Is it the eleventh hour and you still have no costume for the kiddos? No worries! Those brown bags from the grocery store come in handy for all kinds of things, but this time of year they’re the go-to material for last-minute Halloween costumes. You can have any of these costumes ready to wear in less than 24 hours, but some will take no more than an hour or two.
First, you’ll need to know how to create a paper bag vest. With the opening of the bag facing you, cut up the middle of the bag and over the fold at the bag’s bottom. Cut a 6-8″ hole in the bottom of the bag for the neck. Cut 4-6″ holes in each side for the armholes. Carefully turn the vest inside out so that the store logo is on the inside, and you’re ready for transformation. If you plan to paint the bag, you’ll want to do that the day before you plan to decorate it.
Here are ten quick and easy paper bag costumes to get you started:
1. Fisherman: Trim the vest so that the front edges are rounded (see photo). Glue on an assortment of old fishing gear, like lures, bobbers, and flies.
- Wear with: Jeans, a flannel shirt, and a funky hat.
- Accessorize: Carry a fishing pole.
2. Cowboy: Fringe the bottom of the vest and glue on “pockets” cut from a second paper bag.
- Wear with: Jeans, a flannel shirt, a bandana, and a straw hat.
- Accessorize: Tie on a rope.
3. Robot: Paint the paper bag vest silver and add a control panel with miscellaneous parts from the toolbox like washers and springs or old computer components.
- Wear with: Grey sweats and a grey sweatshirt.
- Accessorize: Make a robot head out of a small square box that fits over your child’s head.
[Read Kris Bordessa’s article, with seven more amazing costumes from paper bags, at GeekMom!]
