Halloween Costume Ideas for Kids: DIY Preschooler Edition
You don’t have to spend a fortune or visit crowded costume shops to have an amazing Halloween. With a little creativity, basic supplies, and some help from tutorials, you can craft adorable, unique costumes your preschooler will love—and that won’t break the bank. Below are five DIY Halloween Costume Ideas for Kids, each with a photo, step-by-step directions, and a link to a full tutorial for extra help.
Kids No-Sew Paper Bird Costume
How to make it (mini steps):
Use cardstock or poster board to cut two wing shapes sized to your child’s back.
Cut “feather” shapes from colored paper or cardstock and glue them onto the wings in overlapping layers.
Make duct-tape loops sized to go around the child’s upper arms (tape sticky sides together), then glue those loops to the back of each wing so the wings move with the arms.
Create a simple bird mask (cut from cardstock) or beak and eye shapes, attach string or elastic.
Dress your child in a plain shirt + pants (e.g. blue or a matching color), then attach wings and mask.
👉 For full instructions, see the Better Homes & Gardens tutorial: “This No-Sew DIY Bird Costume Is Mostly Made Out of Paper.”
Classic Ghost Preschool Poncho Costume
How to make it:
Use white fleece (or any white, non-fraying fabric) of about 1.5 yards. Fleece is ideal because it won’t fray.
Fold it in half, and cut a center neck hole (start small, test on child).
Cut the sides loosely (if needed) so arms can move.
Use black felt or fabric paint to cut or draw ghost eyes/mouth, and attach them by glue or iron-on adhesive.
Dress your child in white or light-colored clothes underneath for warmth.
👉 Full tutorial: “How to Make an Easy DIY Toddler Ghost Costume” from Aubree Originals
Rainbow Kids Costume with Pool Noodles
Picture: (bottom left or bottom right image above — shows rainbow shaped arcs)
How to make it:
Use pool noodles (cut in half lengthwise) or flexible foam tubing and bend into arcs.
Cover each arc with colored fabric, felt, or wrap with colored tape to form rainbow colors.
Stack the arcs from largest to smallest, and attach them together at the ends.
Use a plain shirt and pants as a base (white or a coordinating color).
Secure the arcs over the child’s shoulders with elastic straps or light ropes.
👉 This is one of the creative costumes shown in HGTV’s gallery of kids’ DIY costumes.
Flamingo Costume For Kids
How to make it:
Dress your child in pink clothing (sweatshirt + pants).
Use pink feather boas (inexpensive craft stores) and wrap them around the body, securing with hot glue or sewing lightly.
Make or buy a pink headband and attach a feather or two to mimic a flamingo crest.
Optionally, make a beak out of orange felt or craft foam and attach to a headband or mask.
👉 One of the DIY flamingo costume ideas appears in the HGTV list of creative, budget-friendly costumes.
Pumpkin / Gourd Kids Costume
How to make it:
Use an orange sweatshirt / hoodie and pants as your base.
Cut green felt leaves / vines and attach around the neck or hood.
Use black felt or fabric paint to make the classic pumpkin face (triangle eyes, nose, smile) and affix it to the front of the outfit.
Add a green or brown stem hat (felt or cardboard wrapped in green) or attach a felt stem to the hood.
For dimension, stuff a little batting or pillow inside to puff out the pumpkin shape a bit.
👉 Pumpkin costumes are common in DIY toddler costume roundups like in the Mama Instincts guide.
Costumes For Kids
You really don’t need to spend a small fortune on a costume—or worry about flimsy store outfits that might not last. By using things you already have (old clothes, cardboard, felt, pool noodles) plus a bit of time and creativity, you can make something adorable and memorable for your little one.
These five costumes are simple, comfortable, and flexible—perfect for preschoolers (easy to move, easy to layer under for warmth).