100 Cheap Halloween Costumes, Most Using Stuff You Already Own!

Need a Halloween costume without spending a fortune? You WILL find an idea here! I pulled together budget-friendly looks you can make with clothes, cardboard and supplies you probably already have.

Halloween costumes do not have to cost a fortune. I have always believed the best costumes come from what you already have — a little creativity goes a lot further than a $50 store-bought costume that everyone else is wearing.

Scroll down for more than 100 cheap and easy Halloween costume ideas using things you already have. First, here are 10 costume inspirations and ways to make them for less.

10 Trending Halloween Costumes for 2026 — Made Cheap!

Here are 10 fun costume styles and pop-culture favorites to consider for 2026, along with budget-friendly ways to make them. Some are timeless favorites rather than verified top trends. Bookmark this page for new ideas each year!

1. KPop Demon Hunters — Rumi, Mira or Zoey

Love the colorful looks from KPop Demon Hunters? Dress as Rumi, Mira or Zoey using bright clothes, bold accessories and a little creativity. It also makes a fun three-person group costume!

What you need: Colorful streetwear or a stage-inspired outfit, boots or sneakers, hair accessories and optional temporary hair color.

DIY it cheap: Start with clothes you already own, such as a bright jacket, skirt, leggings or cargo pants. Add layered jewelry and a dramatic hairstyle. For a finishing touch, try colorful clip-in hair extensions or K-pop-inspired accessories. Coordinate colors with friends to create your own group look.

Cost: Free with clothes you own, or a few dollars for thrifted accessories.

2. Victorian Ghost or Haunted Bride

Lace, tulle and antique-style details make this a memorable costume you can pull together with thrift-store finds.

What you need: White or cream dress from thrift store, lace fabric or curtains, pale makeup, dark hollow eye makeup

DIY it cheap: Grab a white or cream dress from Goodwill for $3-$5. Drape lace fabric or an old lace curtain over it. Add cobweb effects by pulling apart cotton balls and draping them over the dress. Apply very pale face paint and dramatic dark eye makeup. Fray the hem slightly for a haunted look.

Cost: $3-$8 depending on thrift store finds

3. Retro Futurism — 70s Disco Meets Space Age

Mix disco-era clothes with metallic, space-age accessories for a fun costume that stands out.

What you need: Any bright or metallic outfit, aluminum foil, sunglasses, silver accessories

DIY it cheap: Start with any bright colored or silver outfit. Cover accessories in aluminum foil — belt, headband, cuffs. Add big round retro sunglasses. Draw geometric silver patterns on your face with metallic face paint. The more over the top the better!

Cost: Under $5 using clothes you have plus Dollar Tree accessories

4. Creepy Doll

A cracked porcelain doll look is spooky and surprisingly easy to create with face paint.

What you need: Any frilly dress, white face paint, black face paint for cracked lines, rosy cheeks, braids or curled hair

DIY it cheap: The costume is almost entirely in the makeup. Apply white face paint as a base. Draw thin black cracked lines with a fine face paint brush. Add rosy circles on cheeks with blush. Wear a frilly dress and put hair in braids or ringlets. Stare blankly at people all night for maximum effect.

Cost: $3-$5 for a face paint kit

5. Witch — But Make It 2026

Give the classic witch costume a new twist with layered black clothes, a dramatic cape or handmade accessories.

What you need: Black layered outfit, DIY witch hat, crescent moon or star accessories, dramatic makeup

DIY it cheap: Layer black clothes for texture — black cardigan over black dress over black skirt. Make a witch hat from black cardboard. Cut crescent moon and star shapes from gold cardstock and safety pin as accessories. Carry a broom or a mason jar labeled “potion.”

Cost: Free using black clothes you have — under $3 for face paint and cardboard

6. 90s and Early 2000s Nostalgia

Clueless, early 2000s fashion and familiar TV characters are great inspiration. Check your closet or thrift store first.

• Cher from Clueless — yellow plaid blazer and skirt, white knee socks, platform shoes
• 90s Fresh Prince — bright mismatched colors, backwards cap, colorful sneakers
• 90s Spice Girl — platform shoes, mini dress, lots of attitude
• Early 2000s Paris Hilton — pink everything, tiny purse, oversized sunglasses

Cost: $3-$10 at a thrift store

7. Mythic Creatures — Dragons and Phoenixes

Dragons, phoenixes and other fantasy creatures are colorful choices you can make with cardboard and clothes you own.

What you need: Jewel-toned outfit, cardboard scales, dramatic face makeup, wings

DIY it cheap: Wear a rich green, red or gold outfit. Cut cardboard into scales and paint with acrylic paint. Make wings from cardboard covered in tissue paper. Apply dramatic face paint with scale patterns around the eyes.

Cost: $3-$8 in cardboard, paint and face paint

8. Hocus Pocus Sanderson Sisters

Hocus Pocus never goes out of style — perfect for groups of three.

What you need: Three people, thrift store dresses in purple/green/red, witch hats, wigs

DIY it cheap: Hit Goodwill for period-style dresses in the right colors — purple for Winnie, green for Mary, red for Sarah. Make simple witch hats from black cardboard. Add wigs for the full effect.

Cost: $10-$20 split three ways — under $7 each

9. Anime Characters — Naruto and My Hero Academia

Anime characters like Naruto and Deku are recognizable choices, and their outfits can be simplified with everyday clothes.

• Naruto — orange sweatsuit, draw black whisker marks with eyeliner, yellow spiky wig
• Deku from MHA — green outfit, curly green wig, freckles with eyeliner
• Sailor Moon — white shirt, blue skirt, red bow, blonde hair in two buns

Cost: Free to $5 depending on what you have

10. Sugar Skull — Day of the Dead

Sugar skull makeup remains one of the most visually stunning and widely recognized Halloween looks.

What you need: Any black outfit, white face paint, colorful face paint, fake flowers for hair

DIY it cheap: Wear any black dress or outfit. Apply white face paint as the base. Draw a floral skull design with a colorful face paint kit. Add fake flowers to your hair. YouTube has hundreds of free tutorials for every skill level!

Cost: $3-$5 — grab a face paint kit on Amazon here!

  👇 Scroll down for 100+ more cheap and free Halloween costume ideas using stuff you already have at home!

First — How to Get a Free or Nearly Free Halloween Costume

Costume Swap Events

Many communities host costume swap events in early October where families bring outgrown costumes and trade for something new-to-them. Check your local library, school and community center — these are usually 100% free and you can walk out with a great costume for nothing.

Facebook Marketplace and Buy Nothing Groups

Parents are constantly giving away costumes their kids have outgrown on Facebook Marketplace, Buy Nothing groups and Nextdoor. Free for you and one less thing for them to store. Search “Halloween costume” in your local group starting in September — they go fast!

Dollar Tree

Dollar Tree can be a good place to look for inexpensive face paint, wigs, props and accessories. Prices vary by item and store, so check before planning your budget.

Thrift Stores

Goodwill and other thrift stores are goldmines for Halloween costumes — both pre-made and pieces you can build into something original. Go in with a concept and you will almost always find what you need for a few dollars total.

Costume Hacks That Save Money

• Reuse and repurpose — old clothes, uniforms and sports gear make easy costumes
• Accessorize smart — a wig, some face paint or a hat can completely transform a plain outfit
• Go group style — family or friend group costumes save time and money when you share supplies
• Swap with friends — trade last year’s costume for something new to you

Classic and Simple Costumes — Just Raid Your Closet

• Ghost — old white sheet with cut out eye holes. The classic. Free.
• Cat — black clothes plus eyeliner whiskers plus a headband with ears. Under $5 at Dollar Tree
• Scarecrow — flannel shirt, jeans, straw hat and some hay sticking out of your sleeves
• Mummy — strips of old white fabric loosely attached to clothing (not wrapped tightly)
• Vampire — black outfit, red lipstick and paper fangs from Dollar Tree
• Witch — black dress plus a hat you make from cardboard and paint
• Skeleton — black shirt and pants with white tape or fabric paint for bones
• Cowboy or Cowgirl — jeans, plaid shirt, boots and a bandana
• Athlete — old jersey, face paint and a water bottle
• Nerd — button-up shirt, suspenders and glasses taped in the middle
• Lumberjack — flannel shirt, jeans, boots and a paper axe
• Tourist — Hawaiian shirt, camera around your neck and sunglasses
• 80s Aerobics Instructor — bright leggings, oversized shirt and a headband
• Rockstar — jeans, graphic tee, sunglasses and a toy guitar
• Detective — trench coat and a magnifying glass
• Superhero — blanket or towel cape with a paper logo safety pinned to your shirt
• Gardener — overalls, gardening gloves, sun hat and a small empty watering can Shop supplies
• Fisherman — fishing vest, bucket hat and a cardboard fish Shop supplies
• Mechanic — old work shirt, jeans and a clean plastic wrench Shop supplies
• Painter — paint-splattered old shirt, cap and a clean paintbrush
• Hiker — backpack, boots, water bottle and a trail map
• Soccer Referee — striped shirt, black shorts and a whistle Shop supplies
• Bee Keeper — light-colored clothes, wide-brim hat and mesh-style fabric kept clear of the face Shop supplies

Funny and Punny Costumes — Maximum Laughs Minimum Cost

• Ceiling Fan — shirt that says “Go Ceilings!” with pom-poms
• Cereal Killer — tape empty cereal boxes to your shirt with fake blood
• Identity Thief — stick name tags with random names all over your outfit
• Deviled Egg — white shirt with a yellow circle drawn on it plus devil horns
• Smart Cookie — tape paper cookies to a graduation cap
• Facebook — write the word “book” across your face in face paint
• Error 404 — plain shirt with “Costume Not Found” written on it
• Chick Magnet — tape paper chicks to your shirt and attach toy magnets
• Holy Cow — cow print shirt plus an angel halo
• Static Cling — attach random socks and small clothing to your outfit with safety pins
• Freudian Slip — write psychology terms on a slip or nightgown
• Bag of Jellybeans — attach colorful paper jellybeans to a clear poncho or shirt; skip plastic bags over the body
• Spelling Bee — yellow-and-black outfit with paper letters pinned on Shop supplies
• French Toast — striped shirt, beret and cardboard toast Shop supplies
• Formal Apology — dress up and pin a large “I’m Sorry” sign to your outfit
• Copycat — cat ears plus a shirt covered in photocopied paper Shop supplies
• When Life Gives You Lemons — yellow clothes, a basket of fake lemons and a sign Shop supplies
• Party Animal — animal-print clothes with a party hat Shop supplies

Kids Costumes You Can Make at Home

• Farmer — overalls, straw hat and toy animals
• Artist — cardboard paint palette, a brush and a beret
• Chef — apron, wooden spoon and flour on the face
• Doctor or Nurse — scrubs or white shirt plus a toy stethoscope
• Librarian — glasses, cardigan and a stack of books
• Pirate — striped shirt, eye patch and a bandana
• Construction Worker — jeans, reflective vest and a toy hard hat
• Ballerina — tutu or skirt, bun and tights
• Robot — cardboard boxes covered in foil
• Emoji — yellow shirt with a printed emoji face pinned to it
• Astronaut — white clothes, cardboard control panel and a homemade mission patch Shop supplies
• Butterfly — bright clothes and cardboard wings attached to a jacket Shop supplies
• Dinosaur — green hoodie with felt triangles along the back Shop supplies
• Race Car Driver — sports clothes, paper racing number and a cap Shop supplies
• Train Conductor — overalls, cap and a cardboard ticket punch Shop supplies
• Magician — dark jacket, homemade paper wand and a deck of cards Shop supplies

Creative DIY Costumes With Minimal Effort

• Bunch of Grapes — attach purple balloons to a loose outer layer of clothing (avoid balloons for very young children)
• Rain Cloud — gray shirt with cotton balls glued on plus an umbrella
• Flower Pot — brown shirt with fake flowers taped to a headband
• Bubble Bath — white balloons attached to a shower cap
• Zombie — old clothes, messy hair and dark eye makeup
• Bookworm — green outfit with a stack of books and worm antennae
• Sleepyhead — pajamas, slippers and a pillow
• Beach Lifeguard — red shirt, shorts, whistle and sunglasses
• Garden Gnome — red pointed paper hat, blue shirt and a cotton-ball beard
• Walking Aquarium — blue shirt decorated with paper fish and seaweed Shop supplies
• Popcorn Box — white shirt with red paper stripes and crumpled white paper popcorn Shop supplies
• Traffic Light — black clothes with red, yellow and green paper circles Shop supplies
• Pineapple — yellow shirt with a green paper-leaf headband Shop supplies
• Campfire — brown outfit with paper flames attached and cardboard logs Shop supplies
• Shooting Star — dark shirt with a cardboard star and trailing ribbon Shop supplies

Pop Culture and Movie Inspired Costumes

• Men in Black — black suit and sunglasses. Most adults have both already
• Rosie the Riveter — denim shirt and red bandana tied in your hair
• Wednesday Addams — black dress with white collar — braid your hair and look serious
• Harry Potter — glasses, lightning bolt drawn on forehead, any striped scarf
• Barbie — pink everything plus a confident smile
• Grease Sandy — black tight pants, off shoulder top and red lipstick
• Bob Ross — blue jeans, blue shirt, afro wig, paintbrush and a canvas
• Safari Explorer — khaki clothes, binoculars and a sun hat
• Where’s Waldo — red-and-white striped shirt, jeans and round glasses Shop supplies
• Mario — red shirt, blue overalls and a red cap Shop supplies
• Luigi — green shirt, blue overalls and a green cap Shop supplies
• Velma — orange sweater, red skirt and square glasses Shop supplies
• Clark Kent — button-up shirt over a superhero-logo tee and glasses Shop supplies

Group and Family Costumes Using What You Have

• The Flintstones — animal print clothes and club props made from cardboard
• Crayons — solid color outfits with matching hats made from cardboard cones
• Minions — yellow shirts, blue overalls, goggles made from cardboard
• Playing Cards — black and red outfits with cardboard suit symbols
• Condiments — red, yellow and brown outfits with labels pinned on
• Peanut Butter and Jelly — two people, brown and purple outfits with labels
• Circus Family — ringmaster, clown, acrobat — all from existing clothes
• Garden Vegetables — each person wears a solid color and a paper vegetable label Shop supplies
• Board Game Pieces — different colored shirts with cardboard game-piece shapes
• Weather Forecast — dress as the sun, rain, rainbow and cloud using colored shirts and cardboard Shop supplies
• Breakfast Foods — one person is toast, another an egg and another bacon with felt shapes Shop supplies

Last Minute Costumes — Under 5 Minutes

• Invisible Person — oversized coat, gloves and a hat pulled low
• Cat or Dog — eyeliner nose and whiskers on any outfit
• Movie Extra — wear everyday clothes and carry a cardboard clapperboard
• Out of Office — shirt with an “Out of Office” sign and a beach hat
• Safari Explorer — khaki clothes, binoculars and a sun hat
• Movie Extra — wear everyday clothes and carry a cardboard clapperboard
• Rainy Day — blue clothes and a paper cloud on a headband
• Gift Wrapped — plain outfit with a big gift bow and a handmade gift tag
• Book Character — carry your favorite book and wear a handwritten character name tag
• Human Sticky Note — yellow shirt with a large paper reminder pinned on Shop supplies
• Secret Agent — dark clothes, sunglasses and a paper “classified” folder Shop supplies
• Sports Superfan — team jersey, face-safe paint and a homemade sign Shop supplies
• Sleepwalker — pajamas, slippers and a paper sleep mask on your forehead

Know a great free or cheap Halloween costume idea not on this list? Leave it in the comments and I will add it!

Looking for more free Halloween ideas? Check out my 50 Free Kids Party Games, Cheap and Gross Halloween Party Food and my Freebies for Kids page!