Quick, last-minute teen Halloween costumes using common household items

Why would you want to make a Halloween costume using household items? Because you don't have time to do anything else. Your teen's been invited to a Halloween party at the last minute. It's the party of the year. All the cool kids will be there. Your teen simply has to go. What to wear? Here are five quick costumes that use items you have on hand.

Fat chef

White pants, a white shirt, red tie and an apron can be found in most homes. Don't forget to stuff a pillow in their shirt for plumpness. Put an old beret (or a chef's hat if you have one) on their head. Glue a disposable serving tray (with disposable champagne glasses glued to it) to their shirt sleeve so that when they raise their arm, it'll be in carrying position but if they get tired, they won't lose it.

Guess who's for dinner?

It's your teen on a platter. This costume begins with a red checked plastic tablecloth glued to a cardboard square. The square is the table the tablecloth plays itself. Cut a hole in both for your teen's head. Make a platter out of cardboard, spray painted silver. Cut the same size head hole in the platter. Glue the platter to the center of the table, lining up the holes. Use make-up to turn your kid into the goriest dinner entree ever. Don't forget to accent the table with other glued on disposable dinnerware, salt, pepper and wine glasses.

UFO witness

Why is it they always find the craziest people to interview whenever there's a UFO sighted? Dress your teen up like a goofy Billy Bob or big haired Bobby Sue. Have them carry a UFO magazine in their pocket or open play purse. Make a tin foil hat to ward off the aliens. For an even better effect, dress a sibling or friend up as a reporter. Just give them a play microphone with the TV channel written on it. Have them wear a suit and interview your witness.

Old-school robot

All you need are some buttons, a lot of cardboard boxes with center holes cut in them and a can of silver spray paint. Paint all the boxes. Let dry. Kids wear the larger ones on their body, smaller ones on arms and legs. Glue buttons on to operate the robot. For a special touch, tie an old rabbit ear TV antenna to their head or have them carry an old remote.