Guest Author - Ann-Margaret Holden
Many parents are tempted to spend lots of money on costumes for Halloween. I say make the most of your money with simple costumes that the child can help create for next to nothing. With a pair of sweat pants, and a turtle neck, or tee shirt, you have the basis for a unique one-of-a-kind Halloween costume. Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing for this year's night of trick-or-treating.
Bumble Bee – This costume is great for toddlers, as it is easy to move in, and comfortable. I dressed my daughter as a bumble bee on her 2nd Halloween. This costume starts with a yellow turtle neck and yellow tights. Add black trunks, or bloomers, either purchased or made, and small wings attached to the shirt. A simple “headband” of yellow pipe cleaners fashioned into antenna finish the costume.
Superhero – Colorful sweats can be transformed into a superhero costume with a few felt decorations and a cape. Children can have fun designing their superhero logo which can be fashioned out of felt squares. Stitch the logo can to the front of a sweat shirt or tee shirt. Add a cape and a super hero mask to complete the look. Plain masks, ready to decorate can be found easily at your local craft store. Decorate the mask with markers, paint or stickers.
Musical Pop Star – Fancy shoes, sunglasses and a feather boa can transform your young girl into a musical pop star of her choice. Search your local dollar store for necklaces and sunglasses. Boas can be found, fairly inexpensively, at a craft or fabric store.
Pirate – Start with black or brown sweat pants and a white or brown shirt. Cut the legs of the pants and the bottom of the shirt in a rough v pattern along the edges to make them look “worn from the sea”. You can add a crisscross of shoelace or string to the neckline of the top. Inexpensive pirate hats and patches can be found at any craft store, or at the local Halloween costume shop.
These ideas should get you started. The costume you create is limited only by your imagination.
