10 minute Halloween costumes

This is not for those organised parents and carers who’ve had pressed Halloween costumes hanging in the wardrobes for a week or two now; this is for the rest of us.  The hopelessly disorganised and scatty who’ve now got only a few hours to sort things out for tonight.

You might want to check up on our Facepainting 101  before you start.  But with little ones, do lay off the skulls.  I’ve found that they can be worried, on seeing themselves in the mirror and getting a little spooked, that they might in turn scare others.  And scaring people, so they’ve been told, isn’t nice.

Also - before ripping, cuting and making - check with the most responsible adult present.  Mrs Welikeplay was most miffed on finding one-legged tights last-time I made robber masks.  So my boys are under instruction to clear it with mum.

The Mummy
Cajole your kiddywinks into some white/light clothing. Then set about them with loo roll or ripped strips of sheet.  Dust with talc.

The Butterfly 
Find some old floaty material. Cut out two arm length triangles and sew/staple these along the underarms and side seams.  Paint face to match floaty material and add glitter if available.

The Pirate
V-cut the bottom of an old pair of trousers off; stick on a white shirt.  Tie a shiny scarf around the waist and paint on an eyepatch/ moustache/ stubble.

Princess
If you’ve a little girl in the house, let her go wild with all that pink stuff.  Nod and smile.

The Swamp Monster
Get them to go and stick green clothes/camo on.  Find a green sheet to shred and toga wrap.  Run around the garden picking up sticks, leaves and twig.  Poke greenery through little snipped holes in in the toga.

Scarecrow
Find a big flannel shirt and jeans.  Put them on and stuff the space with old shopping bags whilst doing your “stick these over your face and you can’t breathe” spiel.  Tie waist, cuffs and ankles with string.  If you’ve straw, use it.  Take out a big brown grease face-painting pen, and do the Dr Who stiches

Enjoy

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