Homemade Halloween Costumes for Babies and Kids

There's a chill in the air, pumpkins waiting to become jack-o-lanterns on neighborhood doorsteps, and giant bags of candy filling grocery store aisles. Halloween is almost here! Traditionally a favorite childhood holiday, Halloween is the perfect time to let your young child's imagination blend with a pinch of creativity to design a fun, homemade costume.

Not exactly the seamstress extraordinaire? Concerned that you don't have the time, money, or energy to make a fun outfit this Halloween? Don't let the thought of making a costume scare you! These fun ideas don't cost an arm and a leg, and making them is easy—no needle and thread required!

Food Costumes

Oreo: Cut out two large circles from black poster board. Attach strings in two places at the top of each circle through which your child's head can go (so that the strings rest on the child's shoulders). Dress your child in white, glue tufts of white cotton or pillow stuffing (available at fabric or craft stores) into place as the cream filling, and there you have it—an Oreo. For added creativity, cut a "bite" out of your little cookie monster.

Ketchup and Mustard: This one is great for siblings or friends. One child dresses in red clothing, the other in yellow. Get large red and yellow poster boards, cut out a triangle in each one and roll it into a cone-shaped hat (for a spout). Glue long yellow or red strands of yarn at the top of the hat as if the "bottles" are squirting. Cut out or buy letter stickers to spell KETCHUP and MUSTARD and tape to shirt. Paint faces in the colors of the relevant condiment.

Grapes: Dress your child in all purple green clothing. Affix matching colored balloons all over her torso. You've got yourself a bunch of grapes! Be sure to tell your child that if the balloons pop, don't worry: She's just turned into a raisin!

Picnic: Purchase red-and-white checkered fabric to wrap around your child, using safety pins to achieve the desired "fit." Glue picnic items to the "blanket"—plastic utensils, empty soda cans, napkins, straws, and potato chip bags. Cut out pictures of food (sandwiches, fruits, cheese) from magazines to glue into place, or use inexpensive plastic food purchased from a craft store. For added authenticity, buy some plastic ants from a craft or toy store and have them invade the feast!