50 Brilliantly Cheap Halloween Costumes (That Don’t Skimp On Fun!)

Halloween is all about creativity and fun, not overspending! With a little imagination (and maybe a quick trip to the thrift store or your own closet), you can pull together a costume that’s clever, festive, and budget-friendly.

Here’s your ultimate guide to 50 cheap Halloween costumes for flying solo, with your partner, as a family, or helping the kids pick their perfect look.

This post contains affiliate links, and we may earn a commission at no cost to you. See our disclaimer for more.

Cheap Halloween Costumes For Couples And Solo

Pro Tip: Shop your closet first. You’d be surprised what you can create with flannels, old uniforms, black clothing, or anything denim! A costume might be hiding in plain sight.

1. Cereal Killers

How fun is this?! Tape mini cereal boxes to a shirt and stick plastic knives into them. Add fake blood for a spooky twist.

Pro Tip: Punny Halloween costumes are cheap, hilarious, memorable, and often SO easy.

2. Bank Robbers

Dress in black clothes with black beanies and add a sack with a dollar sign on it. You can use face paint for a simple mask. Or check out how this couple did it from Say Yes. They used:

• striped shirts
• converse sneakers or black boots
• black gloves
• leather masks
• bag with the dollar sign on it

3. Salt & Pepper

Use plain white and black T-shirts labeled with big “S” and “P” letters. It’s simple, cute, and always a hit.

4. Social Butterflies

Print and cut out social media logos. Then, pin them to your outfit. Add wings and antennas to become a “social butterfly.”

5. Tourists

This one is incredibly versatile! You can do it solo, as couples, or with family and friends. Grab a Hawaiian shirt, shorts, sunglasses, and a camera. The sunscreen on her nose (on the right) is an awesome touch!

You can add a fanny pack, high socks with sandals to make this a “tacky tourist” vibe!

6. Brawny Paper Towel Guy & Rosie The Riveter

For him, you’ll need a plaid shirt, jeans, and flexing confidence. (A beard helps too)

For her, look for a denim (or solid blue) shirt, red and white polka dot bandana, and a “We Can Do It” attitude. Her classic makeup is also a bonus.

This is a classic couple combo using clothes that are likely already in your closet.

7. DIY Crazy Cat Lady Costume

*My favorite!

Throw on a bathrobe, pop some curlers in your hair, and pin a few stuffed cats (easy finds at the thrift store or your kids toy bin) all over your outfit. Add some fuzzy slippers and you’ve nailed the delightfully over-the-top crazy cat lady look!

8. Smarty Pants

Glue Smarties candies to a pair of pants and wear a nerdy outfit to bring the pun to life. (Make sure it’s an old pair of pants or a thrift store find you don’t love dearly!)

9. Cowboy & Cowgirl

This costume is so easy and fun! Pair jeans with a plaid shirt, bandana, belt, and cowboy hat. You’ll also need cowboy boots. And you can add a toy horse if you want to go all out.

10. Painter & Masterpiece

To make this a couples costume, one person wears a beret and carries a paintbrush and palette. The other wears a frame around their neck with painted or drawn designs on their shirt. They’re the masterpiece!

11. Static Cling

For this silly Halloween costume, wear normal clothes and pin socks, dryer sheets, and random small laundry items to yourself. Carry a dryer sheet box or lint roller for bonus laughs. Then, count how many people figure out your costume by the end of the night!

12. Men In Black

For this costume, you’ll wear black suits and sunglasses. Add a toy “neuralyzer” (use a flashlight) and act very serious. The video even shows you how to make your own custom badge!

13. Lifeguard and Swimmer In Trouble

One person wears red shorts and a whistle for a lifeguard look. The other can wear goggles, a swim cap, and wrap themselves in blue or wave-patterned fabric with floaties for flair. You can also turn this into a family costume like the picture above.

14. Netflix and Chill

For this EASY costume, one person wears a shirt with the Netflix logo, while the other wears comfy lounge clothes or adds ice cube accessories to represent “chill.” This lady is just wearing an ice bag she drew!

15. Ceiling Fan

Wear a shirt that says “Go Ceilings!” and carry pom-poms. You’re a “ceiling fan”!

Cheap Halloween Costume Ideas For The Whole Family

Pro Tip: Thrift shops are goldmines for quirky finds like vintage clothing, oversized glasses, and accessories. Dollar stores often carry costume props, masks, makeup, and themed decor on a budget.

16. Pac-Man Group

Create circular cardboard cutouts for Pac-Man and the ghosts, paint them in bright colors, and attach them to shirts. It’s easy to make and can be customized to fit any family size.

17. Bees & Beekeepers

For this costume, the kids (or one kid and one adult) wear yellow and black stripes with wings and antennae, while a parent (or both) wears white and netting.

18. Party Animals

Get ready to party the Halloween night away! Each family member can choose to go out as their favorite animal. Keep these costumes simple. Then, add a festive twist with party hats, sunglasses, bow ties, and party blowers.

19. Camping Crew

*Great cheap Halloween costume!

Everyone dresses like they’re heading into the great outdoors. You’ll want things like:

• flannel shirts
• backpacks
• hiking boots
• small camping items like dishes or cooking utensils
• and maybe a few marshmallow props for fun

Bonus points for carrying toy lanterns or roasting pretend s’mores on sticks!

20. Weather Forecast

One person dresses as a cloud, another as a sun, and others as raindrops or a rainbow. Use felt, cardboard, and glue for easy DIY costumes.

You could also pretend that you’re caught in a storm. For that you’ll need:

What you’ll need

• Raincoat and rain boots
• Inside out umbrella
• Crumpled paper or fake leaves (attach these to you to make them look like they’re blowing past you)
• Hairspray or styling gel for a windblown hair style
• Headset microphone

21. Breakfast Foods

Dress as eggs, bacon, toast, or orange juice using felt or poster board to cut and glue onto basic outfits.

22. Superheroes (Or Superheroes in Disguise)

Use what you have to transform your family into a superhero squad ready to save the day. Or wear a superhero shirt under regular clothes and reveal your identity with a dramatic shirt pull.

This one is great if you already have a few costumes lying around!

23. Farm Theme

Parents can be farmers with overalls and straw hats, while kids can be pigs, cows, or chickens using onesies or simple masks. These costumes are easy to DIY using face paint and simple clothing.

Add your pets into the farmyard fun too!

24. 80s Rock Band

Turn your family into an 80s rock band, or any band of your choice! Grab some inflatable instruments and microphones. Then mix and match clothes you already own or find at thrift stores.

25. Crayons

For this, everyone wears a different color T-shirt with the word “Crayon” printed vertically. Top it off with matching cone hats and that’s all you need!

26. Sports Theme

Football, soccer, baseball, oh my! Repurpose your sports gear for this versatile, game-winning family costume. It’s fully adjustable, making it easy to tailor to any sport, family size, or budget.

27. Skeleton Family

You’ll need black shirts with white bones painted or taped on. It’s an easy and unified family costume that’s perfect if you have little ones.

28. Alien Invasion

Some family members can be aliens with green face paint and tinfoil hats, while others are humans or scientists. The family costume in the photo has a little bit of everything. See more of this costume idea at Tiny Kelsie.

29. Zoo Keepers & Animals

The Zookeepers: Parents can wear khaki clothes and carry stuffed animals or clipboards. The Animales: Kids dress up as cute zoo animals.

30. Rock, Paper, Scissors

How adorable is this! The baby is the “rock” in this fantastic group costume idea. Use cardboard to create large symbols for each item and wear them like sandwich boards. Labeling helps this idea too! See more of this at a Small Snippet.

Cute & Cheap Halloween Costumes For Kids

Pro Tip: Use cardboard, felt, and household items to make wings, masks, hats, or signs. Pinterest and YouTube have tons of tutorials for easy, homemade costume additions.

31. Black Cat

Dress your child in black clothes, add a headband with cat ears. Then draw on whiskers. You can make a tail from yarn or fabric to finish the look.

32. Superhero Of Their Own Making

Let kids create their own superhero! Use a towel or old fabric for a cape, paper or felt for a logo, and their own clothes underneath. They get to name their powers.

33. Chef

This costume is so easy, and great for kids who like to cook or bake. You’ll need a white shirt, apron, and a paper chef hat. Use a wooden spoon or whisk as a prop.

34. Pirate

Kids will need a stripe shirt, eye patch, and a DIY sword from cardboard (or you can dig in their toy box!). Add a scarf or bandana as a headpiece.

35. lego Brick

Use a cardboard box and paint it one color. Then, glue or tape six plastic cups (cut to size) OR paint can lids (in the picture) to the front for the brick knobs. It’s creative, colorful, and super affordable. See more at Lovely Indeed.

36. Witch or Wizard

For a witch or wizard you can use props you already have, like Harry Potter items. Or find a black outfit with a pointy paper hat, a cape, and a wand. (You can make a wand from a stick or rolled paper too). A broom will finish the look!

37. Bumblebee

You’ll need a yellow shirt with black stripes, wings made from cardboard or mesh, and pipe cleaner antennae.

38. Race Car Driver

Use a solid-colored tracksuit, add patches or logos, and make a cardboard steering wheel to carry.

39. Mermaid

Mermaid-like swimsuits are perfect for this outfit! Or use scale-printed leggings or a sparkly skirt and a shell top. Add a headband with sea-themed decorations.

40. Astronaut

For this awesome costume idea, you’ll need:

• Cardboard boxes
• Plastic bottles
• Tin foil
• Bottle tops
• Tape or glue
• Ribbons or string and paint.

41. Book Character

Dress up as a favorite book character like Pete the Cat or The Very Hungry Caterpillar with themed accessories.

42. Cupcake

Make a tutu for the base and add felt or pom-poms to a shirt for sprinkles. A cherry headband tops it off.

43. Mad Scientist

Wear a white lab coat, wild hair, and safety goggles. Then finish it off with test tube props to make this fun and educational.

44. Toy Soldier

You’ll need an all-green outfit, toy rifle, and green face paint to create this toybox classic. So simple!

45. Sunflower

A yellow petal headband, green shirt and pants, and face paint make a sunny and adorable costume.

46. Mummy Mayhem

Wrap your child in strips of old white sheets, gauze, or toilet paper (for a quick version). Smudge on some gray or black makeup to give a dusty, “just rose from the tomb” effect.

47. Ballerina or Dancer

Pull out a tutu or leotard, pair with tights and ballet flats. Add a sparkly headband or DIY wand to make it feel magical and costume-worthy.

48. Artist Extraordinaire

Use an oversized shirt as a smock, a cardboard or paper palette with painted blobs, and a paintbrush behind the ear. Add a beret (or beanie hat) for a Parisian flair.

49. Bug Catcher

For this fun costume, dress your child:

• in cargo shorts
• a safari-style hat
• a net (from a toy aisle or dollar store)
• and some plastic bugs clipped onto their shirt.
• Bonus if you have binoculars or a magnifying glass.

50. (Undead) All-Star Athlete

Let your child shine on Halloween by turning their everyday sports uniform into a winning costume.

Got an old one lying around? Rough up the edges, smudge on some dirt or fake blood, and finish the look with pale face paint and dark under-eye circles to create the ultimate undead athlete.

Related: 10 Things I Quit Buying at Halloween

What’s Next?

Don’t miss the fastest growing newsletter around! Sign up below and start building your wealth today.

Pin these cheap Halloween costumes to Pinterest for later!