65 Clever Halloween Costume Ideas for Kids Who Love to Get Creative

Which would they choose: an adorable black-and-white panda bear, a standard grizzly or a rare, all-out tie-dye? No matter what they decide, it's easy to transform their sweats into a Beanie Baby costume. Just cut ears from felt pieces and attach them to a hoodie using hot glue. Make a heart-shaped tag from red cardstock, then punch a hole in it thread a red ribbon through it so the card can be worn around the neck. For an extra authentic look, cover the tag in clear contact paper so it doesn’t "lose value" (Wink, wink!) Finish off the look with some oversize, round sunglasses for the eyes.

Not just all the rage on snack tables, tinned fish is perfect for a parent-and-child costume.

For the parent:

1. Cut two large rectangles from cardboard sheets with a craft knife or box cutter. Round the edges of each corner to create a tin box shape.
2. Cut out an opening and two fish heads from the top one-third of one of the cardboard rectangles. Make sure it's large enough for a face to peek through.
3. Paint the front and back of each rectangle with a few coats of craft paint and let dry completely.
4. Paint details for the “tin” with craft paint. Add googly eyes, cupcake liner scales, and silver pipe cleaners to the fish heads using hot glue.
   
5. Attach a roll of gray paper to the front of the tin, and add a “key” made from more pipe cleaners.
6. Secure the two sheets of cardboard together with straps that will rest on shoulders.
7. A blue-striped shirt completes the look.

For the little fish:

1. Start with a gray hoodie sweatshirt (one with a zipper front will be easiest to wear) and gray leggings. Fold foil cupcake liners in half in shades of silver, blue, and black, then layer the “scales” down the front and back of the hoodie and attach with hot glue, overlapping along the way
2. Cut a tail shape from gray felt, and glue to the bottom edge of the hoodie.
3. Continue to layer the cupcake liners on the tail, and finish off the fins with silver pipe cleaners attached with hot glue.
4. Glue a pair of giant googly eyes to the hood of the sweat shirt and trim with more silver pipe cleaners.
   

With the second half of the famed movie adaptation coming out this year, we have a feeling Wicked costumes are going to be...popular. Who's the good witch and who's the "bad" witch? Well, that's up to you. To make Glinda's crown and staff, bend and twist sparkly silver pipe cleaners together to create a crown worthy of a good witch! Then simply attach to hair with bobby pins. You can also create a matching wand with a pipe cleaner starburst hot glued to a pink wooden dowel. Elphaba's look can be done with a black dress, witch hat and green face paint.

They wear them all the time anyway — now they can put them on as part of a full-body Halloween costume. Don't forget the Jibbitz!

1. On a large sheet of cardboard, trace the outline of a Crocs shoe using a pencil.
2. Carefully cut out using an craft knife or box cutter.
3. Cut a large hole in the center for the face, and then add seven smaller holes around it to mimic the signature Crocs design.
4. Cut an additional cardboard strip and fold in the edges to create a 3D strap.
5. Cover the Crocs shape and strap with several coats of craft paint. Allow them to dry completely.
6. Attach the folded ends of the strap to the back of the Crocs shoe using hot glue.
7. For extra detail, trace the outline of the shoe with a darker or lighter shade of paint.
8. Make Jibbitz charms from felt, craft foam, or paper and attach with hot glue.
9. Attach backpack-style straps to the back of the shoe with thick ribbon and hot glue for easy wear.
10. Wear a yellow sweatshirt or purple sweatshirt underneath with yellow Crocs or purple Crocs to match.

Nevermore Academy is in session again this year, and there are just so many directions to go in for an Wednesday-inspired getup: They can go with a peter-pan-collar dress if they're looking for a classic Wednesday Addams look, or they can update their costume and go with a black tulle dress inspired by the outfit she wore when she did her famous "Goo Goo Muck" dance on the Netflix series. But if they want to go with her school uniform from the series, they can try this combo of a striped blazer, collared shirt, black dress and knee socks, plus a possible wig.

RELATED: The Best Wednesday Addams Halloween Costumes

Boxtumes have never looked so pretty! For a costume that sparkles and shines:

1. Choose a sturdy oversized cardboard box.
2. Fold in the bottom flaps and tape to the inside of the box with packing or duct tape.
3. Cut out a large hole from the top of the box to comfortably sit around the child’s waist.
4. To create a faux drawer, cut a smaller rectangle of cardboard, folding in the ends and attach to the jewelry box with hot glue.
5. Add a large bead for a knob.
6. Paint the whole surface of the box in a light shade of pink, adding extra details if desired.
7. Once dry, attach mylar contact paper to the back flap to create a mirror.
8. Add oversized bows, bead, pearls and gemstones to the jewelry box with hot glue. Make sure nothing is too heavy!
9. Secure a ribbon strap inside the box with duct tape to wear it like a sandwich board. This will make it easier to carry and leave their arms free.
10. Finish the look with a ballerina-inspired outfit and high bun.

If you know someone who's obsessed with their Stanley, they'll get a kick out of seeing the kids in their life dressed as their favorite reusable tumblers. The great thing is these costumes can be made in any color, so long as there's a sweatshirt and sweatpants that match. Start by using iron-on transfer paper to add the Stanley logo to the sweatshirt. Then, to make the straw hat, grab a paper towel roll and paint it white, hot glue it to a paper plate, then hot glue the plate to a headband.

RELATED: The Best Family Halloween Costume Ideas

Just when you think they're out, the Minions return — Despicable Me 4 just came out last year, and Minions 3 is due out next year. You can buy a Minions costume, but they're almost easier to DIY.

Get the tutorial »

Super Mario Bros, either the film or the game, makes for a great group Halloween costume inspiration, because you can get outfits for so many characters, including Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Toad, Yoshi and Bowser, among others. But you can also easily DIY your own plumbing, Piranha Plant-fighting brothers with a red shirt or green shirt, store-bought hats and mustache sets, and blue suspenders. (A question block is optional!)