18 Last Minute Halloween Costumes
Halloween’s two weeks away. Have your kids picked their costumes yet? If they haven’t, it might be a little late to order something from the costume catalogs or even Amazon at this point. But don’t panic: that doesn’t mean your kids will go costumeless this year.
We’ve pulled together some last-minute costumes that are easy to pull together in no time. Plus, most of these costumes can be pulled together from items you already have or from a quick trip to the thrift store, so no need to worry about starting major DIY projects this close to Halloween!
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Ballerina
All you need to make this costume happen are a plain pink or black leotard, some pink tights and a pretty and elegant ballet skirt. Canvas ballet slippers or similar shoes are typically cheap and easy to find. If your child has long hair, slick their hair back into a bun to pull the look together.
If your child is a dancer, you can make the last-minute costume hunt even easier. Old recital and competition costumes can be repurposed into quick Halloween costumes if you’re in a bind.
Angel
It doesn’t take a miracle to pull together an angel costume, especially if your little one already has a white dress. Find some accessories, like costume wings, to finish off the look. If you’re looking to bring something extra to this costume, consider some kid-friendly glittery makeup.
Minions from Despicable Me
Minions have been a popular costume choice since the release of the original Despicable Me film back in 2010.
It’s a great option if you’re looking for a costume that’s quick and easy but still timely and relevant. Just find a yellow top and some overalls and you’re all set! If you’re crafty, you can take this the extra mile by adding the Gru logo to the costume.
Athlete
Whether your kid plays softball, soccer, baseball, football, hockey or any other sport, old uniforms are great for repurposing into Halloween costumes. If you’re a family of sports fans, your kid can also dress up as their favorite pro athlete, especially if they have a jersey already.
Cowboy
Tons of kids already have jeans and flannel shirts in their closet, which means you have the beginnings of a classic cowboy or cowgirl costume. Add a signature hat and maybe a bandana to the look and you’re all set.
Where’s Waldo
Even over 35 years after his debut, Where’s Waldo continues to be a popular costume year after year. Because it’s so popular, you can probably find an iconic Waldo shirt pre-owned if you’re trying to avoid buying new pieces for Halloween.
After that, all you need is the matching hat, some jeans and a set of thick-rimmed glasses!
Rosie the Riveter
Rosie the Riveter has been an iconic figure for decades now. A denim shirt and jeans (or a denim jumpsuit, if you happen to have one) and a red bandana are all you need to make this costume happen.
With some practice, you can master Rosie the Riveter’s famous hairstyle. If you’re comfortable with it, finish off the look with a kid-friendly red lipstick.
Black Cat
Halloween costumes don’t get much more classic than a black cat. You can pull this together with any black clothes you have in the closet already. No need to overcomplicate it! Finish off the look with some cat ears and maybe some face paint.
Superman
You don’t need a full supersuit to be Superman for Halloween. If you’re looking for something easier to pull together, find a Superman logo tee shirt and wear under a button up and nice pants. In no time at all, your kid can dress up as Clark Kent, ready to turn into Superman at any minute!
Ghost
If all else fails, your kid always has the option to go as a ghost this Halloween. It’s been a quintessential last-minute Halloween costume for years, and for good reason.
It’s a costume that can be pulled together in minutes with household items. And there’s nothing wrong with going for a classic choice!
Adam Sandler
One of the greatest internet fashion trends is dressing like and being inspired by the great Adam Sandler. Now, for Halloween, you can channel your inner Adam Sandler by being the comfiest person at the party. The Adam Sandler aesthetic is all about oversized shorts, baggy shirts, and sneakers. His street style is unmatched.
Taylor Swift
Another pop culture icon is Taylor Swift, and if you are a fan of sparkles and the eras tour, you probably have all you need in your closet to become Taylor Swift for the night. Pull together a look inspired by the tour and sing your heart out this Halloween.
Olivia Rodrigo
Another pop icon that’s surprisingly easy to recreate is Olivia Rodrigo. If you’re a fan of the grunge aesthetic, then you probably already have a pair of black boots, some eyeliner, and a white tank. That’s really all you need to channel your inner Olivia Rodrigo.
Witch
It’s witchy season, and luckily, being a witch is as simple as having 3 pieces. Go for the all-black dress, a pointy hat, and a broomstick, and you’re all set to hit the town with your coven.
Wednesday Addams
Achieving the iconic Wednesday Addams look is a lot easier than you’d think! Grab a black dress with a white collar and braid your hair into pigtails, and you will be all set.
Tourist
Ok, this one might be one of the easiest costumes to pull off in NYC and will likely be a hit. Nothing says tourist more than a floral shirt, so throw one on, add some sunglasses, a map, and a confused look, and you will be one of the many tourists the city sees.
Doctor or Nurse
While everyone is seeing “out of stock” for their costumes, one thing you’ll have no trouble finding is scrubs! Pair them with a stethoscope or white coat, and you are ready to be on call all Halloween.
Zombie
While zombies do take some dedication to pull off, the one thing you’ll really need is makeup. Grab some old pieces from your closet that you don’t mind getting rid of, tear them up, and pull it all together with your zombie makeup, and you have yourself a classic costume that’s also inexpensive.
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