If you’ve been enjoying too many pumpkin spiced coffees this fall and you’ve forgotten that Halloween is just around the corner, don’t worry! You’ve got lots of materials all over your house that could be used for costume design. It’s probably too late to order something off the internet now, so before you start panicking, how about giving cardboard boxes a chance?
Even if you don’t have moving boxes lurking around – maybe you used them all putting your extra stuff into storage – they are pretty easy to get from just about any nearby retail store and their potential for costume design is incredible. Don’t take our word for it, have a look at these simple DIY ideas if you’re running late on this year’s Halloween preparations.
Put your painting skills to work

Start small, with a couple of eyes, a mouth and some other features drawn on a cardboard box and then experiment with some goofy faces and colors. You can always use hats and specific clothes to bring your square-headed costume idea to life.
You can also easily design a Halloween costume for your kids with some cardboard cutting, drawing and painting. It won’t take up much of your time and they can enjoy Halloween as their favorite cartoon character, as a pirate or as a warrior for instance. It’s doable, quick and enjoyable for everybody.
Add a few elements to bring your design to life

Making a few additions to your costume design can really brighten it up, whether they are specifically chosen items or just stuff that you can find around the house. Add a few buttons and other pieces so that your kids can become robots. Likewise, you can add a few cardboard fish or even a printed picture of torso bones in order to become a human fish tank or an X-ray vision machine. If you have the time, you can have an entire warrior-themed Halloween, using only cardboard boxes.
Game-inspired costume designs are always an easy way out

Lego pieces, Rubik cubes, Tetris pieces or Pac Man characters can all present brilliant costume ideas. All it takes is some creative cutting and some spray painting and you’re good to go. You can always rely on colorful videogames for bright and imaginative costume ideas.
Finally, use your old moving boxes for more than just costumes. Kids can make cardboard castles, toys and virtually anything with a little imagination, a pair of scissors, some crayons, and some supervision. Picture rockets and princess castles, pirate ships and dinosaurs. Your children will surely come up with some spooky or hilarious things.
Enjoy the spirit of the holiday and have an enjoyable and safe Halloween!

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