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Helpful Halloween Costuming Hints

© Peggy Hoehne

Perhaps the most fun of Halloween for the children is their costume. You don't have to spend a fortune or be a sewing and crafting genius to come up with fun costumes for your little ones.

There are several styles of costumes you can make. There are those made from things you already own or have around the house, those that require the purchase of a few inexpensive materials and those that take some sewing or crafting skills to create. These can range from the simple to the bizarre. The age and personality of your child will help determine the type of costume they will prefer.

First let's look at some ideas for using things from around the house:
THE BOX - the cardboard box can become the basis for any number of unique costuming ideas.

Cereal Killer: Cut head and armholes in an upright box. Use craft paper and markers to decorate your box to look like a cereal box or cut out parts from real cereal boxes and attach to your box. Use a large toy plastic knife, or create one from cardboard and aluminum foil. Insert the knife into the front of the box, nearly up to the hilt. If you can arrange to have the tip of the knife protrude from the back that is even better. From the knife 'wound' drip drops of red paint 'blood'’.

Race Car: Cut opening in top of box large enough to fit around child's chest. Attach a plastic steering wheel from a child's toy or make one using a Frisbee or paper plate. Paper plates can become the four wheels attached to the bottom of the box. Using paint, markers, construction paper, or whatever is available decorate your car like a NASCAR racecar. Create stripes, advertising logos and a number. A helmet for the child would complete the look.

Head on a Platter: Cut a hole just large enough for the child's head in the bottom of a box about the size of a banana box. Cover the box with white paper or an old tablecloth. Glue cheap picnic ware dishes on in two place settings on either end. Create a platter big enough that when cut in two and with the center cut out it can go around the child's neck. Cover a lightweight plastic bowl in aluminum foil and glue a bottle cap in the bottom. This will be the heat preserver, which when lifted off displays the head on the platter. The child can put it back on or take it off at will.