2 Cheap DIY Fancy Dress Ideas Kids Will Love

Are you searching for children’s fancy dress costumes to make at home with minimum outlay and maximum impact? Let us show you the way. From the high-tech robot to the tissue box unicorn, there are plenty of fun costumes for kids you can make from everyday household items. We’ve got two fancy dress ideas for kids that you can create together with your little ones. Just follow our simple tutorials and learn how to make costumes for kids without needing to open your wallet.

unicorn head | Robot mask

Children’s costume ideas: the unicorn head

Is your little one obsessed with enchanting creatures? Children’s fancy dress ideas involving unicorns are sure to be a hit. Make this cute and magical headpiece using empty Cushelle tissue boxes and a toilet roll tube.

Takes about 2 hours

1. Take one of the empty tissue boxes and carefully cut the top away (this one’s a job for the adults).
2. Cut the toilet roll into two sections measuring 2.5 cm wide and glue to one end of the box. These will be the unicorn’s nostrils.
3. Paint the outside of the unicorn head pink and leave it to dry.
4. Cut open and flatten the second tissue box. Draw around a side plate on the card and cut it out. Cut the circle in half to make two semi circles. Set one of the semi circles aside, and then roll the other into a narrow cone shape and staple in place.
5. Paint some glue all over the cone, and sprinkle with silver glitter. Leave it to dry.
6. Take the sheet of kitchen paper and colour some bright colour stripes. Then cut into strips with scissors.
7. Stick the kitchen paper strips in a ‘mane’ on top of the head, and when dry, curl the ends by winding them around the paint brush or pencil. Glue the glitter horn to the top of the head.
8. Draw and paint an eye on each side of the unicorn head, and leave to dry.
9. Use some of the leftover card to make two ears. Paint them pink, allow to dry and stick to the sides of the head. Finally make a small hole either side of the head, thread some elastic through and tie and knot the ends.

Robot mask kids’ costume ideas

Looking for kids’ costume ideas for a tiny tech fan? Use empty Cushelle tissue boxes and a toilet roll tube to make our fab futuristic robot head mask.

Takes about 3 hours

1. Carefully cut the fronts away from two empty tissue boxes. Next, cut one long side off each, and then stick them together with tape to form one square box.
2. Cut out a semi-circle on one side big enough to fit your child’s neck.
3. Cut eyes and a mouth into the centre of the box using the craft knife, and paint the box with blue paint. Leave to dry.
4. Add a border around the edge of the box, and around the eyes and mouth using a silver marker pen.
5. Add some extra detail around the border with your pink, green and red paints and add some eyebrows, hearts, buttons and whatever else you fancy.
6. Add some last details with your silver pen, and attach a foil circle-shaped nose to the middle of the face.
7. Carefully cut the toilet roll tubes in half with a craft knife. Cover in silver foil, and then stick to the sides of the robot’s head. Finally make some small holes either side of the head, thread some elastic through and tie and knot the ends.

These fancy dress ideas for kids prove that with a little time and imagination you can craft some excellent homemade costumes for kids with just a few materials you’ve already got lying around. Get the kids involved in clearing up any mess at the end, and then put your new fancy dress outfits to the test!