UPDATE: To see our Halloween costumes in action, check out Mom Monday on ABC here!
It’s less than a week to Halloween! Do your kids have costumes yet? If your kids are like my daughter, they keep changing their minds about what they want to be for Halloween! Last year’s Rapunzel costume from the Disney store (including long, blonde braid) went by the wayside when my little one decided she wanted to dress up as a spy the day before Halloween. She put her own costume together and so of course, I couldn’t fault her for being so creative so trick-or-treating as a spy she did!
Lesson learned: Don’t spend a ton of cash on Halloween costumes!
So this year, we are doing something different: DIY costumes that are repurposed items we already had around the house. Even my neighbors decided to participate! In general, I’ve found that DIY costumes are better quality and are less expensive than store-bought costumes.
We had so much fun brainstorming ideas, searching through dress up bins & closets and even more fun putting the costumes together. There was more than a few texts between my neighbor and me that went something like “do you have..??”. “What about…??”) The result? Fun costumes that our children helped create and are proud to wear! I love getting the kids involved whether it’s in the kitchen or another project around the house. It’s a great bonding experience, they learn life lessons & skills and it gets them doing something other than playing games on their tablets!
Not sure where to start? Here are a few tips when making your DIY costumes:
1. Brainstorm for ideas with your child – Does your child have a specific character he/she really loves? Think of favorite book characters, movies, TV shows, people in history, animals, etc. Can you come up with something clever? Think of at least 3 ideas that your child would be okay dressing up as.
2. Do your research! It doesn’t hurt to do a quick Google search to refresh your memory about what your costume selections look like, what they wear, and any other interesting characteristics. Check sites like Pinterest for inspiration too.
3. Search for costume items, props & accessories in your home. Think of that old baseball uniform, the feather boas from last year’s birthday party, the tutu from a ballet costume your little one once wore… Ask grandma & grandpa, cousins, neighbors, etc! Your child’s more than likely going to wear the costume one time, so no need to invest a lot of money into a it.
4. Compare the items found with the items you need to complete one of your Halloween looks. Ask yourself how easy it will be to find the rest of the items needed. Help your child make a decision on a costume idea.
5. Make a list of items still needed and check places like Goodwill or other thrift stores, Old Navy, Nordstrom Rack or Wal-Mart for inexpensive clothing or accessory items. For craft items, try Jo-Ann Fabrics or Michaels. (they always have coupons too!)
6. Assemble your costume. You don’t have to sew to make your own costume! Never underestimate the power of a glue gun and fabric paint. Let your child help by delegating specific tasks.You can do this! 🙂
(NOTE: If you are painting a clothing item, be sure to use wax or parchment paper in between the clothing layers. This will prevent the paint from soaking through and getting onto other parts of your garment.
7. Have your child walk around the house in his/her costume and see how it feels. Make sure she’s comfortable & make any necessary adjustments. (If you’ve ever ended up trick-or-treating with a costume-less child, you know how critical this step is!)
7. Take pictures of your child in the Halloween costume and share with family & friends 
– You never know, you may inspire someone else to make a DIY Halloween costume!
Have fun & Happy Halloween!
xoxo – Jenn
PS: Don’t forget the babies – they love to dress up even if they don’t go trick-or-treating yet!!
