The creative mom behind The Unplugged Family Instagram blog says she gathers costume ideas on a Pinterest board, and then lets the kids choose their favorites. Boy, did her tween pick out a project with this out-of-this-world costume!
We adapted these instructions from the Halloween Highlights shared on her Instagram profile, @theunpluggedfamily. Fair warning: This one requires some creative engineering, but the results are worth it!
To Make the UFO Costume
- Start with two cardboard circles. If you happen to have the cardboard covers that come with a new pair of tires on hand, they are perfectly sized.
- Cut a hole in the center of one cardboard circle large enough for a toy alien. Next, cut the cardboard circle into wedges. Tape the wedges together using duct or packing tape to make a low conical shape that will form the top of the spaceship (the tape should go on the inside of the cone).
- Use the remaining whole cardboard circle as the base of the ship.
- Paint the spaceship silver.
- Place an alien toy inside the ship so that the head peeks out. Place a large, clear plastic bowl upside-down over the alien to form a cockpit.
- Add flashing LED string lights to the ship.
- Encircle the underside of the ship with a ring of iridescent party streamers.
- Insert two 1-inch-diameter PVC pipes into the base of the spaceship. For structural integrity, add spray foam to the interior of the ship, and let dry.
- Secure the other ends of the pipes in a backpack. To put on the costume, simply put on the backpack.
Get more ideas for tween costumes.
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Terri Robertson is the Senior Editor, Digital, at Country Living, where she shares her lifelong love of homes, gardens, down-home cooking, and antiques.
