Easy Halloween costumes shouldn’t break the bank. Whether you’re trying to make more sustainable baby clothes choices, cut down holiday costs or even if you’re feeling crafty and want to try your hand at easy DIY Halloween costumes for kids, the bottom line is that so many kids outgrow their spooky outfits by next year, so it’s time to start getting creative with whatever is already in your house.

Related: 19 funny Halloween memes just in time for spooky season

I look forward to Halloween every season—not just for the candy and Halloween desserts that come with it, but because of the costume making. Oh, how I love to get creative with easy DIY no-sew Halloween costumes!

As a kid, my mom would always whip up a super creative design for my sister and me, so I knew I wanted to carry on that tradition with my little ones. And, let’s be honest, this is basically the Golden Age of DIY. Between sources like Pinterest, Instagram and the internet at large, there are so many great ideas for easy-peasy DIY Halloween costumes out there. Plus, scroll to the bottom for inspired looks straight from your little one’s closet (aka easy costumes with normal clothes)!

DIY Halloween costumes for kids

1. Bumble bee

If you don’t have yellow coveralls like this little bee, grab a yellow shirt and black masking tape or duct tape to make alternating lines for your bee tee.

2. Elliott and everyone’s favorite extra terrestrial

A red hoodie, bike basket and E.T. stuffie and you’re GTG.

3. Wild Things

All you need is a pair of white footie pajamas for the base. Grab some fur, felt sparkly paper and a hot glue gun for the rest!

4. Grandma & grandpa

Stick on mustaches FTW.

5. Cardboard rocket

Some call it recycling. Others call it THE PERFECT HALLOWEEN COSTUME.

6. Elton John(s)

There’s really no wrong way to do this. Just add as much feathers, sparkle and flair as possible.

7. Coco Chanel

Easy DIY Halloween costumes don’t get any easier than this.

8. Nanna Noodleman from Sing!

Some drapey fabric and a fan gets the job done.

Related: 19 kids Halloween game ideas for any spooktacular soirée

9. Queen of Hearts

The makeup really pulls this simple costume together.

10. Cereal pals

Lots of felt and your trusty glue gun are all the tools you need.

11. Hamburgler and His Conquest

A bit of craftiness is required, but a sewing machine is not!

12. Anyone hungry?

You don’t even have to be an artist to draw up these props.

13. Tired mom

She’s even got a no-wash-day top knot. Can confirm this is spot on.

14. DA-vid!

All “Schitt’s Creek” costumes all the time, please and thank you.

15. Paw Patrol 

Honestly, what can’t duct tape do?

16. Richard Simmons

Would a Deal a Meal binder put this over the top?

17. Who doesn’t love the Rugrats?

A guaranteed costume contest win.

18. Frida

The challenge is getting them to keep the headband on.

Related: It’s true: McDonalds’ old-school Halloween buckets are BACK!

19. A rain cloud

Budget friendly and so easy.

20. Energizer Bunny

This is every toddler ever.

21. Robot

Making these costumes can be a family DIY affair. Just grab some paint and rifle through the recycling bin.

22. Trixie

I mean, this is basically how my toddler would have dressed herself anyway.

23. Mary Poppins

Sweeter than a spoonful of sugar!

Easy Halloween costumes straight from your baby’s closet

Turn a romper into a…

diy halloween costumes 0 Motherly
Oriane essential henley romper Meri Meri bear headdress

Grab a super soft romper, add a headdress to it and you’ve got a baby bear. The romper will come handy for the rest of the year as a quick outfit to go watch the leaves change or even a basic set of PJs. The headdress can be worn over and over again since it’s adjustable with a strap.

Or an adorable…

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Oriane essential henley romper Meri Meri flower headdress

The same romper in pink + a shimmery headdress gives you an adorable flower.

Overalls can easily become…

diy halloween costumes 2 Motherly
The Simple Folk denim wide leg overalls Bebe au Lait classic muslin bib set Pineapple Sunshine polka dot headband Pineapple Sunshine polka dot bandanna bib

Women unite! These overalls + bandana bib will turn any little girl into a poster girl in seconds. The overalls are amazingly trendy and will be worn a lot by any of your kids. The bandana bib can be handed down to little siblings or cousins for when teeth are poking through and the drool is flowing.

Transform sweats and a sweater into a…

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All the Babies little sweat set Meri Meri peach sparkle bunny bonnet

A pair of adorable sweats and a knitted hat with bunny ears results in a ver cute and comfortable bunny. The sweats are super cozy and can be worn as a set or separately. The bunny ears can also be worn as a hat during cold days way past Halloween.

Overalls again FTW ?

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Pineapple Sunshine navy knit dungaree overalls Plan Toys tool belt

Overalls + a set of toy tools and your little one is a mechanic. The overalls can be worn all year round with layers and the wooden toys (which you might already have laying around!) are a worthy add to any playroom.

Jeans and a t-shirt never looked so good

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mi cielo The Van shirt The Simple Folk easy jean Father's Factory 35MM Vintage Wooden Toy Camera Father's Factory wooden tripod Father's Factory leather strap

Grab a cool tee, comfy pants and a toy camera and you’ve got a photographer. The clothes can be worn whenever and the camera set has kept my toddler entertained for hours as he learns how to “take” photos of us.

A hoodie + mask turns into a…

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Cubcoats reversible masks Cubcoats tomo tiger hoodie

This hoodie + mask is the easiest Halloween costume ever and keeps kids masked and safe if you decide to go out trick-or-treating. These are just an overall good investment regardless of Halloween, given the times we live in.

This knit set will give you the cutest…

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Hill House Home take me out on the town kit

This fancy knitted set will make any cute baby look like an even cuter bumble bee. If you’re feeling crafty you could add some home-made wings or antennae!

Grab their coat and turn them into a…

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The Simple Folk Jua jacket Plan Toys detective kit

A coat + a detective toy set and someone will be running around the house looking for clues. The coat can be styled many ways for the fall and the toy set will make rainy afternoons fun at home.

For multiple kids…

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The Simple Folk boiler suit All the Babies little sweat set

This is a great idea for a family costume since you’ll have a Ghostbuster + some ghosts. All these clothes are easy to style year around, and if you have twins in your family how cute would it be to have two little ghosts running around the house?

Get creative!

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Oriane essential infant tie gown

These knotted gowns can be anything you can think of. Pick your favorite color and add accessories (or maybe even some face paint?) to make your newest addition part of the fun. Wear them at night once the fun is over—they’re the easiest way to make nighttime changes a breeze.

A version of this post was published October 17, 2021. It has been updated.

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