DIY Halloween Costumes: 16 Last Minute Ideas You Can Make From Your Own Closet

DIY Halloween costumes are the best kind of last minute magic, because the answer is usually hiding in your own closet. Halloween is almost here, the store shelves are picked over, and someone in your house just said, “I have nothing to wear.” Take a breath. A flannel shirt, an old white sheet, a pair of leggings and a few craft scraps can turn into a costume people will smile at all night. Every one of these DIY Halloween costumes uses clothes you already own plus simple things like felt, yarn, safety pins and cardboard. Most take less than an hour, and many take ten minutes. Kids can help with the fun parts, while a grown up handles the scissors and hot glue. So open that closet door, grab a bag of scraps and let’s find your costume..

DIY Halloween Costumes Start With a Cozy Flannel Scarecrow

The scarecrow is the king of closet costumes, and it is a big reason so many people search for easy costumes with normal clothes every October. Grab a plaid flannel shirt, your oldest jeans and a sun hat or felt hat. Then tuck little bundles of raffia or craft straw into the cuffs, collar and pockets so they poke out. A few felt patches glued onto the knees make it look lived in. Add rosy cheeks and a stitched smile with face-safe makeup, and you are done in about twenty minutes..

You will need: Plaid flannel shirt, old jeans, straw hat or felt hat, raffia or craft straw, felt scraps, fabric glue, rope or twine for a belt, face-safe makeup.

How to make it: 1. Put on the flannel shirt and jeans and tie a piece of rope around your waist. 2. Tuck small bundles of raffia into the cuffs, collar, pockets and hat band. 3. Glue two or three felt patches onto the knees and elbows. 4. Finish with pink cheeks and a little stitched smile drawn with face-safe makeup.

Bedsheet Ghost With a Cute Twist

Nothing is more classic than a ghost, and few DIY Halloween costumes are easier. The trick to making it cute instead of sloppy is shaping. Cut the sheet so it just touches the ankles, so nobody trips on the porch steps. Then trim the eye holes with black felt so they look neat from far away. A little bow tie, a flower crown or a pair of sunglasses gives your ghost a personality. Want a ghost family? Use old pillowcases for the little ones. Which ghost style would your kids pick?

You will need: Old white flat sheet, black felt, fabric glue, scissors, chalk, a felt bow or flower crown, a baseball cap (optional, to keep the eye holes in place).

How to make it: 1. Drape the sheet over the wearer and mark the eye spots and hem with chalk. 2. Take the sheet off, then an adult cuts the eye holes and trims the hem to ankle length. 3. Glue black felt rings around the eye holes. 4. Add a felt bow or a flower crown on top for the cute twist.

Black Cat DIY Halloween Costumes Made From Your Own Clothes

If you own black clothes, you already own most of this costume. A black cat is one of the most loved DIY Halloween costumes because it works for every age, from toddlers to grandmas. It even shows up in a YouTube video of 100 last minute costume ideas with more than 34 million views. The ears take ten minutes with felt and a headband, and the tail is an old pair of black tights stuffed with fabric scraps. Add a red bow and a few eyeliner whiskers. Purr-fect, right?

You will need: Black top, black leggings or pants, black felt, a plain headband, hot glue (adult use), old black tights, stuffing or fabric scraps, safety pin, red ribbon, eyeliner pencil.

How to make it: 1. Cut four triangle ear shapes from black felt and glue them in pairs over the headband. 2. Stuff one leg of the black tights and knot the end to make a tail. 3. Pin the tail to the back of your pants with a safety pin. 4. Tie a red ribbon bow at the neck and draw on whiskers.

Mummy From White Leggings and Gauze

The old way to make a mummy was wrapping someone in toilet paper and watching it fall apart at the first door. This version of one of the oldest DIY Halloween costumes lasts all night. Start with white leggings and a white long sleeve top, then wrap and stitch or glue strips of gauze or torn white cotton over them. Leave the ends loose and a little messy so it looks old. Dip some strips in cold tea first if you want a dusty, ancient look. Kids love helping tear the strips. How fast can your family wrap one?

You will need: White leggings, white long sleeve top, rolls of gauze or an old white sheet torn into strips, fabric glue or a needle and thread, cold tea (optional), safety pins.

How to make it: 1. Tear the sheet or gauze into strips about two inches wide. 2. Dip a few strips in cold tea and let them dry for an aged look. 3. Wrap the strips around the top and leggings while they are laid flat, gluing or stitching the ends. 4. Leave a few loose ends hanging for that classic mummy style.

Cat Lady With a Cardigan and Toy Cats

This is one of those DIY Halloween costumes that makes everyone laugh, and you can put it together in five minutes. Grab the coziest cardigan in the closet and pin small plush toy cats all over it. If you do not have toy cats, cut cat shapes from felt and glue them on. Add reading glasses, a scarf, slippers and a ball of yarn in your pocket. It is comfy, warm for trick or treating, and you can wear the cardigan again next week. Who in your family would wear this one best?

You will need: Oversized cardigan, small plush toy cats or felt cat cutouts, safety pins, reading glasses, scarf, slippers, a ball of yarn.

How to make it: 1. Lay the cardigan flat and plan where each cat will sit. 2. Pin the toy cats on with safety pins from the inside so the pins stay hidden. 3. Add glasses, a scarf and slippers. 4. Tuck a ball of yarn in the pocket with a loose end hanging out.

Spider Web DIY Halloween Costumes With Black and White Yarn

A plain black dress or shirt turns into something special with just a skein of yarn. You lay the yarn in a web pattern, spokes first and then the round rows, and glue or stitch it in place. White yarn pops on black, while black yarn on a gray top looks soft and spooky. Then add a few toy spiders. Of all the DIY Halloween costumes here, this one gets the most double takes for the least money, and it is perfect for a grown up party. Will you go white or black?

You will need: Black dress, top or hoodie, white or black yarn, fabric glue, chalk, a few toy spiders, safety pins.

How to make it: 1. Draw the web lines on the garment with chalk, starting with straight spokes from one point. 2. Glue yarn along the spokes. 3. Add curved rows of yarn between the spokes, working out from the center. 4. Pin or glue a few toy spiders into the web.

Zombie Costume From Old Ripped Clothes

Every closet has that one shirt with a stain that never came out. Finally, it has a job, because the best zombie DIY Halloween costumes start with clothes you were going to throw away. Zombie costumes are all about worn out clothes, so ripping and fraying is half the fun. Snip small cuts at the hems and pull the threads loose, then dab the fabric with brown and gray fabric paint. Gray and green face makeup finishes the look. Skip the fake blood if you have little ones around, and it is still plenty spooky. What old shirt is ready to retire in style?

You will need: Old shirt and jeans you are ready to retire, scissors (adult use), sandpaper for fraying, brown and gray fabric paint, sponge, face-safe gray and green makeup.

How to make it: 1. An adult makes small cuts at the hems, sleeves and knees. 2. Rough up the cut edges with sandpaper and pull threads loose. 3. Dab brown and gray paint on with a sponge and let it dry. 4. Add gray and green face makeup and practice a slow zombie walk.

Rosie the Riveter in Denim and a Red Bandana

The famous We Can Do It poster from the 1940s has stood for strength and hard work for generations, and Rosie might be the easiest costume on this list. All you need is a blue denim shirt with the sleeves rolled up, a red bandana with white polka dots and a bold red lip. Tie the bandana around your head with the knot on top. If you do not have polka dots, a plain red bandana works too. It is a great costume for moms and daughters to wear together. Ready to flex that arm for the photo?

You will need: Blue denim or chambray button-up shirt, red bandana (polka dot if you have one), jeans, red lipstick, mascara.

How to make it: 1. Put on the denim shirt and roll the sleeves above the elbow. 2. Fold the bandana into a long strip and tie it around your head with the knot on top. 3. Add red lipstick and a little mascara. 4. Pose with your arm flexed for the classic photo.

Classic Vampire Cape From an Old Skirt or Sheet

Among DIY Halloween costumes, a vampire cape looks the fanciest, but it is just a big piece of fabric with a collar. An old black skirt, a black sheet or a piece of satin all work. The tall collar is what makes it look like a real vampire, so cut a stiff collar from black or red felt and glue it to the neck. A white shirt, a ribbon medallion and slicked back hair finish the look. Make the cape knee length so little ones can walk safely. Who wants to count their candy like a vampire?

You will need: About one yard of black fabric (old sheet, skirt or satin), red fabric for lining (optional), stiff felt, fabric glue, ribbon for ties, white shirt, red ribbon and a large button for a medallion.

How to make it: 1. Cut the fabric into a half circle shape that falls to the knees. 2. Glue a red lining inside if you have it. 3. Glue a tall felt collar to the straight edge and add ribbon ties at the neck. 4. Wear it over a white shirt with a ribbon and button medallion.

Rag Doll With Bright Yarn Hair

This sweet idea is one of the cutest DIY Halloween costumes for kids and grown ups, and the yarn hair is the star. You tie loops of bright orange or red yarn onto a headband until it is thick and fluffy. Then pull on any simple dress or pinafore, add striped socks and a little white apron. Round pink cheeks and a few drawn freckles make it look like an old fashioned doll. Kids can help cut the yarn and choose the colors. It is cute, comfy and costs almost nothing. What color hair would you give your doll?

You will need: Simple dress or pinafore, striped knee socks, a white apron or dish towel, plain headband, bright yarn, scissors, blush and an eyebrow pencil.

How to make it: 1. Cut yarn into pieces about 16 inches long. 2. Fold each piece in half and knot it around the headband until it is full. 3. Put on the dress, socks and apron. 4. Add round pink cheeks and a few freckles with makeup.

Bat Wings From an Old Umbrella

Got a broken black umbrella? Do not toss it. Its fabric is already shaped like wings, and the thin ribs keep them stiff. An adult carefully removes the handle and center pole, then you cut a scalloped edge into the fabric for that bat look. Sew or glue elastic loops for the arms, and you have wings that flap when you move. Wear them with black clothes and felt bat ears. This is the kind of upcycle we love. Is there an old umbrella in your car right now?

You will need: Old black umbrella, pliers and wire cutters (adult use), scissors, black elastic, fabric glue or needle and thread, tape, black clothes, felt for ears.

How to make it: 1. An adult removes the handle and center pole with pliers, keeping the ribs in the fabric. 2. Cut a scalloped edge along the bottom of the fabric between the ribs. 3. Cover any sharp rib tips with tape or felt. 4. Attach elastic loops for the wrists and shoulders.

Felt Cone Hat Garden Gnome

Gnomes are everywhere right now, and they make one of the coziest DIY Halloween costumes. The hat is just a cone of red felt glued along one side. Make it extra tall so it flops at the tip. The beard is white faux fur, cotton batting or even white yarn tied to an elastic band. Then pull on a button up shirt, a belt and boots. It is warm enough for chilly trick or treat nights, and toddlers look adorable in it. Bonus: it works again at Christmas. One gnome or a whole family?

You will need: Red felt (one large sheet), fabric glue or hot glue (adult use), white faux fur or cotton batting, elastic, button-up shirt, belt, boots.

How to make it: 1. Roll the felt into a tall cone that fits the head and glue the seam. 2. Fold up a small cuff at the bottom. 3. Cut a beard shape from faux fur and attach elastic to go around the ears. 4. Dress in a shirt, belt and boots.

Bumblebee DIY Halloween Costumes With Pipe Cleaner Antennae

A yellow t-shirt and some black felt make the happiest costume on the block. Glue wide felt stripes across the tee, then twist two fuzzy pipe cleaners onto a headband for antennae. Pom poms on the ends make them bounce. Wings can be white felt or wire hangers covered with old white tights. Little ones love this one, and it is perfect for siblings and best friends who want matching DIY Halloween costumes. Who is your favorite little bee?

You will need: Yellow t-shirt, black felt, fabric glue, plain headband, two black pipe cleaners, two pom poms, white felt, black leggings.

How to make it: 1. Cut three wide black felt stripes and glue them across the shirt. 2. Twist the pipe cleaners around the headband and glue a pom pom on each tip. 3. Cut two wing shapes from white felt and glue them to the back of the shirt. 4. Add black leggings and you are ready to buzz.

Witch Costume With a DIY Felt Hat

A witch is the most classic costume of all, and you probably own the outfit already. Any long black dress or a black top and skirt will do. The fun part is the hat. Roll black felt or poster board into a tall cone, then glue it onto a circle brim. Add a ribbon band and a few fall leaves. A broom from the garage finishes the look. Want more spooky fun? Try our Halloween ghost crafts for the porch. Pointy hat or floppy hat?

You will need: Black dress or black top and skirt, black felt or poster board, fabric glue or hot glue (adult use), ribbon, small fall leaves, a broom.

How to make it: 1. Cut a circle about 16 inches wide with a hole in the middle for the head. 2. Roll a cone of felt that fits the hole and glue it in place. 3. Wrap a ribbon around the base and decorate it. 4. Dress in black and grab a broom.

Fortune Teller With Scarves and Bangles

If you have a drawer full of scarves, you have one of the most colorful DIY Halloween costumes ready to go. Layer them over a long skirt, tie one as a head wrap and wear all of your bangles at once. A coin belt or a string of gold buttons adds sparkle and a little jingle. Then carry a clear glass ball or a snow globe as your crystal ball. The best part is the act. Invite friends to sit down and tell them they will get lots of candy tonight. What would you predict for your family this Halloween?

You will need: Long skirt, three or four colorful scarves, bangles and big earrings, a coin belt or gold buttons, a clear glass ball or snow globe, a battery LED tea light for your table.

How to make it: 1. Tie one scarf around your hips over the skirt and add a coin belt. 2. Drape another scarf over your shoulders. 3. Wrap a third scarf around your head and knot it at the side. 4. Pile on bangles and carry your glass ball.

Orange Tee Pumpkin, the Easiest of All DIY Halloween Costumes

Save this one for the true last minute, like ten minutes before the party. An orange t-shirt becomes a pumpkin with a jack o lantern face cut from black felt or drawn with fabric marker. Add a green felt leaf collar or a headband with a curly green pipe cleaner stem. Babies and toddlers look extra sweet in it, and grown ups can wear it to work. It costs a few dollars, and every pumpkin face can be different. Happy, silly or spooky, which face will your pumpkin wear?

You will need: Orange t-shirt or sweatshirt, black felt or black fabric marker, fabric glue, green felt, green pipe cleaner, plain headband.

How to make it: 1. Cut triangle eyes, a nose and a toothy smile from black felt. 2. Glue the face onto the front of the shirt. 3. Cut a leafy green felt collar or twist a green pipe cleaner onto a headband as a stem. 4. Put it on and smile for the camera.