No-sew budget Halloween costumes kids can make

Store-bought Halloween costumes were not part of the equation back in the day. How did kids come up with creative, realistic costumes on their own? It wasn't as hard as you might think. In fact, many kids still make their own original costumes now. A wide variety of costumes that can be created with very little money and no sewing. Here's a few ideas kids can read through to get them started.

A pirate costume is one of the easiest.

Tuck stretchy pants into boots. Wear a white shirt that's miles too big. Cinch it around the waist with a wide belt. Tuck a fake knife or sword into the belt. Can't afford to buy a sword? Cut one out of cardboard. Cover the "blade" with aluminum foil. Button the cuffs of the shirt. Use scrunchy pony tail holders to cause a puffy shirt effect on the sleeves. Tie a colorful rag around your head. Wear gold hoop earrings. Toss some bulky chains around your neck. Tie a bag of fake coins to your belt.

Lady pirate? Simply add a layered skirt.

Be a bag of jelly beans for Halloween.

Take a body size clear plastic bag from the dry cleaner. Cut holes in the non-open side for your feet. Step into the bag, putting your feet through the holes. Fill with multicolored balloons. Tie at the top of your shoulders on each side. Wear a ribbon sash proclaiming Jelly Beans. Add a goofy, colorful hat with jelly beans glued on for fun.

Sherlock Holmes is on the case with this no-sew costume.

Wear a trench coat with a plaid scarf around the neck and tucked in at the front. Add a plaid beret type hat. Put a long curved smoking pipe between your teeth. Carry a magnifying glass. Talk about Dr. Watson and Scotland Yard a lot in a British accent.

Little girls love to be fairies on Halloween.

Dress in green tights and a long sleeved matching shirt. Tie a piece of elastic around your waist. Tie multicolored strips of tulle to the elastic. Tie a flower ribbon garland in your hair. Add wings from the dollar store. Spray them with spray glue and sprinkle them all over with fine glitter. Wear ballet shoes or jelly shoes sprayed with glue and glitter too. Flit off to your party.

Old school nerds make great Halloween characters

Wear plaid pants that are too short. Add dress shoes and non-matching socks. Wear a short sleeved dress shirt with a bow tie. Don't forget your pocket protector and pens. Wear goofy black glasses with a big nose attached. Pin a sign on your back written on notebook paper that says "kick me". Tape a piece of bathroom tissue (crepe paper) to the bottom of your shoe.

Be a cereal killer for Halloween.

No, I did not spell that wrong. Wear an old trench coat. Glue small snack size cereal boxes all over it. Spray paint plastic knives silver. Stick the knives into the cereal boxes. Drip craft paint blood splotches on each box. For an added touch, hold a bloody plastic knife in your hand too.

Want to be a three headed monster for Halloween?

Stuff 2 scary rubber whole head masks with tissue or newspaper. Glue on fake rubber eyes. Pin the bottom of each head securely to your shirt on each shoulder. Wear another creepy mask on your head. Cut three slits in a large, long black piece of fabric or sheet. (one slit for each head). Put the fabric over your heads. Put your heads through the slits.

It wouldn't be Halloween without a dead bride or two.

Wear an old wedding type dress and veil that has been dragged through the dirt and shredded. Paint your entire face, neck and hands with white Halloween make-up. Rub blue and black make-up circles around your eyes. Wear bright red lipstick. Paint your nails black. Have a friend sprinkle baby powder into your uncombed hair while you close your eyes. Tangle a giant fake spider into your hair. Put a fake noose around your neck.