Holidays

DIY Under-The-Sea Costumes: Octopus!

Do you have a little sea creature at home who needs a costume this Halloween? Why not put this summer’s pool noodles to good use and make a kids’ octopus costume out of them! It’s really easy and requires minimal sewing (maybe not even any if you’re sneaky). This is our fifth costume in our Under-the-Sea series.

Supplies for kids’ Octopus Costume

1. oversize t-shirt
2. fabric paint (or you could just glue on some of those really big googlie eyes that you can buy at a craft store and skip the paint)
3. elastic (skip if you’re the no-sew type)
4. three pool noodles cut into three sections each (that’s 9 octopus legs total which is one more than you need. But save it for another craft.)
5. some yarn and a yarn needle (not pictured)

How to make a kids’ Octopus Costume

First let’s start with the sewing. I folded the bottom of the t-shirt up about two inches and sewed it there. Then I cut a small slit and stuck my elastic through with a safety pin. When it was all the way around I tied my elastic in a knot and it gathered up the bottom of the shirt making a billowy tummy for my octopus. If you’re at all comfortable with sewing this will be a no-brainer for you.

If you want to skip the sewing you can just tie the elastic in a knot without putting it through the shirt and use it as a belt for flounce up the t-shirt. This might require some readjusting through the night but it’s totally doable and the tucked in part of the shirt could double as a skirt if your t-shirt is long enough.

Once all your sewing (or non-sewing) is done you’re ready to add your octopus face. I chose to paint on my octopus face with fabric paint but if you are in a hurry, skip the fabric paint and add giant googly eyes from the craft store. The mouth could easily be drawn on with a permanent marker. If your children are the type who like their costumes to be anatomically correct then skip the mouth altogether.

Now it’s time for the octopus legs! Using a long yarn needle, thread some yarn and pierce each noodle through the top about an inch down from the top. Gather them together like a really big hula skirt and tie in a bow. Wear like a belt.

Top it with your octopus-head t-shirt and your kid’s an octopus! Add some dark leggings/pants and boots and your kid will be ready to trick or treat!

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Difficulty Level: easy!

Crafting time: 1/2 hour to an hour, if using fabric paint allow one day for drying (or more if you live in a humid climate)

*If using fabric paint, always paint in a well-ventilated area. Follow directions on packaging.

More Costumes from our Under the Sea Series:

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Have a little one who gets a little scared during Halloween? Written by Alpha Mom’s longtime contributor and advice columnist, Amalah, “Everybody Gets Scared” helps children brave their fears and understand their feelings. This beautifully illustrated book explains that fear is a normal emotion and helps children understand it’s OK if they don’t feel brave all the time. It gives suggestions for how to cope when they get scared and words to express their feelings. Create your own fun and enchanting personal story that addresses your child’s specific needs. Find the book here.