DIY Projects
Halloween Crafts
By
Stephanie White
Stephanie White
Stephanie White is a DIY expert who has over 10 years experience teaching design, art, and do-it-yourself projects. She has previously been published on Apartment Therapy and Ikea Hackers. When she's not writing, Stephanie is traveling the globe on the lookout for inspiring crafts and living spaces.
Learn more about The Spruce Crafts'Editorial Process
Updated on 07/01/24
Regardless of when you start planning your Halloween costume, there's a creative DIY option for you. These costumes for adults come together quickly and easily, yet they're still bound to impress whomever you see on Halloween. Plus, they're inexpensive to make, and you might already have most or all of the components.
Here are 34 great Halloween costume ideas for adults.
5:22
4 Adorable Last-Minute No-Sew Costumes for Halloween
01 of 34
DIY Cat Ears
A black cat is a perennial Halloween favorite. And you can put together this easy costume very quickly with items you might already have. All you need is a black shirt, some black eyeliner, and these adorable DIY cat ears, which are a cinch to make.
DIY Cat Ears from The Spruce Crafts
02 of 34
DIY 'Stranger Things' Halloween Costume for Couples
Are you hooked on Netflix's Stranger Things series? While you're streaming, work on making a Mike or Eleven costume that will be perfect for Halloween. This idea can be a great couples costume or just a costume for friends.
DIY "Stranger Things" Halloween Costume for Couples from Shrimp Salad Circus
03 of 34
DIY Lisa Frank Costumes
Go old school for Halloween with a DIY rainbow unicorn costume. It's inspired by the popular Lisa Frank stickers that were everywhere in the '90s. Throw everything colorful and sparkly that you have into this costume.
04 of 34
Snow White
There's no rule saying adults can't dress up as Disney characters. Transform yourself into a Disney princess for a night with this outstanding Snow White costume from the Color Me Courtney craft blog. It uses regular clothing items that you probably already have in your closet.
Continue to 5 of 34 below
05 of 34
Steampunk Mask and Hat
Stun your friends this Halloween with an outstanding steampunk costume from the Trinkets in Bloom blog. Steampunk mixes retro and futuristic designs for a style all its own. It has many influences from the Victorian era, such as corsets and top hats.
06 of 34
Swan Dress Costume
RecreateBjörk's iconic white swan dress that she wore to the 73rd Academy Awards with this creative costume tutorial. Even though this dress debuted several years ago now, it's still become a memorable part of pop culture. But if some people don't understand it, you always can simply say you're a swan.
07 of 34
DIY Halloween Couples Costume: Lumberjack and a Tree
Break out your cozy red-and-black plaid shirt, and you'll be the most popular lumberjack at the Halloween party.From the Fish and Bull blog, this costume idea includes both a lumberjack and a partnering tree. It's great for couples or for friends.
DIY Halloween Couples Costume: Lumberjack and a Tree from Fish and Bull
08 of 34
DIY Neon Light Cactus Halloween Costume
Impress your friends with this outstanding DIY cactus costume from Shrimp Salad Circus. It has neon lights built in, so you can glow all Halloween night. Plus, it uses basic clothing options that you might already have.
DIY Neon Light Cactus Halloween Costume from Shrimp Salad Circus
Continue to 9 of 34 below
09 of 34
DIY Taxidermy Deer Costume
From The Merry Thought blog comes this slightly macabre Halloween costume. Put on your best deer makeup look, and go as a mounted taxidermy deer. It certainly fits with the ghostly theme of Halloween!
10 of 34
Circus Family Halloween Costumes
Ringling Bros. may be a thing of the past, but it's still fun to dress up like a ringmaster. This could be a great group costume theme. You could include the ringmaster, a clown, circus animals, and more.
11 of 34
Soda Jerk
The Lovely Indeed craft blog shows us how to go retro this Halloween by dressing up like a 1950s soda jerk. You essentially just need a white shirt, bow tie, and white hat. Bring an ice cream scoop or other prop that fits the theme.
Soda Jerk from Lovely Indeed
12 of 34
DIY Sequin Animal Ears
A Bubbly Life brings us these sparkly animal ears. With just a few basic supplies, namely the sequins, you can make ears for a cat, mouse, rabbit, lion, or dog costume. There's flexibility with how you craft the ears to suit your needs.
Continue to 13 of 34 below
13 of 34
DIY Strawberry Costume
Do you have a large red T-shirt or dress and some construction paper? You can be a giant strawberry. This DIY Halloween costume comes together quickly and inexpensively. And it's a fun and recognizable costume for Halloween parties.
14 of 34
Crochet Masquerade Mask
Heading to an elegant Halloween costume soirée? Break out your suit or dress, and pair it with this sophisticated masquerade mask from the Persia Lou craft blog. It's easy to crochet with some black yarn.
15 of 34
Easy Homemade Cookie Monster Costume
From the Persia Lou craft blog comes this "Sesame Street"-inspired project. Cookie Monster says "C is for cookie." But here, C is also for costume and chocolate chip cookie clutch.
16 of 34
Pantone Color Combo Couples Costume
Showcase your favorite Pantone color with this original DIY Halloween costume idea. From the Sugar and Cloth blog, it's an easy costume to put together. Simply dress entirely in your color of choice, and attach a Pantone label to your outfit.
Continue to 17 of 34 below
17 of 34
Egg Costume
If you happen to be pregnant during Halloween, show off your baby bump with this fun and easy fried egg costume. Your stomach serves as the yolk in the egg, coming through a circle cutout. Simply dress in a bright yellow shirt to create the look.
Egg Costume from C.R.A.F.T.
18 of 34
Easy DIY Cat Emoji Costume
If you always leave your Halloween costume to the last minute, this quick DIY cat emoji costume is perfect for you. It only takes a few minutes to assemble. You just need heart-shaped sunglasses, black pipe cleaners for whiskers, and cardstock to make a nose. Plus, you can simply use a yellow headband and cardstock to make cat ears.
19 of 34
DIY Space Family Costumes
Break out the silver spray paint, and assemble yourself a space-age Halloween costume that is out of this world. Pretty much anything silver and shiny goes for this costume. Don't forget to complete the look with some frosty makeup.
20 of 34
DIY Burger Costume
You can play with your food with this clever costume idea from Studio DIY. Dress up as a classic burger that you make out of just a tan T-shirt and some pieces of felt. It's a great excuse to carry around a container of fries on Halloween that you can munch on.
Continue to 21 of 34 below
21 of 34
Miss Minnie Mouse
Clever costumes don't need to be complicated, as demonstrated by this easy idea from the Color Me Courtney blog. Many people already have some Disney mouse ears; ask your friends to borrow some if you don't have a pair yourself. Then, don a polka dot dress and some red lipstick to become Minnie Mouse.
22 of 34
DIY Fro-Yo Costume from Studio DIY
There's always room for more sweets on Halloween. Dress like a fun bowl of fro-yo with this homemade costume from Studio DIY. The colorful toppings are made from pool noodles, colored paper, and other craft supplies.
23 of 34
Frida Portrait Costume
Do you love Frida Kahlo's artwork? Dress up as the famous painter by using makeup to get her bold eyebrows and DIYing a floral headpiece. From the Aunt Peaches blog, this project requires a little more work than most, but the results are worth it.
24 of 34
DIY Sriracha Costume
Honor your sriracha fandomwith the help of a red T-shirt and a simple green hat. You can use a stencil to label the T-shirt just like a container of sriracha. Consider enlisting a friend to go as a bowl of rice or noodles.
Continue to 25 of 34 below
25 of 34
Easy Spider Crown
For this DIY Halloween costume, dress in all black and crown yourself with a handmade crown of plastic spiders. Simply measure the circumference of your head. Then, glue the spiders together in the circumference that you need.
26 of 34
Instagram Halloween Costume
If you're always on Instagram, then thisdo-it-yourself costume is for you. Turn yourself into an Instagram photo, complete with a fun description and hashtags, with this DIY project from the InkHappy blog. Then, make your favorite poses all Halloween long.
27 of 34
Bob Ross Couples Costume
Television personality and artist Bob Ross taught us well that "there's nothing wrong with having a tree as a friend." And this couples costume displays just that. Have one person dress as Bob Ross and the other as a friendly tree for a great dynamic duo.
28 of 34
Shower Pouf Costume
From Crafts by Amanda, keep things clean this Halloween with a sillyshower pouf costume. You can make this fluffy costume withnylon matte netting, elastic, and rope. Wear leggings to match your pouf color, and bring some bubbles as a prop.
Continue to 29 of 34 below
29 of 34
Fred and Wilma
The modern Stone Age Flintstones still serve as fun and recognizable Halloween costumes today. Get a group together to dress like all of the main characters.You likely can use clothes you already have as the base of your costume, decorating them with some inexpensive craft supplies.
Fred and Wilma from C.R.A.F.T.
30 of 34
Flapper Halloween Costumes
The 1920s flapper is a classic costume that's truly fun for all ages.Put on your best fancy dress, and make a headpiece out of sparkly fabric trim and feathers.Then, add some long necklaces, and you're dressed for the jazz club—or the Halloween party.
31 of 34
Witch’s Hat Fascinator
Cast a spell for Halloween by dressing up in all black and capping it off with a fashionable witchy fascinator. This isn’t your typical witch’s hat. Instead, it’s a smaller and more delicate version that you fix to a headband.
32 of 34
Halloween Hat-ettes
For a simple and subtle DIY costume, go with a “Halloween hat-ette.” These small festive headpieces aren’t full hats, but they’re also bigger than a typical hair clip or bow. They come together with inexpensive sewing and craft supplies.
Continue to 33 of 34 below
33 of 34
Animal Headband DIY
These animal ear headbands made with leather and stick-on studs look good enough to wear anytime. But they're also perfect for an easy DIY Halloween costume. Simply make them in the shape of your choice, and coordinate your clothes to match the animal you're going for.
34 of 34
DIY Birthday Cake Costume
Who says you can't bring other festive occasions into Halloween? Dress up like a fun piece of birthday cake, and you'll have people shouting "Happy birthday!" instead of "Trick or treat!" This costume is made with lots of cardboard and crepe paper.