Last Minute Halloween Costume Ideas

Tomorrow is Halloween! If you have been very busy lately and haven’t had time to pick up a costume for the big day, have no fear. My just-released book, The Tinkering Workshop has plenty of fun costume ideas sprinkled throughout! Here are a few ideas arranged from easiest to hardest to make!

Very Interested Listener / Compound Eye Insect (difficulty 1/5)

To make “googly goggles” flip to page 99. Just stick on two big googly eyes or a bunch of little ones to a pair of safety goggles for hilarious results.

Recycled Royalty (difficulty 2/5)

To make a “trash tutu” go to page 139. Start by cutting a plastic bag into strips and attaching them to a band a elastic that fits comfortably around your waist. Experiment by overlapping different colors, sizes and textures.

Cardboard Skateboarder (difficulty 2/5)

Look at page 79 for ways to make a customized “cardboard costume” and become almost anything. One possibility is to create some stylish glasses, a helmet and a matching skateboard for a gnarly get-up!

Low-Budget Secret Agent (difficulty 2/5)

Is someone following you? Go to page 105 for ideas about how to use cardboard, wire and tape to make a DIY spy gadget out of everyday materials.

Big-Face Robot (difficulty 3/5)

On page 79 you can get inspired by featured tinkerer Yuji Hyashi who invented this project using a cardboard box, fresnel lens and battery powered fairy lights. Add big hands and a control panel on your chest to complete the ensemble!

Calder Inspired Flapper (difficulty 4/5)

Jump over to the balance section and look on page 68 for inspiration for a mini mobile made of wire and everyday materials. Hang the mini-mobile off a wire tiara for a fashionable head piece.

Defensive Blowfish (difficulty 5/5)

Get inspired by featured artist Amisha Gadani to embed small computer fans to inflatable pouches hidden under a billowing dress. This project, found on page 142, is one example of biomimicry or how tinkering projects can be inspired by the natural world.

I’m always surprised by the new and innovative ideas that people have when working on tinkering project so I can imagine that there are many more potential tinkerable Halloween costumes (as well as haunted house inspirations and party projects) to be found in the dozens of STEAM explorations featured in The Tinkering Workshop. Happy Halloween and tinker on!