1. Grim Granny

Most Wanted Funny Halloween Costumes for Kid's Part 2

This easy-to-make optical illusion is so weirdly convincing, friends and family will be doing double takes all night long (is that one person or two?). If your child would rather be a baby on the back of a monster or a ghoul, simply substitute a long coat or oversize blazer for the dress and the appropriate over-the-head mask.

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Materials

backpack
newspaper
T-shirt or black turtleneck (depending on neckline of dress)
tights or socks
loose-fitting, long-sleeved black dress (at least three sizes too big but not so long that your child could trip)
1 sheer nylon stocking
fiberfill
over-the-head mask
tape
2 googly eyes

6 diaper pins
pair of black knee-highs
child's sleeper pajamas (size 12 to 18 months)
one pair of mittens
baby-style bonnet
shoes
cane
purse
pacifier (optional)

Instructions

Create the old lady by stuffing the backpack with newspaper. Have your child put on the T-shirt or turtleneck, tights and stuffed backpack. Next, have her put the dress on over the backpack.
Make the mask by filling the nylon stocking with fiberfill, then putting it inside the mask to create a full head. Stick a loop of tape to the back of each googly eye and adhere it to the stuffed nylon in the mask through the eyeholes. Using two diaper pins, attach the knee-highs to the back of the mask and tie them loosely around your child's neck just below her chin.
Create the baby by stuffing the pajamas and mittens with fiberfill or newspaper. Pin the mittens to the pajama sleeves, then open the pajamas to the middle of the chest and snap around your child's neck. To loosen the fit around the neck, thread ribbon through both sides of the collar and tie the ends together. Pin the pajamas to the back of the dress.
Have your child complete the look with the bonnet, shoes, cane and purse. Pin the pacifier, through the ring, to one of the mittens.

2. Good Egg

This costume is lightweight and easy to get on and off, and it makes an eggs-cellent companion for the Fab '50s Waitress.

Materials

Measuring tape
1-inch-thick white foam (see instructions for measurements; available at fabric shops)
Marker
Electric knife or scissors

Large clear plastic bowl with lip (ours was 12 inches in diameter; available at party stores)
Yellow acrylic paint and brush
1 yard of 1 1/2-inch-wide grosgrain ribbon
Heavy-duty adhesive-backed Velcro

Instructions

To find the right length for the egg white, measure from your child's chin to the floor and subtract 8 inches. The egg's width should be about 24 inches. On the foam, draw a free-form egg white with the marker, then cut along it with an electric knife or scissors.
Trace the bowl on the back of the foam, then cut a hole 2 inches inside this line. Paint the inside of the bowl yellow (this may take several coats). Once it's dry, insert it into the hole.
To make the strap, have your child hold the egg to her chest, then apply Velcro strips to the foam and the ribbon at the appropriate spots. Trim any excess ribbon.

3. Crocodile Wrestler

A getup like this is just the thing for anyone in your family who hears the call of the wild -- and it doesn't require a trip to the outback.

Materials

Permanent marker
36- by 18-inch piece of upholstery foam, 1-inch thick (sold at many fabric stores)
Scissors or craft knife
Acrylic paints and paintbrushes
Ping-Pong ball

Tacky glue
Khaki shorts and shirt
Hiking boots
Safari-style hat
Toy binoculars

Instructions

Mark an elongated U-shaped crocodile shape on the upholstery foam, as shown. Using good-quality scissors or a craft knife, cut out the shapes just inside the lines (adults only). Cut two 1- by 1 1/2- inch legholes and a 1-inch eyehole in the body.
Now mark a pair of matching legs on the upholstery foam, as shown, and cut out the shapes just inside the lines (adults only).
Paint the crocodile's teeth white. Then paint the rest of the body and both sets of legs green, highlighting the ridged back and belly with contrasting colors, if you like. Paint a black eye pupil on the Ping-Pong ball. Allow the painted parts to thoroughly dry.
Fit the crocodile's legs through the legholes and tuck the eyeball in place, securing all the pieces with tacky glue.
Have your child dress in his khaki outfit, boots, and hat and then drape the binoculars and the wrestled crocodile around his neck.

4. Dr. Frank 'n Monster

While Dr. Frankenstein stitched his monster out of recycled people, you can stitch this outfit largely from cast-off clothes!

Materials

Oxford shirt
Tie
Leggings
Adult-size Bermuda shorts
Safety pins
Black jacket or shirt
Kid-size khaki pants
Belt

Rubber bands
Packing tape
Sneakers
Frankenstein-monster mask
White lab coat
Wig
Glasses
Heavy black shoes or boots

Instructions

Have your child put on the oxford shirt, tie and leggings. Pull the shorts on to mid-thigh (or so the short cuffs hit the tops of his feet). Pin the top of the shorts to the leggings.
Put the black jacket on, so the neck hole is around your child's waist. Stuff the shoulders with a bit of newspaper, then pin the jacket to the bottom of your child's shirt.
Stuff the legs of the khaki pants with newspaper (wrap a rubber band tightly around each cuff).
Hold the pants in front of your child's waist, then fasten the belt through the front belt loops and around his waist.
Bend back the khaki legs, wrap the black jacket arms around them, and pin in place. Tape or pin the sneakers to the end of the khaki legs.
Stuff the mask with newspaper, then pin it just below the crotch of the khakis.
Finish with your child putting on the lab coat, wig, glasses and the monster's black shoes.

5. Fire-breathing Dragon

Amazing to look at yet surprisingly easy to put together, this disguise has a magical appeal for kids who love fairy tales.

Materials

Pencil
Scissors
Several large sheets of corrugated cardboard to cut out the pieces in steps 2-9
Acrylic paints and paintbrushes
Clear packing tape
Double-sided foam tape
Masking tape

Several sheets of colored cellophane
Small flashlight
Bubble packaging
Ribbon
Child's belt
Green clothing

Instructions

Mark and cut out all of the cardboard pieces as specified below.
Head: 26" x 20"; Cut out 2 of these.
Teeth: 11" x 2 1/2"; Cut out 4 of these.
Chin Strip: 9" x 4"
Head Strip: 34 1/2" x 4"
Tail Spike: 4" x 4"; Cut out 4 of these.
Tail Strip: 30 1/2" x 4"
Tail Tip: 13" on all 3 sides
Feet: 8" x 7"; Cut out 2 of these; slits are 3/4"
Paint both sides of the teeth white and allow them to dry. With the head shapes mirroring each other, attach the teeth inside the upper and lower jaws with clear packing tape or double-sided foam tape. Next, assemble the head by using masking tape to secure the head and chin strips in place between the head pieces.
Paint the dragon's head, the feet, and the tail pieces with a base coat of green. Be sure to paint both sides of the tail spikes. Allow all the pieces to dry, then paint on eyes, nostrils, and scales.
For a fire-breathing effect, wrap the cellophane around the end of the flashlight and secure it with clear packing tape. Use masking tape to secure the flashlight inside the lower jaw.
Stack 2 large pieces of bubble packaging (ours were 2 feet across the top and 3 feet long) with the bubbles facing in, then cut out a pair of matching wings (24" x 36"). Paint a design on the wings, if desired. When they're dry, reinforce the tops of the wings with packing tape. Poke 3 equally spaced holes through the tape and slip a 16-inch ribbon through each one.
For the tail, make the indicated cuts (each 4" long) in the tail strip and the tail spikes. Slip each spike into a slit in the tail strip and fold the tabs in opposite directions, securing the tabs with double-sided foam tape. Use clear packing tape to attach the larger triangle to the end of the tail. Now fold down a 2-inch flap at the top of the tail, sandwiching the belt between the cardboard and tape in place.
Have your child dress in green. Add the wings by tying the ribbons around her arms and attach the feet by threading her shoelaces through the slits and tying them. Finally, set the dragon head on her shoulders and turn on the flashlight.