10 Cheap and Easy Halloween Costumes to Make at Home

Introduction

Halloween is just around the corner, and whether you've left it to the last minute or you're simply looking to save some money, making your own costume at home can be just as impressive — and far more fun — than buying one. With a little creativity and items you probably already have, you can put together a brilliant costume without spending a fortune.

Here are 10 cheap and easy Halloween costumes you can make at home, perfect for kids and adults alike.

1. Ghost

The classic Halloween costume that never goes out of style. All you need is an old white sheet — cut two holes for eyes and you're done. For extra effect, add some grey or black paint around the eye holes for a spooky shadow effect. Simple, iconic, and completely free if you have an old sheet to spare.

2. Scarecrow

Raid the wardrobe for old dungarees, a checked shirt, and a straw hat. Stuff some straw or scrunched newspaper into the sleeves and collar, draw on some stitched cheeks with face paint, and you've got a brilliant scarecrow costume. Great for the whole family!

3. Mummy

Grab a roll of white toilet paper or old white bandages and wrap yourself up from head to toe. Tear the edges for a more authentic look, and add some dark circles under your eyes with face paint. This one takes about 10 minutes and costs next to nothing.

4. Witch or Wizard

A black bin bag can be transformed into a cape or cloak in minutes. Pair it with a pointed hat made from black card, a broomstick (a garden cane works perfectly), and some green face paint. Add a few warts with face paint or a bit of latex for extra drama.

5. Vampire

Dark clothing, a black cape (or bin bag), slicked-back hair, and a pair of plastic fangs from a pound shop — that's all you need. Add pale face paint and a trickle of fake blood from the corner of your mouth for a classic Count Dracula look.

6. Zombie

Find some old clothes you don't mind ruining — rip them, dirty them up, and add some fake blood. Use grey and green face paint to create a decaying look, and mess up your hair. Zombies are wonderfully low-effort and always look great in a group.

7. Black Cat

All-black clothing is the base for this easy costume. Add cat ears made from black card or felt, draw on whiskers and a nose with face paint, and attach a tail made from a black sock stuffed with newspaper. Quick, cute, and very effective.

8. Frankenstein's Monster

Wear dark, oversized clothing and paint your face green. Add a flat-top hairstyle with hair gel, draw on some stitches with face paint or eyeliner, and attach a couple of bolts to your neck using card and tape. A brilliant costume that's easy to put together.

9. Skeleton

A black outfit is your canvas. Use white face paint or white tape to draw bones onto your clothing — ribs, spine, arm bones — and paint your face as a skull. You can find printable skeleton bone templates online to help you get the shapes right. Great for kids who love a bit of arts and crafts!

10. Pumpkin

An orange bin bag or orange clothing forms the base of this cheerful costume. Cut out a jack-o'-lantern face from black card and attach it to the front, or simply draw one on with a marker. Add a green hat or headband with a leaf for the stalk. Bright, fun, and instantly recognisable.

Tips for Making Your Costume at Home

• Start with what you have — raid your wardrobe, craft supplies, and recycling bin before buying anything.
• Face paint goes a long way — a basic set can transform almost any outfit into a proper Halloween costume.
• Involve the kids — making costumes together is a brilliant activity in itself. While you gather supplies, keep little ones busy with our Halloween Colouring Book (Ages 4–10) or the Halloween Activity Book — packed with spooky fun to get everyone in the spirit.
• Keep it comfortable — especially for young children, make sure they can move, see, and breathe easily.

Halloween Safety Tips

Halloween is brilliant fun, but it's worth keeping a few safety basics in mind — especially if you're heading out trick-or-treating with young children.

• Visibility matters — add reflective strips or carry a torch so children are visible to drivers after dark.
• Check face paint — always use cosmetic-grade face paint and do a patch test first. The NHS has guidance on skin reactions if you're unsure.
• Costume safety — avoid long trailing costumes that could cause trips, and keep away from open flames (candles in pumpkins). RoSPA offers helpful Halloween safety advice for families.
• Supervise young children — always accompany under-10s when trick-or-treating and stick to well-lit streets and houses you know.
• Sweet checks — check all sweets before children eat them, and be mindful of any allergies.

Throwing a Halloween Party? Set the Scene!

Costumes sorted — now what about the decorations? Whether you're hosting a Halloween party, decorating your doorway for trick-or-treaters, or transforming your front garden or driveway into a spooky spectacle, we've got you covered.

Our printable Halloween decorations are an easy and affordable way to create a brilliant atmosphere — just download, print, and display:

• 🎃 Make Your Own Halloween Bunting — string it across your party room, hang it in your doorway, or drape it along your garden fence for instant Halloween vibes
• 🎃 Halloween Bunting | Instant Download — another brilliant bunting option, ready to print and put up in minutes
• 🎃 Halloween Poster Signs — perfect for parties, front doors, driveways, and garden displays. Print as many as you need!

Not just for parties — these decorations look brilliant strung across a porch, lining a driveway, or propped up in a front window to welcome (or warn off!) trick-or-treaters. All instant download PDFs, so you can have them printed and up on the same day.

Make Halloween Even More Fun

Looking for more ways to get into the Halloween spirit? Our range of Halloween printables are perfect for keeping children entertained in the run-up to the big night:

• 🎃 Halloween Colouring Book | Ages 4–10 — spooky scenes and characters to colour in
• 🎃 Halloween Colouring Book | Ages 2–4 — simpler designs perfect for little ones
• 🎃 Halloween Activity Book | Ages 4–10 — puzzles, activities, and more

All available as instant download printable PDFs — perfect for last-minute Halloween prep!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the easiest Halloween costume to make at home?

A ghost is probably the easiest — all you need is an old white sheet with two eye holes cut out. A mummy is a close second, using toilet paper or old bandages wrapped around your clothes.

How can I make a Halloween costume with no money?

Use what you already have at home. Old dark clothing, bin bags, face paint, card, and newspaper can be combined to create ghosts, witches, vampires, zombies, and more. Check your craft supplies and recycling bin before spending anything.

What are good homemade Halloween costumes for kids?

Black cats, pumpkins, skeletons, and scarecrows are all brilliant for children — they're simple to put together, comfortable to wear, and easy to recognise. Involving kids in making their own costume is also a great activity in itself!

How do I make a Halloween costume without sewing?

All 10 costumes in this guide require zero sewing. Use safety pins, tape, or fabric glue to attach any elements, and rely on face paint and accessories to do the heavy lifting.

What face paint colours do I need for Halloween costumes?

A basic set with white, black, green, and grey will cover most costumes — ghosts, witches, zombies, Frankenstein's monster, skeletons, and more. Red is handy for fake blood effects on vampires and zombies.

How do I keep my child's Halloween costume comfortable?

Choose costumes based on clothing they already own and love wearing. Avoid anything that restricts movement, covers their face completely, or is difficult to remove quickly. Layer up underneath if it's a cold evening!