Easy, Last-Minute Halloween Costumes

You've put off or waited until the last minute to buy a Halloween costume for your child but Patch is here to help. There's probably already stuff in your home that you can use to make one-of-a-kind costumes. I’m talking about finding the knickknacks in every home and creating an awesome outfit that’ll give you the “I’m walking away with the best costume award” kind of swagger.

To get you started, here are a few ideas of costumes you can make from household materials.

Charlie Brown
Supplies: A plain yellow shirt, black construction paper or black paint, stocking cap (optional)

• Simply take the yellow shirt and create the trademark "Charlie Brown look," with a consistent line of black construction paper, or black paint.
• Throw on some pants or shorts with sneakers.
• If you're really committed to the unnaturally bald look, thrown on a stocking cap.

Burrito
Supplies: Tin foil, tape, black marker, scissors

• Wrap yourself in several layers of tin foil around the torso, arms and legs.
• Then, create a large cocoon-like shell that approximates the burrito look—you may need to find a helper to make sure you are fully ensconced.
• Draw a large "S" or "C" with a black marker (like they do at Chipotle), to specify if you are a chicken or beef burrito.

Old School Television
Supplies: Cardboard box, scissors, duct tape, wire hangers, black marker

• Take a large cardboard box and cut a hole in one side of the box, resembling an old television screen.
• Unwrap a wire hanger so that it looks like a “V” and duct tape the “V” atop the box, creating something that looks like an antenna.
• Draw knobs and dials on the screen-side of the box to resemble an analog television.

Zombie Mom
Supplies: Cooking apron, knife (toy knife is preferable) or household appliance, red nail polish or ketchup, powder make-up, color lipstick (preferably red and green), ripped clothing, cooking flour

• Use the various supplies to make yourself or your child look like a zombie parent.
• Discolor the apron with food stains or fake blood.
• Use household makeup or cooking flour to make your face very pale and add crazy lipstick colors to discolor your face.
• Ripped or dirty clothing is always a nice touch.
• Hold a kitchen appliance (dough rollers are a nice touch) and use that as a “weapon” for the costume.

Favorite Athlete
Supplies: A jersey of a professional athlete, pillows or blankets, dirt, sports equipment

• Lots of kids want to grow up to be sports stars, so use that to your advantage when planning a costume.
• Take a jersey you already have (Ravens, Redskins, Yankees, Lakers, etc.) and fill out the rest of the outfit.
• Depending on the sport, you may need to “buff up” the costume to increase the appearance of muscles.
• If you only have a generic jersey that resembles a team but not specifically a professional team shirt, write a famous players’ name on the back of the shirt.