by
Nicole Dean
You can find a large variety of
Halloween costumes available at stores in your neighborhood. However, when you
consider the cost and lack of originality, homemade costumes are a more fun and
oftentimes more cost-effective option. Plus, if you involve your children in
creating the homemade costumes, the results will be worth more than any
store-bought costume in any store.
Here are some inexpensive, homemade Halloween costume ideas that will cost
little money and show lots of imagination.
Scarecrow: An over-sized flannel shirt, some straw, and faded jeans with
patches will make a great scarecrow. Stuff the jeans and shirt with plastic
grocery bags and leave a little straw hanging out of the shirt and jeans. A
little makeup will complete your scarecrow costume.
Ghost: Ghosts are an old stand-by that never goes out of style. Use an
old white sheet with holes cut for the eyes and sew a simple treat bag out of a
scrap of material or a worn out pillow case. You can dress your ghost up a bit
by making lips out of red lipstick and a few false eyelashes. Or you could color
a beard and moustache with markers. You may want to create a colorful ghost by
using a sheet covered with polka dots or one that is brightly colored.
Clown: You can create a great clown with sweat clothes that are a bit to
large decorated with fabric paint or markers. Sew on some pom poms, use an
inexpensive wig with a large, colorful hat, and you could even stuff the
clothing with tissue (although the tissue will be a problem if the need for a
restroom break arises).
Hippy: You can become a hippy from the 1960s with a tie-dye shirt and
faded jeans with holes in the knees. Combine this with a headband, a ponytail
wig, and a jacket or vest covered in fringe and you will have the most authentic
looking hippy costume of all time.
Nerd: Halloween is the time to dress like something completely out of
character. You can dress your child as a typical nerd, complete with white
shirt, pocket protectors, pants that are too short, horn-rimmed glasses, while
socks and black dress shoes. Don't forget to tape one corner of the glasses for
a true nerd appearance. Make sure you use plenty of hair gel to slick back the
hair and a few overly large fake teeth will be a great addition.
Soda Can: Find an inexpensive plastic barrel and cut a hole in the
bottom. Paint the entire barrel the colors and design of your favorite brand of
soda in a can. With holes for arms and your head, a simple barrel can transform
your child into a soda can.
Your child can be the hit of your block or at the neighborhood Halloween party
if you use a little imagination and create special homemade costumes out of
inexpensive, household items.
Like the commercials say "The memory of your child in a costume you made
together"... priceless.
Nicole Dean welcomes you to
http://www.ShowKidstheFun.com -- a free website filled with activities to
make memories with your children and
http://www.ShowMomtheMoney.com -- a fun and informative resource for moms
who want to make money and save money.