Some adorable costumes have come to
light using little more than a cardboard box, some paint, and lots of
imagination. Here are several ideas to choose from. Happy Halloween!
All of the costumes listed here use a cardboard box.
1 large box
1 small box
gray hooded sweatsuit
silver spray paint
gray, white, or black gloves
silver face paint
markers
4 plastic milk jug lids
aluminum foil
Seal one end of box with silver duct tape. Leave other end open. Do this
with both boxes. Spray paint silver, let dry. When dry, cut circle out of
small box so when placed on child's head, the hole will be there for his/her
face. Cut open ends off or fold inside box. Follow above instructions for
large box, then cut holes for arms. Wrap milk jug lids in aluminum foil, then glue lids on box in front, along bottom as control knobs. use markers (or paint if you prefer) to draw horizontal lines across the front of
the box for effect. Paint face silver.
Race Car
large box
red spray paint
yarn
black spray paint
5 paper plates
black marker
4 yellow plastic milk jug lids (other colors will do as well)
1 red plastic milk jug lid for horn
red construction paper
white construction paper
craft glue
Fold sides of box in on both ends. Attach yarn to go from front of box to
back of box and rest over child's shoulders. To attach, poke holes with a
pen or screwdriver into the box, then run yarn through and tie off. Spray
paint box red. Let dry. Spray paint the paper plates black. Let dry. Glue
4 of the 5 paper plates onto the box as wheels. Glue the plastic milk jug
lids on to the plates as hub caps. Take last plate and cut out a steering
wheel. Glue red plastic milk jug lid onto last plate as the horn. Glue plate
to box. Cut tail lights from red construction paper, glue on. Cut headlights
from white construction paper, glue on. Draw a grill on front with black
marker.
Refrigerator
large box
marker
small trinket type toys
post it notes
empty box of cereal
white spray paint
Fold top of box closed, leave bottom open. Paint box white and allow to dry.
Cut hole out of top for head and holes for arms out the sides. Use marker
to draw a handle on fridge. Use different small trinket toys as magnets,
glue on. Stick a couple of post it notes on with messages such as "Don't
forget to walk the dog!" and "Pick up dry cleaning". Added effect, glue a
box of cereal on the shoulder of the costume.
Christmas/Birthday Present
large box
wrapping paper
large bow
shiny ribbon
Tape up one end of box, fold in sides of other end. Wrap box up in wrapping
paper. Tape or glue ribbon around the box and adorn with a bow!
Jack In The Box
large box
plastic headband
blue felt
red felt
green felt
orange felt
4 white pompoms
craft glue
red spray paint
gold craft paint
sponge
toilet paper roll
2 paper towel rolls
Tape up one end of box, fold in sides of other end. Spray paint the box and
the paper towel and toilet paper rolls with red spray paint. Let dry. Cut
out tall triangles from the different colored felts. Roll into cones and
glue closed. Glue pompoms on top of cones. Glue cones to headband. Hopefully,
the cones will be tall enough to flop over like a jester's hat. Cut appropriate
holes for head and arms. Glue paper towel and toilet paper rolls together
to form the crank, glue to the side of the box. Decorate the box with gold
craft paint by sponging paint on in various places or along the border.
Dice
large box
white spray paint
black craft paint or marker
OR
black construction paper
Tape up one end of box, fold in sides of other end. Spray paint the box white.
Let dry. Then, either cut big circles from black construction paper, or paint
the black spots on your "dice".
Television
large box
small box (hair color size)
black spray paint
red craft paint
2 dowels from clothes hangers
aluminum foil
magazine picture of Barney (or football game, or whatever fits age)
2 plastic milk jug lids
Tape up one end of box, fold in sides of other end. Cut holes for arms and
head. Completely close the small box and spray paint completely black. When
dry, use red paint to paint cable box channel number on small box. Glue small
box to top of large box where shoulder will be. Wrap dowels in aluminum foil,
poke holes in top of "TV" and insert dowels for antennas. Use a black marker
to draw a picture tube on front. Glue magazine picture onto TV screen. Glue
milk jug lids on as knobs.
X-ray Machine
large box
white spray paint paper skeleton decoration, torso only
craft glue
2 plastic milk jug lids
Tape up one end of box, fold in sides of other end. Spray paint box white,
let dry. Cut holes for arms and head. Paint a black rectangle on the front,
and the words: "Caution: X-RAY IN USE". Use the torso of a life-size paper
skeleton decoration as the image on the black rectangle (the screen). Glue
the milk jug lids on the front as control knobs.
Popcorn Box
large box
white spray paint
red paint
black paint
paint brush
yellow posterboard
craft glue
red posterboard
Tape up one end of box, fold in sides of other end. Spray paint box white,
let dry. Cut holes for arms and head. When dry, paint red stripes vertically
on box. Using paint brush, paint the word POPCORN in black across the front
of the box. Cut large popcorn pieces out of yellow poster board. Glue along
top edge of box. Cut a couple of strips of red posterboard, enough to go
around the top edge of the box, covering the very bottoms of the popcorn.
This will give the appearance of the popcorn being inside the box rather
than floating on the outside.
Lego
large box
spray paint in a bright primary color
6 empty margarine or butter tubs
shoe box
small plastic cups
face paint
Tape up one end of box, fold in sides of other end. Spray paint box and let
dry. Cut holes for arms and head. Paint empty butter tubs same color as the
box. Glue the six butter tubs to the front of the box, 2 vertical rows, 3
in each row, closed end out. To create a matching hat, take a shoe box and
spray paint it to match your costume. Glue small plastic cups (also painted)
upside down to the bottom of the shoe box. Place the shoe box on your head.
Paint your face the same color as your costume.
About the Author:
Amanda Formaro is the entrepreneurial mother of four children. She is also the owner of FamilyCorner.com Magazine. Subscribe to her free newsletter by clicking "sign up" below
Valentine's Day
Not too far from now, Cupid will be shooting his arrow at love birds all over! Visit our Valentine's Day section for fun crafts, great recipes, or gift ideas, you'll find it all here. Here are a few examples to get you started...
Did you know that FamilyCorner has its own photo gallery? Did you know that YOU can upload your own photos to it? That's right, and it's completely free!
Here are some of the fun benefits of sharing your photos in our FC Gallery:
Send your own photos as an e-card
Watch slide shows
See beautiful sunsets and other great scenic shots
Brag about and share pictures of your loving pets
Share photos of your children and grandchildren
Create your own individual album and post in category albums
Keep your favorite pictures organized online
Rate images of other members
...more!
Join us in the FC Photo Gallery. It's completely free to use, just another fabulous reason to be a FamilyCorner subscriber.
Family Matters Radio
FMR is a nationally syndicated radio program developed to help you live your best life, hosted by Caroline & Jacquie. No rants and raves - you get enough of that from your kids. Choose a segment below to begin listening!
Win Fun Stuff!
Holiday package includes Madagascar, Shrek the Halls & Kung Fun Panda on DVD
5 copies of of the popular musical turned movie Mamma Mia on DVD
10 PSYCLOPS iPod covers for kids
5 t-shirts from the movie The Longshos
Missed the last couple of newsletters? Haven't visited for a while? This section highlights articles and crafts that have recently been added to FC...
Start your own album by 
