As trick-or-treaters reach our doorsteps, we will view many fun and frightful costumes. Over the years, several designs pop up over and over, year after year. If your kids are looking for a traditional costume, try one of these on for size!

Dress in blue jeans, a western shirt or flannel shirt, and cowboy boots.  Top with a cowboy hat and tie a neckerchief or bandana loosely around the child's neck. Carry a rope as a lasso and attach Sheriff's star to shirt. Adorn the outfit with toy gun in holster.

Indian

Dress up basic brown pants and vest with moccasins and a tomahawk. Make a headband from brown posterboard by cutting a 1 1/2 inch wide strip that fits around your child's head. Glue or tape the feather to the headband. Smear on war paint in diagonal lines along cheek bones.

Magician

Pin silk carnation to breast pocket of black jacket. White gloves are a
nice touch to this costume, but not necessary.

Scarecrow

Dress child in overalls and shirt. Stuff the pockets full with straw or
shredded raffia. Tie twine or rope around waist for a belt. Add a few
touches of straw to the hat, gloves and boots. Plaid and polka dot
patches are a nice touch to denim jeans, but not required. Finish off
with a corn cob pipe.

Princess

Tape together a poster board cone hat or use a party hat. Decorate with glued on sequins, fake jewels, glitter, etc. Attach scarf or streamers to top point of hat. Punch holes on sides of hat, tie on elastic string. To create a princess scepter, use cardboard tube covered in foil, glueon sequins and fake jewels and attach ribbons to the end.

VARIATIONS

Fairy
For a Fairy, cut a star from poster board, cover with foil, attach to
dowel from hanger, tie ribbons underneath the star.

Miss America
Make a cardboard crown and spray paint it gold with glitter. Then make a sash from fabric or sheets and write Miss America on with fabric paint.

Bride
Add a veil made from netting and a plastic headband. Carry a bouquet of silk flowers.

Knight

Punch small holes in juice can lids for wires to be inserted through.
Thread the wires through to create a suit of armor that will drape over
child's shoulders. Be sure to leave a hold for the head! Cut cardboard
in the shape of a shield and spray paint silver. A nice touch is to
paint on a coat of arms.

Pirate

Fringe bottom of black jeans by cutting slits at the bottom of pant leg. If using sweat pants, tuck them into the boots. Tie bandana around child's head with knot sticking out at side. Clip on earring and put on
eye patch. Attach parrot to shoulder of shirt with double sided tape or a few hand sewn stitches. Use our face paint recipe above to create a
brown or black mustache. Add a wide belt with large buckle as an added bonus.

Angel

If you decide not to use the dress and to make your own, spray the sheet lightly with some clear spray paint and dust glitter on it before paint dries. Make halo from chenille sticks, twisting together until long enough to wrap around head. twist another chenille stick (or two)
straight up and form halo from remaining sticks. Make the wings by bending clothes hangers and wrapping in white cloth or netting. Cloth or elastic strips can be used to attach wings to body backpack style. Ready made wings are also available, inexpensive and safer for use by children.

Clown

Using craft glue, attach pompoms down the front center of the sweatshirt. Using fabric paint, draw swirls, stars and other fun shapes on the front and back of the sweatpants. Paint face white and paint on a red nose, or purchase a clown's nose. Top with colorful wig. Oversized shoes are optional, but not recommended for smaller children.


Bum or Hobo

Get dressed and carry stick over shoulder! You can add a "dirty" look by using the recipe for bruises here or paint on a scruffy beard.

Ninja

Cut eye holes in black cloth for mask. Make machete from cardboard and wrap in aluminum foil. Use the long stick or old broom handle for a bo. Using two paper towel rolls, connect them with piece of twine and cover with black construction to create num-chucks.

Rock Star

Instead of a wig you can spike your child's hair with gel and hair spray
and then spray with temporary hair color. Carry an electric guitar. Make your outfit is as crazy as you like and top off with sunglasses and leather jacket. Don't forget to clip on the earring and put the *spiked collar around their neck!

*spiked collar not recommended for children under 5 years of age.

Movie Star

Put dress or nightgown on first, then gloves, then jewelry over the top of the gloves. Paint on a pretty face with Mom's make up or by using our make up recipe (top of page). Paint a beauty mark under one eye, level with the bottom of child's nose. Finish off with sunglasses, feather boa and dress up shoes.

*dress up shoes not recommended for children under 5 years of age.

Hippie

Dress in t-shirt, then vest. Put on necklace(s) and sunglasses. Tie bandana around head as a headband and put on sandals. Voila!

Gypsy

Tie a few scarves around your child's waist and one around her head. Add earrings, necklaces and bracelets. if you child can stand it, use fake eyelashes and finish with purple eyeshadow and bright lipstick.

Zorro

Tie cape on over sweatsuit. Cut eye holes on strip of black cloth for mask. Tie strip of red cloth around waist. Carry toy or cardboard sword.

1950's Greaser

Slick hair back with styling gel. Get dressed, adorn sunglasses, put comb in back pocket and chew gum!

1950's Girl

You can use a plain skirt or make a poodle skirt. They are quite simple:  literally a circle with the waist and hem finished, and an appliqué.  Sewing stores have many patterns. Put child's hair in a pony tail and tie with a scarf.