Easy Last-Minute Halloween Costumes for Kids (That Still Look Good)
It's the last week of October and your kid still has no costume. Or they had one, and now they've decided they hate it. Don't panic. You have two good paths: make something from what's in the house, or buy a simple set that comes with the whole look.
Path 1: Use what you already have
These ideas start with clothes most kids already own. Add one or two things and you're done.
- Ninja. Black sweatpants and a black hoodie. Tie a cloth belt around the waist and a strip of black fabric over the lower face. Pull the hood up.
- Ghost. An old white sheet with two eye holes is the classic. Cut it to T-shirt length so it doesn't drag on the ground.
- Superhero. Any bright T-shirt, leggings or joggers, and a cape cut from an old pillowcase or a piece of fabric. Draw a letter on paper and tape it to the chest.
- Sports player. A team jersey, a cap and some face paint stripes under the eyes. Easy, warm and comfortable.
- Cat or bat. Dark clothes, ears made from a headband and card, and a little face paint for whiskers or fangs.
- Scarecrow. A plaid shirt, jeans, a straw hat if you have one, and some painted freckles.
Homemade costumes are fast and cost almost nothing. The downside is that they can look "homemade" next to a full store-bought outfit, and some kids care about that, especially around ages 9 to 12.
Path 2: Buy a set with the whole look
If you buy, buy one set that includes everything. A last-minute costume that turns out to be just a top, with no mask or props, puts you right back where you started.
Look for these four things in the listing:
- What's in the package. Outfit, headpiece, gloves, props. The more in one bag, the fewer extra trips.
- The size chart. Check height, not just age. See our Halloween costume size guide if you're unsure.
- Batteries. Blow-up costumes need a fan, and the fan needs batteries. If you don't have spares at home, that's another thing to buy.
- Washing. Hand wash is fine. "Sponge clean only" is less forgiving on a messy night.
A ninja set is a good example of a costume that covers all four. The Spooktacular Creations ninja costume comes with a hooded jumpsuit, mask, belt, gloves and foam props, in sizes from 3T up to 14 to 16 years, with no batteries.
Check delivery before you order
This close to Halloween, delivery dates matter more than anything else. They change by seller, size, color and your address. Before you order:
- Pick the exact size first, then look at the delivery date Amazon shows. A different size can show a different date.
- Read the date at checkout, not just on the search page.
- Have a backup plan from Path 1 in case it arrives later than you hoped.
We can't promise any arrival date, and neither can a costume listing. Only the date shown for your order counts.
Make it work on the night
- Add a light. A glow stick bracelet or a small flashlight makes your kid easier to spot after dark.
- Dress for the weather. Leave room for a warm layer under the costume, or pick a costume that goes over a coat, like a cape.
- Do a test run. Have your kid wear it around the house for ten minutes. Fix anything that slips, pinches or drags.
- Pack a spare mask strap or safety pins. Small fixes save the night.
For five costumes compared on what's in the bag, size range, washing and batteries, see our best Halloween costumes for kids comparison.