9 Last-Minute Halloween Costumes for Kids

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The costume didn’t arrive. Or it arrived and they refuse to wear it. Or it’s 5:30 and trick-or-treating starts at 6.

These nine kids’ costumes use things you probably have in the house right now: sheets, pajamas, felt, toilet paper. Every one is warm enough for trick-or-treating and easy to walk in.

1. Ghost

Illustration of a classic sheet ghost costume: a figure under a long flowing white sheet that just brushes the floor, two cut-out eye holes, a wide-brimmed hat under the sheet giving it a rounded shape, playful rather than scary.

The fastest kids’ costume ever. A sheet ghost is free and timeless.

How to do it: Old white sheet or pillowcase (for little ones), eye holes cut bigger than you think, and a cap underneath. Trim it above the ankles so they don’t trip. About 10 minutes.

Worth buying: glow stick bracelets for safety.

2. Mummy

Illustration of a mummy costume: a figure wrapped head to toe in tea-stained, yellowed linen strips with loose trailing ends, dark eyes peeking out between the wraps, arms slightly outstretched.

A classic, and the wrapping is half the fun. A toilet-paper mummy works in a pinch.

How to do it: White long-sleeve shirt and leggings, wrapped with toilet paper or torn white fabric strips. Tape the ends. Leave the face open. About 15 minutes.

Worth buying: costume gauze wrap.

3. Cat

Illustration of a cat costume: a woman in an all-black outfit with black cat ears on a headband, a wired tail curving upward, winged eyeliner and drawn-on whiskers, black ankle boots, a playful pose.

Black clothes, ears and whiskers. A cat works for any age.

How to do it: Black top and leggings, paper or felt ears on a headband, eyeliner whiskers and a sock stuffed for a tail. About 10 minutes.

Worth buying: kids’ cat ears and tail.

4. Superhero

Illustration of an original superhero costume: a person in a deep teal bodysuit with gold boots, gold gloves and a gold belt, a knee-length gold cape, a simple teal eye mask, and a gold lightning-bolt emblem on the chest, hands on hips.

Kids love inventing their own superhero. A towel cape and a felt logo are all it takes.

How to do it: Solid-color top and leggings, a towel or pillowcase cape (attach with safety pins, not tied at the neck), a felt or paper emblem and an eye mask cut from paper. About 15 minutes.

Worth buying: a kids’ cape and mask set.

5. Ninja

Illustration of a ninja costume: a person in a black wrap jacket and loose black pants gathered at the ankle, a black hood with a face wrap showing only the eyes, a wide red sash belt, black arm wraps, soft black shoes, a crouched ready stance, holding nothing.

Black clothes plus a sash. A ninja is quiet, quick and very easy.

How to do it: Black top and pants, a black T-shirt wrapped around the head with the face open, and a red scarf or belt at the waist. About 10 minutes.

Worth buying: a kids’ ninja costume.

6. Ladybug

Illustration of a ladybug costume: a young girl in a red tutu dress covered with round black spots, small rounded red wings with black spots on her back, black tights, black shoes, a headband with two black antennae topped with pom-poms, rosy cheeks, a cheerful pose.

Red and black, cute and fast. A ladybug works great for little ones.

How to do it: Red top or dress, black felt or paper dots taped on, black leggings and pipe-cleaner antennae on a headband. About 15 minutes.

Worth buying: ladybug wings and antennae.

7. Mad Scientist

Illustration of a mad scientist costume: a person in a stained, oversized white lab coat with rolled sleeves, wild frizzy white hair, big brass goggles pushed up on the forehead, long black rubber gloves, holding a flask with glowing green liquid, a gleeful expression.

A grown-up’s white button-down is a kid’s lab coat. A mad scientist is a kid favorite.

How to do it: Dad’s or mom’s white shirt worn as a lab coat, goggles or sunglasses, and messy hair. Carry a glow stick in a water bottle. About 10 minutes.

Worth buying: a kids’ lab coat.

8. Farmer

Illustration of a farmer costume: a smiling man in blue denim overalls over a red plaid flannel shirt with sleeves rolled, a straw hat, a red bandana in the back pocket, brown work boots, holding a white chicken under one arm and a small wicker basket of brown eggs.

Flannel, jeans and a stuffed animal. A farmer is warm and easy.

How to do it: Plaid shirt, jeans or overalls, boots, a bandana and a straw hat or ball cap. Carry a stuffed chicken or cow. About 10 minutes.

Worth buying: a kids’ straw hat.

9. Bat

Illustration of a bat costume: a young woman dressed all in black with a short black dress and black tights, large scalloped black bat wings attached from wrist to back with arms spread wide, a headband with pointed black bat ears, smoky dark eye makeup, small fangs, playful pose.

Black hoodie plus wings. A bat is warm for cold trick-or-treating nights.

How to do it: Black hoodie and leggings, wings cut from a black trash bag or felt and safety-pinned from wrist to back, and paper ears on the hood. About 15 minutes.

Worth buying: kids’ bat wings.

Kids’ Last-Minute Costume Tips

Safety first: keep hems above the ankles, cut eye holes big and add glow sticks or reflective tape to dark costumes.

Build on pajamas or a hoodie. They’re warm and kids are comfortable in them.

Let them help. Kids are much happier in a costume they decorated themselves.

Need more ideas? Start with our 10 last-minute Halloween costumes, or browse the full costume encyclopedia from A to Z.

Last-Minute Kids’ Costume FAQ

What’s the easiest last-minute Halloween costume for a kid?

A ghost or a cat. Both take about 10 minutes with things you have at home.

How do I make a costume with stuff at home?

Start with a solid-color outfit, then add one piece that makes the character: ears, a sheet, a cape or a sash.

What’s a warm last-minute costume for trick-or-treating?

A bat or ninja built on a hoodie, or a farmer in flannel.

How do I make a dark costume safer at night?

Add glow stick bracelets or reflective tape and carry a flashlight.

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