4 easy DIY Halloween costumes for kids, and why homemade is still more fun

I have always loved homemade costumes.

When I was a child, Halloween was not really a thing where I grew up. Carnival was. And every year, it was my mum who made our costumes.

I still remember the year I wanted to be a wizard. My mum cut stars and a moon out of shiny paper and stuck them onto a dark blue skirt and cape. I remember how cool it was, watching them go on one by one. Another year my sister was Smurfette, with her long blond hair, blue stockings and a white dress. I can still see my mum making them. It was a happy family thing, and that is the part I remember most, more than the costumes themselves.

That’s me on the cover, by the way, dressed up for carnival as a snake charmer: red trousers, a white turban and a scarf tied around my waist, with a red fabric snake around my neck. Another one of my mum’s. Very serious about it, as you can see.

Today, costumes are everywhere. Every shopping centre has a wall of them in October, and grabbing one off the rack is quicker than making one. I understand, we are all busy. But I still think making a costume yourself is more fun, for you and for the kids. And it does not have to be all or nothing: buy the accessories, and do the rest at home.

So here are four easy homemade Halloween costumes. They are also good options if you simply don’t have much time, or if you realise on 30 October that Halloween is tomorrow.

1. Skeleton 💀

You need: a black long-sleeve top, black leggings, white fabric paint or white tape.

Look up a simple skeleton picture together, then paint or tape on a spine, ribs, arm bones and leg bones. Tape is quicker and peels off afterwards, so the clothes go back into the wardrobe. Finish with white face paint and black circles around the eyes.

Last minute: tape just the ribs and spine, and do the face paint.

2. Pumpkin 🎃

You need: an orange top or sweatshirt, black felt or a fabric marker, a green hat.

Cut triangle eyes, a nose and a toothy grin from black felt and glue or pin them on the front, or draw the face straight on. The green hat is the stalk. For a rounder pumpkin, pull a big orange T-shirt over the top and tuck a small cushion inside.

Last minute: cut the face out of black paper and tape it onto any orange top.

3. Ghost 👻

You need: white top and leggings, black felt, white tulle or an old net curtain.

Stick two big oval eyes and an “O” mouth on the top. Drape the tulle over the shoulders and pin it at the back so it floats when they run. For little ones, skip the classic sheet with eye holes: they can’t see where they are going and they trip.

Last minute: all-white clothes, two felt eyes and a pale face.

4. Witch or wizard 🧙

This one is for my mum.

You need: dark clothes, black card, an old black T-shirt, shiny paper, glue, and a stick with some twigs.

Roll the card into a cone, tape it shut and add a card ring for the brim. Cut an old black T-shirt open down the front for a cape. Then the best part: cut stars and a moon out of shiny paper and glue them all over the cape and hat. Let the kids do the cutting, because this is the bit they will remember. Tie twigs to a stick and you have a broom.

Last minute: dark clothes, the broom from the cupboard and a few paper stars taped on.

Missing one piece?

Sometimes all you need is the hat or the cape. Before you buy something new, have a look on the Family Marketplace, where families in Luxembourg pass on costumes that were worn only once.

Which one are you making this year? And did your parents make your costumes too? Tell me in the comments. 🎃