Want to dress up your little guy for Halloween without blowing your budget? You’re not alone. I’ve found that some of the most fun and memorable costumes come from a bit of creativity, not a big price tag. Whether your kid wants to be spooky, silly, or something totally out of the box, these DIY Halloween costumes for boys on a budget prove you don’t need to spend much to make a big impression.
1. Minecraft Steve Under $10 Costume Idea
Bring Minecraft to life with a DIY Steve costume that’s easy, affordable, and instantly recognizable. All you need is a cardboard box for the head. Cut out a face hole, then paint on those pixel features or glue on a printed template. Pair it with a blue shirt and jeans, and it’s good to go. This is a hit with boys and gets big reactions without much effort, thanks to how closely it resembles their favorite blocky character!
2. Miles Morales: A Spider-Verse Look That’s Cooler Than Classic
This version of Spider-Man has serious style, and it also happens to be incredibly budget-friendly to pull off. Start with a black Spidey base (a tee or morph suit works), then layer on a red hoodie and a blue jacket. Add some basketball shorts over leggings, and red sneakers if your kid has them. For the DIY mask, you can use black fabric and mesh cutouts for the eyes. It feels more like streetwear than a traditional costume, but still pretty cool!
Related: 17 Easy DIY Halloween Costumes for Kids + Tutorials
3. Cute Mario & Luigi Costume For Siblings or Best Buds
Mario and Luigi are a classic duo that never goes out of style. This low-spend costume is perfect for siblings or best buds and comes together in minutes. Just use denim overalls, a red shirt for Mario, and a green one for Luigi. Most of these are probably already in your kid’s closet! Finish the look with red and green baseball caps. I’ve always loved how easy this one is, and kids really get into character the moment they put it on!
4. Easy Star Wars Inspired Jedi Costume
Your little Luke Skywalker will be ready for intergalactic adventures in no time with this fun and easy DIY costume. All you need are three simple pieces: a white t-shirt, a neutral-colored robe or oversized cardigan for the outer layer (a spare karate jacket works perfectly too), and beige pants. Finish it off with a black belt to tie the look together. Add a toy lightsaber and your mini Jedi is ready to take on the galaxy. No sewing or fancy gear required!
5. Into The Wild: DIY Animal Masks
Some boys go wild for anything animal-related, and this costume idea is perfect for them. Let them roar, growl, or stomp their way through Halloween with easy animal-inspired masks! Pair the masks with matching animal prints or solid-colored clothes that reflect their favorite jungle creature. Gray for a wolf, brown for a lion, orange for a tiger, green for a frog… you get the idea! You can even make a few extra masks to hand out to friends for a whole jungle crew on trick-or-treat night.
Want to see how wild-ly easy it is to make? Check out this quick tutorial:
6. Miguel from Coco: Simple Costume With a Musical Twist
Kids’ favorite movies are packed with costume ideas, and if your kid is a Coco fan, Miguel is an easy win. He’s the music-loving kid who ends up in the Land of the Dead, and his look is super simple to pull off. Grab a red hoodie and jeans, then add a mini guitar, which is often easy to find at the dollar store. The fun part is the face paint. Just a little black and white turns your kid into a skeleton, just like in the movie. A fun, creative pick if you’re after DIY Halloween costumes for boys on a budget!
7. Mini Superman Off Duty: A Super Quick Clark Kent Costume
An off-duty Clark Kent look will save your Halloween plans from last-minute panic! Instead of going full-on superhero, this low-key version is way easier to DIY. Just grab your kid’s favorite Superman logo tee and layer it under a white button-down shirt. Pair it with black slacks for that everyday reporter vibe. Don’t forget the faux eyeglasses and a neat side part to complete the nerdy-but-adorable disguise. Who’d guess this tiny Clark Kent came together at the last minute?
8. Easy Ash Ketchum Look for Little Pokémon Trainers
Gotta charm them all with this DIY Ash Ketchum costume from Pokémon! While the Pokémon creatures themselves are typically trickier to recreate, Ash’s signature look only needs a blue vest or jacket, a white tee, a red cap, and jeans. Works great if your kid already has a few sporty pieces in their wardrobe! If you can find toy Poké Balls, that’s a fun bonus. Even a stuffed Pikachu can complete the look. With easy-to-find props, your little trainer will be Halloween-ready quicker than Ash catches his first Pidgey.
Related: 25 Halloween Party Food Ideas That’ll Totally Steal The Show
9. No-Fuss Pirate Outfit Straight From the Closet
Aye, captain! Pirate costumes are a Halloween favorite for a reason. They’re easy to style, fun to wear, and wallet-friendly. You’ll need some tees, vests, or shorts in black, white, and a pop of red, then let your little pirate mix and match their own treasure-worthy outfit. Got a pirate hat? Great. If not, a simple bandana tied around the head works just as well. It’ll look like you planned it all out, even if it only took ten minutes to pull together!
10. Silly Weatherman Look with a 100% Chance of Funny
Most kids have seen one on TV: the dramatic weatherman in action! Brave the storm of last-minute costume prep with this clever but effortless look that requires no sewing. It’s one of those fun DIY Halloween costumes for boys on a budget that’s sure to get a chuckle from anyone who sees it. Best of all, the clothes are usually easy to find at home. Bonus tip: A toy microphone, an upside-down umbrella, and a few leaves in their hair add that perfect blown-away look.
11. Joker: A Bold Costume With Serious Attitude
A Joker-inspired look for boys always makes a statement. You don’t need the full suit to pull it off! Slick back the hair with some green color spray, add dark eye makeup, and draw on those signature face details. A white button-down, black pants, and some cool accessories like suspenders or a chain really bring the look together. Most of it can be pulled straight from your kid’s closet or a quick dollar store run. It’s edgy without being too much, and way more photogenic than you’d expect!
12. Headless Man: Shock Value on a Budget
The headless man costume in this photo is such a fun illusion, and it’s easier to recreate than it looks. All you need is a long trench coat, a backpack to build height, and some stuffing for the shoulders. The real trick? The kid’s head is cleverly placed in a clear container, making it look like he’s holding it himself. Black gloves stuffed and sewn to the coat sleeves complete the look, while a fake, bloody neckline adds a spooky twist. It’s a showstopper that’ll definitely turn heads!
Here’s a tutorial to help you recreate the look step by step:
13. Sheet Happens: A Ghost Costume for Boys in a Pinch
Halloween party starting in 10 minutes? No problem, because this DIY ghost costume for boys totally has your back. Any white cloth will do, like an old sheet, pillowcase, or even a lightweight curtain. Just make sure your kid can see through it, or snip eye holes to be safe. You can also accessorize to make it more fun, like adding sunglasses, a hat, or even a little sign that says “Boo.” When it’s this easy to throw together, you kind of wish every costume was made from a bedsheet.
14. The Easiest Mummy Costume You’ll Ever Make
No bones about it, this mummy costume wraps up the Halloween look fast. Cut a few old t-shirts into strips and glue them onto a white tee and fitted pants or joggers so it stays in place while the kids run around. No need to wrap them perfectly. All that loose, uneven wrapping definitely adds to the charm! For an extra spooky touch, try gluing a few plastic bugs onto the bandages. They bring the whole look to (after)life!
15. Patchwork Perfection for Your Little Scarecrow
Scarecrows are perfect for Halloween. After all, “scare” is right there in the name! They’re budget-friendly, and it’s the creative touches that really bring them to life. From flannel shirts to fabric patches, boys always seem to love dressing like they just wandered out of a cornfield. I like its rustic, slightly scrappy vibe! Want to take it up a notch? Use yarn or shredded paper to fake straw peeking out from sleeves and pant legs.
16. A Fast-Food Icon Costume That’s Surprisingly Easy
Another iconic look your kid can try: Colonel Sanders! His signature white suit can be faked with a white button-down and pants, or even a lab coat if you have one lying around. And like a true gentleman of fried chicken, don’t forget the black ribbon tie and the white mustache. For a funny finishing touch, let your kid carry an empty KFC bucket as a prop. Next to all the superheroes and monsters, this costume stands out. It’s so unexpected, it might just steal the spotlight!
Related: 15 Easy DIY Halloween Costumes for Adults That Look Fancy
17. Simple Minion Outfit for Boys Who Love to Goof Around
A tiny Minion is impossible not to smile at. The good news? You probably already have everything you need for this look. A yellow shirt, denim overalls, and black gloves do most of the work. Top it off with a yellow beanie and some DIY googly eyes, and the transformation is complete. It’s simple, hilarious, and somehow even cuter once they start waddling around!
Final Thoughts
There are so many ways to make Halloween extra fun for boys, and one of them is dressing up in a cool costume. Remember, you don’t have to break the bank just to bring on the smiles. These DIY Halloween costumes for boys on a budget prove that a little creativity (and maybe some old clothes) can go a long way.
