Last year's costume is this year's parts list
Browse all 169 ideas
Quick answer: Emoji Crew (15 min, 1 yellow t-shirt per person), Classic Ghost (10 min, 1 white flat sheet), and Fairy Tale Princesses (15 min, 1 dress from the closet per person): ranked by how many parts you already own. Tap any name for its full build guide: materials list, numbered steps, and safety notes.
Pick the costume already sitting in your closet. We rank all 169 ideas by the parts you already own, so this year builds faster.
We count exact parts, not vibes. Green paper is not red paper. Parts that match by material but not color are shown separately as "same kind", so there are no surprises. We skip the craft-drawer basics (scissors, tape, cardboard, foil, socks, paper and pen). Everybody has those, so they do not change the ranking.
How this works
Does this work if last year's costume was store-bought?
If it was mostly store-bought, there are no homemade parts to match, and the page will tell you so honestly. It works best with DIY builds: capes, wings, face paint, cardboard props, and costumes made from old clothes.
What counts as a matching part?
Exact matches are the same material, like green felt to green felt. Same-kind matches are the same material in a different color, like green paper to red paper. Those are shown separately because you will still need the new color. Craft-drawer basics like scissors and tape are never counted.
Can I pass a costume down to a younger sibling instead?
Yes. The parts do not care who wears them. Pick the older kid's costume above and the ranking works the same. Check the build guide for sizing notes before you start.