No-sew Halloween costumes: Cardboard boxes

If you have spare cardboard boxes lying around after moving or unpacking new toys, use them for these easy Halloween costumes. Beats sewing or spending hundreds on a costume any day!

A version of this article appeared in our October 2013 issue with the headline “25 easy costumes under $25,” pp. 87-92.

What you need:
— cardboard boxes
— silver gift wrap
— dryer vent tubing
— tin-foil plates
— face paint pencil

How to make it:
Cover the boxes with silver gift wrap using spray glue. Cut out holes for his head and arms. Attach dryer vent tubing (available at hardware stores) to each armhole with tape. Glue tin-foil plates to the front of the box.

Recommended:
Use a non-toxic face paint pencil.

What you need:
— gift wrap
— cardboard box
— ribbon
— bow

How to make it:
Cover the box with gift wrap using spray glue. Cut out holes for her head and arms. Cover all raw box edges with matching- coloured tape. Wrap a ribbon around the box, secure with tape and glue on a bow.

What you need:
— cardboard box
— black and white paper
— face paint pencil

How to make it:
Cover the box with black paper using spray glue. Cut out holes for her head and arms. Cover all raw box edges with black tape. Cut out white paper circles and glue them to the box.

Recommended:
Use a non-toxic face paint pencil.

What you need:
— cardboard box
— white paper
— clear plastic bowl
— clothing
— foam board
— bottle caps

How to make it:
Cover the box with white paper using spray glue. Cut out holes for his head, arms and a window. Push a clear plastic bowl through window, fill it with clothing and seal with foam board. Cover all of the raw box edges with white tape. Cut out a foam-board strip and tape to the box. For the knobs, attach bottle caps with hot glue.

What you need:
— cardboard box
— red and white paper
— face paint pencil

How to make it:
Cover the box with white paper using spray glue. Draw thin black lines on the left and right side of the box so it looks like a deck. Cut out holes for his head and arms. Cover all of the raw box edges with white tape. Add red paper hearts (or diamonds) and numbers.

Recommended:
Use a non-toxic face paint pencil.

No-sew Halloween costumes: Headbands>
These Halloween costumes using headbands are super adorable!