If you’re like me, life tends to get in the way, and you find yourself panicking a few days before Halloween looking for school appropriate Halloween costumes…which leaves you looking for last minute Halloween costumes for kids that won’t get an email from the teacher.
No worries! We’ve got you covered! We’ll go through how to select school appropriate Halloween costumes, and share with you more than 15 ideas you can pull off in no time flat.
Does Halloween always creep up on you before you’re ready for it?
Sure I always start the school year thinking I’ll have plenty of time to make some fun school appropriate Halloween costume for my kids, but then life gets in the way and we end up scrambling to pull together a costume at the last minute.
Thankfully, there are some awesome last-minute Halloween costumes out there. The only problem is that many aren’t actually school-friendly Halloween costumes.
What makes a school appropriate costume?
Our kids’ school has some fairly strict guidelines on what is and isn’t allowed for Halloween costumes. It’s all meant to keep the kids safe and focused on schoolwork.
But even I admit it can feel pretty restrictive. Here’s a quick summary of the rules:
No masks.
Children can’t always see well through masks, making it difficult to work. But this rule is in place also because they quickly become a distraction during the school day.
No Face Paint
To be fair, this is really my rule.
If the kid is old enough to put it on themselves, then have at it. But I don’t want to mess with face paint when we’re rushing to get to school on time.
Not to mention, the tears that will result when it inevitably gets smudged.
No swords or weapons, or anything that can be used as a weapon
Seeing how my 6-year-old son handles his toys, this rule doesn’t surprise me at all.
Not only do teachers want to avoid the inevitable sword fighting in the classroom, but fake swords or weapon like toys are a huge distraction. (For us, this includes items like umbrellas)
Easy to Move in
So many adorable costumes just aren’t practical for all the different activities during a school day, like sitting during class or running around on the playground.
So it’s a good idea to avoid costumes that have anything attached to the back or are very bulky.
After reading all those, you may feel like there’s hardling anything that’s allowed at school. But it’s really not that bad. Here are over 15 last minute costumes you can have ready for your kids that won’t send them to detention.
Don’t miss these other fun Halloween Ideas:
- Free Printable Mask Template for Kids – This kid-sized mask template is perfect for masquerade costumes, or to use as a template for a superhero mask.
- Gourd-geous Halloween parties for Kids – 15 fun ideas for kids of all ages!
- Easy Halloween party food ideas for Kids – from clementine pumpkins to Mummy Dogs, these not-so-spooky treats are sure to be a hit with everyone.
- Family themed Halloween costumes – Take your Halloween to the next level with these ideas for the whole family.
15+ School Friendly Last Minute Halloween Costumes for Kids
No Sew Superhero Costume
Please excuse me for being pretty proud of this costume. I'm no seamstress, so if I can pull off this superhero costume, then surely you can too!
Tutu Pumpkin
It doesn't get easier than this. We used a pumpkin t-shirt from Target (find a similar shirt here) and an orange tutu to make the cutest pumpkin on the block.
Paw Patrol Marshall Child Costume
When my youngest was 4, he loved wearing this costume for Halloween. It even comes with an adorable, soft backpack that is perfect for preschoolers.
Harry Potter House Robes
Two of our three kids have fallen in love with the Harry Potter series as early as Kindergarten. So it's no surprise we've already had our own set of house robes, and even a full Harry Potter themed party with a Honeydukes candy buffet
No-Sew Halloween Spiderweb Cape
We used this tutorial from Delia Creates to make a spider costume for my daughter several years ago.
All you need for the giant spider is a big sheet of white felt and a pair of sharp scissors. Though we did add some spider rings to her hair and a giant spider to her back just for fun. (You can see more pictures of it in action through the link for the pumpkin tutu costume above.)
Thrifted Honey Lemon Costume
Looking for a non-traditional superhero costume? I love that this Honey Lemon costume is made out of items found from the thrift store (savings, yay!), and it's just so cute too!
Athena Costume for girls, no-sew costume
My 11-year-old and her friends are recently obsessed with the Percy Jackson series. And as a result are also devouring all the Greek mythology they can find. Which is why a simple Athena costume like this is sure to be a hit.
DIY Felicity Fox Costume Hoodie
This hoodie is just so adorable! Just add it to some comfy black clothes, and your kid is ready to go!
Homemade DIY Toddler Fairy Wings
Your little fairy will be flitting with joy after making her own set of fairy wings. Seriously, how can it get better than a costume they help to make, too.
How to Make a Glow in the Dark Stick Figure Costume
Okay, so this is probably one of my favorites on the list. All you need are some glow necklaces from the dollar store and a nice dark outfit. So easy, but so creative!
(Don't feel like fiddling with glow necklaces? You can buy a ready made version from Amazon with LED lights)
30 Minute Rockstar Costume
My inner 80s child is in love with this costume. And the way that a Guitar Hero controller was used as part of the costume...genius!
Halloween Monster Costume DIY Tutorial
Isn't this little guy just adorable? Everything from the hat to the fuzzy belly just makes me want to give this little monster a big hug.
Open Book Costume
If you have a bookworm, then this costume is for you. You may need to get rid of the mask for school, but it takes pretty much no special tools or clothes, and will definitely leave an impression.
Rain Cloud Costume…for all ages!
What a cute idea! And a great way to reuse some leftover blue felt or cardstock if you have it lying around.
No Sew Scientist Costume
This no sew scientist costume is so easy to pull off, and it's just darling. And your kid can add their own embellishments to make it their own, too.
DIY Duct Tape Bug Costume
This DIY bug costume is so clever, not to mention adorable. The best part is that you can use this idea as a template to make any number of bugs using different colors or patterns of duct tape.
Halloween Cat Lady Costume And Halloween Link Party
OMG. Just the cutest. And the perfect way to put all your kids stuffed animals to use!
Does your kids’ school have Halloween costume restrictions?
What costumes will your kids be wearing this year?
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This post was originally published on September 28, 2017. It has been updated with new photos and more costume ideas.
Milena | Craft Beering says
These are all such great ideas. It is not easy to find a school friendly costume, you are right – looking over these I remembered a doctor’s set my son has complete with a surgeon’s scrubs and everything, So our problem is solved:) I really like the one with the rain cloud. I’d wear that!
Leslie says
YesSounds like you’ve got a great plan in place!
Ashley says
Great ideas! Pinning these for Oct 30th when I’m scrambling for a costume, lol. Found you on MMBH.
Leslie says
Ha! By the look of things, I’ll be scrambling there with you (as I always am ?)
Jen says
So cute! I love simple costumes that help children enjoy the holiday without all of the fuss and itchiness of some costumes!! 🙂
Leslie says
Ugh…yes, the itchiness!
Victoria @DazzleWhileFrazzled says
That rain cloud costume is beyond cute! Our school doesn’t allow the kids to wear costumes to school. BOO! Visiting from Show and Share party.
Leslie says
Aw, man…no costumes at all? That’s a shame. Our kids can wear costumes through 5th grade. After that, they’re not allowed. Can’t say I blame the school on that one. Thanks for stopping by!
Katie says
These are so cute. I love the duct tape bug costume.
Leslie says
Isn’t it adorable?
Julie says
I totally agree, mine have all left school now but when they were little they just could cope with anything that wasn’t like a fancy version of normal clothes for school. Not too many props, as they always loose them! Keep it simple really works. I like some of these pun ones, the honey lemon is brilliant.
Leslie says
Yep, props always get lost or broken. Thanks for stopping by!
Elizabeth Bigley says
Lots of cute ideas here! My mom has always made costumes for the kids, but she’s had health problems this year and won’t be able to do it…so I’m on call!
Leslie says
So sorry to hear about your mother. But it looks like she’s got a great backup available! Thanks for stopping by!
Sandra L Garth says
Aww, so cute! This makes me wish my kids were little again. Thank you for sharing with us this week at Celebrate Your Story, and I hope your week is going great.
FLORENCE @ VintageSouthernPicks says
Wow! It’s amazing the cleverness, but simplicity of these various costumes! I like all of them, but if I had to pick a fave, maybe the raincloud. The kid in the rockstar costume. Before I even saw what it was, I thought “that kid looks like a rockstar.” Ha. Back when I was growing up (the dark ages of the 50’s), you couldn’t buy a Halloween costume very readily. Everything was made by mommas. Mine dressed me as a dressy witch. Looking back now, it was cute. At the time, I was embarrassed I think. Oh those awkward years.
Lowanda J says
Oh my gosh, this brought back memories! One of my twins was obsessed with ninjas so he was a ninja 3 years in a row. Can you imagine trying to up the ninja costumes each year. The last year was the best and I wish I could post a picture of it.
Elise Cohen Ho says
These are fabulous costume ideas. They are adorable and easy. Plus they look comfortable.
Twochicksandamom/Donna says
Hi. Just letting you know that Two Chicks and a Mom added your clever post as a special feature at Funtastic Friday 148 this week–hope you can stop by again!
https://twochicksandamom.blogspot.com/2017/10/pretty-awesome-kids-halloween-ideas-and.html
Katy says
The cat lady!!!! I’m laughing!!!!
Lots of great ideas here. I might even have my teen borrow one!
Rebecca Jones says
The cat lady is amusing unless you are one I suppose. The rain cloud is adorable. I worked in family day care and dressed them up as scarecrows, hobos, that’s easy with overalls, one year I made a little boy a crayola crayon, with a red outfit and a paper cup on his head, yo need a large rubber band, and can’t wear it all day but it is cute for a picture. We used to rake leaves into those giant trash bags that look like pumpkins, they loved it. Because it was Christian daycare we even did Bible characters, they are not hard with a robe headscarf and a walking cane for a staff, great for a church event.
Jann Olson says
These are really cute! It’s always fun coming up with a costume that doesn’t cost a bundle! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
Kippi says
Great ideas. I used to be try to think of something to get the kids to pick their custom idea so it was not last minute, but one of them always was undecided until the last minute.