Budget Halloween Costume Ideas

More and more families are finding their budgets are becoming increasingly tighter by the day. And with the Holiday season just around the corner, many wallets are staying closed and purses zipped shut. But of course the children still have Halloween to look forward to first. For a child, dressing up and collecting candy from the neighborhood houses is just to fun to miss - but as their parents are already strapped for cash, some families will just have to make their own costumes this year.

Aslong as you get creative and involve your children in the planning and costume creation process, they're sure to love it. And they'll enjoy wearing a costume that they've helped put together more than a mass produced, store bought mask and suit that all of their friends have, anyway.

You can mix and match old costume pieces to design completely new ones. Throw in some old clothes and a little bit of makeup, and you can create nearly any costume you or your child can think of. One can put together a real simple, inexpensive yet still spooky scarecrow costume, for example simply by outfitting your child with a pair of old overalls and a flannel shirt, and stuffing it with straw or grass.

Additional, old black shirts can be cut up and re-sewn to make a cape for a small child's costume. Robes, nightgowns or other long shirts can also be used as capes for teenager or adult costumes, too. This will allow you to create a number of costumes, for example a vampire, witch or a wizard. Colorful shirts and material can be used for a king or queen's costume, or even for the court jester.

Many superheroes have capes, as well - the first one that comes to mind is Superman. Parents can create a budget Superman outfit using little more than an old red shirt for a cape and some blue pajamas; and your child is sure to love it just as much as the real thing.

Every child loves to dress up, especially for Halloween. And there is no need to let them miss out on this fun experience simply because the costume they want is too expensive. Instead, have a brainstorming session and think of some fun and creative ways that you can create the costume on your own, and obviously for much less than what it costs to purchase in a store.