DIY Halloween Costumes for Teens: 25+ Easy, Budget-Friendly Ideas

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Easy DIY Halloween Costumes for Teens (Cute, Trendy & Affordable)

The cost of Halloween costumes creeps up every year—$50 to $100 for a single look? No thanks. These DIY Halloween costumes for teens are stylish, easy to make, and way more affordable than store-bought. We grouped ideas by theme for faster scrolling and linked to trusted how-tos where available. (Need a fast backup? Browse affordable teen costumes on Amazon.)

Planning a group look? Try our Family-Themed DIY Halloween Costumes or browse DIY Halloween Costumes for Kids. Hosting? We’ve got Easy Halloween Party Treats and a quick DIY Instant Zombie Makeup.

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Classic & Cute

Easy Scarecrow Costume

Overalls + flannel + straw hat = done. Add stitched-on eyeliner details and a faux crow on the shoulder for extra charm. Thank you Clever Pink Pirate!

Alice in Wonderland (or White Rabbit)

Simple dress + apron or blazer + ears. Cute for solo or duo looks. Thank you, Keiko Lynn!

Gumball Machine

Pom poms + red skirt = sweetest costume on the block. Thank you, Life Unsweetened!

DIY Emoji Tee (No-Sew)

Yellow tee + black/white felt eyes/mouth (iron-on or safety pins). Pick your teen’s fave face (😎, 😂, 😴). Fast, comfy, hoodie-friendly. Tutorial idea: The Magnolia Mamas.

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Pop Culture & Music

Wednesday Addams

Black dress + white collar + braids = instant classic. Pair with a deadpan stare. Thank you Slap Dash Mom!

Barbie & Ken (Mix-and-Match)

Rollerblade Barbie: neon leotard, shorts, visor, skates. Tutorial: Pretty Life Girls.
Toy Story 3 Ken: retro shirt, scarf/ascot, shorts. Tutorial: Kait Killebrew.

Taylor Swift “Eras” Inspired

Pick an era (Red tour jacket, cardigan vibes, Midnights sparkle) and add a mic or friendship bracelets. Tutorial: Heather Handmade.

Spider-Verse (Miles or Spider-Gwen)

Miles: black hoodie + athletic leggings + mask. Spider-Gwen: white/black hoodie + ballet flats. Tutorial: Random Tuesday.

Stranger Things (Eddie or Eleven)

Eleven: pink dress + collar + tube socks. Tutorial: See Kate Sew.
Eddie Munson: denim vest, Hellfire tee, chains. Guide: Carbon Costume.

Among Us Crewmate

Solid hoodie/tee, cardboard “backpack,” simple visor. Tutorial: Digital Mom Blog (optional alternate build: Instructables).

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Food & Sweet Treats

Piñata Costume

Crepe paper fringe FTW. Toss mini candies for party points. Thank you Meaningful Mama!

Dunkin Donuts “Queen”

Frosting-colored dress, sprinkle accents, a paper crown. Customize to any fave donut shop. Thank you, Aww Sam!

Giant DIY Pop-Tart

Cardboard base + tan paint + frosting felt + sprinkles. Thank you, Paper & Stitch!

Hot Chocolate

Paper cup silhouette + marshmallow headband = adorable. Thank you, StudioDIY!

Lemon & Lime (Best-Friend Duo)

Two tees, white felt segment lines, and you’re citrus twins. Thank you, Sugar Bee Crafts!

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Funny, Clever & Illusion

Homemade LEGO

Cardboard box + painted cup “studs” = instant icon. Thank you, Crystal and Co.!

Smart Cookie

Cardboard cookie + glasses = punny perfection. Thank you, Club Crafted!

Man Cut in Half (Optical Illusion)

The viral illusion look teens love—follow the guide carefully for balance/comfort. Thank you, Instructables!

Minecraft Creeper/Steve (Cardboard)

Painted box head + pixel tee/hoodie. Tutorial: STL Motherhood (more builds on Instructables).

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Myth, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

Athena (Greek Goddess)

White sheet dress + gold cord belt + plush owl. Thank you, Mom Behind The Curtain!

DIY Wonder Woman

Star-spangled skirt + gold headband + power pose. Thank you Foster 2 Forever!

Medusa

Snake headband + draped dress + green eyeshadow. Thank you, The Tip Toe Fairy!

DIY Knight in Shining Armor

Foam board chest plate + duct-tape trim = heroic on a budget. Thank you Say Not Sweet Anne!

DIY Darth Vader

Black layers + cape + chest panel. Optional upgrade: voice-changer mask. Thank you, Pulling Curls!

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Need a quick backup? Browse Halloween costumes for teens on Amazon and add last-minute accessories locally.

Final Thoughts

There you have it—25+ easy, awesome DIY Halloween costumes for teens across classics, pop culture, food, illusions, and fantasy. They’re budget-friendly, comfy to wear, and simple to customize. If your teen changes their mind (they do!), most of these can be tweaked in minutes. Happy Halloween!

More Halloween Ideas You’ll Love

• Family-Themed DIY Halloween Costumes
• DIY Halloween Costumes for Kids
• DIY Instant ZOMBIE Makeup Tutorial
• Easy Halloween Party Treats
• The BEST Halloween Activities & Games
• America’s Haunted House Guide

Editor’s note: Updated October 2025. Links and credits verified and refreshed for 2025; one outdated link was removed.