Build a costume from the closet
The best costumes are the ones kids make. Raid the closets, sketch it, build it with tape and cardboard. One hour, no store.
- Time
- 1 hour
- Cost
- $0–$5
- Ages
- 3 to 12
- Where
- Living room floor
What you need
- Old clothes, hats, scarves and sheets
- Cardboard boxes
- Tape, safety pins and markers
- Scissors (Dad's for cardboard)
- Scrap paper and a pencil for the sketch
- Reflective tape (the $5), if they'll wear it after dark
Before you start
- See and walk. CPSC and AAP say costumes should be bright, short enough not to trip on, with hats tied so they can't slip over the eyes. No long trailing sheets.
- Soft props. CPSC says swords and similar props should be soft and flexible. Use thin cardboard or foam with no points and the edges taped, or a rolled-paper sword. No sticks.
- Paint over masks. AAP says non-toxic makeup is safer than a mask; test it on a small patch of skin first. If you cut eyeholes, make them big.
- Keep it away from flames. CPSC warns against flimsy materials and big, baggy sleeves near candles. Use battery lights in pumpkins. For bought pieces, wigs and masks, look for "flame resistant" on the label (AAP and CPSC).
Steps
- Pick the idea. Kid picks what to be. Stuck? Offer three you can make.
- Sketch it. Kid sketches head, body, feet and prop. Circle the one thing that makes it obvious.
- Raid the closets. Ten-minute closet raid. Lay the pieces out on the floor in the shape of a person.
- Build the key piece. Dad cuts cardboard. Kid draws, colors and tapes. Safety pins, not staples.
- Walk test. Walk, a step, look both ways, arms up. Fix anything that trips or blocks eyes.
- Name it and photo it. Name it, photo it, add reflective tape for after dark.
If it stalls
- If they want a character you can't make, make the one thing that says it: a cape, a hat, ears.
- If it's falling apart, double-sided tape and safety pins fix most of it.
Costume name
key piece
Signed off: can do this.Signed by Date