Some years, little ones are all about the DIY Disney princess costumes; others, they'd prefer to DIY favorite superhero costumes. But there's one Halloween costume that parents and kids alike will never get tired of, and that's the classic kids' cat costume. And for good reason: To them, black cats are a bona fide emblem of the holiday (right up there with broom-riding witches and eerie ghosts!). Those furry, shadowy creatures just scream "October 31," and somehow they're just as adorable as they are creepy.
But for parents, this Halloween costume for kids couldn't be easier or less time-consuming. In fact, you can DIY cat costumes for kids at home using supplies you likely already have. There's no part of the entire getup that you can't make from scratch (see what we did there?), including those store-bought cat ears and cat tail you would normally splurge on. Yep, put away your wallets: This is a true no-fuss look that comes together in a matter of minutes—and the final result is bound to look absolutely purr-fect. Just don't forget to add a bit of realistic-looking cat makeup ideas before your crew heads out to go trick-or-treating!
DIY Cat Halloween Costume for Girls
So you're sold on the idea of a DIY cat costume for your kids this year. Great! Now, we'll break down how to make it happen—without breaking the bank. Here's the easy how-to:
- You'll want to start with a black "base." We recommend a black t-shirt, a tutu, and a pair of opaque tights—all of which are things that you probably already have in your closet at home.
- Next, create the cat ears! Simply cut rounded triangles from a sheet of black felt. Then, add two slightly smaller, rounded triangles from a sheet of white felt. Using a hot glue gun, affix the two pieces together as shown before adhering them to a basic black headband.
- You'll need a tail, of course. To make one, simply cut apart a wire hanger, bend to give it a more "natural," flowing shape, then wrap it up with a black feather boa. Hot-glue the two elements together as you go.
Tip: Cat makeup doesn't have to be super intricate! It can be as minimal and simple as you'd like. We recommend drawing on a few quick black lines with black eyeliner for a couldn't-be-easier look.
What You'll Need for a Tutu Cat Costume
Simplicity Black Tutu
TINKSKY Black Headband
DIY Cat Halloween Costume for Baby Boys
This sweet ensemble for baby boys is even more adorable than the tiniest of kittens. It all starts with a white onesie. From there, here's how to make it happen:
- For the pointed part of the ears, simply cut triangles from faux craft fur, then sew or hot-glue a little bit of sparkly silver fabric to them.
- For the "lower" part of the ears, we recommend adding a pair of furry earmuffs. They double as warm wear for what can be a pretty chilly holiday! (Not interested in crafting your own? You can also opt to purchase a pre-made pair of cat earmuffs.)
Tip: For babies, you'll want to keep the makeup simple, easy, and as mess-free as possible...or else risk confronting some serious meltdowns.
What You'll Need for Baby Cat Costume
DIY Cat Halloween Costume for Women
Ladies, who says you have to go trick-or-treating as a typical black house cat? There are tons of different animal prints out there—and we want you to try them all. By pairing a leopard- or cheetah-print dress with a simple set of DIY ears (or store-bought), you're halfway to an oh-so-original costume that's as fun as it is classic. Here's how we recommend going about it:
- To fashion yourself a pair of ears, simply create triangular shapes using bent craft wire or pipe cleaners; wrap the open ends over and around a black headband.
- For the "base" body of the cat, wear your favorite cheetah- or leopard-print blouse or dress.
- For an easy-peasy makeup look, use black eye pencil to draw a wide "V" on the tip of your nose. Next, line your upper lip, but don't dip down into the Cupid's bow. Finally, connect the two black shapes with a short, thick line.
What You'll Need for Leopard Costume
Leopard Print Dress
Black Headband
Black Craft Wire
