22 DIY Family Halloween Costume Ideas 

You’ll love these Halloween costumes ideas for a family of 3, 4 or more for 2022.

Whether your family’s version of Halloween fun involves thrills and chills at one of Denver’s scariest haunted houses, trick-or-treating all over the mile high city, pumpkin patches in the foothills, or something in between, there’s one thing you can’t go without: a great costume.

Sure, everyone in the family could do their own thing, but why not wow the neighborhood with an epic group costume instead?

We’ve found a bunch of easy, DIY family Halloween costume ideas to make the most of this spooky season. Copy one of these great costumes,  put your own twist on a classic, or take inspiration from your favorite book, movie and TV characters —either way, you can’t go wrong.

And, don’t worry if you can’t sew.  There are plenty of no-sew ideas on this list. Plus, plenty of budget-friendly options that can be made out of clothes you already own.  Check out the links for each costume idea for easy how-to instructions.

Halloween is a great time to allow kids to express their creativity, get active, and learn responsibility.  From a holistic health and wellness perspective, these are great attributes to help develop well-rounded and emotionally healthy little ones. 

Partners In Pediatrics Denver Integrative Holistic Medicine Child Health Care Kids Children Newborn Baby Halloween Costumes Colorado

1. Cotton candy costume

Who needs Halloween candy when you’ve got a costume as sweet as this? Poly-Fil and spray paint combine for a sugary-sweet concoction.

Get the tutorial at Ambushed With Boys.

Partners In Pediatrics Denver Integrative Holistic Medicine Child Health Care Kids Children Newborn Baby Halloween Costumes Colorado

2. Movie night costume

Upcycle old cardboard boxes and transform your family into a box of popcorn, movie projector and marquee.

Get the tutorial at Kids Activities. 

Partners In Pediatrics Denver Integrative Holistic Medicine Child Health Care Kids Children Newborn Baby Halloween Costumes Colorado

3. ’Wheel of Fortune’ costume

Take your family game night to the next level. Give “Vanna” pretty dress, then craft a wheel and puzzle board out of cardboard for a winning costume.

Get the tutorial at Shirley Lo.

Partners In Pediatrics Denver Integrative Holistic Medicine Child Health Care Kids Children Newborn Baby Halloween Costumes Colorado

4. Angel and devil costume

Halloween is a great excuse to repurpose your kid’s dance recital costume. Here, a light-colored tutu with a halo headband and a red tutu with a black top and devil’s horns headband becomes the cutest good versus evil battle you’ve ever seen. 

Get the tutorial at Sydney So Sweet.

Partners In Pediatrics Denver Integrative Holistic Medicine Child Health Care Kids Children Newborn Baby Halloween Costumes Colorado

5. Care Bears costume

If October is chilly where you live, opt for a family costume that is as cozy as it is cute. Once you track down enough matching sweatsuits for the whole family, iron on Care Bear symbols for the given colors.

Get the tutorial at SeeVanessaCraft.

Partners In Pediatrics Denver Integrative Holistic Medicine Child Health Care Kids Children Newborn Baby Halloween Costumes Colorado

6. Bumblebee and ladybug costume

Add black spots to a red tutu and a yellow top to a black-and-yellow tutu for a lucky lady bug and a bumble bee you won’t mind buzzing around.

Get the tutorial at Sydney So Sweet. 

Partners In Pediatrics Denver Integrative Holistic Medicine Child Health Care Kids Children Newborn Baby Halloween Costumes Colorado

7. ’Baby Shark’ costume

Light gray hoodies are anything but ordinary when you add some teeth to them. The song’s likely stuck on a loop in your head anyway, so you might as well turn it into a fun family costume that’s easy to do-do-do….

Get the tutorial at ShrimpSaladCircus.

Partners In Pediatrics Denver Integrative Holistic Medicine Child Health Care Kids Children Newborn Baby Halloween Costumes Colorado

8. ’Peter Pan’ costume

Peter Pan and Tinkerbell sure are cute, but it’s Peter’s shadow that steals the show here.

Get the tutorial at AnnLeDo. 

Partners In Pediatrics Denver Integrative Holistic Medicine Child Health Care Kids Children Newborn Baby Halloween Costumes Colorado

9. ’Lilo and Stitch’ costume

Can you really DIY Disney characters? You can when you whip up some “grass” skirts, pull on some bright floral shirts, and toss on a lei or two.

Get the tutorial at DIYInspired.

Partners In Pediatrics Denver Integrative Holistic Medicine Child Health Care Kids Children Newborn Baby Halloween Costumes Colorado

10. Crayons costume

These colorful kids are inspired by the book “The Day the Crayons Quit” by Drew Daywait. Everyone gets to pick their favorite color, but the hardest part will be convincing them to keep their hat —er, tip — on.

Get the tutorial at The House that Lars Built. 

Partners In Pediatrics Denver Integrative Holistic Medicine Child Health Care Kids Children Newborn Baby Halloween Costumes Colorado

11. Super Mario Bros costume

DIY meets a few power-ups (ready-made costumes) for an awesome family costume based on Super Mario Bros.

Get the tutorial at The Mom Creative.

Partners In Pediatrics Denver Integrative Holistic Medicine Child Health Care Kids Children Newborn Baby Halloween Costumes Colorado

12. ’Jurassic Park’ costume

With a bit of effort, a wheelchair can be transformed into a getaway Jeep from the “scary” dinosaurs at Jurassic Park.

Get the tutorial at Sarah Halstead. 

Partners In Pediatrics Denver Integrative Holistic Medicine Child Health Care Kids Children Newborn Baby Halloween Costumes Colorado

13. Avocado toast costume

Start the day off right with a good breakfast costume, courtesy of paint and foam rolls.

Get the tutorial at Hello Wonderful.

Partners In Pediatrics Denver Integrative Holistic Medicine Child Health Care Kids Children Newborn Baby Halloween Costumes Colorado

14. Family circus costume

The circus is a spectacle, but you can make a spectacular family costume with some gear you might already have in your closet.

Get the tutorial at This Sweet Happy Life. 

Partners In Pediatrics Denver Integrative Holistic Medicine Child Health Care Kids Children Newborn Baby Halloween Costumes Colorado

15. ”Ice Ice Baby” costume

Here’s one way to get your family to “stop, collaborate and listen.” Grab some sunglasses and a couple of large clear plastic bags, and you’re halfway there.

Get the tutorial at Thinking Closet.

Partners In Pediatrics Denver Integrative Holistic Medicine Child Health Care Kids Children Newborn Baby Halloween Costumes Colorado

16. Rocker family costume

Make your family look like the real deal with a few vintage finds from the 80s. 

Get the tutorial at Design Improvised.

Partners In Pediatrics Denver Integrative Holistic Medicine Child Health Care Kids Children Newborn Baby Halloween Costumes Colorado

17. LEGO costume

If your kids are obsessed with LEGOS, then this costume is a no-brainer. Keep it simple by painting all the pieces in the same hue, or let everyone choose their own color.

Get the tutorial at Kids Activities.

Partners In Pediatrics Denver Integrative Holistic Medicine Child Health Care Kids Children Newborn Baby Halloween Costumes Colorado

18. ’Crocodile Rock’ costume

Talk about a fun play on words: A crocodile onesie, keyboard cut-out, white suit and lots of feathers come together in honor of “Crocodile Rock.” Elton would be proud.

Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess. 

Partners In Pediatrics Denver Integrative Holistic Medicine Child Health Care Kids Children Newborn Baby Halloween Costumes Colorado

19. Rag dolls costume

Red yarn and colorful dresses are key in this adorable mother-daughter costume.

Get the tutorial at A Beautiful Mess.

Partners In Pediatrics Denver Integrative Holistic Medicine Child Health Care Kids Children Newborn Baby Halloween Costumes Colorado

20. ’Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ costume

The classic children’s book gets the DIY treatment here with some store-bought items (like a blow-up suit!), some simple sewing patterns and a few household items.

Get the tutorial at Meaningful Mama. 

Partners In Pediatrics Denver Integrative Holistic Medicine Child Health Care Kids Children Newborn Baby Halloween Costumes Colorado

21. Sweet treats costume

If you think DIY means lots of sewing, think again. Your family could look like this happy group of cookies and donuts without even having to thread a needle.

Get the tutorial at Kristen Duke Photography.

Partners In Pediatrics Denver Integrative Holistic Medicine Child Health Care Kids Children Newborn Baby Halloween Costumes Colorado

22. Stick figures costume

Who knew that electrical tape and white clothing could pair up for such a creative costume? Life With Fingerprints, that’s who.

Get the tutorial at Life With Fingerprints.

 

Halloween in Colorado is an exciting time of year for kids, and to help ensure they have a safe holiday, here are some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) when considering store bought or homemade costumes for the family.

  • Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.
  • Consider adding reflective tape to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility.
  • Masks can limit or block eyesight — consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives.
  • When shopping for costumes, check labels to ensure wigs and accessories are flame resistant.
  • Review with children how to call 9-1-1  if they ever have an emergency or become lost.

Have a safe and happy Halloween from all of us at Partners in Pediatrics — Denver’s first and best integrative pediatric medical practice.

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