Quick and Easy Halloween Costumes

by Pregnancy.org Staff

Halloween is a wonderful excuse to plan a costume or two! It's a time to allow your child's imagination to run wild - yours too! Why not? The best news is your budget doesn't have to suffer. See what ideas we've come up with! Remember, "safety first" when you have tiny-tots.

Costumes from the closet or second-hand store

Standard Ghost

For the old stand by ghost, grab a old white sheet, cut out the eyes. Make sure it's short enough not to trip. Take scrap piece of sheet, and sew up a simple treat bag.

Fancy Ghost

Why be the same old boring ghost? A ghost going out for a night on the town might like to get dressed up a little. Use the same white sheet, cut out holes for the eyes and a small slit for the mouth. Then dress it up a little. Put eye shadow and lashes around the eyes, Lipstick for the mouth. Put a little color on the cheeks. How about earrings and a necklace or maybe a tie? You could color in a beard or mustache. To be just the cutting edge of fashion ghost, use something besides a white sheet.

Clown

Sweat clothes that are too large is a must! Decorate the costume by using either fabric paint, or markers, or even try tie-dye. Tack on some large pom-poms, add a cheap wig, hat, and make-up. You might also stuff the extra space in clothing with tissue. However this could be messy, if you need to make a "pit-stop."

Scarecrow

You'll need an over-sized flannel shirt, faded blue jeans with patches, rope for belt and to tie at the cuffs of his jeans and sleeves, stuff the shirt and jeans with plastic grocery bags or paper and add a little bit of straw to hang out of jeans and shirt. Make the face with a little bit of make-up.

The American Tourist

Boys (and dads too) wear loud Hawaii shirt, shorts (if weather permits) and a large straw hat. Girls (and lets not forget mom) bright loud dress, flats, big sun hat, straw bag. Don't forget to have a camera, and maps hanging out, and that look of being lost. Boys can use a tourist bag, (like you get from travel agents, and girls can use the straw bag for their treats.

1960's Hippie

This one is hard. After all, it's all back in style! What is real, and what is costume? Here are some ideas -- tie-die clothing, long wig (in the old days we called a "fall"), sandals, headband, anything with fringe on it (vests, purse...) light colored sun glasses.

Old Man

Dark pants cuffed and pulled up high on the waist, and jacket, most any dress shirt, man's flannel hat and walking cane are the basis for this costume. Gray the hair, with any of the commercial temporary colors, or dust with a little flour.

Old Woman

Old style dress, just below knee, knee-hi stockings rolled down a little, oxfords, large black purse transform your child into an older woman.

Real Nerd

Slick back the hair, grab some pants that are too short, a white shirt, white socks, penny loafers, or lace up oxfords. Accessories can include a pocket protector, with lots of pens, dark rim glasses (don't forget to tape the corner, or at least paper clip it) briefcase, or backpack for treat bag.

Chinese Doll

Paint the child's face white, with rosy cheeks shaped in a circle. Finish the disguise with hair pulled up in a bun, thong shoes, and a kimono (just a old silky housecoat works great for this).

Miss America

Use an old bridesmaid dress or formal. Add a pair of gloves, a tiara, some over-sized jewelry, and heels. For the banner, use a piece of wide ribbon, and write "Miss America" in glitter.

Soda Pop Can

Use a round barrel with a hole cut in the bottom. Cut holes for arms and your head. Paint it the colors of a soda pop can. Presto! You have a pop can!

Static Cling

Wear anything. A solid color is good, for example, all white or all black. With safety pins pin anything to yourself i.e.: socks, underwear, bounce sheets, etc. You can also spray your hair straight up in the air.

1950's Sock-Hopper

It's quite simple; just a round skirt, a white short-sleeved shirt, and some saddle shoes. (If you don't have saddle shoes, plain buckle shoes are fine.) You could add some cat-eye glasses if you want. Tie hair in a ponytail with a scarf wrapped around it.