by: Lindsay Hutton
Did Halloween sneak up on you this year? If you're racking your brain for a quick and easy costume for you child, don't fret. These get-ups are simple, cheap, and can be made with materials you probably already have on hand.

Jack-o'-Lantern
Use up all your old newspapers and turn your trick-or-treater into a pumpkin. All you need are four items to create this easy and adorable costume.
Get the directions to make your own Jack-o'-Lantern costume.

Pile of Laundry
If your child's bedroom is in constant disarray, let his costume reflect his not-so-neat habits. All you need are clothes — and lots of them!
Get the directions to make your own Pile of Laundry costume.

Old Grandma
What's that you say, Sonny? Bright lipstick, sloppy curlers, and a housecoat all come to mind when thinking of the quintessential Grandma. If you've got these items on hand, you've got yourself a simple (and warm!) costume.

Rainy Day
It's raining, it's pouring...well, hopefully it isn't, but you can pretend it is! Shredded tinsel makes great fake "rain," and aside from that, all you need are your rainy-day essentials!

Static Cling
Do you ever wonder what to do with all your mismatched socks? If you haven't thrown them away, turn them into static cling! Just gather up some dark clothes, double-sided tape, and all your laundry odds and ends.

Non-Sheet Ghost
Your child can be a ghost without having to cut holes in a white sheet — baby powder and brown face paint work just as well!
Get the directions to make your own Non-Sheet Ghost costume.

Stoplight
Making this costume is almost as fun as wearing it. Break out the red, yellow, and green paints and let your child go to town painting circles on a cardboard box. Voila! A stoplight costume!

Mummy
Spooky mummies are a given on Halloween. This costume has several simple variations, so you can easily work with what you have on hand.
Get the directions to make your own Mummy costume.