Halloween Costumes for Kids Under $15: Quick DIY-Ready Wins

If you want instant Dracula vibes without a sewing marathon, Horner Novelty's Vampire Cape is a quick win at $9.99. In our testing, the one-size design fit a range of kids and the simple tie closure made last-minute costume swaps painless, though it's sold as cape-only with no extra fasteners. The fabric is thin polyester, so our experience shows it's best for gentle trick-or-treating, not rough play, and the collar can look a bit stiff up close. Pair with black clothes and fangs for a complete, no-sew look.

For $1.43, this pirate set is a shockingly cheap way to outfit a whole crew for a party or one-night trick-or-treat. You get a vest, eyeshade hat, and bag, and in our testing the lightweight pieces slip on quickly over a tee. The catch is durability and fit—fabric and stitching feel thin, sizing varies, and overseas shipping can be slow. Our experience shows it’s best to order early and treat as a disposable costume or party favor.

Shurtech's 392873 duct tape is our go-to quick-fix supply for budget costumes at $6.86 a roll. In our testing, it tears easily by hand and offers strong initial tack on many surfaces, great for stripes, emblems, and emergency hems. We found it removes cleanly for a limited time, but adhesion can falter on some materials or under heavy stress, and it's not for long-term outdoor use. During our review we also saw mini-roll variants, so check size before starting a bigger project.

For quick scarecrow, farmer, or lifeguard costumes, this $4.65 straw sun hat is a bargain accessory that gets the look in seconds. We found it lightweight and packable, and the thin wire in the brim helps it hold a friendly, floppy shape. During our review, several hats arrived a bit squished—steam and gentle reshaping fixed most creases, but the straw can feel flimsy. Sizing runs inconsistent, so measure your child’s head and be ready with clips or bobby pins for a better fit.

Give plain tees a spooky pop with Tulip’s glow-in-the-dark fabric paint, which comes in easy-squeeze bottles kids can handle themselves. During our review, the raised, dimensional lines adhered well to cotton and hoodies, but we found the glow intensity inconsistent unless the design was charged under bright light. The formula can run, so outline simple shapes and let layers dry fully—dry time varies by thickness. Our experience shows multiple thin coats over a white base produce the brightest, most reliable glow.

When you need a costume in minutes, this $5.45 cat set delivers ears, a choker/bow, and a tail for an instant look. We found the one-size headband fits most kids fine, but materials can feel cheap and the faux fur may shed with play. The bow or choker isn’t highly adjustable either, which can be tricky on smaller necks. Our experience shows pairing with a black tee and leggings plus a safety pin for the tail makes a no-fuss outfit.

This 12-pack of bandannas stretches your budget and your creativity—great for cowboys, pirates, ninjas, or quick team colors at just over ten bucks. We found the vivid hues pop in photos, and they soften nicely after a wash for more comfortable wear. Do note the material can be thin and slightly see-through, edges may unravel, and listings sometimes claim cotton while a polyester blend arrives; a gentle cycle and air-dry help. Our experience shows doubling them up or folding diagonally adds opacity and durability for kid-proof costumes and party favors.

If your witch needs an upgrade, this $12.99 velour hat looks surprisingly upscale thanks to its foam-backed structure and shapeable interior wire. In our testing, the elastic band inside helped it sit snugly on smaller heads and stay put while trick-or-treating. The tradeoff is sizing: the one-size design runs small, the material has little stretch, and there are no size variations, so broader or older kids may find it tight. Our experience shows it pairs perfectly with a simple black dress for a polished, under-$15 costume topper.

These $6 gold butterfly wings are a fast, photo-ready add-on that turns leggings and a tee into a fairy costume in seconds. In our testing, the elastic straps stretched comfortably across a range of little shoulders, and the lightweight build kept kids happy while walking. The flip side: one-size can feel small on older or taller children, and lightweight polyester won’t love rough play. Our experience shows they’re best for ages 3–7 and occasional dress-up, not daily tumbling.

For quick whiskers, scars, or accents under $10, Crayola’s Face & Body Crayons are a kid-safe, washable option. During our review, we found pigmentation on the lighter colors pretty faint and the wax tips prone to breaking or falling out, though most shades rinsed off with soap and water. Some colors can smudge and be stubborn to remove fully, so patch-test and set with translucent powder. Our experience shows they’re best for simple details, not full-face coverage.

These $8 Cat & Jack flare leggings are an easy base for witches, 70s disco, or cat costumes while keeping kids comfy. In our testing, the fabric felt soft and wearable all day, and the flared cut gives a dressier silhouette than basic leggings. Be aware sizing can run inconsistent and a few pairs arrived with stitching defects; some shrink after a few washes. Our experience shows sizing up and washing cold, line-drying, helps preserve length and seams.

At $7.19, this Gildan Ultra Cotton long sleeve is a workhorse base for DIY costumes, from pirates to superheroes. In our testing, the heavyweight cotton held its shape for layering and simple cut-and-sew add-ons, and the ribbed cuffs and taped shoulders felt durable. We did notice the fabric can feel stiff or scratchy at first and some kids with longer arms found the sleeves tight or short—pre-washing and sizing up can help. Our experience shows darker colors hide the mild post-wash fading some buyers mention.