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We all know that kids love to dress up - whether on a rainy afternoon, with a
gang of friends, or at birthday
parties and Halloween. It is always a good idea to provide a well-stocked fancy
dress suitcase or basket so that they can come up with their own creations, but
sometimes a proper costume is called for and inspiration might be required. You
will find lots of inspiration here! Some of the costumes below are described in
detail; others are here to serve just as suggestions and get you thinking about
the possibilities...
Alice in Wonderland Wear a simple dress, preferably light blue, with a white pinafore or apron.*
Scoop long hair back with a blue ribbon or hair band. You could accessorize by
pinning or stitching a red felt heart on the apron, and carrying a white rabbit
toy or cutout.
Bat Costume
This bat costume has long floaty wings, ears and a mask so young kids love
wearing it! Printable templates supplied.
Batman
We have ideas for putting together your own modern or traditional batman costume
for brave superheroes!
Burglar Costume
This burglar costume is a fun fancy dress costume for kids at Halloween or all
year round - and it is very easy to put together.
Business Man or Woman
Dress your child in a white shirt and tie and a smart pair of dark trousers or
skirt. Add a few accessories - perhaps some glasses, an empty coffee container,
a print-out of some spreadsheets and a laptop case over the shoulder?
Island Hopper
Find your brightest, most outrageous Hawaiian-style shirt (or paint one with
fabric paints), add a pair of shorts and some flip flops, and you are ready to
go! Make a pretend cocktail by painting the inside of a see-through
plastic goblet with a bright acrylic paint, and attaching a cocktail umbrella to
the rim with sticky tape. Don't forget to wear some shades and carry a paperback
book in your pocket.
Chef There are instructions for making a chef's hat
here
Clown
A bright-colored wig, clown makeup and primary colored clothes turn any child
into a clown. If you want to go more to town, tie a huge red bow-tie around the
neck and add braces or a belt made with rope to hold up a pair of baggie
trousers, then make your child's feet look bigger by taping an extension made of
construction paper to the top of their normal pair.
Computer
Construction Worker An easy and popular costume for boys, including instructions for a papier
mache safety helmet!
Convict Costume
See Jailbird costume below
Cowboy/Cowgirl
Dalmatian
A white Tshirt and white tights or leggings or track-suit bottoms form the basis
of
the costume. Add a tail out of the leg of an old pair of tights stuffed loosely
with
newspaper. Safety pin or sew on some black felt spots. Finally, make some
dalmatian ears out of felt and attach to a hair band, then use face paints,
makeup or a home-made mask to create a cute dalmation face.
Devil Costume
Bring out the devil in your little one with this cute costume. Includes
templates.
Doctor / surgeon
Drinks Can (Soda Pop Can)
Fairy
You can make the simplest fairy costume if you have a pair of wings and
something pretty and pink for your little girl to wear. Of course you can add a
pretty tulle skirt or party dress, a tiara and a
magic wand to make the outfit complete! Alternatively, go for the more modern
fairy look by dressing your child up in a leotard and tights and adding an
assortment of pretty scarves to drape and flutter as she dances around.
Flower Lots of ideas for flower and flower fairy costumes, including this pretty
flower tiara!
Folk costume
Ghost
One of the classic home-made costumes, children love to dress up as a ghost,
draped in an old white sheet with cutouts for arms and eyes. It helps to
remember to cut out that all-important mouth to give access for those candies!
This simple and quick outfit lends itself to some imaginative work with fabric
paint, marker pens or lipstick to add facial features, and it's easy to
accessorize with a treat bag made out of some trimmings or an old pillow case.
Ghosts don't always have to be pure white. You could use marker pens or sewn on
patches to add some color or dots, or a short cloak tied around the neck in a
contrasting color such as black, purple or orange.
Grim Reaper
Harry Potter
Harry Potter is instantly recognisable by his glasses, which can easily be made
out of a piece of black card and some careful use of sharp scissors. Paint on
his scar with make-up. Wear a wizard's robe (see below) or put on jeans and a
dark T-shirt and cover up with a long purple cloak. Don't forget the wand and
broomstick!
Hawaiian costume
Hippy
Put on some flared jeans or sew some colorful scraps of fabric into the legs of
an old pair. Add a tie-dye Tshirt or brightly coloured long flowing top, some flip flops or
sandals, and a
large necklace on a thong (print out a "peace" sign here and laminate). You
could tie a colorful scarf around the forehead too, and add a wig of long hair
if you like
(although kids find wearing wigs for too long very uncomfortable and itchy!) A
fringed waistcoat could be appropriate, and a pair of shades can be an extra
accessory.
Indian Chief
Indian Princess
Jailbird
A stripy long-sleeved Tshirt, jeans and trainers is all you need for this
costume.
Perhaps you could spell out "Cell Block H" or similar on the back of the shirt,
or
wear a woolly hat or cap with your prisoner number on it.
James Bond
James Bond has to look cool! Slick back your hair, put on a smart pair of
trousers, an old tie and perhaps an old jacket too. Add some gadget accessories
and a badge with 007 on it, and you are ready to go!
Japanese Lady / Japanese Doll
Karate Kid
King
Mad Scientist
Maid Marion
Great for Mardi Gras and any other occasion when you might want to make a mask
with your children, we have a collection of 6 different shapes of mask templates
for you... Mask templates
NEW!
Mom
Do you have an old robe and old some old slippers? Add some hair rollers and a
coffee mug and you’ve got a tired mom costume!
Mummy
Dressing up as a mummy at Halloween is lots of fun, if a little hot and
potentially uncomfortable!
Nerd
Nurse
Old Lady
Peter Pan Peter Pan wears a distinctive hat which you may want to buy in a store;
alternatively, fold one out of bright green card. Accompany the hat with a green
shirt or T-shirt or make a simple tunic and cut the edges of the arms and the
bottom in a large ragged zigzag. Add some green leggings or tights and your
Peter Pan costume is complete!
Pink Panther
A pink Tshirt or strappy top combined with pink or black tights and leggings and
a pink tail (stuff one leg of an old pair of pink tights with newspaper, or sew
2
lengths of felt or pink fabric together and stuff) make the start of your pink
panther
costume. Add some pink ears on a headband and perhaps a black zorro-type eye
mask and a black swag bag.
Pirate
Puppy
Prince
Princess
Queen
Revolutionary
Robin Hood
Robot
Samurai
Here's a costume your children can help make themselves! Follow
our instructions for a Samurai
helmet and Samurai sword!
NEW!
Scarecrow
Wear an old, overly large flannel shirt and tie up the cuffs with string or soft
rope.
Tie baggy trousers up with rope at the waist, and wear trainers or boots. Sew or
pin some straw onto the collar or just stuff it into the belt and pockets of the
trousers (you can buy small amounts of straw at a pet food shop). Find an old
felt or straw hat and decorate that with straw too. Add some makeup to emphasise
the cheeks and eyes and you are ready to go!
Soda Pop Can
Soldier
Spy Kid
Spy kids wear black tops and black trousers or jeans, or perhaps a dark suit and
tie if you can put one of those together. Don't forget some gadgets and a pair
of shades, and a slicked back hairstyle!
Superhero
Tiara Craft
This tiara craft can be adapted for a princess, fairy, flower fairy, Christmas
fairy or beauty queen!
Tourist
This one is easy! Put on a bright shirt, a pair of shorts, a cap or hat and a
camera bag! A map sticking out of your back pocket and some luggage labels
attached to the camera bag can make the costume even more convincing.
TV
Waiter/Waitress
Witch Costumes
Does your child want to be a traditional witch or a modern witch? We have plenty
of ideas to get you started, as well as instructions for putting together a
number of different costumes.
Halloween Costumes
Spooky costume ideas perfect for Halloween and trick or treating.
Squabbling
siblings? Chores not getting done? The Better Behavior Wheel
can help! This unique parenting tool will give you well behaved kids and a stress
free environment. Download instantly and get the
