Halloween is a time of year that really brings out kids' fantasies and role-playing skills. And given the whole idea of spooks and goblins and magic, an obvious choice for a costume would be something in the realm of the fantastic: fairies, wizards, warriors, superheroes and others. If you don't want your child to be in a cookie-cutter, off-the-shelf costume that stands a good chance of looking like three other kids' costumes in the same neighborhood, you might be in a bit of a quandary.
After all, sticking a sheet with a couple holes in it over your child's head and telling him or her to be a scary ghost might not make for a happy child. Because chances are, people will see a kid in a sheet, not a ghost. We aren't in the days of "Leave it to Beaver" and "Ozzie and Harriet" anymore. Likewise, if your child wants to be a superhero, you're probably going to have to buy or rent a costume unless you have strong sewing and costuming skills. Slapping a red ski mask and some red-and-blue tights on the kid won't make him Spider-Man.
There are good makeup kits you can get in the Halloween aisle of any major local store that can make a child into a respectable zombie, witch, or whatever, but let's think a little more outside the box and a little more homemade, shall we?
"Lord of the Rings" did huge business, and maybe your child just finished watching Frodo and Gandalf and Strider and the rest of the gang whallop orcs for the umpteenth time. Well, there are ways you might be able to emulate those characters, or sword-and-sorcery characters like them, just by raiding your closets or going to a few yard sales, thus spending a minimum at the store.
Hobbits, for example, are perfect for many kids, who are about the right size to be the tiny heroes anyway. What you need are some furry feet and an outfit that says, "I live in a fantasy realm." The furry feet are easier than you think. All you need is an old wig no one wants anymore. Try not to get anything too curly or too straight, and you might want to avoid colors that are too light (blonde) or too dark (black). Brown and red-brown would be the best. Cut out two pieces that will almost cover the tops of the child's feet, except for the toes. If the child is going to a party where you can be reasonably confident he or she can go barefoot and won't step on anything sharp, you can simply stitch a couple of elastic strips from a fabric store or craft shop, and those can hold the hair in place. Otherwise, attach the wig pieces to a pair of thin flip-flops to protect the soles without distracting too much from the hairy-foot effect.
As for the outfit, find a pullover sweater vest (preferably green, brown or some other earth tone) that is too large for the child and hangs below the waist, but somewhere above mid-thigh. Put that over a simple white shirt or blouse (nothing too frilly if it's a boy you're dressing) and some simple khaki slacks, and then strap a wide leather belt around the child's waist over the sweater vest (NOT the pants). Congratulations, you've just made a more than passable tunic-style outfit. Even if you aren't going for the hobbit look, this can be a good way to get the child into a peasant or Prince Valiant mode.
Add an inexpensive, short plastic sword (or have the child make a sword by cutting out the right shape from some heavy cardboard and wrapping aluminum foil over the "blade"). If the child wants to be Frodo the Ringbearer, hang a gold-colored ring (plastic works fine) from his/her neck by a leather cord or gold-colored chain (again, plastic jewelry works well).
You can even add a cloak if you have a bit of canvas or linen-like material, or something else somewhat rustic. An old towel could even work if it doesn't look TOO much like a towel. Put one end over the child's head to make a hood, and secure it at the neck with a safety pin or inexpensive broach. Let most of the material hang down around the shoulders and back, and you're there.
The cloak and tunic idea can also work if you want a non-hobbit hero. Just leave off the hairy feet and get a bigger plastic sword or axe, or give the child an archery-set bow if you have one. You could even makeshift a bow with a flexible, long branch and some twine or fishing line. Skip the arrows, though, lest any misunderstandings erupt during trick-or-treating.
If a wizard is more your child's speed (or a sorceress, if your girl wants to be a magical type but more heroic and less ugly than a green-skinned, warty witch), get a large branch from a tree and sand it down a bit to make a staff. You may also buy a cheap length of plastic pipe from your local hardware store. You could even decorate it with metal wire or paint, wrap twine or strips of material around it, and top it off with some old decoration from the garage. A strategically purchased yard sale item will also do. The cloak and tunic idea from before can work for clothing, but you could also use an old robe. If the color isn't quite right or the robe has a pattern that is too bedtime-like and not wizardly enough, consider dyeing it or using fabric paint on it. If you don't want to buy a wizard or witch hat (or make your own), simply tie off some ribbons or twine around the child's forehead.
If you have a girl who wants to be more fairy-like, simply go the similar route as the staff above (but much smaller) to make a wand. Give her a frilly, bright-colored dress (something from her own closet or from a second-hand store or yard sale). Wings can be made fairly easily with some bendable metal wire and some cellophane or crepe paper.
I mentioned superheroes before. They're not quite in the realm of sword-and-sorcery, but "fantastical" enough. The problem is that making a superhero costume that really looks right is a challenge most people don't want to tackle. But if your child is game, take a humorous slant. Remember the idea earlier about using a large towel as a cloak? Obviously, most towels look too towel-like to pull off such a job. But kids have been using towels as capes for years when the superhero mood takes them. So, run with the idea. Use a pin or small broach to secure the towel as a cape. Get the child some simple tights in a bright color. Slap a smaller towel around their waist and lower abdomen to serve as "trunks" and slap a bathing cap on his/her head. Arm the child with a "plunger of justice" (buy it new or soak an old one a while in bleach or disinfectant). Behold Toilet Man or Bathroom Woman! If your child doesn't have a sense of humor though, and you don't have sewing skills, hit the stores for that superhero look.
