Our ultimate collection of easy and creative DIY Halloween kids‘ costumes! It’s simple and quick homemade fun for the whole family.
October has arrived, and it’s almost time to costume up the kids and get out for trick-or-treating! But having the best costumes on the block doesn’t have to take tons of time, supplies, a sewing machine, or expensive shopping trips.
We scoured the web to find thirty of our favorite easy, inexpensive, or upcycled DIY kids’ Halloween costumes – babies, toddlers, older kids – they’re all accounted for.
With just a little imagination, an inspired idea, and a sweep of your closets and home supplies, it IS possible to make a quick costume your kids will adore, and you won’t have to break a sweat over…
Looking for fresh October craft ideas to try with your kids this year? We’ve got you covered with this list of totally original modern Halloween kids’ crafts. Pair them with one or two Halloween picture books for an afternoon of kid-lit art-making!
Adorable and Easy Halloween Costumes for Babies
1. A Circus Lion Stroller Costume (from Style Me Pretty)
Who knew your little tot’s stroller could become the star of the show? Well, when it comes to Style Me Pretty’s circus lion baby costume, that’s just what happens!
With a couple of yards of faux fur, some needle-and-thread magic, and a touch of parental ambition, your little one becomes the cutest, toothless lion that ever tamed a circus ring.
2. A DIY Paddington Bear Baby Costume (from Instagram)
Raise your marmalade sandwiches high, folks, because the Paddington’s in town! Courtesy of some ingenious Instagrammers, this DIY Paddington costume project transforms your kid into everyone’s favorite polite, well-meaning, yet often-misunderstood British bear.
And yes, it’s highly recommended to carry a sandwich “just in case” – don’t blame us if you have to dig crumbs out of coat pockets later!
3. A Simple Rosie the Riveter Baby Costume (from Instagram)
It’s time for the pint-sized power of the Rosie the Riveter baby costume from Instagram. Swaddle your little lady in a denim onesie, a red bandana, and a whole heap of ‘girl power’ attitude for this iconic outfit.
Sure, she might not be riveting aircraft just yet, but she’s definitely riveting everyone’s attention. Remember, it’s never too early to teach ’em that they can do it!
4. An Adorable Risky Business Baby Costume (from Babyology)
Break out those old Ray-Bans and oversized button-down shirts for this super simple Risky Business baby costume, all thanks to the mad geniuses over at Babyology. It’s a perfect option for parents who can’t resist a bit of nostalgia and a lot of cute rolled into one.
Yes, your kid will have no idea why they’re in sunglasses indoors or why there’s suddenly an uptick in adults lip-syncing ‘Old Time Rock and Roll’ around them. But hey, that’s the risk you take for this level of adorableness. Be ready for a gazillion photos, but don’t expect them to slide across the floor just yet. Baby steps, folks, baby steps!
5. A Where’s Waldo Baby Costume (from Say Yes)
You’ll do anything BUT vanish into a crowd with this eye-catching Where’s Waldo costume via Say Yes (for kids AND parents)! Armed with a striped shirt, and an adorable puff-ball beanie, your family can become a walking puzzle from everyone’s favorite page-flipper.
6. A Baby President Costume (from Parents)
Who knew politics could be this cute? With the baby president costume via Parents, your kids can campaign for more bedtime stories while you follow dutifully as the stern-faced, earpiece-wearing secret service agents.
Keep in mind, no matter how convincing they are, veto power is still in your hands—literally!
Cute Handmade Halloween Costumes for Toddlers
7. A DIY Bluebird Toddler Costume (from Martha Stewart)
Brace yourselves for an overload of cuteness with the cutest DIY bluebird costume for toddlers from none other than the craft queen herself, Martha Stewart. With a puff of blue fabric and a tiny yellow beak, your little one can chirp their way through the neighborhood trick or treating like a pro.
A series of coos and compliments will be flying your way. Just remember to make sure they don’t take the ‘birds eat worms’ thing too seriously.
8. A Candy Corn Costume for Kids (from The Mom Creative)
Just when you thought candy corn couldn’t get any sweeter, The Mom Creative proudly presents this ADORABLE handmade toddler candy corn costume. With layers of bright orange, sunny yellow, and pristine white, your kiddo will become the embodiment of the classic Halloween candy.
Whether you love or hate the actual treat, there’s no denying the charm of a candy corn kiddo toddling from door to door.
9. An Easy Lumberjack Toddler Costume (from The Hills Are Alive)
October…time to pull out those mini flannel shirts and beanies, and since you have them out anyway, this DIY lumberjack toddler costume via The Hills Are Alive couldn’t make life any easier. Add a toy axe or mini Babe the Blue Ox, and voila! You have the most adorable tree-chopper this side of the playpen.
One look at your lumber-toddler and everyone’s hearts will be falling faster than pine trees. Side note: Fake beards on toddlers are hilarious, but keep an eye on it, or it might end up as a chew toy.
10. A DIY Madeline Toddler Costume (from He and I)
Bonjour cuteness! The Madeline kids costume from He and I is set to transform your tyke into Paris’s most beloved schoolgirl. A simple blue dress, a cute yellow hat, and voilà—meet Madeline! It’s a fantastic way to inject a little European charm into the neighborhood trick-or-treat shenanigans.
And for the love of all things sweet, don’t forget the red hair ribbon! It’s a Parisian must, darling.
11. A Cute Toddler Peter Pan Costume (from Babble)
Get ready to sprinkle some pixie dust and take a flight to Neverland with this super cute toddler Peter Pan costume from Babble. With a little green tunic, a jaunty hat, and an undeniable sense of adventure, your tot is set to become the boy who never grew up (even if they keep outgrowing their clothes!).
Just a heads-up: Keep an eye out for any sudden leaps off the sofa – it’s all fun and games until someone loses their fairy dust!
12. Kids Garden Gnome Costumes (from Better Homes & Gardens)
Put those beards to work, folks, because these adorable kids’ garden gnome costume via Better Homes & Gardens is here to steal the show (and possibly your garden shears). With a simple felt hat, a brightly colored cape or apron, and that irresistible gnome charm, your child will be ready to guard the garden (or at least the candy stash).
Just remember, while they might look sturdy, they are not frost-proof and definitely shouldn’t be left in the garden overnight. Even if they insist they’re ‘guarding’ the tomatoes.
13. Max from Where the Wild Things Are (from Tell Love and Party)
Let the wild rumpus begin with a Max from Where the Wild Things Are costume via Tell Love and Party. In this playful, cozy onesie with a golden crown, your toddler will turn into the most adorable wild thing prowling around the neighborhood.
14. A DIY White Swan Toddler Costume (from Kelli Murray)
Slip your little one into this feathery DIY white swan toddler costume from Kelli Murray, and they’ll be pirouetting from house to house faster than you can say ‘Tchaikovsky.’
While the costume is absolutely enchanting, the grace of the Bolshoi Ballet is not guaranteed.
15. An Easy No-Sew Pineapple Kids Costume (from Delia Creates)
Say aloha to the cutest tropical fruit in town with this no-sew pineapple costume idea from Delia Creates. With some creative felt-cutting and simple mark-making, your kiddo can become the sweetest trick-or-treater on the block!
16. A Taco Toddler Costume (from Wayfarer Family)
Is there anything cuter than a toddler dressed as a taco? I think not(-cho)! Thanks to the imaginative minds at Wayfarer Family, your little one can be transformed into everyone’s favorite Tuesday night treat with this toddler taco costume.
With felt lettuce, paper cheese, and a shell made from love (and a little bit of fabric), your tot-taco will be the MOST adorable. Just resist the urge to take a bite out of your cutie quesadilla!
17. + 18. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off Kids Costumes (from Skirt as Top)
Life moves pretty fast when you’re a toddler. In these Ferris and Cameron kids costume get-ups from Skirt as Top, your tykes will look like they’ve walked straight off the set of the iconic ’80s flick, ready to make a break for it on their trikes.
Don’t worry, no Ferrari is needed for these looks—just make sure to keep an eye out for any surprise ‘day off’ adventures. And always remember, if they ask for a day off from preschool for the sake of their ‘mental health,’ it might just be code for an extra day at the playground.
Clever DIY Costumes for Kids
19. Raining Cats & Dogs Kids Costume (from Real Simple)
Hold onto your umbrellas, folks, because it’s raining cats & dogs (costumes!) with this charming wild weather costume idea from Real Simple. With a sprinkle of stuffed animal kitties and pups hanging from an umbrella, your kiddo will literally become the weather phrase come to life.
The forecast for the evening? A 100% chance of cuteness with scattered giggles throughout the night. And, let’s face it, it’s a great way for them to keep their favorite stuffed toys close. No promises on whether it’ll rain real cats and dogs, but we can assure a shower of compliments coming their way!
20. Weatherman in a Hurricane Kids Costume (from Costume Works)
Brace yourselves for the storm of the century with the weatherman in a hurricane costume from Costume Works. Equipped with a raincoat, a mic, and a whole lot of determination, your little one is ready to brave the elements (or at least the haunted house at the end of the street).
Complete with swirling paper winds, it’s a look that says, “I’m not afraid of a little storm!” Just remember, while they may look ready for a weather emergency, they’re not actually qualified to give out evacuation orders. We recommend keeping all hurricane reporting strictly fictional.
21. An Easy DIY Kids Dragon Costume (from hello, Wonderful)
Beware of the dragon—or at least the incredibly cute one bounding around in the Easy dragon costume for kids from hello, Wonderful. With some felt, a little sewing, and a heap of imagination, your kiddo will be breathing (pretend) fire and guarding their candy hoard like a pro.
22. A Cute Kids Carmen Miranda Costume (from Oh Happy Day)
Samba down the sidewalk with the cutest Carmen Miranda kids’ costume via Oh Happy Day. Armed with a fruit-filled headpiece and some sequins, your little one is all set to become this famous Brazilian.
An evening full of rhythm, color, and possibly a spontaneous conga line or two? Sim, por favor! Just remember, keep the bananas in the hat and off the floor, slip-ups are never part of the choreography!
23. A DIY Kids Moth Costume (from Oh Happy Day)
This fabulous homemade kids’ moth costume from Oh Happy Day proves that insects can be utterly enchanting. With a swirl of iridescent tie-dye wings and a set of twitchy antennae, your kiddo will be the most mesmerizing moth around.
Prepare to spend the evening gently steering them clear of every light they see. And don’t worry about those mothballs, with this costume they’ll be the freshest looking bug on the block!
24. A DIY Spaceman Kids Costume (from Oh Happy Day)
3… 2… 1… Blast off! Oh Happy Day does it again with a kids spaceman costume that will have your little explorer ready to conquer the candy galaxy. Equipped with a shiny spacesuit and a helmet (no, not a fishbowl—okay, maybe it’s a fishbowl), they’ll be set to defy gravity, or at least defy bedtime for one night.
Don’t be surprised if they start communicating solely in beeps and boops for the night. And remember, moon rocks are cool, but Mars bars are better.
25. DIY Indiana Jones Children’s Costume (from DecoPeques)
Crack the whip and dust off that fedora, because this Indiana Jones costume for kids from DecoPeques is bringing out the inner archaeologist in your little adventurer.
With a rugged jacket, a satchel full of ancient artifacts (or Skittles), and an undeniable sense of charm, your kiddo will be ready to outrun any boulder—or pesky older sibling. Bonus points for adding plastic snakes to this getup!
26. A Dr. Who Kids’ Costume (from Modern Kiddo)
It’s time to board the TARDIS and journey through time and space with the kid Dr. Who costume from Modern Kiddo. Kitted out with a bow tie (because bow ties are cool), a funky fez, and their very own sonic screwdriver (batteries not included), your mini Time Lord will be ready to save the universe—one candy bar at a time.
Just don’t be surprised if they start arguing about the space-time continuum and the inefficiency of linear time. Remember, in their minds, it’s always ‘candy o’clock.’ If they start looking for Cybermen, remind them the only cyborgs tonight should be handing out sweets.
27. An Easy Fried Egg Kids Costume (from My Poppet)
Who’s ready for breakfast? The Easy fried egg Kids costume from My Poppet turns your tyke into the most egg-citing dish on the menu. It’s a simple, yet eggs-traordinary transformation that’s sure to crack up the whole neighborhood.
Watch out – it may just stir up an inexplicable craving for bacon among the neighborhood trick-or-treaters.
28. Kids Sushi Costume Inspiration via Mayuk Blog
Roll out the red carpet for the tastiest maki roll on the block with this DIY sushi kids costume from the Mayuk Blog. Swathed in a sushi mat (don’t worry, it’s just fabric) and topped with a bit of wasabi and ginger (also fabric, we promise), your kiddo will be ready to take a bite out of Halloween fun.
While your little sushi roll might look delicious, please refrain from dipping them in soy sauce.
More Halloween DIYs for the Whole Family
Looking for more last-minute Halloween makes? Find a cute themed costume for the whole family. Skip the sharp tools and try one of these fun no-carve pumpkins with your kids this year. Or settle in for a night of classic family Halloween movies with perfect craft pairings!
And if you’re a Pinterest user, you can’t miss our Halloween crafts + food, kids DIY Halloween costumes, and autumn fun boards!
GETTING READY TO TRY this?
I love seeing all the ways people make these ideas their own! If you're sharing the results of one of our projects, mention or tag me with @barleyandbirch, or share it in the comments of one of our Pinterest project pins.
