DIY Halloween Costumes

By Kendra & Seth Smoot

Elaborate costumes are a sight to behold, but it's those clever homemade outfits that truly capture the playful spirit of Halloween. These crafty DIY costumes -- some chic, some cheeky, and some just plain adorable -- work for kids, teens and adults, and you can make most with just a few household items.

Seth Smoot for AOL

This homemade bat costume will outshine anything you could buy at the store, and it requires only an umbrella and a short, black dress. You also need a few tools: needle and black thread, pins, scissors and cutting pliers. First, remove the shell of the umbrella from the tube and cut it in half. Next, pin each half to the sides and arms of a black dress. Cut ears out of black paper and attach them to a headband with a little glue. Then go "hang" out with you pals.

Seth Smoot for AOL

Who wouldn't be delighted to open up their door to this adorable garden gnome? Start with an oversized blue shirt and a belt made out of a strip of black felt. Cut a buckle out of cardboard and paint it yellow. To make the hat, you'll need 1/2 yard of red felt and 1/4 yard of batting. Fold the felt in half, cut a triangle and stitch the sides together. Then cut the beard and eyebrows and attach with a couple of stitches.

Seth Smoot for AOL

You may have to wear your coat backwards, but that's a small price to pay for this cool-dude costume! For porcupine quills that won't prick other party guests, thread plastic zip ties through the holes of a colander. Make one for your head and one for your back, then coat with primer and spray-paint brown.


Seth Smoot for AOL

Create this cute, fuzzy costume by using a vest from your closet as a pattern. Cut your sheep hide out of shearling fabric, finishing the edges with a zigzag stitch to control shedding. Using the same fabric, make a hood and attach ears. This idea is also great for a family costume, with mom dressed up as Little Bo Peep and the kids playing her little flock. Just be careful to keep them close so they don't wander off like Bo Peep's did.


Seth Smoot for AOL

For a picture-perfect costume, dress as a Polaroid. A wreath box works best -- the one used here was 36"x36"x10." Cut the box to the dimensions of a Polaroid and attach a patterned paper to mimic wallpaper, or paint a scenic background. Create a hole in the bottom big enough for your body to fit through and you're ready to go. Be sure to check your blind spot frequently throughout the night to avoid less-than-picture-perfect collisions.


Seth Smoot for AOL

If you're the type who starts to think about what to wear at 7 p.m. on Halloween night, this is the costume for you. Put on a yellow top and pants, then print out a banana sticker. Double stick it to cardboard and pin it to your shirt. Your friends will never know you threw this together only moments before the party -- and who cares if they do!

Seth Smoot for AOL

Any wholesome looking man is a perfect candidate for this cheeky milk costume. Use freezer paper to stencil "2%" onto a white T-shirt. Then create a straw by wrapping colored tape around a poster tube and stick it to your back. White pants are an easy extra touch .


Seth Smoot for AOL

Group costumes are always a hit. If your friends are going to the party as milk, OJ or fruit, join them and create a breakfast theme! Cut two toast-shaped pieces out of white cardboard and paint the edges brown for the crust. Punch holes at the top and thread a string through. Next, paint a piece of cardboard yellow for a piece of butter and attach. This is an adorable costume for a child, as evidenced here.


Seth Smoot for AOL

If attending a party with a close friend, take advantage of your desire to be inseparable. Wear an XXXL sweatsuit and matching shoes, and be sure to step carefully -- if you fall you're inevitably taking your friend down with you.


Seth Smoot for AOL