Clever and Easy Halloween Costumes That Dont Have to Buy

August 03, 2022 Post a Comment

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62 Last Minute Halloween Costumes You Still Have Time to Make

Time to get crafty!

Brian Woodcock

After last year, we're all looking forward to a fun Halloween celebration—and that means an especially epic Halloween costume. But if time has slipped through your fingers and you've found yourself on the eve of October 31 with not a clue about what kind of outfit to wear, fear not. We've come through with a killer list of the best last-minute costumes. Whether you're looking for Halloween costumes for men, Halloween costumes for kids, family Halloween costumes—including pets—or just yourself, you'll find great ideas here.

Handy with a needle and thread? We've collected the coolest easy-sew costumes, from a glorious White Swan tutu for little girls, to a toddler-size Candy Corn getup. There are plenty of effortless ensembles that can be created with a rummage through your closet and a quick trip to the store—think a balloon-infused walking bubble bath look—to hilarious costumes from fast-shipping online retailers like Amazon and Walmart. You're sure to have a ghoulish great time in any of them, but if you're looking for more inspiration take a peek at teen Halloween costumes and matching dog and owner costumes and get ready for the best Halloween ever! Candy, candy, and more candy!

Pacman Costume

Fabric adhesive makes this PacMan costume super easy to complete.

Get the tutorial at Club Crafted.

Pencil Costume

This costume will have you lookin' sharp!

Make the costume: Round up some pool noodles. Coat the summer staple with yellow spray paint (try Rust-Oleum American Accents in Marigold); add brown paper-cone tips. Wrap ends with pink and gray craft paper to make erasers. Secure the bundle around yourself with ribbon. Extra credit for a corresponding pointy party hat.

Get the tutorial at Oh Yay Studio.

SHOP POOL NOODLES

Krispy Kreme Halloween Costume

We dough-nut like thinking we've missed out on this sweet and easy costume idea all these years! Don the shop's aprons and caps, then let your little one be the sweet treat.

See more at @taylorowalton.

Bundle of Asparagus

Serve up a little of your favorite vegetable in costume form!

Make the Costume: Gather five lime green pool noodles. Cut leaves from purple and green felt (see template); you will need 10 to 12 for each stalk. Adhere to noodles, concentrating them at the top, with spray adhesive. Bundle pool noodles with purple duct tape. Tape a pair of suspenders to the back of the noodles and drape over shoulders.

SHOP POOL NOODLES

DIY Librarian Costume

Shhh! We adore the idea of dressing up your child as a smartly dressed librarian. What better way to encourage good reading habits? A library card canvas tote, Peter Pan collar blouse, cardigan sweater, and plaid skirt are just about all you need—oh, and a pair of glasses, of course!

SHOP LIBRARY CARD TOTES

Ghostbusters Family Halloween Costume

Picnic Blanket Costume

Fashion a dress from red-and-white gingham fabric (or simply buy one), and embellish it with paper plates, kids' faux foods, and utensils. (Add plastic ants, if desired!) A fascinator made from a paper-covered cardboard disc and more picnic fixin's furthers this feast for the eyes.

Get the tutorial at Oh Yay Studio.

DIY Gingham Witch Costume

These country-chic witches have us giggling. Get your kids ready to cast some spells in no time with this last-minute witch costume idea!

Make the Costumes: Cut two 31- by 20-inch rectangles from black-and-white gingham fabric. Sew ends together, leaving armholes toward the top of the rectangle. Fold in the top 1 inch of the fabric and sew a channel, leaving a 1-inch opening. Thread a ribbon or string through the channel. Once on, pull the ribbon to gather it at the top. Cut a 3 1/2- by 36-inch strip from black eyelet fabric. Sew a hand-running stitch along the edge of one of the long sides. Leave a knot at one end and pull the string on the other side to create gathers. Pin at the back of the costume or add a snap. Finish with witches hats.

SHOP WITCHES HATS

DIY Superquilter Costume

Quilters (and knitters, and crocheters!), unite! This fun costume will help you save the day—or, at the very least, the "crafter-noon." And you can show off your handiwork while you're at it!

Make the Costume: Cut a quilt into a trapezoid shape; sew a corresponding color bias tape around the edges to finish. At the top corner of the trapezoid, sew a correspond- ing color ribbon for ties. Use a scrap of the quilt to cut out an oversize letter "Q" and blanket stitch it to the front of a T-shirt. Blanket stitch around the edges of a felt superhero mask and round out the look with a tailor tape measure bracelet adorned with sewing charms. Glue a metal thimble to a silver ring blank to create a superpower ring.

SHOP FELT SUPERHERO MASKS

DIY Duct Tape Skeleton Costume

Make no bones about it, this costume—which can come together in mere minutes—is great for kids and adults alike! For added chills and thrills, use duct tape that glows in the dark.

Get the tutorial at Crafts by Amanda.

SHOP DUCT TAPE

Patriotic Popsicle Costume

As sweet (and low effort) as the lazy days of summer, this costume calls for large pieces of cardboard; red, white, and blue spray paint; and white acrylic paint. (Sparklers optional!)

Get the tutorial at Oh Yay Studio.

DIY Family 80s Rock Band Costume

Get ready to bang your head with this 80s hair metal rock band costume for the whole family that's easy to put together and just as inexpensive. All it takes is a quick trip to your local thrift shop and you'll be ready to rock and roll all night.

Get the tutorial at Design Improvised.

SHOP INFLATABLE GUITARS

DIY Gauzy Ghosts Costume

Got cheesecloth and some black eyeshadow? You're halfway to creating these gauzy ghost costumes, which are just the right mix of "scary" and "friendly" to appeal to both kids and their parents.

Make the Ghost Costumes: Start with a base layer of black clothing. Paint face with white face paint and add black eyeshadow around the eyes. Drape and pin neutral cheesecloth, holding it in place with white safety pins and allowing it to trail on the floor a bit. Add a second layer of large, loosely woven, white gauze—we used door and window decorating material. Drape a plastic chain and vintage-inspired lock around the shoulders.

SHOP CHEESECLOTH

DIY Goldilocks and the Three Bears Family Costume

When we need Halloween costume inspo, we look to Country Living Editor-in-Chief Rachel Hardage Barrett! Last year, she dressed her family up as Goldilocks and the Three Bears, complete with a clearly-labeled bowl of porridge. Now, that's a cute idea.

SHOP BEAR HATS

DIY Where's Waldo Costume

The best costumes are simple, easily recognizable, and can be pulled straight from your closet! Use your favorite red-and-white striped shirts to bring this idea to life in a snap.

Get the tutorial at Lovely Indeed.

SHOP STRIPED SHIRTS

DIY White Swan Costume

It may not look like it, but this stunning costume straight out of Swan Lake doesn't take much more than white tulle, a feather boa and a bit of needle and thread before it's ready for its big debut.

Get the tutorial at a Pumpkin and a Princess.

SHOP FEATHER BOAS

DIY Hungry Hippo Baby Costume

Forget to think up a costume for your littlest one? Not to worry: This Hungry Hungry Hippo-inspired look comes together quickly with just a bit of felt and a hot glue gun.

SHOP WHITE FELT

DIY Pineapple Costume

Who knew a pineapple costume would be so easy to craft? This one comes together in just minutes.

Get the tutorial at Studio DIY.

SHOP YELLOW DRESSES

Princess Leia Halloween Baby Costume

There isn't anything much cuter than a wee one in this Princess Leia wig—and best of all, it doesn't require a bit of sewing! Quickly finish off the look with a few pieces of silver vinyl ironed on to a white onesie and you've a costume even Obi-Wan himself would love.

Get the tutorial at Tried and True Creative.

SHOP BABY BEANIES

DIY Smarty Pants Halloween Costume

How easy is this? Simply affix a pack of Smarties candies to your favorite jeans for a simple (but hilarious!) last-minute costume. Pro tip: Use glue dots to bring the two elements together without ruining your favorite pants.

Get the tutorial at Good Housekeeping.

SHOP CHEAP JEANS

DIY Frosted Animal Cookie Costume

You know those adorable animal crackers for their delicious taste, but were you aware that they make for adorable costumes as well? This one is a cinch to throw together.

Get the tutorial at Studio DIY.

SHOP POM-POMS

Bubble Bath Kids Costume

The most time-consuming part of assembling this DIY? Blowing up the balloons—take breathing breaks!

Get the tutorial at Giggles Galore.

SHOP RUBBER DUCK

Easy Bat Wings Costume

Your little one will go batty for these sweet, homemade bat wings. Add a bat mask and some black clothes, and they'll be ready to trick or treat in a flash!

Get the tutorial at Delia Creates.

SHOP BAT MASKS

Operation Last-Minute Costume

If you've ever played Operation, you know the stakes are high to finish the job before time runs out. With this easy costume inspiration though, you'll feel zero stress when it comes to racing the clock and getting ready before Halloween.

Get the tutorial at C.R.A.F.T.

SHOP RED FELT

Best Kids Costume

Astronaut Suit Halloween Costume

If you're pressed for a last-minute costume, blast off with Amazon's astronaut costume and free two-day shipping. There's also pink and white versions to meet every kids's preferences.

Pasta Halloween Costumes

Short on time? It's not impastable to create a quick on-the-spot costume. This matching carb-y creation has both you and your little one covered before you head out trick-or-treating.

Get the tutorial at Studio DIY.

SHOP YELLOW SPRAY PAINT

Candy Dots Halloween Costume

She'll look sweeter than all the candy in her trick-or-treat bag with this easy DIY ensemble. You'll only need a quick run to the craft store for spray paint and styrofoam balls.

Get the tutorial at Cute Girls Hairstyles.

SHOP STYROFOAM BALLS

DIY Scuba Diver Costume

If you have a snorkel and goggles stuffed in the back of your closet—or can pick them up in an off-season sale—you've got most of what you need to make this awesome costume for the kiddo.

Get the tutorial at Delineate Your Dwelling.

SHOP ELECTRICAL TAPE

Blair Donovan Blair Donovan is a staff writer for CountryLiving.com, where she covers everything from the latest Joanna Gaines and "The Voice" news to home décor, gardening, DIY, and entertaining.

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Source: https://www.countryliving.com/diy-crafts/g23785711/last-minute-halloween-costumes/