Block Game Crew
45 min + drying$5-12Medium
Fit: One per person, so kids and adults each get a real fit. Have each wearer step into the box before you mark arm and leg holes, cut them a little wide, and tape every inside edge so cardboard never scratches.
Cardboard-box heads: pick your blocky hero.
Open this costume in Pick My Costume
DIY this week: ~$5-12, 45 min + drying
- Each person picks a blocky video-game hero look.
- Measure each person's head and shoulders first.
- Cut the head opening smaller than you think, cardboard cut away cannot be put back.
- Paint each box in the hero's main colors with the acrylic paint and paintbrushes.
- Draw a pixel-style square face and details on the front of each box with the black marker.
Tip: draw thin black grid lines across the painted box before it dries fully. The grid is what makes it read as pixels instead of just a painted box.
You need
- 1 large cardboard box per person, big enough to fit over the torso (make: ask a grocery store for spares)
- Acrylic paint in each hero's colors, 1 small bottle per color (buy: craft store, tempera paint works too)
- Paintbrushes, 1 wide and 1 detail per person
- Black marker, 1 (buy: dollar store)
- Scissors, 1 pair
Steps
- Each person picks a blocky video-game hero look.
- Safety: an adult should handle the heavy cutting, and cut the eye holes generously so everyone can see clearly. (CPSC Halloween safety tips)
- Measure each person's head and shoulders first, then cut a head opening and eye holes in each large cardboard box with the scissors.
- Cut the head opening smaller than you think, cardboard cut away cannot be put back. Cut the eye holes generously so everyone can see clearly.
- Paint each box in the hero's main colors with the acrylic paint and paintbrushes. Let it dry fully.
- Draw a pixel-style square face and details on the front of each box with the black marker. Wear the boxes over regular clothes once the paint is dry.
- Optional pro finish: draw thin black grid lines across the painted box before it dries fully. The grid is what makes it read as pixels instead of just a painted box.
Common questions
How do you keep a box costume comfortable?
Cut arm holes wide, wear it over regular clothes, and tape the inside edges of every cut so cardboard never scratches. Keep the box at torso height, never over the face, for kids.
How long does the paint take to dry?
Acrylic on cardboard needs about 1 hour to stop being tacky. Paint the night before if you can; wearing it damp smears the pixel face.
More costumes like this
Open this costume in Pick My Costume
Want one picked for you? Take the 2-minute quiz - free, no signup.