How to Make Astronaut Costume Out of Trash Bags

Astronaut costumes are popular among children.

Many children are fascinated by astronauts, and they like to play dress-up and pretend to be one. While professionally-made astronaut outfits are available at online and costume retailers, a simple do-it-yourself version of an astronaut's costume can be made at home with trash bags and duct tape. This version of the costume can be made with or without a helmet, depending on the availability of a used motorcycle helmet or football helmet with the face mask removed, which can be painted.

Things You'll Need

• Used helmet
• Paper
• Masking tape
• White spray paint
• White turtleneck
• 5 to 9 tall, white kitchen trash bags
• Scissors
• Black duct tape
• Black boots
• NASA patches

Instructions

Make the Helmet

1. Place a used helmet on a surface that can be painted. If there is a glass or plastic face shield, cover it with paper and masking tape.

2. Shake the can of spray paint vigorously, then spray about six inches from the helmet, completely coating the outside in white.

3. Wait for the paint to dry. Apply a second coat if necessary.

4. Carefully peel off the tape and paper from the face shield, taking care to not peel away any of the paint.

Make the Jumpsuit

1. Put the white turtleneck on the child. Have him wear shorts or light pajama pants to keep the plastic from sticking to his skin.

2. Cut a hole big enough for the child's head to fit through the bottom of a trash bag. Place the bag over his head so that it covers the torso completely. Use the black duct tape to line the hole in the bag, making it look like a padded collar.

3. Cut armholes in the sides of the trash bag where the arms can fit through.

4. Open up a garbage bag and cut off the bottom. Slide this bag over one of the child's arms and secure to the torso bag with black duct tape. Repeat for the other arm.

5. Open up a garbage bag and cut off the bottom. Slide this bag over one of the child's legs and secure to the bottom of the torso bag with black duct tape. Repeat for the other leg.

6. Tape the ends of each wrist and ankle with black duct tape.

7. Put the black boots on the child.

8. Tape NASA patches to various places on the astronaut suit. These can be real patches or cutouts from a magazine.

Tips & Warnings

• Depending on the size of the child and the trash bags, you may need to use two bags for each leg or arm. If this is necessary, use the black duct tape to secure the two bags together at the joint.

• Because this project involves putting plastic bags on children, make sure that none cover the head or face to avoid suffocation.