Cool Kids' Halloween Costumes You Can Make Yourself

Movie-themed Halloween costumes are extremely popular. But sometimes you don't want to go to the expense of buying a costume, or if the costume you want isn't available. In these cases, you can make the Halloween costume yourself.

Hannah Montana Costumes

The Hannah Montana costume is very easy and inexpensive to make. Just use a white tank top, a short cream-colored scarf (optional), black capri pants with a black mini-skirt over the top. The edge of the mini-skirt should be at a slight angle; however, if this is a problem, you can just use a regular mini-skirt. Cinch this with a wide belt with a large belt buckle. Finish off the costume with black hiking boots and, if your child's hair isn't naturally blonde, an inexpensive blonde wig. These can be had at Wal-Mart for around $5. You may have to trim the bangs on the wig, but it's well worth the cost savings.

An alternative costume uses the mini-skirt without the capri pants, and boots with a higher leg.

Transformers Costumes

Transformers Halloween costumes are best achieved with cardboard boxes. How much work you put in to the costume will depend on how elaborate you want the costume to be. Just take a Transformer, or a picture of one, and set it up as your guide. Optimus Prime, for example, is very popular. Allow your child to choose, within reason, which Transformer he wants to be. Then get creative, and come up with a unique and original design. Don't attempt a costume which actually transforms unless you're sure you can handle it, and have enough time to complete the project.

First make sure that the boxes will fit on your child's body. Also, ensure that he will be able to move with the costume on. Figure out how to shape the boxes so that they will look more or less like the Transformer. Get an idea of where your child's arms, legs and body will be within the boxes. Draw lines in pencil, place the boxes on a craft table, then use an exacto knife to cut out an area slightly smaller than the area you marked. Do several "try-ons" with your child, adjusting the boxes so they more closely fit your child's body. You may have to bend, score or tape cardboard to get the right shapes. Experiment and see what works best.

Your child will need some close-fitting clothing to go on underneath the box part of the costume. Make sure this is the right color, to match the Transformer toy you are using as a guide. White is a good color, since it's neutral and doesn't interfere with the general design of the costume.

Once you have completed the cutting and shaping phase, paint the costume. This is a good point for your child to become involved in the project. Non-toxic craft paints work well for this. Be sure to apply several coats, allowing time to dry in between coats.

Assemble the costume on your child's body just before he goes out to trick or treat. Use duct tape to secure the boxes to each other and/or to the cloth of the undergarment.

Naruto Costumes

Naruto is an anime series, as well as the name of its ninja main character. Naruto costumes are extremely popular with the kids. Fortunately, they're also very easy to make. There are also a variety of different ways you can make them.

One way is to assemble an outfit with red or orange capri pants, a red or orange jacket with blue shoulders and a white collar, and black socks with black slippers. The outfit is completed with a short blond wig or hairstyle which is a little spiky on top, and a headband with a silver strip in front. Your child may also want to carry a toy knife; however, for safety, make sure it's cardboard or plastic.

Other Naruto ideas abound on the web, and are similarly easy to assemble. Most likely you can put the outfit together out of things your child already has in his closet. Get creative. Try cutting out strips of cloth and arranging them on your child's existing clothing to get the desired effect.

If you're missing any element of the costume, such as shoes or props, you can also pick them up on eBay.

Underdog Costumes

An Underdog costume is also very easy to make. All you need is a red t-shirt, a blue cloth for a cape, red tights or pants, and a little bit of black eyeliner. Cut out a piece of white construction paper in the shape of a "U" and attach it to the shirt with glue or tape. Hook the cape on, put the tights on the child, then use the eyeliner to make a black triangle on the child's nose.

Do an online search for the proper shape for the "U." Underdog t-shirts are also available for sale online.

Harry Potter Costumes

Harry Potter costumes are all the rage. Fortunately, this costume isn't hard to make either.

Use a white shirt for the basis of this costume. Use a regular men's tie, for both boys and girls. Lay a grey sweater vest over this combination. Use black trousers for boys, and a black skirt for girls. Then lay a black robe over this.

This is a great way to reuse a graduation robe, if your child has one. If you've still got your graduation robe left over from high school or college, and your child is a teen, see if it fits. Or, if you or your child have a black overcoat, this will do nicely as well.

Print out a copy of an example of the insignia. Cut out a yellow piece of construction paper in the basic shape of the insignia. Draw the insignia over the yellow paper in red and orange washable marker. Involve your kids in this part of the process. Affix the Hogwarts insignia to the robe with tape.

Create a wizard's hat out of a large sheet of construction paper. Roll it into a cone, then tape it together on the inside. Measure and cut out the brim, then tape that on as well. Allow your child to decorate the hat as he or she sees fit.

Make a wizard's wand out of a simple twig. Carve it until it's the shape you like, smooth it with sandpaper, then rub it down with mineral oil.

Use glasses without lenses to create a Harry Potter character, unless your child wears prescription glasses. Draw a faint lightening bolt with eyebrow or lip liner pencil in the middle of your child's forehead.

Whether your child is a Harry or a Hermione, they will be overjoyed to have this Hogwarts costume for Halloween.