With Halloween coming at the end of the month, many households are probably wondering how they’re going to get into the spirit properly while sticking to a tight budget. Kids are faced with social pressure to have elaborate costumes of characters from current TV shows, movies and video games. How can you have it all without spending it all?

You can be frugal and creative and still have an epic Halloween. Here are some suggestions to get you started.

DIY Halloween Fun

If you’re the slightest bit crafty, use it to your advantage when creating costumes and decorations for October 31. You might be thinking, “But craft supplies can cost just as much as a store-bought costume!” Yes, this is true, but you don’t have to buy a lot if you don’t want to.

Start with items you have around the house. What costumes can you create with clothing you already have? What can you do with household supplies? Do you have any scrap fabric? Homemade costumes can be elaborate or simple depending on your skill level and what you’re trying to achieve. For example, unicorns are really popular with kids right now. You can easily make a costume with simple supplies and stuff you have at home.

As for decor, you can use household supplies to make simple but awesome Halloween decorations. Spray-paint a plastic skeleton silver, make a wreath using twigs from the yard and black cut-outs of bats, suspend witches’ hats in the air using fishing line, and so on.

Dollar Store Finds

If you’re less crafty but can’t afford party store prices, check out the dollar stores. Even if they don’t have complete costumes, you can buy enough pieces to put something awesome together. See what you can do with what you have at home plus your dollar store finds.

You can find a lot of great decor items at the dollar store as well. Some of it will be ready-made, and some pieces you can use to DIY.


Shop Second-Hand

A lot of amazing costumes can be put together using items from second-hand stores. Some stores, such as Value Village, sell new, never-worn costumes for less than at Halloween and party stores.

If you are looking for costume inspiration, peruse the aisles of a second-hand charity shop for ideas. Sometimes you can find that perfect item that will spark an idea that you can build from.

Quite often kids (and adults) will wear a costume only once, so finding a used costume can be a steal — as it’s likely still in great shape.


Get affordable Halloween costumes, create amazing homemade decorations and have fun putting it all together! Sure, you could break your budget and just go to the party store, but it’s more fun and cost-effective to put it together yourself. Make it a family activity!

Trick or treat!