Halloween is coming, so if you still need Halloween costumes for you or your kids, we have some ideas of where to get them – on the cheap!
Before long, the stores will be running low on options, so why spend $30 for a generic, poorly fitting nylon costume when you could get creative for much less and have a more unique costume?
DIY Costumes
Many of these easy DIY Halloween costumes can be created with items you have around the house and/or a little makeup; others may require a trip to the thrift store. Either way, your costume will require very little time and money.
Whether you are looking for something scary, clever or funny, or if you want to dress like a real person, profession, an animal, or as part of a group costume, you’ll find plenty of ideas at Living on the Cheap. Check out over 100 cheap and easy costumes!
Consignment Sales
Consignment Sales are a great place to grab a gently used or like new costume! Three Bags Full Children’s Consignment Sales are the perfect place to grab gently used Halloween costumes for cheap!
One year, I got 2 Pokémon costumes for $12. Another year I picked up a Minecraft Creeper for $6 (and will resell it this year). I’ve sold several for $5 or less! There are always 100’s of costumes at the fall sales!
Pickertington Three Bags Full Consignment: Sept 24-28, 2024
Johnstown Croton Three Bags Full: Oct. 23-27, 2024
Costume Swaps
Swap with friends! If you have friends with kids wearing similar sizes, see if they want to swap costumes from another year
Buy-Sell and Facebook Groups
Other great options are on local Facebook buy/sell groups (meet in a public place), through friends, or keep an eye out for sales at retailers.
Target deals
Target usually offers 40-50% off costumes once or twice throughout the season via sales or the Target Circle app.
Still looking for the perfect Halloween costume idea?
Don’t put more pressure on the costume hunt than you need to. Kids have fun with Halloween whether or not they have a perfect costume.
When my daughter’s costume didn’t arrive in time for an early Halloween party, I put some leg warmers over tights and called her an aerobics instructor.
Options that you may have around the house – basketball, baseball, or football player or coach, favorite movie character, scarecrow, ghost, etc. There are so many fun options that can be created from regular items.
Find all the Halloween events in Columbus
Looking for somewhere to take these costumes for a drive?
Check out this list of over 100 fall and Halloween events around Columbus this year, which also contains links for pumpkin patches and fall farm events, haunted houses, Halloween parties and trunk or treat options for safer trick-or-treating. Plus, we have the Columbus and Central Ohio trick or treat schedule, since Beggars Night isn’t always on Halloween in Central Ohio!
Check out these seasonal articles
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Over 120 events celebrating Fall and Halloween in Columbus
Pumpkin Patches, Corn Mazes, and Farm Activities
Best places to pick apples in Central Ohio
Big List of the best Fall Date ideas around Columbus
Great locations for photography sessions in Columbus
Best hikes and scenic drives for Fall Color in Ohio
Upcoming Halloween fun…
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[…] Don’t forget to check out the huge list of Pumpkin Patches, Corn Mazes, and Farm Activities around Columbus! There are also 30 parties at the local community centers between October 6-28 to get you in the Halloween spirit. Trick or Treat, or Beggar’s Night, is scheduled for most communities around Central Ohio; check out the Trick or Treat schedule here. If you don’t know what to dress up as for all of these Halloween events, check out these 100 Cheap and Easy DIY Halloween Costumes. […]