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Costume making easy for children

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By Emiko Moore, Contributing Writer 12:14 PM Thursday, October 22, 2009

If parents haven’t decided on Halloween costumes for their children, they may want to have fun brewing up some spooky ideas and making them together.

The costumes can be as simple or as complex as they like, and making them is a great opportunity to work together with their children.

Some of the most memorable costumes for children are the ones where their mother help them put them together. Whether it’s a gypsy for a daughter, adorning some of her mother’s old scarves and hoop earrings, or pointy ears for a boy and his Mr. Spock ensemble, the ideas are endless.

Not only can you stretch your children’s imagination by letting them have some input, but you’ll also stretch a few bucks to boot.

This season, many are tightening their belts with the upcoming holidays and Beggars Night is no exception.

“The economy has caught up to Halloween this year,” said Tracy Mullin, president of the National Retail Federation. “Since retailers know that Americans will be looking to celebrate on a budget, there’s no doubt we will see creative costumes and decorating ideas in every price point imaginable.”

When putting together costumes for kids, make sure it’s easy for them to move around and to go to the bathroom.

“The costume should not be so complex that in an emergency it cannot be removed. Velcro and snaps, or ones which can be pulled off over the head work the best,” says Jacqueline Burris, assistant professor of Fashion and Product Design at the University of Cincinnati.

Sometimes there are unique challenges for parents. Children with special needs may require additional openings in their costumes for medical tubes, or loose fitting materials to accommodate braces, crutches and wheel chairs.

Burris likes to incorporate those special needs into a garment or costume, “If a child has a physical disability, I believe parents should embrace it and use it within the design. If a child relies on any physical equipment, use that equipment as part of the design to be creative.”

Wearing fun imaginative costumes are a lot of what makes Halloween so exciting for kids. Costumes don’t have to cost a lot, Burris said.

“They don’t have to look perfect. All you need is a few items from your home or local craft store, and a child’s unlimited imagination,” Burris said.

Seven costumes from $5 to $15

Jacqueline Burris created seven costumes all ranging from $5 to $15. These are approximate prices, assuming you have masking tape, glue, sewing thread, and box cutters.

Costume Cost Time

WALL-E $15 3-4 hours, mostly for paint drying

Lego $10 2 hours

GI Joe $5 1 hour

Skeleton $13 1 hour

Small pumpkin $10 1 hour

Large pumpkin $15 5-6 hours, mostly for paint drying

Firefly $13 2 hours

Seeing the smile on your kids face: priceless.

All costumes created by Jacqueline Burris and all materials for the costumes supplied by Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores and Dollar Tree Inc.

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