Let’s make an easy, homemade fancy dress costume

You can’t start brainstorming too soon if your little one has a fancy dress day coming up at nursery, preschool or school. Children often arrive with ready made plans, although these ideas can change every couple of days. Which is why our help may be needed to create the most fitting costume.

If your child is heading to their very first fancy dress party, they will have no memories yet of what the celebration involves. It helps to dream up a costume based on a character that genuinely interests them, perhaps a favourite story figure, a magical element, or something linked to a wish of theirs. That way, they can really step into the role during the party.

Let’s make a costume at home

Shops sell beautiful costumes, but in this article we want to share ideas for when you are planning to make your child’s outfit yourself. Making costumes at home is a big joy for the whole family and anyone can get involved. Dads often jump at the chance to craft the more “technical” builds, especially if some clever assembly is needed. Older siblings can take the lead on decorations and aesthetics.

A handmade costume is unique, a real little masterpiece that gives everyone a sense of achievement and a lovely memory. LiaaBébé baby and toddler pieces fit beautifully into a sweet fancy dress outfit, thanks to their gorgeous, distinctive colours, and you can even find dino prints. The costume tips below use a onesie or pyjamas in a way that does not damage the garment, so it can be worn again after the party.

We’ll help you choose the costume 

Do not worry if you have no ideas yet. We will walk through a few points to figure out what could be ideal for your child.

• Do they have a favourite character, superhero, animal or theme

• Is the costume for a girl or a boy
  Some looks feel more traditionally girly or boyish, though many are unisex, for example clowns or animals. If your child would be bothered by a costume they see as too girly or boyish, talk it through so they do not feel awkward. A cat, for example, is often seen as more girly.

• Do they want to take part in making the costume
  If yes, plan it so they can join the creative process.

• Can friends or siblings connect to the same theme
  You could coordinate styles together. Think a team of story heroes or characters from the same tale.

• Would you like parts of the costume to be usable afterwards, for example the onesie or pyjamas

• What budget do you have in mind

• Offer a few tips and let your child choose. They know best what they want to show their friends and which role they want to play.

What makes a good fancy dress costume 

• Comfortable for the whole party. Not tight, does not restrict movement, not scratchy or irritating

• Made from skin friendly materials

• Appropriate for the occasion. Avoid overly scary looks, since it is for children

• Suits the indoor temperature. If the event is outdoors, leave room for layers underneath

• Easy on and off if worn for longer, for example for toilet trips

• Has a clear character. Costumes that do not mean much to the child are harder to identify with.

What costumes can we create using a onesie or pyjamas 

We think most popular costumes can be made from these garments without sewing or gluing onto them. If you are making a clown, choose the brightest colour for the base. Think the Chili Red romper or Purple Orchid pyjamas. Add every accessory separately: hat, colourful scarf, wig.

Girls often love stepping into the role of a princess. It is wonderfully simple to create a striking outfit here. Choose a white or off white onesie as the base and your little one becomes an angel. Pick a floral print onesie or pyjamas and you have a spring fairy.

Boys still adore dinosaurs. Among LiaaBébé onesies you will find dino prints in both girlier and boyish colours, even in yellow. Add a headpiece or mask and some little “paws” and your child becomes a very stylish Tyrannosaurus.

They can dress as a hero or heroine too. A French Blue onesie, a simple mask and a bold, bright cape are enough. For a cat costume, choose white or brown and add some face paint. You will only need a tail and two little ears.

We have a beautiful star patterned pyjama that can be the base for a Snow Queen or Night Queen. Combine a Jolly Green pyjama with a red one and you can make an adorable little elf, adding a few matching accessories. If you have twins, they can swap the colours for their elf outfits.

What tools might you need for making the costume 

Depending on your plan, you may need scissors, glues suitable for different materials, fabrics, papers, crepe paper, card, paints, stickers, ribbons and other decorations. We recommend planning precisely before shopping for supplies so you can avoid buying anything unnecessary.

A few final children’s costume ideas 

• Classic story characters: princesses, Cinderella, Snow White, Belle, Elsa, Ariel

• Superheroes: Spider Man, Batman, Wonder Woman, Supergirl

• Animals: cat, dog, lion, rabbit, butterfly and more

• Modern pop culture characters: Harry Potter, Jedi knights, Marvel heroes, Minions

• Traditional and historical costumes: knight, pirate, cowboy, Native American

• Historical figures: king, queen, lady in waiting, Roman soldier, Viking

• Folk outfits: Hungarian hussar, folk dancer

• Magical beings: fairy, witch, wizard, dragon, unicorn, elf

• Jobs: police officer, firefighter, doctor, nurse, teacher, pilot, chef, soldier

When choosing a costume, your child’s idea and wish should always be the deciding factor, since they are the one stepping into the role. It is important they can identify with it and feel it is close to their heart. If your child has no ideas, it can help if you pick a few options based on what they like and then ask which one they would choose.

Wishing you a lovely creative session together and happy making.

Sources:

Netmums — Dressing up ideas for kids

MadeForMums — 134 easy last-minute World Book Day costume ideas: