90 Last-Minute Halloween Costumes That Are So Easy to Make It's Scary
If you ask Ree Drummond, she'll be the first to tell you finding last-minute Halloween costumes is hard. "You dart into a costume shop on your way through the city one afternoon, and you have four minutes to grab something for your kids to wear on Halloween," she says. "One of your daughters wants to be a dead bride, the other wants to be a monster, and your only other choice is a French Maid or a Sparkly Red Devil with a Really Short Skirt. You choose the lesser of two evils."
But here's the thing—you don't have to frantically pop over to the store only to find the same old. This year, skip the Spirit Halloween crowds and easily DIY your own costume. We promise, it'll still be super cute and worthy of a costume contest prize without you having worked on it for months. (Shock! Dismay!) There are tons of easy, last-minute Halloween costume ideas out there that you can put together, many with supplies you already have at home. Let your DIY magic fly and transform your Amazon boxes into a casset tape. Or, use them for a pretend horse fit for a Western Halloween costume! Or make fun family Halloween costumes out of clothes from your closet (they might even double as matching Halloween pajamas!). Whatever you do, it should be low on stress and high on fun. It's Halloween, after all!
These costumes sure are sugar, spice, and everything nice! The modern take on Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup is super easy to achieve with any blue, pink, and green clothes from your closet.
Get the tutorial at Albion.
Batter up! Put together costumes of Wendy and Squints from the beloved baseball flick using items you probably already own like a cute dress and sunnies, jeans, a t-shirt and flannel, and a baseball cap! It's great for both adults and kids.
Get the tutorial at Small Fry.
If Beetlejuice is one of your favorite Halloween movies, you'll be happy to know that this costume takes little more than a black dress, black tights, and a black hat. Basically, anything black!
Get the tutorial at Galavant Girl.
It's all just a bunch of Hocus Pocus, right? Instead of going as the Sanderson Sisters this Halloween, try Max, Allison, Dani, and Binx! They're much easier to accomplish thanks to the everyday looks of Max and Allison. Just DIY a dress and hat for Dani and grab some cat ears for Binx. Don't forget to have Hocus Pocus 2 playing in the background as you do it!
Get the tutorial at The Life of a Pretty Lucky Mama.
Come on Barbie, let's go party—on Halloween! You can get a similar look for this workout Barbie getup by throwing on blue leggings and a blue top. Or, the blue one-piece ships really quick! Accessorize with anything pink and you're ready to go.
Get the tutorial at Pink Peppermint Design.
Okay, Ree would love this one! Dress up as Rip and Beth for a very Wild West Halloween. To make it work, you'll need basic western-style pieces like a flannel, denim, boots, and cowboy hats. Simple!
Get the tutorial at Pursuing Pretty.
Here's Johnny—and Wendy, too! Make the classic horror characters come alive by throwing on some simple everyday clothing items. A flannel, corduroy jacket, and jeans will do for Jack. And for Wendy, grab a sweater, flannel, and overall dress. Bats and axes are optional, but a great touch!
Get the tutorial at Hollywood Leather Jackets.
Classic, but still oh so cute! Any red and white clothes will do for this one. Accessories like wings, a halo, horns, and a pitchfork can be added for even more festive fun.
Get the tutorial at City Threads.
Ew, David! What do you mean you're not dressing up for Halloween? Quickly fix that with this cute and simple couples costume. Alexis just needs a flowy dress and boots while Ted can don some scrubs. We also have plenty of other Schitt's Creek costume ideas for you to check out.
Get the tutorial at Legal Lee Blonde.
This DIY costume is here to save the day! Other than the chainmail shirt, everything can easily be put together at home. Paint a dragon on any old shirt then make your sword and shield (cardboard would be our choice). How fun!
Get the tutorial at DoodleCraft.
We were instantly enchanted by this one! Just throw on black clothes as your base and DIY a tulle skirt in any festive Halloween colors. You can also buy or make your own witch hat. There you have it, magic!
Get the tutorial at Simple as That.
Phone home this Halloween in this simple DIY look. You really don't need much more than a red jacket to transform into Elliot! And a white sheet is all you need for the easy E.T.
Get the tutorial at Do It Yourself Divas.
We think this pick is just fang-tastic! Adults and kiddos alike can dress as a classic vampire using a white button-up, a vest, and black pants. The cape can easily be made from any black fabric or bought!
Get the tutorial at Heather Handmade.
All you need is an old t-shirt and fabric paint or a white dress to look like you stepped straight out of Bedrock. Shoes and accessories are optional. ??
Get the tutorial at Living after Midnite.
Everyone will go wild over these costumes! Especially if you have a pet cat. You really just need any khaki clothing items from your closet. A safari hat gives the perfect final touch, but it would still look great without.
Get the tutorial at Camille Styles.
Fries, please! Who knew a burger costume could be so simple? All you need is a tan dress, felt, a brown elastic, and hot glue!
Get the tutorial at Studio DIY.
This adorable costume looks amazing on kids and adults! The best part: The tape and guitar are made of boxes that were just lying around the house.
Get the tutorial at The Craft Patch.
Have a yellow dress laying around? Grab two thick poster boards and yellow paint and get to work!
Get the tutorial at Club Crafted.
You will never look so delicious as when you dressed up as milk and cookies for Halloween. If you're super short on time, you can also just go as a cute cookie!
Get the tutorial at Studio DIY.
Mimes are one of the most classic last-minute Halloween costumes for a reason—it's so dang easy to put together! Plus, you can continue to wear the clothes and bandana after the holiday passes.
Get the tutorial at Dream a Little Bigger.
How cute is this Essie bottle? The main ingredients are cardboard, posterboard, paint, a headband, and a glue gun, and you can customize your bottle with your favorite color!
Get the tutorial at Club Crafted.
Every part of this costume is easy to throw together in an afternoon. You can do it as a family group, or pick and choose the adult costumes.
Get the tutorial at Lovely Indeed.
If you want to pay homage to impressive women in US history, the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg is a sure bet! The costume is quite simple and appropriate for work events.
Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.
It's true—this pumpkin costume can be made at home in under ten minutes! While this blogger made it for her daughter, you can adjust the size to fit adults, too.
Get the tutorial at Delia Creates.
Who wouldn't want to dress up as one of the greatest tennis players of all time? If you're worried about the chilly winter evening, you can always layer tights under the tennis skirt.
Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.
Transform any old set of blacks into a spooky skeleton costume! This blogger used her circuit machine and iron on vinyl to create this killer look.
Get the tutorial at Polkadot Chair.
You can transform into your favorite hot sauce with just a red shirt, a Silhouette machine, and some craft foam or cardstock! Plus, the shirt is so cute that you'll want to keep wearing it long after the holiday passes.
Get the tutorial at Sarah Hearts.
Hello, flower power! After you've gathered the most hippy-dippy items in your closet, put a finishing touch on the look with these cute headresses. They're so summer of love!
Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.
It's raining men! Literally! Grab your go-to rainy day gear and string up pictures of your favorite heartthrobs. That's it!
Get the tutorial at Studio DIY.
Wednesday Addams is essentially the "it" girl of Halloween, and it's so easy to recreate her famous look. Gather together a black dress, black stockings, black shoes, and some white felt for the collar. You don't even need a wig if you already have dark hair!
Get the tutorial at Dream a Little Bigger.
If you can blow up a balloon, you can DIY this simple costume. It's beyond adorable and so easy to pull together.
Get the tutorial at Giggles Galore.
Why didn't we think of this one before? The peppy hues of a classic frosted animal cookie make for the perfect, cheerful-looking Halloween costume.
Get the tutorial at Studio DIY.
Talk about a cute costume! This darling idea is impossibly simple—and thoroughly photo-ready.
Get the tutorial at Sugar & Cloth.
Believe it or not, you'll need little more than white tulle and a feather boa to craft this glamorous costume. It's bound to get tons of compliments!
Get the tutorial at A Pumpkin and a Princess.
Give your fellow party guests a good laugh with this family-friendly Where's Waldo? costume. It couldn't be easier to make with items you've already got in your closet.
Get the tutorial at Lovely Indeed.
"Operation" is a stressful game, to be sure—but this costume requires little to no stress to create, qualifying it as an excellent last-minute option. It's also one of our favorite couples costumes!
Get the tutorial at C.R.A.F.T.
Grab an inflatable guitar and get rocking with this easy ensemble idea. It'll get the whole family together, too—win-win!
Get the tutorial at Design Improvised.
Pick up some fabric adhesive at your local craft store, then get to work crafting this cute costume. It's a cinch!
Get the tutorial at Club Crafted.
Bet you'd never guess that the pencils in this costume are actually painted pool noodles! We think teachers and students will get a serious kick out of this one.
Get the tutorial at Oh Yay Studio.
Grab a fellow procrastinator, then get to work recreating this fun, '90s-inspired look! Odds are, you've got some vintage Girl Scout attire hidden away somewhere that'll fit in beautifully.
Get the tutorial at Living After Midnite.
Your outfit will be the bomb if you follow this easy tutorial. The headband is such a hilarious touch!
Get the tutorial at Club Crafted.
Burrito lovers, prepare to get a good laugh out of all your friends! A tan top, silver skirt, and DIY felted "lettuce" accessory make it easy to recreate this costume.
Get the tutorial at Aww Sam.
Why pick just one emoji to embody this Halloween? With this DIY emoji headband, you'll be on your way to repping all of the faces.
Get the tutorial at Merriment Design.
Here's a costume that's out of this world! If you can get your hands on a sparkly tiara and a big bouquet of flowers, you're halfway there.
Get the tutorial at Living After Midnite.
Got a red gingham dress? How about a cute picnic basket? Then you're ready to embody everyone's favorite summer activity this Halloween. If you've got time, you can use black vinyl to iron on a few oversized ants as well—after all, no picnic's complete without them.
Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.
What's Halloween without a Sabrina, the Teenage Witch marathon?Don a red dress, blonde wig, and preppy black headband to emulate this look.
Get the tutorial at Noelle Downing.
Your fellow party guests will be positively enchanted when you walk in wearing this DIY get-up. Red lipstick is a must, and don't forget to grab an apple on your way out the door!
Get the tutorial at Cookie Corp.
Head back to your childhood for one night only with this nostalgia-inducing counselor costume. The best part? No bug bites, no curfews, and all the candy you could possibly want.
Get the tutorial at Say Yes.
Put your favorite high-waisted denim shorts to work as part of this Dirty Dancing-inspired look. A salmon-colored tank and white sneakers add to the vintage effect.
Get the tutorial at The Home Steady.
Creative, cute, and punny, this costume's sure to win all of the compliments at this year's Halloween party. Simply add a "Life" name tag to your favorite yellow outfit and carry a basket of lemons around.
Get the tutorial at Club Crafted.
How simple is this? With just a few items from your own closet, a set of black pipe cleaners, and two bright yellow pom-poms, you'll be able to mimic this Queen Bee costume to a T. (Or, well, a "bee." ??)
Get the tutorial at Studio DIY.
Admit it: The best—and funniest!—kinds of costumes are the ones that poke a little fun at their wearer. If you've got a serious green thumb, this cute idea is for you.
Get the tutorial at A Kailo Chic Life.
It's the most classic Halloween costume for a reason: It couldn't be easier to throw together, and it's perfectly on-theme. Whether or not you've got a bump to flaunt, you'll have fun wearing bright orange all night.
Get the tutorial at Aww Sam.
You'll be "cool as a cucumber" once you don this outfit. Bring the idiom to life by taping or gluing on some felt "squiggles" to an all-green outfit—then add a backwards cap and some shades.
Get the tutorial at Handmade Charlotte.
No need to do anything shady to become a bona fide "cat burglar" this Halloween. Just pair a DIY money bag with a few black accessories, and you're in business.
Get the tutorial at Keiko Lynn.
Keep things super simple with this brightly colored sun costume. With yellow card stock, a half-sphere foam ball, and a headband, you're halfway there.
Get the tutorial at Studio DIY.
Another punny costume for the win! This one involves a bright blue t-shirt, the sweetest cut-out clouds, and a DIY headband. Oh, and there's a free template available to get you out the door even faster.
Get the tutorial at Damask Love.
This pineapple costume was all the rage a few years back, and it's not hard to see why. It's downright adorable and comes together in a matter of minutes.
Get the tutorial at Studio DIY.
Odds are, you're already in on the letter board craze. But have you ever become one? Thanks to this DIY costume, you'll be able to—and you can personalize the message here, too.
Get the tutorial at Club Crafted.
Odds are, if you're reading this, you're short on time. Luckily, this blogger's got you covered with a template you can use to craft this costume in a matter of minutes.
Get the tutorial at Studio DIY.
Color lovers, you're going to love this idea: Throw on your favorite solid color outfit, then tape on the Pantone logo. That's all there is to it!
Get the tutorial at Sugar and Cloth.
It's the ultimate question: Are you "Good Sandy" or "Bad Sandy"? On Halloween, you can be whichever you please—and all without breaking the bank, either.
Get the tutorial at Curls and Contours.
This ice cream costume will put the cherry on top of your Halloween celebrations—literally. It's sweet, creative, and incredibly charming.
Get the tutorial at Studio DIY.
If you love Laura Ingalls Wilder as much as Ree does, you're bound to be a big fan of this costume. No time to sew? A kitchen apron and store-bought bonnet work just fine here.
Get the tutorial at Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom.
If you're looking for a western-inspired costume, you're in luck: Here's one that can be put together without so much as leaving your home. (Bonus points if you have a banjo!)
Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.
It's safe to say we're obsessed with this cheerful-looking cactus costume, which involves a green dress, some white yarn, and a simple headband. Get a whole group of friends in on the fun and form your very own desert of cacti.
Get the tutorial at Studio DIY.
These delightful Wizard of Oz family costumes go to show that you can create spot-on costumes from things you already have on hand! Between the Dorothy costume from a previous Halloween to the practical (and cute!) boots, you don’t have to break the bank for this year’s costumes.
Get the tutorial at Shoptini.
These charming Peter Pan-inspired costumes are handmade using simple materials. Anyone can accomplish these easy techniques, like attaching faux fur ears to a hat.
Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.
Between the no-sew ringmaster costume, lion costume constructed with T-shirt material, and easy clown costume, your family will be ready for the big top in no time.
Get the tutorial at TFDiaries by Megan Zietz.
A scarecrow is an absolute classic when it comes to Halloween costumes, but your look will be even more adorable with a mini scarecrow at your side.
Get the tutorial at Lately with Alexa.
Bzzz! The “buzz” is that you’ll look amazing in this honey of a Halloween costume, made using a Cricut Maker and bee decals.
Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.
Here's an easy-to-make costume your kids will love (you can slip it over an everyday outfit). These wings are whimsical and beautiful to boot.
Get the tutorial at Life is Beautiful.
This is a “curiouser and curiouser” Halloween costume your little Alice in Wonderland fan will adore. Just pair a blue shirt and tulle skirt with a white apron (with a little red heart attached, of course) for the perfect storybook look.
Get the tutorial at Oleander + Palm.
Get your groove on with these hippie-inspired duds. A DIY tie-dye shirt, flower crown, and round sunglasses will do the trick. This costume is perfect for all ages!
Get the tutorial at Cakies.
These costumes are perfect for you and your BFF. As the sun and a rainbow, you two will look simply kaleidoscopic. How can you not smile when wearing these costumes?
Get the tutorial at The Effortless Chic.
If your little one has an October birthday, or just really loves cake, they need this costume! The matching cake hat is just simply adorable.
Get the tutorial at A Subtle Revelry.
Old bedsheets get a second life by being turned into mummy costumes. Your kids will love it, especially since your entire family can get in on the act.
Get the tutorial at Bluegraygal.
Your pint-sized sugar lover can dress up as a gumball machine for Halloween thanks to colorful pom-poms, a plain T-shirt, and red felt.
Get the tutorial at The Pretty Life Girls.
Ahoy! Get into the nautical spirit by dressing up as a sailor. All you need is a striped shirt, blue skirt, red handkerchief, and sailor’s hat.
Get the tutorial at Pretty Providence.
Yeehaw! This too-cute cardboard horse and Western gear will get so many compliments. Your little one will look fit for a day at Drummond ranch!
Get the tutorial at Tatertots & Jello.
Can you think of a more powerful image than Rosie the Riveter? Flex your muscles this Halloween with denim overalls, a red polka-dot kerchief, and black boots.
Get the tutorial at Vida Fashionista.
You can flit and flutter every which way for Halloween with a pair of butterfly wings and a crown of butterflies to match. This can be worn as a couples costume with a partner dressed up as a butterfly catcher.
Get the tutorial at Yes, Please.
How cute and easy is this costume? If you’re with your partner and pup, wear these totally adorable garden-themed ensembles. And check out an array of dog Halloween costumes if you have more four-legged friends at home.
Get the tutorial at Mikyla Creates.
"I Will Always Love You" indeed! Show your love for your best pal by dressing up as country icons Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton.
Get the tutorial at Living After Midnite.
We all scream for ice cream! Dress your kids up as adorable ice cream sellers this Halloween. If you've got extra time, how sweet is this cardboard ice cream truck?
Get the tutorial at Momma Society.
This cute ghost costume is handmade and comfortable to wear. You can make it all come together with white fleece and black adhesive felt.
Get the tutorial at Gina Michele.
Who wouldn’t want to dress up as a pizza slice? The bonus is that this pizza costume comes with removable toppings, which means your kid can swap them around whenever he or she wants.
Get the tutorial at Oh Yay Studio.
This Frankenstein costume is anything but monstrous to make—in fact, it's easy-peasy! You can use clothes from your child's closet along with tinfoil and soda bottles to create the look.
Get the tutorial at Twist Me Pretty.
No one will run away in fright from this little spider. Celebrating the classic nursery rhyme, your baby will wear this creepy-crawly costume alongside a rainy umbrella and waterspout.
Get the tutorial at Hello Wonderful.
If you're a fan of the hit show The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, this costume was made for you! Make like Midge and wear a sophisticated '60s look, down to the pink coat and pillbox hat.
Get the tutorial at The Lovely Lo Down.
90 Last-Minute Halloween Costumes That Are So Easy to Make It's Scary
If you ask Ree Drummond, she'll be the first to tell you finding last-minute Halloween costumes is hard. "You dart into a costume shop on your way through the city one afternoon, and you have four minutes to grab something for your kids to wear on Halloween," she says. "One of your daughters wants to be a dead bride, the other wants to be a monster, and your only other choice is a French Maid or a Sparkly Red Devil with a Really Short Skirt. You choose the lesser of two evils."
But here's the thing—you don't have to frantically pop over to the store only to find the same old. This year, skip the Spirit Halloween crowds and easily DIY your own costume. We promise, it'll still be super cute and worthy of a costume contest prize without you having worked on it for months. (Shock! Dismay!) There are tons of easy, last-minute Halloween costume ideas out there that you can put together, many with supplies you already have at home. Let your DIY magic fly and transform your Amazon boxes into a casset tape. Or, use them for a pretend horse fit for a Western Halloween costume! Or make fun family Halloween costumes out of clothes from your closet (they might even double as matching Halloween pajamas!). Whatever you do, it should be low on stress and high on fun. It's Halloween, after all!
Anyone will love these easy last-minute Halloween costumes that you can DIY yourself. These costume ideas work for kids of all ages and adults, too!
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