Family-friendly Halloween costumes you can make at the last minute

Halloween is one of those holidays that brings out the kid in all of us. Whether you’re the type who’s been planning your costume since July or you’re scrambling the night before with a hot glue gun, some scissors, and a prayer – Halloween is a chance to be creative, laugh at yourself, and maybe eat a little too much candy.

The trouble is, finding the right costume can feel harder than it should be. Browsing Pinterest for costume ideas is always fun, but sometimes the costumes can cost an extravagant amount, or they might not fit into your definition of modest – and nobody wants to be uncomfortable adjusting their costume all night. 

Then there’s the logistics: Will it rain? What kind of Halloween event are you attending? Are you flying solo, pairing up with your partner, or wrangling the whole family or friend group into a theme?

No matter the situation, these costume ideas are funny, affordable, wholesome, and (most importantly) comfortable enough to actually enjoy your night. 

Singles

Bob Ross

Simply carry a paint palette, wear a curly wig (or curl your own hair into tiny ringlets), and tote around either your best attempt at Bob Ross-inspired art or even a piece of art from your own home. Bonus points if you say “happy little trees” at least once.. 

Cactus Hugger

Wear all green, tape some pipe cleaners to your clothes as “spikes,” and add a sign that says “Free Hugs.” It’s guaranteed to get a laugh, and it’s easy to throw together at the last minute!

Bag of Jellybeans/Bubblegum Machine

A clear trash bag plus colorful balloons equals jellybeans. If you want to level up, add a red hat and base to transform into a gumball machine. 

Storybook Character

Feeling nostalgic? Channel your inner child and dress as your favorite storybook character. Think: If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, Paddington, Fancy Nancy, etc. Bonus points: go to the library and rent a copy of the book to carry around with you. 

Couples

Salt and Pepper Shakers

Classic, cheap, and iconic. One of you is in white with an “S,” the other in black or grey with a “P.” It’s as easy as that.

Farmer and Cow

Cow, pig, horse, or any other barnyard animal. One of you simply wears your most “farmer” outfit — think flannel, overalls, or jeans, boots, and even a hat. The other simply imitates the barnyard animal of their choosing to the best of their abilities. 

Lightening MacQueen and Sally

Wear red and blue, get baseball caps, and paint/type the iconic cars’ eyes onto them! You’ve easily turned yourself into an iconic Pixar couple.

Golfer and Caddy

Chances are, you probably have everything you need for this costume in your closet, especially if your partner is a golfer. Simply dress the part of the golfer and his caddy. 

KFC Duo (Colonel Sanders and a Chicken)

This requires a little bit more of an investment (unless you have a chicken costume lying around). Get a chicken costume for one of you. The other needs a white wig, glasses, a beard, a black bow tie, and a red apron. The iconic KFC duo. 

Group/Family

Mario Kart Racers

This might take a little bit of preparation, but with a cardboard box, some paint, and a little time (plus maybe character hats from Amazon or a store nearby), you’ve got the whole crew ready to race. Add helium balloons tied to the back for an extra fun detail.  

Emojis

You can take this any way you want, but my favorite way is a simple black costume and face paint. Enough said. 

M&Ms or Skittles

It doesn’t get much more basic than this, but it’s easy to throw together in a pinch! Everyone gets a different colored t-shirt and paints/tapes the respective logo on it. It may be simple, but everyone will know who you are – and love you if you bring some candy to share. 

Gru and his Minions

A bald cap is optional but highly encouraged. Everyone else is in yellow shirts, overalls, and goggles. Bananas are a must. 

At the end of the day, Halloween costumes don’t need to be expensive or elaborate to be memorable. The best ones are the ones that make people smile, spark nostalgia, and let you enjoy the fun without the fuss. Whether you spent hours on your costume or threw something together last minute – the point is to have fun. Embrace the silly, lean into the wholesome, and make this Halloween one you’ll always remember.