Cheap costume ideas for your trick-or-treaters

October 14, 9:18 AMOrlando Parenting ExaminerRobyn Kurth

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Is it just me or does it seem like so many of the ready-made Halloween costumes are designed for children who live up North? Furry animal costumes might work well when the temperatures are in the 50s, but here in Orlando your little one will be roasting if you dress him up like a fuzzy dinosaur in 80 degree weather. And this Halloween season in particular, nobody wants to spend more than they have to on a costume.

The great irony for me is that when I was a child the only costumes available were cheap, thin vinyl tarps with flimsy masks that made my glasses fog up (which might explain why stores no longer sell costumes that obstruct a kid’s vision, and why Halloween made me feel even geekier than I already was in grade school). Add to that the fact that I grew up in the Chicago suburbs, where the late October weather would be worthy of a 5-alarm freeze alert in Florida, and my vinyl tarp was usually obscured by my winter coat.

Since I am still wrestling with the demons of Halloweens past, I’ve never invested a lot of money in Halloween costumes. In our current economic climate however, such thriftiness might come in handy, which is why I have more than a few money-saving costume tips that have worked for my family:

• Keep it simple for the babies: Dressing up an infant for Halloween is more of a photo op than anything else, since babies are far too young for trick-or-treating. The October issue of Wondertime magazine has some cute, simple, CHEAP ideas to get your little one into the spirit of the season on very little pocket change.
• Borrow a costume from a relative or friend. Does your daughter have a playmate with a princess outfit to spare? It worked for my little girl last year (it also helps to have a toddler young enough to be happy with whatever costume you pick out for her).
• Use what you have: Last year when my son absolutely had to have a Viking sword and helmet that he saw at EPCOT’s Norway gift shop, I informed him that he was going to be a Viking that Halloween. Thanks to a swatch of furry cloth and a leather strap from a local JoAnn’s fabric shop, I was able to turn the props into an instant costume.
• Make your own costume: Since I have absolutely no sewing skills whatsoever, any homemade costumes I make for my kids will have less than a fitted look, but if you’ve got the time and talent, you can make a costume that will cost less and last longer than a store-bought costume.
• Watch where you buy: You could get a $65 Cinderella dress at Walt Disney World, or you can at least half that price at the local Target. Also check out the girls’ toy section for princess dress-up outfits, which are cheaper than the Halloween costumes. Right before Oct. 31 (or even the day of Halloween) there will be less selection, but discounted prices.