The countdown has begun in our home. T-minus XX days until Halloween, the day that my boys can dress up and run around the neighborhood collecting CANDY. It’s their dream day. This holiday, amongst others, can get a bit expensive when you add up the cost of costumes, decorations, and candy. Here are some tricks to enjoy some Halloween fun on a budget.
WPTV – HALLOWEEN FUN ON A BUDGET
Make Your Own Costume OR Buy A Dual Purpose Outfit!
A great way to save money and have a unique costume is to create your own or buy an outfit, especially for the little ones, that has the main purpose first and can be used as a costume second. Character themed pajamas can easily double as a costume, so there are no wasted dollars spent on a costume you’re just going to throw out on Nov. 1st.
Otherwise, you’d be surprised what you can put together with what is in your closet.
- Have a white sheet that you don’t use much? Cut out holes for your eyes and mouth and you are an instant ghost!
- Put on black leggings and a black t-shirt. Take an old pair of black tights, cut one leg off, stuff it with old socks and pin to your bottom. Using black eyeliner, create whiskers and literal cat eyes. Use pink lipstick to create a pink nose. Pick up a pair of cat ears at your local costume store OR cut out two triangles from construction paper and adhere it to a black headband. Meow!
- Take that same white sheet mentioned above and wrap it creatively around yourself. Wear a pair of cute flip flops or gladiator sandals, and you are a makeshift Grecian.
Plan Early – Very Early
Plan on hitting the Halloween stores, Target, Walmart or any other store that stocks Halloween costumes and decorations – check out online too! You’ll be able to find great deals for the coming year.
Homemade Party Games
Having a party and looking for some fun games for the kids? Try these fun ideas:
- Marshmallows and bananas w/ chocolate chip cookie eyes, cake pops and more can easily be made for ghoulish entertaining.
- Repurpose things around the house to create a scary guessing game. Set up small brown paper bags filled with “scary” household things. Cooked spaghetti could be labeled as brains or snakes; grapes or olives as eyeballs; jelly or pudding in a ziplock bag as a heart or liver. Blindfold the party guest and have them squeal with grossness!
Treat Your Guests to a Trick or Two
I love this idea and it is super inexpensive! Grab a bag of plastic bugs from your local dollar store. Clean them well and then place them with water into an ice cube tray. Check out the faces when they realize what’s in their beverage!
Four Funny Pranks for the Trick-or-Treaters on Halloween
- Ask the trick-or-treaters, “Canned goods or meat?”
- Hand them bags of sand or a penny instead of candy and see what their response is.
- Tell the trick-or-treaters they have to do 15 jumping jacks before they can get candy.
- After you hand out the candy, tell the trick-or-treaters, “That will be 50 cents please.”
emily zielinski says
Halloween fun!! I love Halloween, its my favourite time of the year. My kids love pulling pranks too lol
Dana says
Pranks are a super fun part of Halloween (as long as they aren’t to me LOL).
Amber Myers says
What great ideas! I always love to save money, so these are perfect.
Tara Pittman says
I always head to the thrift store for my boys costumes. I dont see the sense in paying a lot for something that they will only wear once.
Nyxie says
Love these! Esp the home made party games.
Thank you for sharing 😀
Agnes says
Halloween is fun! I think making my own costume is cheap and fun too. I will plan early in advance so that I have enough time to make the costume. Thanks for the tips.
Dana says
My pleasure, Agnes!
Ntensibe Edgar Michael says
Hihi….I love the “plastic bug trick”! It can get “mountains and hills” on their heels.
littlemisadvencha says
planning is really essential. and i agree, one doesnt need to spend so much more for this event.. love the tips!!
cha @ littlemisadvencha.com
joy says
that use of the creepies in the ice cube maker is clever. i am sure many mommies will enjoy this post.
Joy at The Joyous Living
Tiffany La Forge-Grau says
These are some really fun and easy ideas! I would have a blast doing this with the kids too.
Beeb Ashcroft says
I feel like I am always one a budget when it comes to holidays. These are some very clever ideas!
Dana says
Beebs, I think it is super smart to be on a budget for holidays. Otherwise, I would go over the top!
Joanna Clute says
I love all of these ideas! I am going to have the kids help me with them too. Halloween can be pricey!
Toni says
I love fun ideas! We love homemade party games! Thank you!!
Dana says
My pleasure, Toni!
Cindy Ingalls says
Those tricks are pretty funny. I will have to try them out. I’m so curious to see what kind of reactions I would get from all the kids.
Heather @ US Japan Fam says
I’m never good with planning early and I think it’s safe to say that ship has sailed LOL!! I’ve had luck in the past buying and selling used costumes in our local Facebook parenting group, less wasteful for the wallet and the planet!
Dana says
Heather I think that buying and selling costumes on FB parenting groups is such a great idea! I’m going to keep that in mind for next year!
Susan1375 says
Some great ideas that save money and don’t take the fun out of Halloween
Quin Cl says
These are awesome ideas and I need them for this coming Halloween event. My boyfriend’s gonna love to know this too! 🙂
Emman Damian says
I love the costumes! It’s so cute! I love that the costumes are dual purpose! 🙂
Subhashish Roy says
With these great ideas you can have fun yet not spend a fortune on the celebrations. Thanks for the ideas.
Jocelyn says
I’ve played that type of ‘scary guessing game’ before and had so much fun! It’s one of my favorite Halloween memories!
Dana says
It’s a lot of fun!! I hope you have a great Halloween!
angelina says
Some great ideas here, thanks so much for sharing with us!
Dana says
Thank you, Angelina! My pleasure!
Melanie williams says
I am loving all these ideas for sure. I like the idea of making your own outfit xx
Anshika Juneja says
Halloween is lot of fun and you have mentioned some of the great ideas. Just love it!
Dana says
I am glad you loved the ideas, Anshika!
Enriqueta E Lemoine says
I am not into Halloween but your ideas are amazing! Thanks for sharing.