Fantasy Costume Ideas for Kids

Fairy is the most popular choice: fairy wings (butterfly or sparkly tulle), a tutu, and a magic wand. The wings do all the work — strap them on over any outfit and the costume is clear. A pink or purple outfit underneath ties the look together but isn't required. Unicorn is the runner-up: a unicorn horn headband with ears, a rainbow tutu or rainbow shirt, and sparkly accessories. Unicorn costumes range from a simple horn headband ($3-5) to a full unicorn onesie ($18-25). The headband alone over a white or rainbow outfit works perfectly. Dragon is the cool pick: a green or red outfit with cardboard wings attached to the back and a headband with felt horns. Dragon hoodies with spikes down the back are available on Amazon ($15-20) and are school-day comfortable. Knight: same outfit as Medieval Day — a tunic (oversized shirt belted with rope), a foam sword, and a cardboard shield. See the Medieval Day guide for detailed instructions. Princess: a long dress, a tiara, and a wand. Any dress-up gown from the costume box at home works. See the Medieval Day guide for overlap. Wizard: a dark bathrobe, a pointed hat from construction paper, and a stick wand. The quickest DIY fantasy costume from items at home. The one-accessory approach works for every fantasy character: fairy wings, unicorn horn, dragon horns, a crown, or a wand — pick one and add it to a matching-color outfit.

Fantasy costumes are some of the most fun to DIY because the materials are simple and the results are magical. DIY Fairy Wings: bend a wire hanger into a wing shape (two connected ovals), stretch a stocking or tights over the frame, and decorate with glitter and ribbon. Attach to the back of a shirt with safety pins. Or cut wing shapes from cardboard, cover in aluminum foil, and attach with string shoulder straps. DIY Unicorn Horn: roll a piece of gold or white cardstock into a cone shape, tape it closed, and attach it to a headband with hot glue. Wrap the cone in ribbon spiraling from base to tip for the classic unicorn horn twist. Add felt ears to the headband. DIY Magic Wand: a stick from the yard wrapped in ribbon with a cardboard star glued to the top and covered in glitter. Or a wooden dowel from the craft store painted gold or silver. Total cost: near zero. DIY Dragon: attach triangular cardboard spikes down the back of a green or red hoodie with hot glue. Cut wing shapes from cardboard and attach to the shoulders. Make horns from toilet paper tubes covered in colored paper and attached to a headband.