Great Halloween Costume Ideas!

How many of you spend countless hours listening to your little one contemplate the Halloween costume? I know my seven year old has already decided to be at least ten things this year and it is the beginning of October. I am sure that by Halloween we will have considered about fifty different costumes. I decided that I would put here some of my favorite cheap and easy ideas for costumes that we have used over the years ( and the ones I have stored in my memory bank for just in case situations)

Let's get right to it!

1. The Dice
This was one of my favorites as a kid and it is so simple and cute. I would recommend two people for this costume, but it is not necessary. Simply go to the grocery store and ask for a box. You want it to go from at least the person's neck to the top of the leg. Just make sure it is not to long or it can be uncomfortable to walk around in. Grab yourself some white spray paint, a can of black paint and a brush, or black spray paint and a circle stencil. Just cut a hole in the bottom of the box for the head and two holes for the arms. Then get that white paint and spray away. After that has dried go ahead and make your black dots. I would recommend wearing black pants and a long sleeved black shirt as well, this helps with the illusion. At night all you see is the die coming at you. Very cute!

2. The Card
Another simple one! Grab a deck of cards for inspiration. Pick which one you like and then head to the store for a few paints and some poster board. You can also cut out your symbols (heart, spade, diamond, club) out of construction paper and glue it on. Just grab your poster board and playing card and copy the design. There are a few ways to do the back of the card. I have seen it done to match the front but my personal favorite is to make a design like a regular set of cards. Another option for that if your not feeling to crafty is to get a roll of contact paper that you like and stick that to the poster board that will be the back side. After you have made both of your poster boards and they are dry you need to make something to hold it to your body. I suggest a heavy wide elastic. Depending on your size or your child's size you will need to measure how much you need and then affix it to the inside of the poster board so that they go over your shoulders. I would also suggest putting some on the sides also, about the waist area. This will help it from flying around. Again I suggest black clothes underneath. Maybe a Jester hat just for fun!

3. Car Accident Victim
So easy. This one may be geared for adults, up to you! Take some old clothes, doesn't matter what, just stuff you don't want anymore. Take them outside and roll them in the dirt, run over them with your car, drag them behind your truck whatever you must do to make them look beaten and dirty. I personally did this one and drove around looking for a mud puddle to drive through and then got out and laid my clothes out in front of the car after and drove over them a couple time- the tire treads add a nice touch. After you have destroyed some clothes, just let them dry. When it is time to get ready you just need a few things to do it and you probably have them around the house. I suggest ratting up your hair and putting leaves and twigs in it, gives the sense of being in the dirt. You will need some shades of eyeshadow. A black, a blue, and a purple work nicely. Make yourself some bruises around your face. You can also use a red lipstick for some blood if you don't feel like purchasing the fake blood. You can also take this two ways-- you can be the one that survived and maybe throw on a sling or fake cast or you can be the one that didn't make it and really blacken out your eyes and whiten your face. Up to you-either way it makes for a crowd pleasing costume.

4.Vampire
Simple. I did this for my son a few years ago and it was a breeze. We went to the dollar store and picked up some fake teeth and a plastic black cape and a tube of fake blood. I had him make his own necklace a few days before. We cut a piece of cardboard out of a twelve pack pop box and he got to make it into whatever he wanted with some paints and glitter. Just cut out a design ( he chose a bat) and let them make it. I then poked a hole in it and put a chain of paper clips through it to make it into a shiny necklace. On Halloween I had him put on a black turtle neck and black sweat pants. I put a little baby lotion on his face and then took him to the kitchen and dusted some flour on his face. Make sure to cover the shirt though. Slicked back his hair, tied on his cape, put in the teeth, throw on the necklace, drip a little fake blood by his lip, and we were off. Of course he had to wear his red converse for effect ( they were new, he just wanted to wear them)

5. A Flower
Grab an old sweat suit or even a sleeper P.J. Pick up some green felt and also some other colored felt for petals. Make a stem out of the green felt and attach it to the front of the outfit. If you would like to do leave I think it is a cute idea to attach those leave to the waist area and then after they are dressed attach the other end to the sleeve of the shirt. Make sure that the leaf is long enough for movement though. Now for the petals, there is two ways you can do this. You can take one of the cotton/elastic headbands and attach some petals, I chose felt for this so they can be sewn on. Then they just put it under their chin and on top of their head and instant flower. You can also take a winter had and attach a bunch of petals to it for a fuller flower. This may be harder to do if your in a warmer climate though. I would also suggest a little face painting on this one, just a solid color with some small dots to match the petals.

6. Ghost for a little one
You all know the Sheet with holes trick for a standard ghost. Well I was thinking, what about the little ones that do not have the patience to deal with a slipping sheet. I thought, what about a pillow case! Cut some eye holes and arm holes. Dress them in white if possible and there it is! Simple and it will stay in place.

7.Sports
Never underestimate your child's old sports uniforms! They may not play for that team anymore, but that old uniform can make a great costume! Just dirty it up a bit. Have them put it on and get some grass stains. Get out the fake blood and makeup and give that football player some injuries. You can take that old jersey and fabric paint the favorite team on it! Personal favorite was an old baseball uniform that we painted the Bad News Bears on and covered it in dirt and grass stains and bruised up the face with makeup! Reuse it, now it's not a waste.

8.Things around the house
Utilize the things that are around the house. Do you have a tool belt in the garage? Instant Bob The Builder or Handy Manny! What about a pair of over-alls? I'm seeing a farmer with that one. Got an old formal dress in the closet? Be a bridesmaid again, or maybe the homecoming queen. If you're comfortable in a bathing suit why not be a super model or a Ms. America? What about that apron in the kitchen. Throw some flour on yourself and be a baker. Take it a step further and add an injury to any of these and see the looks you get! Look around and see what you've got. It is all just waiting to be utilized. Imagination is the key.

You don't have to have a ton of cash on hand to really make something fun. Just a little time to look around and see what is available to you. With a little imagination and some initiative you can be anything you want--even if it's just for a day.

Happy Halloween and safe Trick or Treating to you all!