DIY Halloween costumes you can make at home

Our Halloween collection has everything you need to embrace your scary side this season! A store-bought Halloween costume is a classic pick for a reason, with plenty of affordable options in different sizes – perfect if you're heading to a party. Even your four-legged friends can join in with our pet Halloween costumes!

If you'd rather make something yourself, DIY Halloween costumes give you plenty of freedom to create a look that's as scary, cosy, or funny as you like – and they’re brilliant value! To help you get started, our experts have pulled together some super easy homemade Halloween costumes for you to try out this year.

Quick guide: How do you make a last-minute Halloween costume?

1. Pick a plain base layer: Start with everyday black, white or dark clothing you already own.
2. Add some shape: Use felt, card or fabric glue to create wings, bones, ears and other spooky details.
3. Finish with face paint: Finish things off with face paint, makeup, or fake blood.

5 easy Halloween costume DIY ideas

Easy DIY costumes can be made with things you already have, plus a couple of affordable bits & bobs from our arts & craft supplies range. Here are five of our favourites that people are loving at the minute, with classic 90s Halloween looks set to be a big hit for trick-or-treaters and partygoers alike:

1. DIY bat costume

What you'll need:

• Black clothing
• Black felt or card
• Ribbon or elastic
• Fabric glue or similar

How to make it:

1. Cut two large wing shapes from black felt or card, using the sleeves or shoulders of the clothing as a rough guide.
2. Add a few curved cuts along the outer edge to give the wings a bat-like shape.
3. Attach the wings to the back of the clothing using fabric glue, following the product instructions.
4. For removable wings, attach ribbon or elastic loops around the shoulders so they can be worn like a small backpack.

2. DIY skeleton outfit

What you'll need:

• Black T-shirt or hoodie
• White fabric paint or suitable decorating material
• Face paint

How to make it:

1. Lay the T-shirt or hoodie flat and sketch simple bone shapes across the chest, arms and legs using chalk or a washable pencil.
2. Paint over the shapes with white fabric paint, allowing it to dry fully before wearing.
3. Finish the look with black and white face paint, creating simple skull-inspired details around the eyes, nose and mouth.

3. DIY spooky ghost

What you'll need:

• An old light-coloured sheet or oversized white clothing
• Black fabric pen or similar decorating material
• White or black clothing to wear underneath

How to make it:

1. If you're using a sheet, cut it to the right length so it doesn't trail on the floor or cover your feet.
2. Add simple ghostly eyes and a mouth using a fabric pen or similar decorating material.
3. Wear comfortable clothing underneath and make sure the finished costume doesn't cover your eyes, restrict your movement or create a trip hazard.

For an even easier option, an oversized white top and trousers can create a ghostly look without needing to cut or alter a sheet.

4. DIY witch costume

What you'll need:

• Black or dark-coloured clothes
• Black card
• Ribbon
• Face paint or makeup

How to make it:

1. Start with clothes you already own, such as a black dress, top and trousers, or a dark skirt.
2. Make a simple witch's hat by shaping black card into a cone and attaching it to a circular brim.
3. Add ribbon or other decorations around the hat, then finish the costume with dark or spooky face paint.
4. For an extra touch, create a simple broom from craft materials, making sure there are no sharp or exposed ends.

5. DIY vampire costume

What you'll need:

• Dark trousers or a skirt
• Black, white or red top
• Face paint or makeup
• Fake blood
• Optional vampire accessories

How to make it:

1. Build the outfit around dark clothes, adding a white shirt or red detail for a classic vampire look.
2. Use face paint or makeup to create a pale complexion and darker eyes.
3. Add fake blood around the collar or another part of the costume, following the product instructions.
4. Finish with simple accessories such as a cape, bow tie or costume teeth if wanted.

Simple no-sew Halloween costume tips

No-sew costumes are pretty much as easy as it gets. They’re all about using what you've already got in your wardrobe, then adding a few simple craft materials to give the outfit a lift.

Use felt and fabric glue

Felt is an easy material to work with because you can cut it into simple shapes without needing to sew. Draw your design onto the felt first, cut it out carefully, then use fabric glue to attach it to clothing or accessories. Try stars, bats, spiders, bones or other Halloween shapes to personalise a plain T-shirt, hoodie or dress.

Complete the look with makeup and accessories

Some face paint, simple makeup, fake blood and Halloween costume accessories can transform a basic outfit in a matter of minutes. Try darker eye makeup for a witch, pale face paint for a vampire or simple black-and-white details for a skeleton.

Halloween costumes for kids & keeping DIY simple

Making a Halloween costume with kids is always great fun! Choose simple shapes and decorating projects that children can easily get involved with, such as painting bones onto a skeleton outfit or decorating a witch's hat.

Comfort is worth thinking about too. Make sure costumes allow children to see clearly and move around easily, with no trailing fabric or loose pieces that could cause them to trip. For younger children, keeping accessories simple can make the finished costume much easier to wear.

How long does it take to make a DIY Halloween costume?

If you're short on time, a vampire, ghost or witch costume can come together quite quickly, especially if you're starting with an outfit you already have. Costumes involving more cutting, painting or glueing, such as a skeleton or bat, may need a little more time.

If you’re in a real time crunch, focus on one or two details that make the character recognisable rather than trying to make every part from scratch.

Time to get creative!

You don't need a cupboard full of craft supplies or hours to spare to make a Halloween costume yourself. With a few everyday clothes, some felt, card, face paint and a little imagination, you can create something that's fun, personal and ready for the big night. Browse wilko for the craft supplies, decorations and accessories you need to bring your Halloween ideas to life.