Another year has passed in a flash, and you’ve once again forgotten to sort Halloween costumes.
The big day is just around the corner, and your little ones are excited for trick-or-treating, but don’t worry. All is not lost.
Although you could head to the high street and try to cobble together a costume out of what’s left in the shops, you can save your money and do something far more personal yourself.
We’ve rounded up some last-minute DIY costumes for Halloween that they’ll never know were made in a flash — and we don’t mean toilet paper mummies or bedsheet ghosts.
Greek god/goddess
For the little smartypants in your life, fashion a white bedsheet over one side and pin into place to get your very own Ancient Greece-style toga.
This works for gods, goddesses, or even philosophers and works of art.
Accessorise with a laurel wreath made from the shrubs in your garden, a rope belt made from a curtain ties, a rolled up piece of paper as a scroll, or brighten up the look with a piece of coloured fabric over the shoulder.
Mojo Dojo Casa House Ken
Barbie was the movie of the year, so if your little one has Kenergy, then a mojo dojo casa house-inspired look will work perfectly.
Just pair some shades with a scarf or t-shirt tied round their head as a bandana, a fur-type coat, and some blingy costume jewellery — the more outlandish the better. Sublime!
Barbieland Barbie
Any combination of pink will do for a Barbie costume that’s instantly recognisable this Halloween.
Go for puffed out skirts, ribbons and bows, hearts, gingham, stripes, hats, matching sets, oversized motifs on jewellery, and plenty of glitter; basically raid your wardrobe for the most doll-like pieces you own.
A blonde wig can add to the Barbie illusion, but we’re sure people you visit when trick-or-treating will get the candy-coloured message without one.
Minion
Not trying out this last-minute costume idea would be despicable — all you need is a yellow top, blue dungarees, and maybe a spare pair of swimming goggles to complete the look. Yellow face-paint is optional but encouraged.
A yellow hat or headband can be upcycled with a singular large eye made fromglued-on fabric circles or drawn on with permanent markers. Additionally, black gloves and a banana ensures your child has the whole Minion get-up nailed (plus they’ll stay warmer and might actually eat some fruit amid the sweets bonanza).
Bunch of grapes
This costume idea is less trick or treat and more wine and dine. But if you have the time and don’t mind the occasional pop, you can turn your child into a bunch of grapes by taping green or purple balloons to them.
A green hat or bandana for a stem tops it off.
Life giving you lemons
Continuing on with the fruit theme, this punny costume requires a name tag labelled ‘Life’, a basket, and lots and lots of lemons.
This costume also involves a bit more interaction, as ‘Life’ needs to give someone lemons. But instead of making lemonade, they’ll be waiting for extra candy instead.
Court judge
Remember all that toilet roll cardboard you forgot to throw out? Well, if you glue it together, paint it white, and pair it with a dark dressing gown or suit, you have the perfect judge costume.
If you’re really handy, you can even make a child-safe gavel out of styrofoam and a piece of cane or a sturdy lollipop stick painted brown.
Pirate
Argh! We couldn’t finish this list without including a couple of old classics. All you need to do to make this one is fashion an eye patch out of cardboard and complete the look with some nautical-themed stripes and a mascara/eyeliner beard.
You can make a hat out of cardboard too, or go with a piece of fabric tied around their head a la Jack Sparrow if the prospect of a DIY tricorn shivers your timbers.
Robot
Another costume that will have you reaching in your kitchen cupboard is this adorable little robot ensemble.
Wrap two cardboard boxes with tin foil (one for their head and one for their torso), add some milk bottle tops as ‘buttons’, and your child is all set to terrify the neighbours as artificial intelligence.
This is only the beginning in terms of DIY costumes you can make for your little one. Just don’t be afraid to get creative!
MORE : Autumn co*cktails to make at home over Halloween and Bonfire Night
MORE : Boooooo: Heavy rain across UK could cause nightmare flooding this Halloween weekend
MORE : Halloween quiz 2023: Have a frightfully good time answering these trick-or-treat trivia questions
Sign up to our guide to what’s on in London, trusted reviews, brilliant offers and competitions. London’s best bits in your inbox
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
