Classic Halloween Costumes

As trick-or-treaters reach our doorsteps, we will view many fun and frightful costumes. Over the years, several designs pop up over and over, year after year. If your kids are looking for a traditional costume, try one of these on for size!



Should you need face paint, fake blood, or need to know how to create fake bruises, check out our feature Homemade Halloween Make Up, Bruises & Blood.


Scarecrow

denim bib overalls
plaid flannel shirt
rope or twine
straw hat
gloves and boots
straw or shredded raffia
corncob pipe

Dress child in overalls and shirt. Stuff the pockets full with straw or shredded raffia. Tie twine or rope around waist for a belt. Add a few touches of straw to the hat, gloves and boots. Plaid and polka dot patches are a nice touch to denim jeans, but not required. Finish off with a corn cob pipe.


Cowboy/Cowgirl

blue jeans
western shirt
cowboy boots
cowboy hat
neckerchief
bandana
toy gun and holster
sheriff's star
rope

Dress in blue jeans, a western shirt or flannel shirt, and cowboy boots. Top with a cowboy hat and tie a neckerchief or bandana loosely around the child's neck. Carry a rope as a lasso and attach Sheriff's star to shirt. Adorn the outfit with toy gun in holster.

Indian

brown pants
white shirt
brown vest
moccasins
headband
feather
face paint
plastic tomahawk

Dress up basic brown pants and vest with moccasins and a tomahawk. Make a headband from brown posterboard by cutting a 1 1/2 inch wide strip that fits around your child's head. Glue or tape the feather to the headband. Smear on war paint in diagonal lines along cheek bones.


Magician

black tux or suit jacket
black pants
white dress shirt
red silk carnation
top hat
stuffed bunny
magic wand

Pin silk carnation to breast pocket of black jacket. White gloves are a nice touch to this costume, but not necessary.



Princess

lacy or frilly nightgown
nylon scarf or crepe paper streamers
ribbons, sequins, fake jewels
gold foil
poster board or party hat
string elastic
tape
glue
cardboard tube/paper dowel from clothes hanger

Tape together a poster board cone hat or use a party hat. Decorate with glued on sequins, fake jewels, glitter, etc. Attach scarf or streamers to top point of hat. Punch holes on sides of hat, tie on elastic string. To create a princess scepter, use cardboard tube covered in foil, glue on sequins and fake jewels and attach ribbons to the end.

VARIATIONS

Fairy
For a Fairy, cut a star from poster board, cover with foil, attach to dowel from hanger, tie ribbons underneath the star.

Miss America
Make a cardboard crown and spray paint it gold with glitter. Then make a sash from fabric or sheets and write Miss America on with fabric paint.

Bride
Add a veil made from netting and a plastic headband. Carry a bouquet of silk flowers.


Knight

about 40 frozen juice can lids
silver tights
black or gray gloves
knight helmet
cardboard
silver spray paint
plastic sword


Punch small holes in juice can lids for wires to be inserted through. Thread the wires through to create a suit of armor that will drape over child's shoulders. Be sure to leave a hold for the head! Cut cardboard in the shape of a shield and spray paint silver. A nice touch is to paint on a coat of arms.

(check out Kid's Domain for a great homemade helmet!) http://www.kidsdomain.com/craft/hall-helmet.html

Pirate

red & white horizontal stripe shirt
black jeans or sweat pants
boots
bandana
gold clip-on hoop earring
toy sword
plastic eye patch
face paint for mustache
small stuffed toy parrot (optional)

Fringe bottom of black jeans by cutting slits at the bottom of pant leg. If using sweat pants, tuck them into the boots. Tie bandana around child's head with knot sticking out at side. Clip on earring and put on eye patch. Attach parrot to shoulder of shirt with double sided tape or a few hand sewn stitches. use our face paint recipe above to create a brown or black mustache. Add a wide belt with large buckle as an added bonus.