Have you ever looked at your child creating something and thought “how did they think of that?” It happens over here a lot. I am constantly amazed at my kids’ creativity, and it really shows in their cardboard costumes. I love Walt Disney’s quote,
“our greatest natural resource is the minds of our children.”
This quote sums up the process of my children creating something they need. We try to go as thrifty as we can for Halloween costumes. I love dress up and I love creativity and it feels like Halloween can merge those two passions so beautifully. Cardboard is a cheap material, so they often opt to make a cardboard costume for Halloween.
Do I Buy or Make a Costume?
For the record, I am NOT about paying a ton for a costume that you wear one time. Yet, we had probably a half dozen Toy Story costumes when our kids were younger because they literally lived in them all day long.
So, knowing your children and their interest level is important when deciding how invested you want to be in a Halloween costume.
Now that we have big kids, they wont wear the costume again. Dress up is not one of their everyday hobbies anymore. In that case, we want to have fun, play, and have something to wear and celebrate the day. Cardboard costumes can be quick, resourceful, inexpensive, fun and get the job done.
What do I need to create a DIY Cardboard Costume?
Big boxes can be the whole costume. I will never forget being out on a walk and seeing Sponge Bob run up to me. It was one of the funniest parenting moments. Who expects to see their child in a cardboard box version of Sponge Bob run up to them!?
A box box can be taped shut, painted and have holes cut for the arms and legs and be pretty amazing.
Our Caleb loves shoes. He buys shoes, he paints shoes, he draws shoes, and he even sells shoes. Do you know anyone like that? You can see more of his love for shoes/art on his YouTube channel. It made perfect sense that he would dress up as a shoe box one year. When we let our kids create their own costume, it can be more personalized and tuned to their individual interests.
Maybe you just have a sheet of cardboard laying around. It ca be turned into a mask. It can be as big as a pumpkin (wearing sunglasses) or smaller like an animal face. I love that the DIY style lets you be as elaborate or simple your time frame and heart’s desire cares to invest.
Our Reagan loves to create, so of course she spent more time on the fox mask than I did on the large cardboard piece we used for a skit.
We all are ordering online these days. By having things we love shipped directly to our door, we can have smaller cardboard boxes pile up. Am I right!? A smaller cardboard box can be the perfect addition to clothes you already have at home.
Have you ever been to a stadium baseball game or basketball game where the ushers are going up and down the stairs selling drinks? One year, our Caleb dressed up as a Dr. Pepper sales guy and it still makes me laugh to look at this picture. DIY Cardboard costumes can be hilarious and so fun. Caleb literally gave away some caned Dr. Peppers during our trick or treating that night. You should have seen the kids asking to trade candy for a drink with him!
What do you think? Do you still need a costume for this year’s trick or treating or Halloween party? Have fun imagining the possibilities! You can save a trip to Walmart and some $ by recycling your cardboard box into a creative costume.
Need more help tapping into your exquisite imagination? Join me in this 30 day challenge to practice imagining and allow the interesting, rewarding possibilities to emerge!
We are only a week into summer, but already loving it! We worked so hard on so many new concepts this school year. As a homeschool mom, I am especially proud of completing another year. Since I teach my kids all year, getting the kids to read during the summer and not feel like they are doing “school” can be tricky. My kids love earning electronic time, and I can play into their love for electronics, by using Disney Story Central.
The computer doesn’t always make sense for reading. When we are on the go or want to all cuddle up in a more comfy location, we can turn to our iPad. I love that this program can be played on both.
One of my favorite features of this program is the customizable bookshelves for each member of the family. With a soon to be third grader and first grader, my boys are on different reading levels and they can get personalized reading recommendations for the level they need.
Disney Story Central gives families the freedom to choose the reading experience that suits them best, whether through an annual subscription service (unlimited access to the expansive library) or a-la-carte options, using Disney Book Tokens. The Disney book token system works like currency and allows parents to give their kids the opportunity to pick out the books they WANT to read.
You can participate in 
Color can move us. It is a reason why it is so hard to pick paint colors for rooms. We want to pick a color that inspires us and creates a certain mood. Rainbows contain so many colors and they all fuze together to be beautiful. It is my Reagan’s favorite color. She might occasionally say purple or pink, but if there is a rainbow option…she picks it. It might be a popsicle. It might be a shirt. It might even be a pair of shoes.
While the rainbows were drying I broke out my ribbon stash. I wanted these rainbows to kind of have a wind chime or dream catcher feel, so what better way than to add some more textures to them!?
As well as having pieces of ribbon cut for their rainbows, they were also making ninja masks. It was quite fun to watch them enjoy and be inspired.
Once they all had a good pile of cut ribbons, I had them line them up in the order they wanted. I then hot glued them in place while also adding a little loop at the top so they can easily be hung.
They turned out so cute! The kids were so excited about them.
We hung the boys’ rainbows where we do school, but my little Reagan wanted hers to hang right above her bed! I now ask her every morning if she had rainbow dreams.
This was such a fun little craft. I love seeing their art around our home!
Getting out the door can be one hard task as a mom.
I painted her room (more on that soon). She participated with 
As I sat watching her decorate her dresser with all her extra fun decals, my heart just swelled with pride. She was so patient. She loved me so well as she waited for her turn.
So, as my little girl, flies off her bed as “Rainbow Dash” ready to take on Ponyville or at least conquering my world….I am so thankful for the gift she is. It was just a wall decal, but I will always smile at it and remember the process and lessons we went through to get it on that light pink wall.