Halloween is our favorite time of the year, but it can be stressful, particularly for parents who don't have enough time or money to make or buy their little one the perfect costume. But you can make a pretty awesome costume for surprisingly little money and here are a few ideas for those who prefer to DIY over buy, but still want something pretty simple.
Russell from Up
A yellow hat, an orange scarf, a brown sash covered in badges and some hefty hiking boots can transform any boy into everyone's favorite Wilderness Explorer.
Windup Doll
Dress up your little cutie in his or her fanciest clothes, then add a gold-painted cardboard cutout of a windup key and you have an adorable little windup doll.
Wonder Woman
Every little girl is wonderful, but with a blue tutu, some felt stars and a Wonder Woman tee, she can actually become Wonder Woman as well. Throw in a tiara and wrist cuffs on older girls and you've got a full, fashionable ensemble.
Clark Kent
Similarly, for a great Superman costume for your super little guy, just get a Superman tee with a cape and then hide it under a mostly unbuttoned tee, tie and black pants. Throw on some geeky glasses and you've got a hero in disguise in no time.
Ace Ventura
Got a tutu, a Hawaiian shirt and some hair gel? Then you have what you need to make an awesome Ace Ventura costume.
Monopoly Costumes
A white outfit and a simple white hat can easily be made into a prisoner costume with a little black electrical tape. Add a cardboard cutout resembling Monopoly's famous jail space and you have a perfect costume. As for Uncle Pennybags, any boys who have recently been a ring bearer can put their tuxedo to use again by adding a mustache, a cane, a red tie and a top hat for a perfect Uncle Pennybags costume.
Bob Ross
There are tons of Bob Ross costumes out there for kids, which makes sense because he's a great role model for them and the costume is incredibly simple -all you need is a curly wig and a fake beard or makeup to paint on a beard. This Bob Ross costume takes it to the next level with a trick or treat bag featuring a framed painting of a happy little tree.
Miss Piggy
A plastic pig nose, a headband with some basic pig ears and a fabulous fashion sense are all you need to create a delightful Miss Piggy costume that would leave certain pigs swooning.
Strong Man
This vintage-inspired costume is entirely too adorable and surprisingly simple. Just use two black balloons and a dowel to make the barbell and two plastic balls to create those bulging muscles.
Popcorn Bag
Glue some popcorn onto a beanie and some white felt and red felt stripes on a baby Bjorn and your cute little one can be some delicious, buttery popcorn.
Lamb
Is your little sweetie an absolute lamb? Then prove it with this simple costume courtesy of Real Simple. All it takes is white clothes, a black hat, black felt and cotton balls.
Jedis
A large white shirt, a ribbon belt and light leggings or sweat pants make a great base for a Jedi costume. If you're going for a Leia, you can either do her hair up in two buns or put on a hat with two pre-made buns, and for a Luke, add a karate jaket. Then grab some toy light sabers and you're ready to go.
LEGO
If you have paint, a cardboard box and some plastic cups, you have all you need to make a LEGO costume -and many children will be beyond thrilled to get such a simple costume as well.
Ducky
This Real Simple tutorial shows just how simple it is to make your little critter into a fluffy duckling -all you need is a feather boa, some yellow clothes, a yellow hat and matching rain boots.
Shadows
Get a black morph suit, add black accessories that look like things your kids normally wear and viola -you have your kid's shadow.
Shark
Everyone loves a scary shark, but who knew it was so incredibly easy to make a great costume for your little critter? All it takes is some hot glue, felt and a hoodie.
If you're looking for more kid's Halloween costume ideas, don't miss this article on adorable cosplaying babies. And if you want an easy, last minute Halloween costume idea for yourself, here's a list that just might help with that. And of course if you have any ideas, photos from past Halloweens, etc., please feel free to share them in the comments.