How to Make a "Thomas the Train" Costume
According to the story of Thomas the Tank Engine, author Reverend Awbry wrote these tales to share his love of trains with his son. In the beginning, he just told them orally. Eventually he wrote out the stories so they would be consistent for retelling. His first published train stories were not about Thomas, but he eventually wrote and published Thomas stories. In the early eighties, Awbry's son began writing Thomas the Tank Engine stories, and Thomas debuted on television in 1984. The stories, television and eventually movies made Thomas popular, so dressing as Thomas the Tank Engine delights many children. Fortunately, you can make the costume economically.
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Things You'll Need
- Large cardboard box
- Thomas the Tank Engine replica or book
- Gray, black and blue spray paints
- Scissors
- Hot glue gun
- Clear packing tape
- Ruler
- Poster board
- Circular trashcan lid
- Dinner sized paper plate
- Pencil
- Black and white magic markers
- Four lunch sized paper plates
- Paper towel roll
- Optional Materials:
- Newspaper or tarp
- Blue and white striped overalls
- Conductor's hat
- Wagon
- Blanket
- Saucer sized plate
Instructions
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Visit a store and request a box that your child can sit in comfortably. Let your child accompany you to get the right size. Some stores will let you have free boxes. A moving box can be used as well.
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Take a Thomas the Tank Engine replica train or book with you to buy gray, black and blue spray paint. Bringing a likeness of Thomas helps ensure you purchase the correct color shades.
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If the box is sturdy, cut off the flaps with scissors. If the sides need to be reinforced, hot glue the flaps to the interior of the box. If you are concerned about them flying up, reinforce them with clear packing tape.
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To create the front of the costume, use a ruler to measure the short end of the box you intend to use as the train front, so you can decide what size circular item you want to use as a template to draw the train face. Hold up a few circular items against the side you measured to determine which one will work best. A trash can lid may work well, but if the box is smaller use a dinner-sized paper plate. Trace the trash can lid on the poster board and cut it out. Spray paint the poster board circle or the dinner plate gray. Spray paint the box light blue.
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Look at the Thomas face on your replica. On the gray circle, sketch the Thomas face in pencil so you are certain it is even before outlining it in marker. Use the white marker to color the area around the eyeballs. Hot glue it to the front of the Thomas train car.
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Spray paint four paper plates gray. Outline the edges with black marker and draw spokes. Hot glue each wheel to the train so there are two front wheels and two back wheels. Use the marker to put a number one on the side of the train car.
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Create a smokestack by spray painting a paper towel roll black. Secure the smokestack to the interior of the car's front with packing tape so it extends from the upper middle of the train's head. Hot glue some artificial spider web to the top interior of the tube, and pull it gently to create the appearance of smoke.
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Tips & Warnings
Lay out newspaper or a tarp before spray painting the costume pieces.
Make sure the paint is completely dry before touching the pieces.
If your child is young, put the costume in a wagon. Line it with a blanket so your child stays warm. Your child will love being pulled around.
If he is older, cut the bottom off the box. Have your child stand in the box and show you where arm holes would be comfortable. Trace arm holes using a saucer as a template. Have your child step out of the box and cut the armholes.
Dress your child in striped overalls and a conductor's hat when he wears the costume.
Spray paint outside so the paint does not create an odor inside. Try to avoid spray painting the box when it is windy. Stray leaves or grass can damage the paint.
References
- Photo Credit cardboard box image by Ramona smiers from Fotolia.com
