While purchasing a Halloween costume saves time and the effort that comes along with breaking out the sewing machine, there's something magical about DIYing a costume of your own. This is especially true if your child has a special outfit in mind that you just can't find in the store, online or anywhere. Whether you're doing a solo, couple or group costume, we're sharing some of the best homemade Halloween costumes you can make at the last minute — just days before the Halloween party or night of trick-or-treating.
With our list, you'll find a range of costume ideas that are scary, cute, silly and punny — all perfect for babies, kids, teens, adults and anyone in between. Some are incredibly easy to put together, including colorful citrus slices and axe-holding lumberjacks, while others require a bit more effort (a.k.a Greek gods and a cake slice). Even if you consider yourself far from crafty, you'll find a range of simple costumes you can create just in time (even some TV- and movie-related ideas). And if you're looking for more to consider, check our out last-minute Halloween costumes, work appropriate choices and squad-approved options.
The House That Lars Built
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Studio DIY
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Tell Love and Party
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A Beautiful Mess
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The House That Lars Built
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Club Crafted
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Crafty Chica
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The House That Lars Built
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Studio DIY
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Sugar & Cloth
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Pushing Daisies Costume
Here's another couple costume you can easily put together at the last minute. Pushing Daisies is a comedy about a man named Ned, who raises the dead to help solve murder cases. It's only natural he finds love along the way with his sweetheart Charlotte.
Get the tutorial at Sugar and Cloth »
A Beautiful Mess
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See Vanessa Craft
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Wreck-It-Ralph Family Costume
Made In A Day
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Black Widow Halloween Costume
Tell Love and Party
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Space Family Costume
The entire family can join in on this one. This might take some time to finish, but with lots of spray paint and creativity, you and your little ones will be the coolest extraterrestrials in space.
Get the tutorial at Tell Love and Party »
Crafty Chica
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The House That Lars Built
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Tell Love and Party
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Sarah Hearts
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A Beautiful Mess
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The House That Lars Built
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A Beautiful Mess
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The Princess Bride Costume
Sugar & Cloth
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Mike Garten
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Best for Adults: Smarty Pants Halloween Costume
Show off your smarts with this clever costume. Use glue dots or double-sided tape to attach Smarties candies to pair of old jeans, then throw on glasses and suspenders to really slip into character.
RELATED: 24 Creative Book Character Costumes
Mike Garten
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Best for Couples: 'Men In Black' Halloween Costume
Grab the Kay to your Jay (or vice versa) to recreate this iconic look from one of Will Smith's best movies. All you need is a black suit, tie and sleek shades to pull it off.
RELATED: The Best Halloween Costumes for Couples
Mike Garten
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Best for Teens: Dog Instagram Filter Halloween Costume
Turn into a walking Instagram filter with this simple DIY. Select your favorite filter on Instagram (the dog, for example) and point your phone to a blank surface to take a screenshot. Print the screenshot on a thick board and cut out the middle to fit your face. Finish off your costume with makeup and accessories to match.
Brian Woodcock for Country Living
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Best for Kids: Strawberry Halloween Costume
She's as sweet as a strawberry, and now she can dress that part. To make this adorable costume, cut seeds from yellow felt and leaves from green felt. Adhere the yellow and green felt pieces to a plain red dress with glue or double-sided tape. She can throw on a green beanie, bow or headband to resemble the stem — it's her call!
RELATED: The Cutest Halloween Costumes for Kids
Mike Garten
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Best for Adults: Queen of Hearts Halloween Costume
You'll be the queen of the party when you show up dressed in this Alice in Wonderland getup. To make the collar, wrap a large piece of paper around your neck and staple cards from a deck all around it, layering them to achieve a fanned-out effect. Pair it with a satin red dress, gold tiara and bold lipstick.
SHOP TIARAS
RELATED: Easy DIY Disney Halloween Costumes for Adults
Mike Garten
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Best for Couples: Carpool Karaoke Halloween Costume
Here's an easy way to get in some solid practice time before next week's karaoke session. Take your boombox and microphone on the go in this James Corden-style DIY. Use black and silver paint to transform a yellow presentation board into a taxi, then attach velcro straps that are comfortable enough to hang around your neck.
RELATED: The Best Pop Culture Halloween Costumes
Brian Woodcock for Country Living
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Best for Kids: Librarian Halloween Costume
Everyone will get a kick out of your little bookworm this Halloween. It's all in the accessories, really: Make her plaid skirt and cardigan combo fit for the library with a name tag, glasses and canvas tote full of books.
Mike Garten
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Best for Teens: Cat Halloween Costume
Come Halloween, there's nothing more classic than a cat costume. Go all-out with a black top, pants, gloves and tutu. To make it feline-friendly, paint whiskers on your face and throw on some cat ears.
