Ghost Costume Ideas for Kids

Halloween is the time of year when ghosts and ghouls come out of hiding to go door to door in search of tricks and treats. Buying cheaply made ghost costumes at a costume shop can be very expensive, though. This Halloween, make a ghost costume for your child that will scare the socks off the entire neighborhood. From a traditional sheet ghost to Beetlejuice himself, making a ghost costume can be very inexpensive and fun.

Traditional Sheet

Drape a white sheet evenly over your child's head. If necessary, cut the bottom of the sheet to prevent her from tripping or falling. Carefully determine the proper location of her eyes by lightly running your hand down her face. Mark the location lightly with a black marker, then remove the sheet and cut two eye holes. White or black clothing under the sheet will complete the costume.

Whiteout

Have your child wear white pants, shirt, socks and shoes. If white shoes are not available, use white spray paint on an old pair of sneakers. Paint his face, hands, neck and ears with white face paint. Use black face paint around his eyes to make them darker and spray his hair with white, washable hair paint to complete the look of this stark white ghost.

Girly Ghost

Dress the girl a long-sleeved, ankle-length gray or black dress. Spray paint the dress from 18 inches away to leave a ghostly white haze on the dress. Place a long, light gray apron over the dress. Use white face paint to cover her hands, face, neck and ears, then use black face paint to darken the eyes. Fix her hair in a simple bun or up-do. Black lipstick and black shoes will finish the costume.

Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice

Paint 3-inch black vertical strips on a white suit jacket and white slacks using black fabric paint. Have your child wear a white or black shirt under the jacket with a contrasting white or black tie. Paint his face with white face paint, then paint dark circles around his eyes with black face paint. Have him wear a white wig that has been teased and spiked all over. Black lipstick and black shoes will make this ghost costume more realistic.