Halloween Costumes - Traditional Favorites (continued)

Knight

about 40 frozen juice can lids
silver tights
black or gray gloves
knight helmet
cardboard
silver spray paint
plastic sword

Punch small holes in juice can lids for wires to be inserted through. Thread the wires through to create a suit of armor that will drape over child's shoulders. Be sure to leave a hold for the head! Cut cardboard in the shape of a shield and spray paint silver. A nice touch is to paint on a coat of arms.

Pirate

red & white horizontal stripe shirt
black jeans or sweat pants
boots
bandana
gold clip-on hoop earring
toy sword
plastic eye patch
face paint for mustache
small stuffed toy parrot (optional)

Fringe bottom of black jeans by cutting slits at the bottom of pant leg. If using sweat pants, tuck them into the boots. Tie bandana around child's head with knot sticking out at side. Clip on earring and put on eye patch. Attach parrot to shoulder of shirt with double sided tape or a few hand sewn stitches. use our face paint recipe above to create a brown or black mustache. Add a wide belt with large buckle as an added bonus.

Angel

white dress or white sheet with arm and head holes cut out
clear spray paint
glitter
white chenille sticks (enough for halo)
clothes hangers
sheer white cloth or netting

If you decide not to use the dress and to make your own, spray the sheet lightly with some clear spray paint and dust glitter on it before paint dries. Make halo from chenille sticks, twisting together until long enough to wrap around head. twist another chenille stick (or two) straight up and form halo from remaining sticks. Make the wings by bending clothes hangers and wrapping in white cloth or netting. Cloth or elastic strips can be used to attach wings to body backpack style. Ready made wings are also available, inexpensive and safer for use by children.

Clown

white or tie-dyed sweatshirt
red sweat pants
three pom poms, bright colors
fabric paint, different colors
colorful store bought wig, or yarn wig
craft glue

Using craft glue, attach pompoms down the front center of the sweatshirt. Using fabric paint, draw swirls, stars and other fun shapes on the front and back of the sweatpants. Paint face white and paint on a red nose, or purchase a clown's nose. Top with colorful wig. Oversized shoes are optional, but not recommended for smaller children.

Bum or Hobo

large men's pants
large dark sport coat
shirt with patches
tie
old hat
stick with a bandana tied to the end (stuffed with newspaper)

Get dressed and carry stick over shoulder! You can add a "dirty" look by using the recipe for bruises here http://www.thefamilycorner.com/cgi-bin/dir/jump.cgi?ID=4467  or paint on a scruffy beard.

Ninja

black hooded sweatsuit
long strip of black cloth,
  long enough to wrap around head and hang down a foot or so
cardboard
aluminum foil
long stick or broom handle
paper towel rolls
black construction paper
twine

Cut eye holes in black cloth for mask. Make machete from cardboard and wrap in aluminum foil. Use the long stick or old broom handle for a bo. Using two paper towel rolls, connect them with piece of twine and cover with black construction to create num-chucks. 

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