These last-minute homemade Halloween costume ideas are cute and cheap, using clothes and materials you already have at home! And if you need more ideas, here are 1000 more to get that Halloween spirit going!
Of course, two kinds of people exist in the world: the ones who start planning their Halloween costumes back in July…and then there’s us. Now, before you start scrambling around to find SOMETHING to wear to that Halloween party, we can help you look like you planned it before 5 pm this evening 😉
1. Harry Potter/ Hogwarts Students
For this costume, graduation robes and black sweaters work wonders! Add a white shirt and tie underneath, preferably green, yellow, blue, or red. The finishing touch is a “wand”, fashioned from a stick from your yard! Everyone will think your costume is MAGICAL! To make it more convincing, choose a witch or wizard from a house that matches the color of your tie!
2. Alvin and the Chipmunks
This is such an easy costume! First, grab a red-colored sweater or t-shirt and cut out the letter A on yellow paper. Tape it on and viola- you’re Alvin! If you’ve got two friends tagging along to your Halloween party, they can be Simon or Theodore. Add some cute touches like noses or glasses for Simon to make it look like you really planned ahead.
3. M&Ms
This is another sweet DIY last-minute Halloween costume! To start, cut out a white M and tape it to the front of any solid-colored hoodie or t-shirt. Optionally, you can pack yourself with a fluffy pillow for an easy costume!
4. Bachelor/Bachelorette
To be the Bachelor or Bachelorette, this costume just requires a fancy suit or dress and some roses. You can buy fake ones at the Dollar Tree for $1! Go up to people at the party and offer them your roses. As a group costume, you can bring your “contestants” along!
5. Magic 8 Ball
You’re in luck with this costume! Again, all it takes is a print-out of an 8 and a black shirt. If you want to be really cool, print out the answers on blue triangles and bring them with you to the party. The other guests will love testing their luck on your awesome costume!
6. Princess Bride
Inconceivable! Though easy, it feels like this costume was planned in advance! A red dress and gold belt, or black clothes are all you need. For the mask, you just need a black t-shirt to cut holes out of! You’re ready to be Princess Buttercup and the Dread Pirate Roberts! Luckily, Dollar Tree usually sells swords for $1 to really dress-up this costume!
7. Scarecrow
Surprisingly, for this costume, you don’t even need a straw hat! Putting on a plaid shirt and some jeans or overalls will solidify most of the look. Plus, there are so many scarecrow makeup tutorials online to make you into the cutest scarecrow! With these elements, you’ll be the hit of the party!
8. Men in Black
Above all, this is one of my favorite last-minute costumes. By simply putting on a black suit and some black shades, everyone will recognize you the second you walk through the door. Yeah, this costume is pretty out of this world 😉
9. Sleeping Beauty
This costume is a dream! If you’re lucky, your boss might even let you have a nap-break. Just wear a nightgown or a dress with a tiara and an eye mask. Any combo will do! Everyone will understand your costume the moment you start to drift off. Trust me, this costume is perfect for moms!
10. Bob Ross and His “Happy Little Tree”
Create an art pallet, fluff up your hair, and make your partner into a “canvas” or a “tree”. Cutting a hole in a pillowcase for your head and arms makes for a great canvas, or you can design a tree using leaves, branches, or flowers. Again, Dollar Tree has a great selection for cheap tree-making stuff!
11. Old Folks
If you don’t own anything that looks like it came from your grandpa’s closet, any thrift store sure will! To avoid investing in a wig, baby powder in the hair is a great alternative! For grandmas, add some pearls and lipstick. For grandpas, the sweater and eyeglasses are key! Either way, you’ll love how comfortable this costume can be!
12. Wind-Up Doll
All you need is a cute dress and a cut-out of the key to tape to your back! To make this, take a small toilet paper roll and connect it to an 8 cut out of cardboard. As you walk, take a few steps and then freeze until a friend turns the key to keep you going! For finishing touches, you can add cute doll makeup or a porcelain-doll look.
13. “It’s Raining Men”
Got a printer? You’ve got yourself a costume. With a few prints of men taped to an umbrella, you will be the hit of your office or party. To really look convincing, wear a rain jacket or rain boots!
14. Clark Kent/Superman/Supergirl
This costume is super…easy! If you don’t have a superman shirt, you can easily print off a superman symbol and tape it to a blue shirt! Initially, everyone will think you showed up to the party without a costume…until trouble shows up of course! Remember, put on your glasses so no one knows your true identity.
15. Operation
With this costume, everyone will recognize you from the famous board game: Operation! If you have a friend or significant other, they can easily pair with you as a doctor or nurse. Just print out the famous shapes and tape them to your body. Add a red nose, and carry along a set of kitchen tongs for an easy DIY costume that everyone will recognize!
16. Chic-Fil-A Cows
With black spots and an “Eat More Chicken” sign, you’re in business. (Even if you are promoting chicken genocide). Together, we use this costume every year on Chic-Fil-a Day, but you could easily use it for a last-minute Halloween costume.
17. 80’s Workout Costume
Oversized, baggy sweater? Check. Leggings? Check. Wearing your socks on the outside of your pants…check! Now fluff up that hair and go crazy on the makeup! It’s time to dance!
18. “The Price is Right” Contestant!
A nametag is all you need for this costume…oh, and a winning spirit! To really sell your costume, spend the night guessing prices and being overly-excited any time someone says your name.
19. Survivor Contestant
A tank top and cargo shorts get you a ticket to the most dangerous competition there is…trick or treating. To finish, tie a bandana around your head, rub some dirt on your face, and you’re ready to…well survive the night at least.
We hope this helped to get you started! For more Halloween inspiration, check out these posts!
Kid-Friendly Halloween Activities
1000 Halloween Costume ideas
19 Unique Halloween Activities
Halloween Activities for Adults
-Makayla
Don’t forget to pin it for later!
