How to Make a Tin Man Costume for Halloween

One of the most fun costume ideas you can have is to go with a group as a theme, like the Wizard of Oz. If you go with that theme it can be pretty easy to make a Dorothy or Lion costume. You can even find a little dog to be Toto. But one of the costumes that has to be pretty convincing is the Tin Man, since he's so angular and shiny. Instead of spending a lot of money on buying a full-blown Tin Man costume, you can actually make one at home with ordinary household items.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Oil funnel big enough to fit over your head
• Thin, grey sweat pants one size too big
• Old, light-colored rain coat.
• Silver spray paint
• Silver hair spray
• Silver face paint
• Black face outliner
• Black lipstick
• Staple gun w/ staplers
• Cardboard box large enough to fit your body in
• Red, silver and black markers
• Large scissors
• String
• Glue

1. Cut out cardboard pieces that fit on the inside of the sweat pants around the thigh, shoulder and upper arm areas. Cut out another piece that will fit in the chest area of the sweat shirt. Label the pieces with marker so you will know which part goes where. For example, you can label one piece "UL" for "upper leg." Cut out another heart-shaped piece from cardboard and color it red with the marker. Put these pieces to the side for later use.

2. Apply the silver spray paint to the pants and coat either outside or in a well ventilated area. The spray paint doesn't have to completely cover the clothes; it just has to have enough shine to make them sparkle. One even coat should create that effect. Spray paint the funnel as well. Let them air dry.

3. Create an axe by cutting out a 2 x 10-inch rectangle of cardboard and another, trapezoid-shaped piece that will act as the blade. Staple the blade piece horizontally and centered to the handle piece. Decorate with markers, coloring the large edge of the blade red.

4. Staple the shoulder pieces to the inside of the rain coat. Staple the cardboard pieces to the inside of the clothes. The pieces should create angles that resemble the stiffness of the Tin Man. Staple the heart to the outside of the coat in the same location as your real heart.

5. Apply the silver face paint, covering as much of your face as possible. Do the same with the hair spray. Using a thin, black face outliner, create a "chin strap" outline from your ears to below your lip. Apply the black lipstick. Once you are done decorating your face, put on your costume. Remember to put on the funnel hat last.

Tips & Warnings

• Old, heat resistant firefighter jackets can substitute for the raincoat and cardboard supports
• Do not spray paint indoors without proper ventilation.