Cheap Halloween Costume Ideas – Fun, Easy & Frugal!

Halloween doesn’t have to drain your wallet — it’s all about creativity!

upcycled halloween costumes

Whether you’re dressing up for a party, helping the kids find something fun, or pulling together a last-minute look, you can create awesome costumes on a budget with things you already have at home (or from your local Dollar Tree or thrift store).

Unique Halloween Costume Ideas…

From DIY hacks to quick costume kits, these ideas will help you save big and still look great when the spooky fun begins.

Easy DIY Halloween Costumes

Need a last-minute Halloween costume but don’t want to spend a fortune? You’re not alone — and you don’t have to! With a little creativity (and a few things you already have lying around), you can pull together an awesome costume in minutes.

From classic favorites like ghosts and witches to clever pun costumes that’ll get everyone laughing, these 50 easy Halloween costume ideas prove you don’t need a big budget to have big fun. Most can be made with household items, old clothes, or a quick Dollar Tree run — perfect for kids, adults, or anyone trying to keep it simple (and cheap).

So grab your scissors, some tape, and your imagination — let’s get spooky on a budget!

Classic & Simple

  1. Ghost – Old white sheet + scissors for eye holes
  2. Cat – Black clothes + eyeliner whiskers + headband ears
  3. Scarecrow – Flannel shirt + jeans + straw hat
  4. Mummy – Toilet paper or old white bandages
  5. Vampire – Black outfit + red lipstick + paper fangs
  6. Witch – Black dress + hat (make one from cardboard)
  7. Skeleton – Black shirt + white tape or paint for bones
  8. Cowboy/Cowgirl – Jeans, plaid shirt, boots, and a bandana
  9. Athlete – Old jersey + face paint + water bottle
  10. Nerd – Button-up shirt + suspenders + glasses taped in the middle

Funny & Punny

  1. Ceiling Fan – Shirt that says “Go Ceilings!” and pom-poms
  2. Cereal Killer – Tape empty cereal boxes on shirt + fake blood
  3. Identity Thief – Stick name tags with random names all over
  4. Deviled Egg – White shirt with yellow circle + devil horns
  5. Smart Cookie – Tape paper cookies to a graduation cap
  6. Facebook – Write “book” across your face
  7. Freudian Slip – Write psychology terms on a slip or nightgown
  8. Error 404 – Plain shirt with “Costume Not Found” written on it
  9. Chick Magnet – Tape paper chicks or birds on your shirt + magnets
  10. Holy Cow – Cow print shirt + angel halo

Pop Culture & Movie Inspired

  1. Men in Black – Black suit + sunglasses
  2. Rosie the Riveter – Denim shirt + red bandana
  3. Tourist – Hawaiian shirt + camera + sunglasses
  4. Wednesday Addams – Black dress + white collar
  5. Harry Potter – Glasses + lightning bolt + scarf
  6. Barbie – Pink everything + confident smile
  7. 80s Aerobics Instructor – Bright leggings + headband
  8. Rockstar – Jeans + graphic tee + sunglasses + toy guitar
  9. Superhero – Blanket or towel cape + paper logo
  10. Detective – Trench coat + magnifying glass

For Kids or Families

  1. Farmer – Overalls + straw hat + toy animals
  2. Artist – Paint palette (cardboard) + brush + beret
  3. Chef – Apron + spoon + flour on face
  4. Doctor/Nurse – Scrubs or white shirt + toy stethoscope
  5. Librarian – Glasses + cardigan + stack of books
  6. Emoji – Yellow shirt + printed emoji face
  7. Pirate – Striped shirt + eye patch + bandana
  8. Robot – Cardboard boxes + foil wrap
  9. Ballerina – Tutu or skirt + bun + tights
  10. Construction Worker – Jeans + reflective vest + toy hard hat

Creative DIY with Minimal Effort

  • Bunch of Grapes – Purple balloons + green hat
  • Rain Cloud – Gray shirt + cotton balls + umbrella
  • Flower Pot – Brown shirt + fake flowers taped to a headband
  • Static Cling – Attach random socks to your clothes with safety pins
  • Bubble Bath – White balloons + shower cap
  • Tourist in Florida – Shorts + Hawaiian shirt + sunscreen on nose
  • Zombie – Old clothes + messy hair + dark eye makeup
  • Bookworm – Green outfit + stack of books
  • Sleepyhead – Pajamas + slippers + pillow
  • 404 Error Page – “Costume Not Found” written on a white T-shirt

Costume Hacks

  • Reuse & Repurpose: Turn old clothes, uniforms, or sports gear into easy costumes.

  • Swap with Friends: Host a costume swap party — trade last year’s look for something new.

  • Accessorize Smart: A simple wig, makeup, or hat can completely change your outfit.

  • Go Group Style: Family or friend group costumes save time and money when you share supplies.

🎃 Bonus: Free Party Printables

We’ve got free printable accessories, costume labels, and DIY guides to make your outfit even easier — no sewing required!

👉 Check out our Free Halloween Printables here

You don’t need to spend a fortune to look festive — with a few smart tricks, you can have the best costume at the party and keep your budget intact.