How to Make a Kid's Costume of a Strong Man in a Circus

Let your kid look like a circus strong man this Halloween.

Let your kid show off some muscle this Halloween with a circus strong man costume. With bulging muscles, a handlebar mustache and a retro-inspired outfit, a strong man outfit makes a whimsical costume that captures the glory of a vintage circus. This costume relies on easy to find and inexpensive items, making it a quick and easy last-minute option, as well as a great way to save money.

Things You'll Need

• Stretchy turtleneck, adult sized
• 4 balloons or cotton batting
• Tank top
• Pants or short
• Belt
• 2 empty ribbon rolls
• Paper towel roll
• Hot glue sticks
• Hot glue gun
• Black spray paint
• White puff paint
• Black face paint

Instructions

Costume

1. Have the child slip into a turtleneck collared shirt. Solid colors, such as a navy blue or black, work best. Create bulging muscles by sticking small inflated balloons or lumps of cotton batting in the turtleneck's sleeves.

2. Top the turtleneck with a tank top. Solid black or red, or thick stripes of red and white or blue and white, have a retro look that complements the rest of the costume.

3. Place a thick belt around the child's waist, preferably one with a large buckle.

4. Wear dark pants. Alternatively, a red-and-white striped tank top looks great with red pants or shorts.

5. Draw a handlebar mustache with face paint above the child's upper lip.

6. Create a barbell for the strong man to carry and show off his strength. Use hot glue to adhere a large round ribbon spool to each end of a paper towel tube. Spray paint the entire weight. On each end, write a large weight such as "500 lbs." in white puff paint.

References

• Woman's day; Halloween Costume: Strongman; Katie Kretschmer; October 2009
• Craftzine: How-To; Vintage Strongman Kid's Costume
• Public Broadcasting Service; Snapsuit Baby Costumes; Vickie Howell; October 2009