Creative Halloween Costumes You Can DIY Last Minute

Life gets busy, especially for moms juggling a million things! But that doesn’t mean your kids (or you!) have to miss out on Halloween fun. Whether your child suddenly remembers they need a costume for tomorrow’s school party, or you’re just not up for store-bought options, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

These last-minute DIY Halloween costume ideas are simple, affordable, and super fun. Most can be made with things you already have at home, plus they allow room for creativity and personalization. Let’s dive in!

1. Classic Ghost (With a Twist!)

What You’ll Need: An old white bedsheet, scissors, and black fabric or felt.

Yes, it’s the oldest trick in the book but it still works! Cut out eye holes and glue or sew on black felt for eyes and a spooky mouth. Add a pair of sunglasses and a toy boom box for a “cool ghost” vibe.

Tip: Let your child color or paint the sheet to make their ghost unique add flowers, stars, or glitter for a personal touch.

2. Garden Gnome

What You’ll Need: Blue or red shirt, brown or khaki pants, a belt, and a pointy hat made from construction paper or felt.

Top it off with a cotton ball beard glued to a paper plate or attached with string. Bonus points for adding a plastic flower pot as a prop!

3. Rain Cloud

What You’ll Need: Grey hoodie, cotton balls, glue, string, and blue construction paper.

Glue cotton balls all over the hoodie to create the “cloud” and attach raindrops made of paper or felt with string. Wear with grey pants and rain boots to complete the look.

4. Cereal Killer

What You’ll Need: Mini cereal boxes, plastic utensils, glue or safety pins, red paint or marker.

Glue or pin the cereal boxes to an old T-shirt and splatter with fake blood (red paint). Add spoons or knives sticking out of the boxes. Funny, creative, and slightly spooky!

5. Bunch of Grapes

What You’ll Need: Purple balloons, safety pins or double-sided tape, green beanie or leaves.

Blow up purple balloons and attach them all over a purple outfit. Add a green hat or leaves as the stem. (Tip: use safety pins carefully so balloons don’t pop easily.)

6. Super Kid

What You’ll Need: Solid-colored T-shirt, leggings, towel or small blanket, paper or felt cut-out for emblem.

Design a superhero emblem using paper or felt and attach it to the shirt. Use a belt or string to tie the “cape” around the shoulders. Let your child name their own superhero!

7. Book Character Costume

What You’ll Need: Clothing that mimics a favorite character (Harry Potter, Pippi Longstocking, Fancy Nancy, etc.)

Get creative with what’s already in your closet! A striped shirt and red hat = Waldo. A denim dress and red braids = Pippi Longstocking. Don’t forget to carry the matching book.

8. LEGO Block

What You’ll Need: Cardboard box, solo cups, spray paint.

Cut armholes and head hole in a box. Glue solo cups to the front, spray paint the entire thing your favorite LEGO color. A fun and sturdy costume your kid will love.

9. Cat or Mouse

What You’ll Need: Headband, felt or paper ears, eyeliner.

Cut out ears and glue them to a headband. Use eyeliner to draw whiskers and a nose. Wear matching-colored clothes, and add a tail made from a sock or stuffed cloth.

10. Bubble Bath

What You’ll Need: White balloons, shower cap, rubber ducky, loofah.

Attach inflated white balloons to a white outfit. Add a shower cap and pin on a loofah or rubber ducky. It’s unexpected and adorable!

Bonus Tips for Busy Moms:

• Keep a costume bin with random items like hats, scarves, capes, and sunglasses.
• Use fabric glue or safety pins for no-sew options.
• Involve your kids! DIY becomes a memory-making activity rather than a stressful to-do.

Get Creative & Have Fun!

The beauty of DIY costumes isn’t perfection, it’s creativity, effort, and fun. You don’t need a lot of time or money, just a little imagination and a few household items.

Coming soon: A printable costume checklist to help you plan and gather items quickly, perfect for the fridge or family command center!

Would you like me to go ahead and create the short description and matching printable checklist for this article as well?