Halloween costumes

AREA SETUP

(Open thematic poster-Halloween costumes) Print, laminate, and decorate the walls of your daycare with all kinds of posters.

SILLY HATS

Indian chief headdress
(Open craft-Indian bandana) Print the model on heavy cardboard. Have children color or paint it. Once dry, invite them to glue feathers all around the model to create their very own Indian chief headdress.

Farmer's hat
(Open models-farm animals) Print, cut out, and laminate. Tie the farm animal shapes on a straw hat. Simply make a hole at the top of each shape, thread a piece of yarn or fishing wire through, and tie them on the hat.

Fisherman's hat
(Open models-marine animals) Print, cut out, and laminate. Tie the marine animal shapes on a straw hat. Simply make a hole at the top of each shape, thread a piece of yarn or fishing wire through, and tie them on the hat.

Halloween hat
(Open models-creatures) Print, cut out, and laminate. Add the creatures to a black witch hat. Simply make a hole at the top of each shape, thread a piece of yarn or fishing wire through, and tie them on the hat.

Magician's hat
(Open stars and moons) Print, cut out, and color the shapes. Use a black or dark blue piece of construction paper to form a cone which will fit on the child's head. Decorate the hat with the stars and moons, glitter glue, metallic confetti, and other shiny materials.

Princess hat
Make a cone large enough to fit on a child's head using a large piece of pink or purple construction paper. Decorate the hat with glitter glue, metallic confetti, and other shiny materials. Attach long ribbons to the top of the hat. Little princesses will feel unique when they wear this hat!

Painter's hat
(Open models-artist's accessories) Print, laminate, and cut out. You will need an old hat or cap. Paint colourful spots on the hat using poster paint or fabric paint. Glue the painter's accessories on the hat.

FUN MASKS

I am a lion
(Open lion costume) Print, glue on heavy cardboard, and cut out. If you wish, you may laminate the mask before cutting it out for extra sturdiness. Attach a piece of string or elastic to either side of the mask so it will stay on the child's face.

I am a monkey
(Open monkey costume) Print, glue on heavy cardboard, and cut out. If you wish, you may laminate the mask before cutting it out for extra sturdiness. Attach a piece of string or elastic to either side of the mask so it will stay on the child's face.

I am a dog
(Open dog costume) Print, glue on heavy cardboard, and cut out. If you wish, you may laminate the mask before cutting it out for extra sturdiness. Attach a piece of string or elastic to either side of the mask so it will stay on the child's face.

I am a lizard
(Open lizard costume) Print, glue on heavy cardboard, and cut out. If you wish, you may laminate the mask before cutting it out for extra sturdiness. Attach a piece of string or elastic to either side of the mask so it will stay on the child's face.

I am a dinosaur
(Open dinosaur costume) Print, glue on heavy cardboard, and cut out. If you wish, you may laminate the mask before cutting it out for extra sturdiness. Attach a piece of string or elastic to either side of the mask so it will stay on the child's face.

I am a cat
(Open cat costume) Print, glue on heavy cardboard, and cut out. If you wish, you may laminate the mask before cutting it out for extra sturdiness. Attach a piece of string or elastic to either side of the mask so it will stay in place on the child's face.

I am a boy

(Open mask-boy) Print, glue on heavy cardboard, and cut out. If you wish, you may laminate the mask before cutting it out for extra sturdiness. Attach a piece of string or elastic to either side of the mask so it will stay in place on the child's face.

I am a girl
(Open mask-girl) Print, glue on heavy cardboard, and cut out. If you wish, you may laminate the mask before cutting it out for extra sturdiness. Attach a piece of string or elastic to either side of the mask so it will stay in place on the child's face.

I am a dad
(Open mask-dad) Print, glue on heavy cardboard, and cut out. If you wish, you may laminate the mask before cutting it out for extra sturdiness. Attach a piece of string or elastic to either side of the mask so it will stay in place on the child's face.

I am a mom
(Open mask-mom) Print, glue on heavy cardboard, and cut out. If you wish, you may laminate the mask before cutting it out for extra sturdiness. Attach a piece of string or elastic to either side of the mask so it will stay in place on the child's face.

COSTUMES FOR EVERYONE

Pirate
(Open pirate's eye patch) (Open craft-sword) (Open pirate's hat) Cut a pirate's eye patch out of black construction paper. Make two tiny holes and thread string or elastic through so that it fits over the child's head. Make a pirate's hat using the model provided or simply tie a bandana or a scarf around the child's head. Purchase a sword at the Dollar store or make your own using our model. Use a black makeup pencil to draw a beard on the child's face. Give the child a large white t-shirt to wear over dark pants. Roll one pant leg all the way up to the child's knee. Add a belt on top of the t-shirt.

The mummy
Wrap the child in toilet paper. Leave the eyes, the nose, and the mouth uncovered. This is such a simple costume!

The ghost
Using an old white bed sheet, cut holes for the eyes, the nose, and the mouth. Drape the sheet over the child's head.

The robot
You will need a large cardboard box, about the same size as the child. Cut a hole large enough for the child's head and two other holes on either side for the child's arms. Wrap the box with aluminum paper or paint it with metallic paint. For the head, purchase an inexpensive head wrap or headband and wrap it with aluminum paper. Glue aluminum pie plates on either side. Paint the child's face gray.

The baby
Have the child wear pyjamas or a nightgown. Make two ponytails and tie a pacifier around the child's neck. Draw freckles on the child's face using makeup pencils. Have the child carry a teddy bear or a blanket.

The princess
Have the child wear a lace-covered dress. Purchase a tiara the child can wear on her head. Tiaras are easy to find at the Dollar store along with rings and necklaces. Draw stars on the child's cheeks and add glitter.

The fairy
Let the child wear her favourite dress. Purchase a magic wand at the Dollar store. Together, make a fairy hat by rolling a piece of construction paper to form a cone. Attach a piece of beautiful fabric to the top of the hat, making sure it is long enough to hang all the way down her back. Paint her face with body glitter.

The doll
Let the child wear a pretty dress and nice shoes. Make her cheeks nice and rosy using blush and apply bright red lipstick on her lips. Apply eyeshadow and mascara to her eyes, exaggerating somewhat. Make ponytails or curl her hair. As she walks around, encourage her to say "Mommy, mommy" like a talking doll.

The graduate
Make a hole in the bottom of a black garbage bag. The bag must also be open on the sides so it looks like a robe. Make a graduation cap out of black construction paper. Add a tassel (from curtains) to the top of the hat. As an accessory, the child may carry a rolled-up diploma tied with ribbon.

The witch
Simply use an old black dress (or an adult's sweater) and a witch hat. You may purchase an inexpensive witch hat or make your own. Use white makeup to paint the child's face. Use makeup pencils to draw warts. Add a wig along with plastic spiders or other terrifying creatures if you wish. You can also choose to glue plastic spiders on the costume itself.

The clown
Simply collect the most colourful and silly clothing items you can find. You can make your own hat (cardboard cone, pompoms, and plenty of colourful materials), or simply purchase a colourful wig. Complete the costume by drawing colourful details on the child's face using makeup pencils: white face, oversized red mouth, red nose, etc. Use your imagination! No two clowns are alike.

Homeless person
Search through old clothing items you have around the house or visit flea markets and garage sales to find torn and damaged clothing items. They should be much too big or much too small and brownish-gray if possible. The child can also wear an old hat. Paint stains on the costume to make them look unclean (poster paint will do just fine). An old jacket can complete this very economical costume.

The pumpkin
You will need a green, orange, or black sweater and pants. Make two holes in the bottom of an orange garbage bag for the child's legs and one hole on each side for the child's arms. Fill the garbage bag with newspaper and tie it on the child's shoulders. Use a black or brown marker to add depth to your pumpkin costume. To make a pumpkin hat, use an orange piece of fabric or cardboard and add a green or brown stem. Paint the child's face orange or simply draw a few orange and green lines using makeup pencils.

The rock star
Jeans, a white t-shirt, a black jacket, sunglasses, black shoes, and hair gel are all you need for this costume. Add a microphone or toy guitar and you are ready to go. If you wish, you can even use bright temporary hair dyes on the child's hair.

The singer
A colourful miniskirt with a matching sweater and tights, sunglasses, a headband, and colourful strands of hair are all you really need. If you wish, you may add a scarf, long gloves, large earrings, and necklaces for an extra glamorous effect.

The ninja
Have the child wear black pants, a large white t-shirt, a black belt (or a colourful one), and an assorted headband the child can wear around his head.

The magician
You will need black pants and a black sweater. Make a cape out of a large piece of fabric or a blanket you no longer use. You can paint stars or other designs on it using glitter paint or glow-in-the-dark paint for a magical touch. For the magician's hat, simply decorate a cardboard cone with shiny materials or make a top hat out of an empty coffee can wrapped in black construction paper. Make a magic wand and add a secret pocket which will contain your little magician's magic powder.

The farmer
You will need overalls, a checkered shirt, wool socks, rubber boots, and a straw hat. To make the costume even more fun, hang stuffed farm animals from the overalls.

The athlete
If you have children in your group who enjoy soccer, baseball, or hockey, this is an easy costume to put together. Simply let them wear their uniform or equipment.

The gift
You will need a box which is just slightly bigger than the child. Cut a hole in the bottom for the child's head. Cut two other holes for the child's arms. Decorate the box with scrap pieces of wrapping paper. Add ribbon and a greeting card and your gift costume is complete.

A die (or dice if you have two children)
You will need a square cardboard box which is slightly bigger than the child. Cut a hole in the bottom for the child's head. Cut two other holes for the child's arms. Paint the box or cover it with solid wrapping paper. Add numbers or dots to each side of the box.

The television
You will need a square cardboard box which is slightly bigger than the child. Cut a hole in the bottom for the child's head. Cut two other holes for the child's arms. Paint the box to make it look like a television, complete with a screen on the front. If you wish, you can cut pictures of characters the child likes out of magazines or flyers and glue them on your "screen" to make it look like a television show. Glue antennae (pipe cleaners wrapped in aluminum paper) on a hard hat to complete the costume.

The fisherman
(Open models-Colourful fish) You will need overalls, a checkered shirt, wool socks, rubber boots, a raincoat, and a rain hat. Add a fishing rod and attach a few colourful fish to the end of it to create a friendly fisherman costume!

The artist
Have the child wear a white shirt and jeans. You can add paint spots to the shirt and jeans, a beret, a paint palette, and a paintbrush to complete the costume.

The fireman
A yellow raincoat, a fireman hat, rubber boots (red, yellow, or black), and a Dalmatian stuffed animal are all you need for a fireman costume.

The knight
Cut a black garbage bag open on the sides to create a cape. Knot (loosely) the cape around the child's neck. Add a crown.

Insects
Encourage children to make their own insect antennae out of pipe cleaners. The base of the antennae can be a headband. Simply wrap two pipe cleaners around each headband. Let children use their imagination. They can add decorated Styrofoam balls, drawings, pompoms, etc.

Have fun!

The Educatall team