DIY: Transformers Bumble Bee Costume

So you've been watching the Transformers and you want to be a Bumble Bee Transformer for Halloween? You could go out and buy a costume from a store, but you can also make your own! This home made costume could take lots of card board and paint, but anyone with imagination, creativity, and patience can make an amazing Bumble Bee Camaro Transformer costume. Here are some tips and ideas:

Decide whether you want a fully functioning transforming costume (that transforms from car to upright) or just a simple costume to wear on the body.

Sort through your empty boxes and cardboard sources (stores, friends, etc). Pick out boxes of all shapes and sizes. These will be worn on your legs, arms, feet, shoulders.

Find a yellow (or paint it yellow) motorcycle or bike helmet for the head piece. If you don't have one or rather not wear something heavy, you can easily shape one out of pool noodles, cardboard, or foam.

Draw out on paper what you want your Bumble Bee outfit to look like. Look around the Internet, in the movie, and in stores to get ideas.

Take body measurements and narrow down your boxes. Cut them to fit your planned project image. Next, duct tape the boxes together and paint the boxes yellow and black like Bumble Bee.

Wear a full black suit underneath this costume, like a long sleeve black tee and black pants.

Cut out areas on the chest to tape tap/touch lights to. The chest area should resemble a Camaro's front end as much as possible.

Put smaller shoe boxes around the feet so it's not difficult to walk around.

Add "decor" to the boxes to make them look mechanical. You can draw wheels on the foot or leg boxes, car parts on the other boxes. You can also attach real parts to the boxes as long as they are not heavy or in the way, making some additions out of foam is another choice.

Since Optimus Primus is Bumble Bee's leader, I think it would be cute for a father and son to dress up as these two characters together.

Make safety your number one concern with this costume. Think about the temperature (is Halloween going to be hot, will you be outside sweating with all this gear?, etc.), allergies to any materials you use, ability to move freely without hurting yourself or someone else, and so on.

This should be a fun project, and probably easier if you're working with someone to get it completed easier and on time.