Skip the overpriced store-bought costumes—these DIY looks are just as cute and way more affordable. Whether you’re dressing up little ones, teens, or yourself, these creative costume ideas use things you probably already have around the house (or can grab for just a few bucks at the dollar store).

1. Bubble Bath Baby

What You’ll Need: White balloons, a shower cap, a loofah, safety pins, and light-colored clothes.
How to Make It: Blow up the balloons and pin them all over a white shirt or onesie to create “bubbles.” Add a shower cap and carry a rubber duck for an extra-cute touch.

2. Classic Scarecrow

What You’ll Need: Flannel shirt, overalls or jeans, straw hat, and a bit of face paint.
How to Make It: Stuff some straw (or raffia from the craft store) into cuffs and pockets. Use eyeliner or face paint to draw simple stitched “patches” on cheeks and a triangle nose.

3. Artist Extraordinaire

What You’ll Need: Oversized white shirt, paint splotches (made from felt or paper), and a beret or hat.
How to Make It: Glue or tape colorful felt shapes to the shirt to mimic spilled paint. Cut out a cardboard palette and glue on paint blobs for an adorable finishing touch.

4. 80s Workout Star

What You’ll Need: Bright leggings, oversized sweatshirt, headband, and big energy.
How to Make It: Roll up those sleeves, pull on some leg warmers (or tall socks), and pop on a high ponytail. You can also cut the fingers off old gloves and wear them as hand warmers. Bonus points for carrying a (fake) boombox!

5. Smarty Pants

What You’ll Need: Old pair of pants, glue, and a handful of paper or plastic “Smarties” candies.
How to Make It: Glue the Smarties all over your pants—voilà, you’re a “Smarty Pants!” Easy, punny, and always a crowd-pleaser.

6. Farmer & Barnyard Crew (Family Costume Idea)

What You’ll Need: Overalls, plaid shirts, and animal accessories.
How to Make It: One parent can go as the farmer, while the kids can be barnyard animals—pig (pink shirt and felt ears), cow (white tee with black spots), and chick (yellow tee and paper beak).

7. Rain Cloud

What You’ll Need: Gray or white hoodie, cotton batting or tissue paper, and blue paper raindrops.
How to Make It: Glue cotton to the hoodie to create a fluffy “cloud.” Tape blue raindrops onto strings and attach them to the hood or sleeves for a rainy-day effect.

8. Social Butterfly

What You’ll Need: Butterfly wings and printed social media logos (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, etc.).
How to Make It: Tape or glue the printed logos onto your shirt, and wear the wings—now you’re a literal “social butterfly.”

9. LEGO Brick

What You’ll Need: Cardboard box, plastic cups, and spray paint.
How to Make It: Cut holes for your head and arms, glue the cups to the front of the box, and spray-paint the whole thing one color.

10. Gumball Machine

What You’ll Need: White shirt, red skirt or pants, and a bag of colorful pom-poms.
How to Make It: Glue pom-poms all over the shirt, then add a “25¢” label to the front.

Bonus Classic Ideas:

  • Pirate (a striped shirt, jean shorts, a bandana/durag, and maybe a homemade eye patch if you’re really feeling it)
  • Coco from Coco (Add some Day of the Dead makeup and you’re set, maybe throw in a guitar.)
  • Super Hero (add a cape and presto!)
  • Bride (white dress, flowers, and boom!)
  • Princess (Because we all know there’s at least one dress in the dress up box that’s perfect for a princess… add a crown and tada!)
  • Ghost (Cut out eye and arm holes in an old white sheet, then either draw on a scared expression, a smile, or cut another hole for the mouth. Spooky it’s so simple!)

Pro Tip: If you’re short on time, pair simple DIYs with makeup or props you already have—like cat ears, fairy wings, or a witch’s hat—to instantly elevate your look. Remember—Halloween costumes don’t have to be expensive to be fun! (I’ve even been a “Black Cat Jumping Out of a Pumpkin”—so really, you can let your kid get pretty creative/silly and they’ll love it.)