The Best Kids Costumes

Your child will appreciate an unusual, creative costume that will impress her friends.

Whether dressing up for a costume party or for trick-or-treating, your child wants to look his best in an original costume that he and his friends will approve of. While many department stores will offer simple pre-made costumes, you can put together an imaginative outfit that will delight your child and show off your creative talents.

Hula Girls

Pair a hula skirt with a solid colored child's bodysuit, tank top or T-shirt to start your daughter's hula girl costume. You may purchase your hula skirt or make it by cutting rope mops down the seam and hot-gluing ribbon to the seams and tying the ribbons together around your child's waist. Place a lei around her neck and a brightly colored barrette in her hair. To add more color and pizazz, glue a colorful artificial flower to the barrette. Place flip-flops on her feet with another bright artificial flower glued to the top of each flip-flop.

Fall Fairy

You can create a fall fairy costume by using an earth-tone dress such as green, brown or gold, glitter face paint, wings, tights, ballet slippers and artificial autumn leaves. Start with the dress of your color choice and either stitch or glue artificial fall leaves around the dress. Purchase a set of wings in a matching earth-tone color along with tights and matching ballet slippers. Paint the child's cheek bones and forehead with glitter face paint. For added flair, place a costume tiara on her head.

Movie Popcorn

Begin by dressing your child in a red or white tee shirt and solid colored pants. Take a large cardboard box that would easily fit over your child's torso and cut a hole large enough for your child's head and holes on two opposite sides of the box for your child's arms. Cut the bottom out of the cardboard box and tape up any loose ends remaining on the box. With a roll each of red and white duct tape, place tape vertically up and down all outer sides of the box alternating colors with each stripe. Glue popped popcorn to the top of the box.

Doctor/Surgeon

Using light green or blue scrubs, dress your child in professional-style gear to pull off a doctor or surgeon costume. Have him wear clean, solid-colored tennis shoes or professional clogs. Lay a stethoscope around his shoulders and place a small memo pad and ink pen in his front chest pocket. Loosely tie a surgeon's mask around his neck and place a surgeon's cap on his head. A white lab jacket will help complete your child's medical professional costume.

References

• Martha Stewart: Easy Costumes Kids Can Make Themselves
• Kaboose: Popcorn Costume