Carnival season is the perfect time for kids to dress up, get creative, and have a little extra fun. In the U.S., many preschools and schools also do costume days and class parties this time of year (sometimes as a “dress-up day” or even a Mardi Gras celebration). The good news is you don’t need expensive costumes or special supplies. With simple household items and a bit of imagination, you can create something your child will love.
Why DIY Costumes Are Great for Preschoolers
Homemade costumes are fun, simple, and surprisingly educational. And the best part is that the process matters more than perfection. Kids remember the laughs, not the tiny details. Kids get to practice:
• cutting and gluing,
• coloring and decorating,
• using their hands and fingers (fine motor skills),
• creativity and confidence (“I made this!”).
Use “Recycling Bin Treasures” for Costume Fun
DIY costumes are a great way to talk about recycling and reusing without making it a big lesson. It’s eco-friendly, affordable, and it turns “ordinary” items into something magical.
Try using things you already have at home:
• cardboard boxes,
• paper grocery bags,
• toilet paper rolls,
• old magazines,
• fabric scraps,
• stickers, ribbons, buttons,
• washable markers, crayons, paint.
Free Printable Masquerade Masks (Easy & Fun!)
Want the simplest way to start? We’ve got you. Download our free printable masquerade mask templates, then let your child decorate them any way they want. It’s a perfect activity for little hands and a fun family craft. For younger kids, you can cut the mask first and let them focus on decoration. Get the free templates here!
Ideas for decorating:
• crayons or markers,
• paint,
• stickers,
• glitter (if you’re brave!),
• feathers or pom-poms.
5 Easy Costume Ideas Using Stuff at Home
Here are a few quick, low-stress ideas that work great for preschool costume parties:
1) Superhero – A towel or old T-shirt becomes a cape. Add a homemade mask.
2) Princess or Royal Outfit – Make a cardboard crown and decorate it. Pair it with any dress or sparkly shirt.
3) Robot – A cardboard box + bottle caps = robot buttons. Add foil if you have it.
4) Butterfly or Bee – Cardboard wings + markers. Kids love running around with wings.
5) Bunny, Cat, or Fox – Add ears to a headband and use a mask template as the face piece.
Best DIY Costume Inspiration Websites
1) Artful Parent
2) Better Homes & Gardens
3) Kids Activities Blog
4) C.R.A.F.T. (Creating Really Awesome Fun Things)
5) Bonus: Our FREE printable masquerade masks (easy + quick win)
DIY costumes don’t need to be perfect. The real goal is doing something together, laughing, and letting your child feel proud of what they made. That’s the kind of memory that sticks.