Issue link: https://fredparent.uberflip.com/i/1527525
20 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • October 2024 The Best DIY Costume Ideas for 2024 From Classic Cookie Monster to Trendy Characters WRITTEN BY LAURA CARTER When it comes to creating the perfect costume, DIY is the way to go. Not only do homemade costumes allow for a personal touch, but they also let you get creative with budget-friendly materials. Whether you're looking for a nostalgic nod to the beloved Cookie Monster or you want to stay on-trend with 2024's popular charac- ters, we've got you covered. Here are some of the best DIY costume ideas for 2024 that are sure to make a statement. Cookie Monster Everyone loves the Cookie Monster! This clas- sic character from *Sesame Street* is not only fun but also super easy to recre- ate with a few simple materials. What you'll need: • A blue furry hoodie or shirt • Blue pants or leggings • Large googly eyes (attach to a blue headband or baseball cap) • Plush or felt cookies (sew or glue them onto your outfit or carry a cookie-themed prop) For an extra touch, carry a cookie jar or a plush cookie in your hand. This DIY costume is playful, recognizable, and great for all ages. Barbie and Ken It's the perfect year to dress up as the iconic duo! For Barbie: • A bright pink dress or outfit (bonus points for sequins or glitter) • High heels or fun flats • Big sunglass- es, a spar- kly purse, and fun accessories like plastic jewelry For Ken: • A pastel shirt or jacket (think vibrant and fun) • Rolled-up chinos or shorts • White sneakers or loafers • Slick back your hair or add a blonde wig You can customize these looks based on different Barbie and Ken personas— think "Workout Barbie," "Beach Ken," or even "Space Barbie" for a fun twist. Wednesday Addams The *Addams Family* has always been a Halloween staple, and with Netflix's *Wednesday* series continuing its popularity, this character is a simple but trendy costume for 2024. What you'll need: • A black dress with a white collar (you can add a detachable collar to a plain black dress) • Black tights or leggings • Black shoes or boots • Braided pigtails and dark makeup for the signature Wednesday look Carry a prop like a spooky book or a fake spider to complete the eerie but iconic costume. Mario and Princess Peach With the success of the *Super Mario Bros. Movie* and the continued cultural love for the Mario universe, char- acters like Mario and Princess Peach are top choices for DIY costumes in 2024. For Mario: • Red shirt and blue overalls • Red hat with a white "M" (you can use felt for this detail) • A fake mustache (or draw one on) • Brown shoes Oppenheimer The "Oppenheimer" movie brought a histori- cal figure to the fore- front of pop culture and dressing as the famed physicist is a creative costume idea. What you'll need: • A classic suit (preferably dark or neu- tral tones) • A fedora hat • A notebook or clipboard (as a prop symbolizing Oppenheimer's work) • For added effect, you can create a small, glowing prop (a toy or foam item painted to resemble an atomic nucleus or bomb, for example) This costume works as a group too—if your friends join in, they can dress as other historical figures from the movie. A Character from The Last of Us Post-apocalyptic and gritty, costumes from "The Last of Us" series are easy to DIY and are still trending into 2024. These looks are functional and can be made with everyday items. For Joel: • A worn-out plaid shirt or jacket • Jeans or cargo pants • A backpack with survival gear props • Fake dirt or mud For Ellie: • A faded, graphic t-shirt • A worn hoodie or flannel jacket • Jeans and sneakers • Carry a prop, such as a fake bow and arrow, or even a stuffed giraffe to reference the iconic scene from the series. For Princess Peach: • A pink dress (the more layers, the better) • A crown (you can easily make one out of foam or cardboard, painted gold) • White gloves and a fun pink acces- sory like a purse or wand Add a toy mushroom or star to your ensemble to give it extra flair!