8 Last-Minute DIY Kids Costume Ideas

These homemade treats are so simple and so stylish.

We Ready - Halloween is rapidly approaching, and if you don’t already have costumes for your little ones, good luck finding something decent among the store-bought leftovers. But these homemade costume ideas are so simple, you can whip them up at the last minute and know that you sent the kids out to trick-or-treat in style. By Kenrya Rankin Naasel  (Photo: Tanya Constantine/Blend Images/Corbis)

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We Ready - Halloween is rapidly approaching, and if you don’t already have costumes for your little ones, good luck finding something decent among the store-bought leftovers. But these homemade costume ideas are so simple, you can whip them up at the last minute and know that you sent the kids out to trick-or-treat in style. By Kenrya Rankin Naasel  (Photo: Tanya Constantine/Blend Images/Corbis)

Raining Cat and Dogs - Pull out your little one’s rain gear — raincoat, rubber boots and umbrella — then cut out black silhouettes of cats and dogs and tape them to the umbrella. Clever!  (Photo: Jamie Grill/Tetra Images/Corbis)

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Raining Cat and Dogs - Pull out your little one’s rain gear — raincoat, rubber boots and umbrella — then cut out black silhouettes of cats and dogs and tape them to the umbrella. Clever!  (Photo: Jamie Grill/Tetra Images/Corbis)

Cow - Go full-on cutie cow with a white sweatshirt (or a onesie for the littlest ones) and a thick, black sharpie marker to ink the spots. Create udders out of a pink piece of construction paper, glue and bottle nipples. Easy, right? (Photo: Blue Jean Images/Corbis)

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Cow - Go full-on cutie cow with a white sweatshirt (or a onesie for the littlest ones) and a thick, black sharpie marker to ink the spots. Create udders out of a pink piece of construction paper, glue and bottle nipples. Easy, right? (Photo: Blue Jean Images/Corbis)

Skeleton - Dress your little one in a black shirt and pants. Then use white duct tape to create the suggestion of bones; all you need are a little rib cage, and arm and leg bones to create the look.  (Photo: Miles Ertman/Radius Images/Corbis)

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Skeleton - Dress your little one in a black shirt and pants. Then use white duct tape to create the suggestion of bones; all you need are a little rib cage, and arm and leg bones to create the look.  (Photo: Miles Ertman/Radius Images/Corbis)

Bunch of Grapes - Blow up 15+ green or purple balloons, and then tie them to a length of ribbon. Then wind the ribbon loosely around the kid until she resembles a cluster of grapes.  (Photo: REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay)

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Bunch of Grapes - Blow up 15+ green or purple balloons, and then tie them to a length of ribbon. Then wind the ribbon loosely around the kid until she resembles a cluster of grapes.  (Photo: REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay)

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Little Red Riding Hood - A red hoodie is the main requirement for this costume; check the boy’s section, as their clothes tend to come in primary colors. Add a picnic basket stocked with play food (or leave it empty, you know, for the candy), and your kid is off to see Grandma.  (Photo: CorbisRF/Corbis)

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Little Red Riding Hood - A red hoodie is the main requirement for this costume; check the boy’s section, as their clothes tend to come in primary colors. Add a picnic basket stocked with play food (or leave it empty, you know, for the candy), and your kid is off to see Grandma.  (Photo: CorbisRF/Corbis)

Charlie Brown - This look is simple: Black pants plus a yellow T-shirt plus black duct tape in a chevron pattern and everyone’s favorite animated worrier will come to life. (Massive head, optional.)  (Photo: George Rose/Getty Images)

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Charlie Brown - This look is simple: Black pants plus a yellow T-shirt plus black duct tape in a chevron pattern and everyone’s favorite animated worrier will come to life. (Massive head, optional.)  (Photo: George Rose/Getty Images)

Masterpiece - Your kid can help you make this one. Buy a small canvas and tempura paints and let him go crazy with color. When it’s dry, staple a long ribbon to the frame of the canvas in two spots and hang it around his neck so folks know just how valuable he is. Awww. (Photo: Hiya Images/Corbis)

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Masterpiece - Your kid can help you make this one. Buy a small canvas and tempura paints and let him go crazy with color. When it’s dry, staple a long ribbon to the frame of the canvas in two spots and hang it around his neck so folks know just how valuable he is. Awww. (Photo: Hiya Images/Corbis)

Strong (Wo)man - Show just how strong your mini-me is with this getup. Unscrew your broom handle from the base and attached two large black balloons to either end. On each balloon, use a white or glitter marker to write “1000 lbs.” Then use an eyeliner pencil to mark your kid with a mustache and tattoos.   (Photo: Chris Collins/Corbis)

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Strong (Wo)man - Show just how strong your mini-me is with this getup. Unscrew your broom handle from the base and attached two large black balloons to either end. On each balloon, use a white or glitter marker to write “1000 lbs.” Then use an eyeliner pencil to mark your kid with a mustache and tattoos.   (Photo: Chris Collins/Corbis)