Trash Bag Halloween Costumes (2024)

Step 1: Remove the plastic drawstring from the top of either a 13-gallon or a 30-gallon white plastic bag, depending on the person's size ($2.99 for 30; walgreens.com). Thread a white string through the open loop in its place.

Step 2: Lay the bag flat and cut a slit along the length of the bottom of the bag (you're creating a drawstring bottom). One inch up from the slit, cut two inch long vertical slits about one inch apart from each other. Continue creating slits all the way around the bag. Thread a piece of white string through the slits.

Step 3: Print and cut out the fish, seaweed, and pebble images. Use double-sided tape to affix a few fish and pieces of seaweed along the bottom and middle section of the bag.

Step 4: Create the look of water by cutting the handles off of a blue plastic bag made for recycling ($3.50 for 8; amazon.com). Then cut slits at the top and bottom of the bag in the same drawstring manner described above.

Step 5: Have the person step into the white plastic bag, then tie the bottom drawstring to secure the bag in place (tuck in the excess string). Fill out the inside of the white bag with bubble wrap and pull the top drawstring to close the bag under the person's arms. Create simple shoulder loops by tying pieces of white string or strips of plastic in place along the drawstring.

Step 6: Layer the white bag with the second blue bag. Tie the bag into place using the drawstrings, then add on more fish, seaweed, and pebbles (as desired) with double-sided tape.

Step 1: Start by creating the machine's stand. Cut a piece of red construction paper according to the person's size (our stand measured 18 inches along the top, 22 inches along the diagonal sides, and 23 inches along the bottom). Cut a second piece in the same measurements and layer it onto the first piece using tape or glue to make the stand extra sturdy.

Step 2: Using our image as guidance, create a coin slot, a coin, and a handle by cutting out pieces of cardboard and covering them with silver tissue paper. Create a bottom gumball drop by cutting out a small piece of black construction paper. Affix the elements to the stand with double-sided tape.

Step 3: Punch two holes in the top two corners of the stand. Tie the end of a strong, white cord to one of the holes, then drape the cord up around the person's shoulders and back down to the other side of the stand. Determine the placement of the stand as it will hang at the person's waist before tying the other end of the cord into place.

Step 4: Create the top part of the costume by first removing the plastic drawstring from the top of either a 13-gallon or a 30-gallon clear plastic bag, depending on the person's size ($9.01 for 120 count; amazon.com). Then thread a piece of white string through the loop in its place.

Step 5: Lay a clear plastic bag on a flat surface and cut a slit along the length of the bottom of the bag. One inch up from the slit, cut two inch long vertical slits about one inch apart from each other. Continue creating slits all the way around the bag. Thread a piece of white string through the slits.

Step 6: Have the person hang the stand around her neck before placing the plastic bag around her torso. Pull the drawstring around her waist to secure the bag in place. Finish by adding "gumballs" to the costume; blow up small, colorful balloons and gently place them in the bag until it's filled ($11.99 for 500 water balloons; amazon.com).

Step 7: Once the person's comfortable, pull the top drawstring into place, making sure to leave plenty of room at the top for breathing.

Step 1: Remove the plastic drawstring from the top of either a 13-gallon or a 30-gallon clear plastic bag, depending on the person's size ($9.01 for 120 count; amazon.com). Thread a piece of white string through the open loop in its place.

Step 2: Lay the bag flat and cut a slit along the length of the bottom of the bag (you're creating a drawstring bottom). One inch up from the slit, cut two inch long vertical slits about one inch apart from each other. Continue creating slits all the way around the bag. Thread a piece of white string through the slits.

Step 3: Turn the bag inside out and use tacky glue to affix white pom-poms along the plastic. Arrange them to look like a sky of falling snow.

Step 4: Create a stand for the snow globe by cutting a rectangular piece of cardboard (our stand measured 18 inches long and 6 inches tall). Use a glue stick to cover the stand with black construction paper, then punch two holes in the top corners. Thread the ends of a piece of white string through each hole to later tie behind the person's waist.

Step 5: Print and cut out the barn and silo and tree images.

Step 6: Have the person step into the clear plastic bag, then tightly tie the bottom drawstring around her waist to secure in place (tucking in the excess string). Fill out the inside bottom section of the bag with fiber fill to look like snow ($7.49 for 12 ounces; target="_blank"> joann.com). Apply tacky glue to the bottom of the barn, silo, and tree cut-outs before carefully placing them upright in the bottom of the bag, making sure to place them on top of the fiber fill. Pull the top drawstring to close the bag around the person's shoulders.

Step 7: Tie the stand around the person's waist to make the globe appear to be sitting on top of the stand.