Budget-Friendly Costumes for Kids This Halloween

Halloween is just around the corner, so it’s time to start thinking about costumes. You might assume that the only way to get a great costume is to spend a lot at an expensive store, but that’s not the case. Instead of taking your kids to a spooky Halloween shop and spending a fortune, consider these tips.

LOOK AROUND YOUR HOME

Remember those last-minute costume parties during your teenage years? You’d dig through your house and team up with friends to create fun costumes without spending any money. You can do the same now. Take a look around your home and see what items can be repurposed into a costume.

For instance, I recently saw a clever cupcake costume on Pinterest made from an old lampshade. An old party dress can be transformed into a princess or fairy outfit. Pair overalls with a red tee, and you have a Mario costume. All you need is a little creativity.

GET CREATIVE WITH DIY

Searching online for homemade Halloween costumes can lead to lots of cool ideas. Just be careful not to get swept away by complex projects that end up costing you $40-$60 on supplies. The goal is to save money, not spend it.

Take my daughter’s costume from last year, for example. She wanted to be Audrey Hepburn. We found a black dance leotard at a thrift store, added some faux pearls, a pair of sunglasses we already had, and made a tutu with tulle and ribbon.

BUY THE ESSENTIALS

Sometimes, if your child wants to be a certain character or animal, you can keep it simple by just buying a few key accessories. For a cat costume, a cheap pair of cat ears and a tail paired with regular clothes or a leotard works perfectly. The same goes for making a Minnie or Mickey Mouse costume.

For characters, focus on their standout feature. Like Rapunzel’s long hair, which can be mimicked with yarn and paired with any fancy dress.

CHECK OUT THE THRIFT STORE

Many thrift stores have a good selection of costumes, usually priced between $5-$10. That might seem a bit high for second-hand shopping, but it’s still cheaper than a specialty Halloween store.

On a recent thrift store trip for fairy wings, I found princess dresses, Spiderman costumes, and more. It’s worth checking out your local thrift store for costumes or pieces to complete your look.

Remember, Halloween is a one-day event meant for fun. Don’t stress too much about finding the perfect crown or the right dress color. What’s most important is your child’s happiness.

Do you have any budget-friendly Halloween costume tips or DIY costumes you’re proud of? Share with us!