Need a Halloween costume? 12 DIY Costumes for Kids

Check out these fun and easy DIY Halloween costumes for kids!

Halloween is perhaps one of the most fun and magical times of the year - at least if you ask the little ones in the family! If you want to take part in the many (un)fun activities in a sustainable and budget-friendly way, DIY Halloween costumes for kids are a great alternative to the ones you buy in stores. Here you can see some of Xplora's favorite ideas and get inspired to make a cool costume yourself. But be careful! If you start creating, you may risk the neighborhood being filled with ghosts, pirates or even mummies... Now you've been warned!

1. Ghost

The classic ghost costume is always a favorite! All you need is an old white sheet. Cut holes for eyes and possibly a mouth, and your child is ready to float around like a scary ghost. Tip! You can add a little extra flair with some accessories. A lantern with an LED light in its hand and some threads on the edge of the sheet make it look old and worn and extra spooky.

2. Chef

The costume for the little master chef is both easy and fun. A white shirt, apron and a chef's hat (which you can easily make from paper or find in a store) - then the chef is ready to serve (or maybe cook spooky food)! Add a wooden spoon or a small pan as accessories and a little flour on the cheeks. Tip! Chefs can also have a moustache - curly and French, of course!

3. Pirate

Oh my. Transform your child into a fearless pirate! A red or striped T-shirt, a red scarf around the head and a patch over the eye are all you need or a pirate hat. Draw a small beard or moustache with makeup and add a sword made of cardboard for an extra adventurous look. You can also add some belts over the shoulder and around the waist for an extra “YARRR” effect and watch out for land crabs!

4. Mummy

Wait a minute, who forgot to lock the door to the tomb? Want a creepy but simple costume? Turn your child into a mummy! All you need is white bandages, toilet paper or old strips of fabric. Wrap it gently around the body (without making it too tight) and you have a classic mummy ready to scare the neighborhood. If necessary, use tape or safety pins carefully to make sure the mummy doesn't fall apart. Tip! You can make the mummy look old and worn by dyeing its "wrapping". Coffee and tea and other old dirty stains are more than welcome. You can also leave the first pieces of gauze loose to make it look like the mummy is unrolling as it roams the neighborhood.

5. Cat

A cat costume is both easy and cute! Wear black, white or orange clothing and make a headband with cat ears – you can cut them out of felt in the same color as the clothing and glue them on. Draw a little black nose and whiskers with face paint and your little cat will be ready to sneak through Halloween night.

6. Fallow deer

This costume is both adorable and easy to make. Dress your child in brown clothes and make a headband with small antlers made from paper or pipe cleaners. You can also add some white dots on the cheeks and nose with face paint to complete the deer look.

7. Little Red Riding Hood

Make fairy tales come true with a Little Red Riding Hood costume. Use a simple red cape (or a piece of red fabric) and dress your child in a dress or pants and sweater. A small basket of "goodies" can complete the costume - and watch out for the big bad wolf!

8. Old person

Want it to be fun and different? Turn your child into a cute old person. Use a cardigan, glasses and a cane (you can make one out of cardboard). Add some white hairspray for the gray look and maybe a hat or scarf over your head for an extra touch.

9. Zombie

The zombie costume is both scary and easy! Use old clothes that you can tear up and paint with red and black face paint to create the bloody zombie look. Add dark circles under the eyes with makeup and have your child practice the perfect zombie walk!

10. Superhero

If your child loves superheroes, make a simple superhero costume! Use colorful clothes and make a cape from fabric or an old blanket. Cut a mask out of felt or cardboard and let your child choose their own superhero identity. If you have a printer, you can print out a badge and stick it on the clothes. The kids will feel invincible!

11. Skeleton

Turn your child into a scary skeleton with this easy costume. Wear black clothing and draw skeleton bones with white fabric paint or attach cut-out paper bones to the clothing. Combine it with some face paint, painting a white skeleton head and black eye sockets, and your child is ready to rattle around on Halloween.

12. Day of the Dead

Get a head start on Day of the Dead costumes, which are a beautiful and colorful way to celebrate Halloween. Wear brightly colored clothing and paint your child’s face like a traditional “calavera” (sugar skull) with white, black, and colorful details. Add a flower garland or a hat to complete the look.

12. Squid game costume for kids

If you have older kids, the Squid Game costume for kids is definitely a home run. The Netflix series has been on the board since the series first won awards back in 2021.

Since then, the series hasn't looked back and has become a staple for a solid costume that everyone can relate to. Which squid game mask should you use? Square, triangle or circle, there are endless fun possibilities. Maybe not the easiest DIY, but go for it!

Why you should make DIY costumes for kids

All of these DIY costumes can be easily made with things you already have at home or that you can quickly find in stores. This makes for a fun DIY Halloween costume project for kids. It’s all about having fun and using your imagination – just like we at Xplora encourage kids to do every day. Remember, no matter what costume your child chooses, the most important thing is to enjoy the evening together and create unforgettable memories.

Xplora ensures a safe Halloween

Halloween is supposed to be fun, but it can make some parents nervous about letting their kids run around the neighborhood on their own. With Xplora's GPS-enabled smartwatches , parents can track their little trick-or-treaters in real-time. Our app tells you when your child leaves one of your designated Safe Zones and lets them contact their parents at any time. And it's always right at their fingertips. It's the perfect choice as a child's first phone when it's not quite time for a smartphone yet. If you're considering getting a smartwatch, we recommend reading more about our X6Play or XGO3 models. If you already have a watch, check out the cool activities on the activity platform .

Happy Halloween – we can't wait to see all the creative costumes this year! 🎃