removable burlap patches and yarn cuffs. (Image credit: A Night Owl Blog)

Keep the overalls for another day: A Night Owl Blog's no-sew scarecrow uses safety-pinned burlap patches that come back off. Paired self-adhesive Velcro strips sandwich the yarn for the cuffs, and a burlap-covered foam hat and braided-yarn belt finish the plaid-shirt outfit. Head to A Night Owl Blog for the complete scarecrow costume tutorial and more of its seasonal project ideas.

5. Piñata and Candy Costume

Two adults wearing colorful piñata and candy costumes with striped fringe, candy prop and wooden stick against a white wall
A colorful piñata-and-candy costume pair finished with layered fringe. (Image credit: DIY JOY)

DIY Joy's Piñata and Candy Costume makes a coordinated pair with crepe-paper fringe layered over a masking-paper base, and that removable backing protects the shirt underneath. It can work for two friends, a couple or a larger group, though the bright striped piñata is what catches my eye first. Follow DIY Joy's complete piñata-and-candy costume tutorial, then explore more Halloween project ideas from our team.

6. DIY No-Sew Flounder Costume

Child wearing a yellow hoodie Flounder costume with blue felt fins and stripes, blue pants and source watermark
A no-sew Flounder costume built on a yellow hoodie with blue felt fins. (Image credit: unOriginal Mom)

The layered top fin gives this yellow hoodie its Flounder profile. unOriginal Mom pairs it with blue pants and uses paper-bag patterns to shape the blue and teal felt fins and stripes, securing them with low-temperature hot glue. An adult should handle scissors and glue, then check the hood, fins and clothes for clear vision, hearing and movement. You'll find the complete Flounder costume tutorial and more creative costume ideas at unOriginal Mom.

7. DIY Skeleton Halloween Costumes

Two teens wearing black skeleton costumes with white iron-on bones outdoors and Polka Dot Chair source mark
Two black outfits turned into skeleton costumes with white iron-on bones. (Image credit: Polka Dot Chair)

Black hoodies, shirts or leggings become Polka Dot Chair's DIY Skeleton Halloween Costumes once white iron-on bones are added. A Cricut cuts the rib, arm and leg shapes, and a heat press sets each piece in position. I like how the white bones stay readable against the simplest black clothes, but an adult should manage both the cutter and the heat source. Go to Polka Dot Chair for the complete skeleton costume tutorial and more of its creative project ideas.

8. Sunflower and Gardener Costume

Two adults in sunflower and gardener costumes with flowered yellow dress, denim overalls, straw hat and watering can
A sunflower-and-gardener costume pair with flower details, overalls and a watering can. (Image credit: DIY JOY)

DIY Joy's Sunflower and Gardener Costume pairs a flower-covered yellow outfit with denim overalls, a straw hat and a watering can. Faux sunflowers carry across the first outfit, headband and shoes; I think that repetition is what makes the two roles click as a set. Find the complete no-sew sunflower-and-gardener costume tutorial on DIY Joy, then browse more of our bright Halloween ideas.

9. Dorothy Dress Costume

Child wearing a blue gingham Dorothy dress with red shoes and woven basket outdoors with Girl Inspired source mark
A blue gingham Dorothy dress finished with red shoes and a woven basket. (Image credit: Girl. Inspired.)

No printed pattern here: Girl. Inspired. starts this Dorothy dress with chest, waist and length measurements. Lightweight blue gingham over muslin forms the fitted bodice and full skirt, with a shirred back and halter straps handling the fit. Buttons and eyelet trim finish the familiar look. For the complete Dorothy dress sewing tutorial and more handmade project ideas, head to Girl. Inspired.

10. DIY Cat Lady Costume

Child wearing a bathrobe covered with plush cats and hair rollers in a DIY Cat Lady costume with source watermark
Plush cats and hair rollers turn a bathrobe into a Cat Lady costume. (Image credit: Design Dazzle)

Design Dazzle's DIY Cat Lady Costume fastens plush cats to a bathrobe and adds hair rollers for the finished look. The source estimates about 15 minutes, which may be my favorite part of this delightfully overcommitted cat situation. Safety pins preserve the robe and toys; hot glue is only for pieces that don't need preserving. An adult should handle either option, secure every toy and check that the robe stays clear for walking. Head to Design Dazzle for the complete Cat Lady costume tutorial and more of its playful Halloween ideas.

11. Butterfly and Butterfly Catcher Costume

Two adults in butterfly and catcher costumes with monarch wings, butterfly headband, khaki outfit and handheld net
A monarch butterfly costume paired with a butterfly catcher carrying a decorated net. (Image credit: DIY JOY)

DIY Joy's Butterfly and Butterfly Catcher Costume pairs monarch wings and a headband with a khaki catcher outfit and decorated net. Pattern-cut organza butterflies, heat-sealed at the edges, decorate the net; pipe cleaners form their bodies and antennae. That net makes the second role wonderfully obvious to me. An adult should handle the moving flame exactly as directed and keep water nearby. See the complete tutorial for both roles on DIY Joy, then explore more of our playful DIY ideas.

12. Green Eggs and Ham Costume

Child wearing a Green Eggs and Ham costume with a red floppy hat, yellow shirt and handmade felt plate
A Green Eggs and Ham costume with a red hat and handmade felt plate. (Image credit: It's Always Autumn)

That floppy red fleece hat and yellow shirt set up the character, but the felt plate makes this Green Eggs and Ham costume. It's Always Autumn sandwiches a cereal-box cardboard circle between white felt layers, then attaches the green felt food by hand-stitching or with a safety pin. Visit It's Always Autumn for the complete Green Eggs and Ham costume tutorial and more of the site's handmade costume ideas.

13. DIY Skully Parrot Costume

Child wearing a Skully parrot costume with green fleece wings, layered felt feathers, a bright tail and matching cap
A handmade Skully parrot costume with green fleece wings, layered felt feathers and a matching cap. (Image credit: Mom Endeavors)

Layered felt feathers give these green fleece wings their color and dimension, with a red-and-blue tail completing Skully's shape. Mom Endeavors adds a matching fleece cap with a stuffed felt beak and hot-glued face details. Take the DIY Skully Parrot Costume idea to Mom Endeavors for the complete tutorial, then explore more of the site's colorful crafts.

14. DIY Doll Box Costume

Child wearing a pink doll box costume made from cardboard with painted trim and patterned paper lining
A pink doll box costume made from a painted cardboard box. (Image credit: Crafts by Amanda)

Crafts by Amanda's DIY Doll Box Costume begins with a large cardboard box painted pink and cut with a front window. Wrapping paper lines the inside, and duct tape puts the box back together. Painted trim and the doll's name sharpen the display-box look. I love how the open front makes the costume feel like both an outfit and a prop. A grown-up should handle the box cutter. Head to Crafts by Amanda for the complete doll-box costume tutorial and more of Amanda's imaginative projects.

15. DIY Galaxy Girl Superhero Costume

Child wearing a Galaxy Girl superhero costume with a glitter mask, star cuffs, black shirt and matching cape
A Galaxy Girl superhero costume with a glitter mask, cuffs and cape. (Image credit: 5 Little Monsters)

A planet-and-stars design repeats across the shirt and cape in Erica Dietz's Galaxy Girl costume. Glitter details finish the look, while a felt mask uses stitched elastic and felt cuffs close with stitched hook-and-loop strips. Get Erica's complete Galaxy Girl tutorial at 5 Little Monsters, then explore the other superhero variations in the project and more of her costume ideas.

16. DIY Tornado and Witch's House Costume

Two adults wearing a tornado costume and witch's house costume together outdoors for a handmade Wizard of Oz look
A tornado costume and witch's house costume worn together. (Image credit: Aubree Originals)

A swirling funnel and the house beside it make this Wizard of Oz pairing from Aubree Originals. The tornado uses a fabric pop-up hamper, hanger wire, batting and gray tulle, with tiny fence pieces, animals and leaves filling out the storm scene. An adult should cut the arm openings and secure the wire ends. Start with Aubree Originals' complete tornado tutorial, follow its link to the separate witch's house build and stay for more of the site's costume ideas.

17. DIY Butterfly Wings

Floral fabric butterfly wings laid flat beside white shoes, showing the finished sewn dress-up costume pieces
Finished floral butterfly wings with white shoes. (Image credit: Katie of Made to Be a Momma / Crazy Little Projects)

Katie of Made to Be a Momma’s DIY Butterfly Wings start with a half-wing paper template laid on folded floral fabric. Two fabric layers and batting are sewn, turned and topstitched before elastic arm loops are added. When the finished piece lies flat, I love how the flowers read almost like wing markings. Explore Katie’s complete guest tutorial and pattern at Crazy Little Projects, then stay for more sewing and costume projects from the site.

18. DIY Unicorn Costume

Child wearing a white unicorn hoodie costume with felt horn and ears, pink-purple yarn mane and source watermark
A white unicorn hoodie costume with a felt horn and colorful yarn mane. (Image credit: Craftaholics Anonymous)

The DIY Unicorn Costume from Craftaholics Anonymous turns a white hoodie and leggings into a horned, rainbow-maned look, and the source discloses Michaels sponsorship. A packing-paper horn gets felt and gold tape. Layered felt ears, flowers and pink-and-purple yarn shape the mane and tail, a burst of color I’m partial to around the hood. An adult should handle the scissors and hot glue, then check secure fit and clear vision. Visit Craftaholics Anonymous for the complete unicorn tutorial and more of its costume and craft ideas.

19. Cute Homemade Sheep Costume

Child wearing a white sherpa sheep costume with black clothes, a white tutu and a knitted lamb-ear bonnet
A child wears a sherpa sheep costume with a knitted lamb bonnet. (Image credit: Cassie May / Little Red Window)

For Cassie May’s Cute Homemade Sheep Costume, the soft white sherpa against black clothes is the contrast I notice first. A white vest and tutu make the body, while a knitted lamb bonnet finishes the pictured version. The Little Red Window tutorial offers four ear options, including knit and felt. Check that the bonnet stays clear of the eyes and the outfit allows free movement before wear. Browse Cassie’s complete sheep-costume tutorial at Little Red Window, then keep going through more of her sewing and costume ideas.

20. DIY Donut Costume

Adult wearing a DIY donut costume with twelve felt donuts arranged inside a painted cardboard bakery box
A wearable donut box costume made with cardboard and felt. (Image credit: The Merrythought)

Twelve felt donuts fill a cardboard box in The Merrythought's wearable bakery display. The neat box and soft donuts are the whole idea, so this is a good one to explore if you like a costume built around a prop. See The Merrythought's complete box-and-felt tutorial, then browse more of the site's creative DIY ideas.

21. Paper Mache Pumpkin Head Costume

Two adults wearing full costumes with orange and pale paper mache pumpkin heads in front of a rustic barn
Two paper mache pumpkin-head costumes in orange and cream. (Image credit: Do Dodson Designs)

A kitchen garbage bag forms the larger pumpkin-head mold, while a grocery bag forms the smaller one; newspaper and twine build the paper mache shells and ridges. After the shells dry, have an adult use a utility knife to cut the wearer openings, then add orange, white, brown and black paint for the aged faces. Visit Do Dodson Designs for the complete tutorial and more handmade costume ideas.

22. DIY Instagram Board Costume

Teen wearing a printed Instagram board costume with a cutout center, title strip and Thirty Handmade Days mark
A printed Instagram-board costume with a center cutout. (Image credit: Thirty Handmade Days)

For a costume that works over everyday clothes, Thirty Handmade Days turns an account screenshot into an Instagram frame. The screenshot is printed on 18-by-24-inch foam core, and an adult cuts out the center picture area with a utility knife. Explore the complete tutorial at Thirty Handmade Days, along with more of the site's creative costume ideas.

23. DIY Bubble Bottle Costume

Adult wearing a pink bubble bottle costume with white balloon bubbles and holding a cardboard bubble wand
A pink bubble-bottle costume with white balloon bubbles and a wand. (Image credit: Aww Sam)

White balloons become the bubbles on Aww Sam's bubble bottle costume, with a cardboard wand completing the idea. The bottle is a cardboard or illustration-board cylinder scored at one-inch intervals, covered with the site's printed label and supported by ribbon straps; the wand uses the source template. Make your way to Aww Sam for the complete tutorial and more playful costume ideas.

24. DIY Crystal Ball Costume

Adult wearing a pink crystal ball costume with gold stars and black base over a pink velvet top near a pink wall
A pink crystal-ball costume with gold stars and a black base. (Image credit: Club Crafted)

Plan for drying time with Club Crafted's crystal ball costume. A 36-inch balloon supports the pink-and-purple paper mache shell, finished with glitter, gold cardstock stars, a black poster-board base and belting straps. Every newspaper layer needs to dry fully before the next, and the inside must be dry before you deflate the balloon. Work in a well-ventilated area for spray paint, have an adult handle hot glue and scissors, keep the paper shell away from flames and test the rigid body and straps for fit and quick removal. Head to Club Crafted for the complete tutorial and more creative costume ideas.

25. Violet Beauregarde Blueberry Costume

Violet Beauregarde blueberry costume with blue face paint, a dark bob wig, red belt and a round padded blue outfit
A Violet Beauregarde blueberry costume with blue face paint and a red belt. (Image credit: Meaningful Mama)

A bob wig, red belt and round blue outfit turn Violet Beauregarde's blueberry moment into a bold costume at Meaningful Mama. Blue cosmetic face paint completes the Willy Wonka character's look. Use cosmetic-grade face paint, patch-test it first and follow the label for application and removal. Get Jodi's complete costume and face-paint tutorial at Meaningful Mama, then explore more of her creative costume ideas.

26. DIY Phoenix Halloween Costume

Red phoenix costume laid flat with feathered wings, sequin dress, leggings and a red and gold bird mask
Red and gold phoenix costume with feathered wings and a matching bird mask. (Image credit: Crafting Cheerfully)

Those fiery wings make this phoenix costume worth a closer look. Kim pairs a red outfit with lightweight Oly-Fun feathers and a felt mask, adapting Mark Montano's wing design to include a long tail. This is a sewing project, so give yourself time for the wings rather than treating it as a last-minute dress-up idea. For the complete costume guide, including the mask pattern and linked wing tutorial, join Kim at Crafting Cheerfully and explore more of her imaginative Halloween costumes.

27. DIY No-Sew Superhero Costume

Child wearing a black felt Batman superhero costume with a cape and mask, standing outdoors with one fist raised
A child wears the no-sew felt Batman variation from the superhero costume project. (Image credit: Homemade Heather)

The emblem and painted details give this felt tunic its superhero identity. Side ties, a mask and gauntlets complete Heather Painchaud's no-sew costume. Have an adult handle the scissors and hot glue, and check that the mask keeps vision and breathing clear. Follow Heather's full tutorial at Homemade Heather, then look through more of her costume and craft ideas.

28. Glow-in-the-Dark Jellyfish Costume

Child wearing a glow-in-the-dark jellyfish hat with a bubble-wrap dome, painted details, mesh and silver ribbons
A glow-in-the-dark jellyfish costume with a bubble-wrap hat and silver ribbon tentacles. (Image credit: Pink Stripey Socks)

A bubble-wrap dome over a hat gives this jellyfish its shape, with glow paint, shiny fabric, mesh and ribbon completing the costume. Adults should handle hot glue and fabric scissors; check the hat fit, follow the paint directions and keep every ribbon clear of the wearer's face, neck and walking path. The source discloses iLoveToCreate sponsorship and receipt of Tulip Glow Paint. Head to Pink Stripey Socks for the full eight-step tutorial and more imaginative project ideas.

29. DIY Cauldron Costume

Child dressed as a witch wearing a black cauldron costume with green bubbles, orange flames and a broom outdoors
A child witch wears a black cauldron costume with green bubbles and orange flames. (Image credit: A Pumpkin and a Princess)

Green foam bubbles and orange vinyl flames turn a black-painted cardboard box into Crystal Owens's wearable witch's cauldron. Adults should handle the knife, hot glue and spray paint with ventilation, then check elastic fit, quick release, walking clearance and distance from open flames. The source discloses Amazon and Forward Influence Network sponsorship. Find the complete tutorial at A Pumpkin and a Princess, then browse more of Crystal's creative projects.

30. Easy No-Sew Dinosaur Costume

Child wearing a hooded orange dinosaur costume with white taped teeth and triangular spikes running down the back
A no-sew dinosaur costume with taped hood teeth and spikes down the sweatshirt back. (Image credit: The Craft Patch)

Keep the hoodie and add the dinosaur: white and colored Duck Tape forms the teeth and back spikes in The Craft Patch's no-sew costume. Adults should handle the rotary cutter and scissors, then check hood visibility, breathing, tape edges, skin and hair clearance, fit and walking comfort before wear. The source discloses Duck Brand sponsorship. Browse The Craft Patch's complete tutorial, then stay for more costume and craft ideas.

Stephanie Hicks | DIY JOY

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Stephanie

Since I lover experiments, I’ve alwaysnloved to create, paint, as well as cook and style food. I feel in love with DIY as soon as I discovered it and could not have been more excited when I learned I could share projects with people around the world. Taking photos is a passion of mine, as is design and painting with oils. I love holidays and celebrations, crafting cute little gifts and serving up at least one new recipe I am excited about.

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