8 Last-Minute Halloween Costumes Using Household Items

We’ve all been there. One minute, you’re complaining that Halloween candy is in stores before Labor Day, and the next minute, it’s October 27, and you’re scrambling for a costume. No need to stress — we have your back. If you’re looking for a Halloween costume in a pinch, here are some easy costumes you can make with items around the house that will look anything but “last minute.” 

Piece of Sushi

Real sushi may be difficult — and expensive — to make, but this costume is neither. Begin with creating a layer of “sushi rice” by tapping a white pillow around your torso. Then, cut around the seams of a black garbage bag to make one long piece. Wrap it around the pillow to mimic a layer of seaweed. Finish the costume by adding some color on top: red fabric cut into rectangles for tuna, green fabric circles for cucumber, and orange crafting pom poms for fish eggs.

LEGO Block

DIY LEGO block costumes only require a cardboard box and a cylindrical cardboard tube. Begin by cutting holes into each side of the box: large holes at the top and bottom to fit around your torso and smaller holes on the sides to stick your arms through. Then, cut the tub into four equal pieces. Glue the pieces to the front of the box and cover the opening with paper. Finish the costume by spray painting whatever LEGO color you please.

Bulletin Board

Put on brown clothing to create a base layer that looks like a corkboard. Then, take post-it notes and write whatever fun messages you’d like, such as “Meeting at 3 pm” or “Refill printer toner.” Affix the notes all over your body using their natural stickiness, a light layer of glue, or safety pins. 

Bag of Jelly Beans

For this costume, you only need a bag of small balloons, a clear trash bag, and a piece of ribbon. Begin by inflating the balloons. Then, take a clear plastic trash bag, cut holes for your legs and arms, and step into it. Next, fill the bag with the balloons. Loosely tie the bag around your neck with the ribbon.

Bearded Lumberjack

If you’ve got long hair, this is the perfect costume. Toss on a flannel shirt, blue jeans, and a pair of suspenders. Then, tie your hair around your chin like a bushy beard. Pick up a fake ax from a costume store to complete the look if you have time.

Advice Booth

Whether you’re a fan of the Peanuts comic strip — specifically Lucy’s psychiatrist character — or not, an advice booth is a great DIY Halloween costume. Take a giant cardboard box and cut out a window in the center. Then grab a sharpie and write whatever phrases you’d like on the box, such as “Psychiatric Help,” “Advice Booth,” or “The Doctor is IN.” Carry the booth all night and pretend to speak to “patients” through the window.

Rosie the Riveter

Rosie the Riveter is a recognizable costume — and a simple one. All you need is a pair of jeans, a red bandana, and a denim shirt. Roll the sleeves up, tie a red bandana around your head, and just like that, you’re a feminist icon. Don’t forget to flex your biceps all night.

Gumball Machine

You’ll need a red pair of pants (or skirt), a white shirt, aluminum foil, and colorful pom poms for this outfit. Glue the pom poms onto the shirt in the shape of a dome to resemble a filled gumball machine. Next, cut a piece of aluminum foil into a large rectangle and write “25¢” on it using a sharpie. Affix it to the front of the pants to represent the coin slot.

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