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Halloween is right around the corner! Kids can’t wait to pick out the coolest costume. But here’s the thing: Halloween costumes end up being used only once and forgotten about.
That leads to a lot of waste! I’ve been living an eco-friendly lifestyle for a while now, so I really want Halloween to be a bit greener, especially for my niece and all the kiddos out there!
Picking out eco-friendly costumes is a great way to spark imagination in kids. They can learn how to reuse & repurpose stuff too!
In my family, we’ve celebrated Halloween—(and every occasion)—in a green way for years. From recycling decorations to crafting DIY costumes, it’s been such a nice experience that I can’t wait to share with you!
Let’s dive into some of the single-use Halloween costume alternatives for making sustainable, that are kind to the planet. It’s all about getting creative & keeping the spirit of Halloween alive.
DIY Sustainable Costume Ideas Using Household Items
One of my favorite ways to create a cool Halloween costume is using things we already have at home. It’s not just good for the environment; it also saves money & gives it a special touch!
– Cardboard box costumes? You can make anything from robots to animals. Just grab an old box, some paint, and let your imagination fly!
Last year, we made a spaceship from an old box for my niece. She thought it was awesome!
– Got old clothes lying around? They can become costumes too! Ever think of turning an old pair of jeans into a scarecrow outfit? Or how about using an oversized shirt as a pirate or mad scientist costume?
– Bedsheets make great ghost costumes or capes! I once took an old shower curtain and turned it into a superhero cape last minute—it turned out perfect!
Bug Costume: Cut the wings out of recycled cardboard, then paint them with earthy tones to mimic a bug’s wings. Attach them with velcro or eco-friendly adhesive to the back of the outfit. Use recycled fabric for the main body suit, layering it to give the appearance of a bug’s body.
Craft the antennae using recycled wire or pipe cleaner covered with fabric scraps or felt, and attach them to a headband. Create the extra insect legs by stuffing old cloth, and sewing them onto the sides of the suit for a realistic bug look.
(This sustainable cardboard Halloween costume is crafted from recycled cardboard, repurposed paper, and fabric scraps. The robot’s buttons and decorative elements are fashioned from old newspapers and leftover fabric)
(Used upcycled materials like an old bedsheet, which was dyed with natural plant-based colors. Felt details, such as ears and eyes, are crafted from recycled fabric scraps. The headpiece is a simple twig and leaf crown, assembled with biodegradable twine. The trick-or-treat bag is a repurposed cloth sack)
Upcycled Halloween Costume Ideas for Kids
Upcycling is another cool way to go green! Instead of buying something new, why not transform last year’s costume into something fresh?
– I often take last year’s costumes of my niece and give them a new twist. For instance, an old princess dress became a fairy outfit with wings made from recycled fabric and wire hangers.
Also read, Eco-Friendly Halloween Costume Ideas for Adults
– Thrift stores are like treasure chests for costume pieces! My sister once found an old denim jacket at one, and we turned it into a punk rock look complete with safety pins & patches!
(The tattered robe is crafted from natural, organic cotton or upcycled fabric, giving it a worn, ghostly appearance. The mask is made from biodegradable paper mache or recycled cardboard, painted with non-toxic, water-based paints. The crown-like headpiece is made from cardboard)
In this sustainable witch theme Halloween costume, the flowing cloak is made of patchwork fabric scraps. The pointed witch hat is woven from natural fibers and adorned with dried leaves and twigs. The broomstick is made of a wooden stick and bundled straw tied with twine. The wooden bead accessories and natural, non-toxic face paint are used.
Caterpillar costume: Use recycled fabrics or old clothes to create the caterpillar’s segmented body. Pad each segment with scrap fabric or recycled cotton for a soft, rounded effect. Sew the segments together to form the main costume.
Craft the antennae using recycled wire or pipe cleaners, covered with fabric scraps or recycled felt, and attach them to a headband. Make simple tube-shaped legs from leftover fabric and sew or attach them along the sides of the costume. The entire costume can be fastened with velcro or eco-friendly buttons, making it comfortable and easy for kids to wear.
Eco-Friendly Materials to Use for Halloween Costumes
It’s super important to pick good materials when making eco-friendly costumes. Natural, organic or recycled stuff is what I aim for.
– Organic cotton and hemp? Those are awesome choices if you want something new! They’re biodegradable too—better for our planet.
– Don’t forget about recycled polyester made from plastic bottles! It’s tough & helps cut down on plastic waste.
– For accessories, stick with non-toxic face paints & natural dyes. They’re kinder on skin & the environment. One time, we used turmeric to dye fabric for a costume based on nature—it was such a blast!
Also read,
Eco-Friendly Party Games Ideas
Eco-friendly Party Favors for Kids
(This sustainable Halloween costume is made from organic face paint and sustainable materials like recycled fabric and natural fibers)
(The skirt is crafted from upcycled fabric scraps in earthy tones. The bodice and accessories are adorned with real dried autumn leaves. The headpiece is composed of twigs, pressed flowers, and leaves. The wings are designed using translucent recycled material, framed with small branches and decorated with more dried leaves)
Group Costume Ideas Using Reusable Materials
Halloween is even more exciting when everyone in the family joins in. Over the years, we’ve crafted some family-themed outfits using reusable materials.
– Superheroes? We’ve created superhero get-ups from old clothes and fabric scraps—like capes made from bedsheets or masks made from cardboard.
– Got friend groups? Once we made matching cat costumes by reusing black clothing and even crafting tails with leftover fabric!
– Movie characters could be another idea too! One year we dressed up as characters from a classic film and everyone loved it. Using what we had around made it easy and saved money—we hardly spent anything!
(These Halloween superhero costumes are made from upcycled materials like old clothes, fabric scraps, and repurposed household items. Capes are crafted from bed sheets, masks cut from recycled cardboard, and accessories like belts and arm cuffs are stitched from fabric remnants)
This eco-friendly zombie costume for Halloween is made from old clothes like tattered shirts and paper-mâché to create a spooky look. Their faces are painted with non-toxic paint to look like zombies.
(This mummy costume is made using eco-friendly, repurposed materials. Strips of old fabric, such as sheets or t-shirts, and recycled toilet paper are wrapped around to create the classic mummy look)
Renting or Swapping Halloween Costumes
Want another cool eco-friendly option? Renting or swapping costumes can be great fun too! A while back, I took part in a local costume swap in New Jersey—it was so nice getting together while doing better for our planet.
– There are rental platforms that have tons of options—perfect for kids! When you rent, you help ensure the costumes get reused instead of tossed aside after one wear.
– Thinking about organizing your own costume swap? Invite friends over—everyone brings their old outfits they’re done with. It’s not just eco-friendly; it’s also super fun!
(The bodysuit and mask are crafted from biodegradable, plant-dyed fabrics, while the cape is sewn from upcycled fabric to minimize waste. The twig wreath and leaf crown are made from natural, compostable materials)
In this eco-friendly pirate Halloween costume, the hat is made from repurposed cardboard with a hand-drawn skull and crossbones using washable, non-toxic paint. The eye patch is sewn from fabric scraps, while the vest is crafted from recycled cloth with colorful patchwork. The child holds a cardboard sword decorated with crayon drawings.
Sustainable Costume Accessories & Makeup
No costume feels complete without accessories! But let’s ditch those plastic props & cheap makeup—they’re wasteful and harmful! So why not pick plastic-free accessories like handmade hats or masks from natural materials?
– Biodegradable glitter & eco-friendly face paint are both safe and available these days—they’re better choices.
– I love making DIY makeup with stuff like cocoa powder & cornstarch. It turns into such a fun activity with kids while avoiding all those chemicals in regular makeup.
Teaching Kids About Sustainability Through Halloween
Halloween’s totally perfect for teaching kids about being sustainable in a way that’s all about fun. When my niece helps make her costume, she gets to see how creativity mixes perfectly with caring for our environment.
– Bring them along during the costume-making process! Let them choose materials & brainstorm ideas—it turns into an awesome way to inspire their creativity while talking about why reusing stuff matters so much.
Sustainable Halloween costumes can be just as thrilling as traditional ones without all the waste involved.
Whether you’re reusing items you already own or organizing swaps—there’s so much you can do!
Plus, it teaches kids great lessons about taking care of our planet—a thing my family truly cares about throughout the year.
Let’s strive towards making this Halloween green—with loads of fun, creativity & love for our Earth!
