Children dressed in costume want to be unique. Just as women do not want to run into another lady wearing the same exact outfit, kids on Halloween do not want to meet up with another trick-or-treater wearing the same costume either. Parents do not want to spend a fortune on a one night costume that cannot be worn again and again. How do you solve this dilemma? By creating your own designer costume, of course.
Costumes do not have to cost a fortune to be fabulous. The amount that you spend on the spooktacular supplies described below will be less than $50.00 The memories made of the time you spend with your child designing the dazzling costume will be priceless.
There are two basic components to your costume: the base garment and the accessories.
Consultation 101
Talk to your child. Find out what character they have in mind. If they are undecided, make a list of possibilities. Decide as a team which character they prefer.
Costume Color
Leotards and leggings are the basis of many costumes. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination and your child’s preferences.
Black
Black leggings and black leotards can be the basis for many different costumes. One such costume is a skeleton. Use white fabric paint to paint on bones. The second costume is a dog or cat. Depending on the nose and whiskers that you paint on your child’s face, you can create either critter.
White
Change the color of the leggings to all white, add glitter and wings. You have an instant angel. Change up the wings a little, and add frilly accessories, and hocus pocus, you have a fairy. With a few black spots, a Dalmatian puppy is born.
Brown
Brown leggings and leotard can transform your child into a lion or a leopard. Paint on spots to create the leopard. Add the tail made from drapery cord.
Use the black leggings, but pick a bright color for the leotard. Add spectacular big butterfly wings made from pipe cleaners and wrapping paper that shimmers.
Rainbow of Colors
If you can’t find the perfect color leotard or leggings, buy white ones and then dye it yourself. Rit brand dye is inexpensive and has been used repeatedly with good success over the years.
Spooktacular Supplies
The Natalie Child Hooded Tank Leotards can be found online at Discount Dance Supply. These can be reused after the costume for dance class or fun at home.
Fabric paint such as the Scribbles brand adds texture to your costume. This type paint can be found at your nearest Michaels store. Snazaroo face paints bring your child’s costume character to life. The Snazaroo paints are all hypoallergenic and nontoxic. The one characteristic of this paint that impresses me most is that they wash off easily. We do not want the kids to walk around with a half painted face for days.
