Star Wars Day Costume Ideas for Kids

The Jedi is the most popular and easiest Star Wars costume. The core is a loose robe in brown, tan, or cream. A dedicated Jedi robe for kids runs $15-20 on Amazon and has the right drape and hood. But a brown or tan adult bathrobe cinched at the waist with a belt or sash works just as well — the oversized look actually enhances the Jedi aesthetic. Underneath the robe, wear earth-tone clothing: a white or cream t-shirt, tan or brown pants, and boots or brown shoes. Tuck the pants into boots if possible for the authentic Jedi look. A lightsaber completes the outfit — inflatable lightsabers are the cheapest option ($5-8), rigid plastic ones are $8-12, and light-up ones are $12-20. For kids who prefer the Dark Side, an all-black outfit with a black cape and a red lightsaber is a simple Sith or Darth Vader look. Darth Vader specifically needs a mask, but a generic "Dark Side warrior" in all black with a red lightsaber reads perfectly without one. Princess Leia is a white outfit (dress or white top and pants) with the signature bun hairstyle. The buns can be made from two round hair bun forms pinned to either side of the head, or from brown yarn twisted into buns and bobby-pinned in place. The Mandalorian is popular with older kids: a dark base outfit, a cape or armor-style vest, and a cardboard helmet painted silver. R2-D2 and BB-8 costumes can be made from painted boxes and bowls. Yoda needs pointed ears (craft foam) and a green outfit. Baby Yoda is a green onesie with felt ears.

The pool noodle lightsaber is the greatest spirit week DIY of all time. Cut a pool noodle to sword length, wrap the bottom third in silver duct tape for the handle, and you're done. Total time: 3 minutes. Total cost: free to $3. For extra credit, tape a flashlight inside the hollow center so it glows. A Jedi robe can be made from a brown bedsheet or large piece of brown fabric. Cut a head hole in the center, let it drape over the shoulders, and cinch at the waist with a belt. This takes 5 minutes and looks surprisingly good. For a more structured version, cut arm holes as well. Stormtrooper armor can be approximated with white posterboard cut into chest, back, and shoulder plates, attached with tape or string. Cover a baseball helmet in white paper for the head. It's not screen-accurate, but it reads instantly as Stormtrooper. Leia's buns: two tennis balls or balled-up socks covered in brown fabric, safety-pinned to either side of the head over the ears. Or braid long hair into two loops and pin them. Both work great. Yoda ears: cut pointed ear shapes from green craft foam, glue them to a headband. Add a brown bathrobe (backwards, to look more like a cloak) and a small walking stick. Baby Yoda is the same ears on a green hoodie.