Need a last minute costume but still want to dress to impress? These last minute halloween costume ideas are ridiculously easy to put together but clever enough to make everyone think you spent weeks planning. Whether you're going trick or treating, to a party, or just handing out candy, these quick and simple costume ideas have you covered.
Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays because it gives us an excuse to get dressed up and spend time with family and friends. As a kid, I was described as vivacious, and eager to celebrate every holiday, especially halloween.
Now, I fully embrace that excitement by dressing up and throwing themed parties, like our witches night out, where we enjoy Halloween mocktails, witch finger snacks, and easy spider cookies. It’s all about creating memories, whether it's through fun get-togethers or clever costumes.
Why you should dress up for Halloween
- Your kids will think you're cool: And lets be real, that is reason enough!
- Sparks creativity: It's always fun to get in touch with your creative side and work with your hands.
- More candy: The kids will score more candy if the whole family is in costume.
- It's only once a year: Halloween only comes around once a year so celebrate it while you can!
Now onto the costumes!
Ghost: The easiest DIY costume ever
If it is really last minute and you need a quick costume, a DIY costume is always a good option. Put on a white t-shirt (you know you have one), black jeans, and a white sheet and you are ready to go trick-or-treating. You could even wear white pants if you want to really blend in.
You can walk around without cutting eye holes in the sheet, but you must be careful. I recommend cutting out eye holes, though. You can put sunglasses over the sheet for a cool photoshoot if you want.
The best way to make this ghost costume is to go to the thrift shop and get a cheap sheet. Then you can cut up the sheet all you want without worrying about ruining nice sheets. You can also run to the store and grab inexpensive sheets.
Tablecloths are also a great option for your ghost costume. Depending on the tablecloth, they can be a bit thicker than a sheet, so that may be a good option if you live in a colder area.
Pro Tip: If you live in a windy area, wear a baseball cap over the sheet to keep it in place. You’ll instantly become a "baseball ghost!"
Astronaut: Launch into creativity
If you've got a bit more time, an austronot costume comes together with a bit more effort. You don't need to go out and buy a whole new costume you will wear only once, but you do need to get creative.
You probably already have some of the pieces for this costume lying around the house. Some important pieces you may already have are black gloves, snow boots (or winter boots of some kind), and a t-shirt. If you have white snow pants, those will work great for this costume.
A white shirt or jacket would work for the top of the astronaut costume. You could also look for a white jumpsuit online or ask if your neighbors have one to borrow. It is all about putting together little pieces to make an awesome costume.
Helmet Hack: Making your own helmet can be tricky (and we need to breathe!), so it’s easier to order one from Amazon. There are affordable options that look great and finish off the costume perfectly.
Astronaut costumes usually have reflective material, so grab the duct tape and get decorating. You most likely have duct tape in your house, which is perfect for a last-minute idea. Grey or silver duct tape will work best for this costume.
Frankenstein: Freaky fast costume
For a truly instant costume, all you need is a paper bag and a Sharpie to become Frankenstein. Take a paper bag large enough to fit over your head and mark where your eyes will go. Cut out the eye holes and you're free to decorate the back however you'd like. Draw stitches, messy hair, teeth, or get creative with details.
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In 10-15 minutes, you’ll have a costume ready to go! And the beauty of this idea is that you can adapt it for other characters, like Steve from Minecraft, a cat, or a pumpkin. Who knew a paper bag could be so versatile?
Pumpkin: A classic
Nothing says Halloween like a pumpkin. For a bold, DIY look, you can actually wear a real pumpkin as your costume! First, make sure to find a pumpkin large enough to fit your head—this may take some trial and error, so bring a measuring tape with you when you're pumpkin shopping.
Once you’ve picked the right one, hollow it out, carve the jack-o-lantern face, and make sure it’s comfortable to wear. You’ll want to thin out the inside as much as possible to make it lighter and more breathable. For the ultimate effect, pair your pumpkin head with a black outfit you're ready to go.
Pumpkin pro tip: Wear a shower cap if your pumpkin is still wet. This way, you won't get pumpkin all over your head!
Skeleton: Spooky and Simple
If you want something spookier, a skeleton costume is a perfect option. You can keep it simple with a skeleton shirt, wear a whole body skeleton costume, or go all out with full skeleton makeup. Wearing all black will let your makeup pop, but it's best to practice your makeup or give yourself time for adjustments.
One suggestion, though, is to buy a setting spray if you decide to get your makeup done. This will keep your makeup locked in so it does not get everywhere or smudge. If you don't have setting spray, just be extra careful not to touch your face.
You could try out this corpse bride look for couples Halloween costumes. Put on your favorite black suit and a dress shirt (bonus points if you grab a top hat) and have matching makeup with your partner to create this look.
Couples costumes are fun because they look great in pictures, and it is fun to match with your partner. This skeleton costume is so easy because you wear black clothing. Your partner could also wear a black dress to be extra spooky.
If group costumes are not your thing, ask your best friend to dress up with you! You will be the best dressed dads out there.
Farmer: An easy classic
If you're going for ease and comfort, a farmer costume is your best bet. All you need is a flannel shirt, jeans, and, if you have one, a cowboy hat. Cowboy boots will take it up a notch, but they’re not required. It's simple, it's easy, and you'll be cozy all night long.
If you don't have a cowboy hat, someone you know probably does. Ask around and see if you can borrow a hat for the night. You can always get a cheap one on Amazon as well.
Superman: Last minute hero
Superman is another last-minute win. If you already have a Superman t-shirt, you're basically done. For added flair, wear a button-up shirt over your Superman tee and leave it open to reveal the iconic symbol. Add a pair of glasses, and you’ve got a Clark Kent-turned-Superman look.
This costume idea works for any superhero. Get a t-shirt with your favorite superhero's logo, and you are all set. You can even dress up as your favorite villian.
There is the Joker, Hades, Thanos, and a ton of other villains you could dress up as. Some may say a graphic t-shirt does not count as a Halloween costume, but I say it does. As long as you put some effort in, I count it as a costume.
Tips for success
- Have fun - Halloween is meant to be a holiday full of fun and mischief, so do not stress too much over a costume. Get creative and go with the flow.
- Ask for help - If you are stuck on what costume to choose, ask family and friends what they think would work best. One of them most likely will have an accessory that will help your costume.
- Take pictures - Take pictures of your costume, especially if you do a group costume with family and friends. You worked hard on this costume, so you may as well show it off!
I hope these last-minute Halloween costumes inspired you to get creative and have fun this Halloween. Remember, it doesn't take much to create a show-stopping costume—you just need a little imagination. Whether you're keeping it simple or going all out, these ideas will help you steal the show with minimal effort.
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