Search Results for: costumes

10 Best Kids Costumes to Make On A Budget

So you want to make your child’s costume this year but you don’t want to spend a whole lot? Don’t worry! We have you covered with these 10 best kid costumes to make on a budget! 

Making your child’s costume does not have to be a daunting task. In fact, I’ve made at least one homemade or semi-homemade costume for each of my kids every year. Now that doesn’t mean that they always end up wearing it, but it does mean that I’ve had at least 8 years experience in DIY halloween costumes for kids. And I’ve found that the less expensive costumes tend to end up being the easiest and more fun costumes of the lot! 

Below are a few great tutorials on the 10 best kid costumes I’ve found including two of our top costumes for my oldest. But I’ve also included a link to the other DIY homemade costumes we’ve done in years past at the end of this post in case you don’t see something you want below. 

The biggest thing to remember when tackling a DIY costume is to keep it simple. If you don’t sew regularly, don’t choose something you’ll have to sew! That’s why they created no sew glue. And if you don’t have a huge budget, or no budget at all, rest assured that there are a ton of different supplies you can find right inside your home (or closet) already! Ok, enough of that… here are some awesome DIY kid costumes for you to check out! 

Now to get my kids to actually decide on a costume idea without changing it 10 times after I already start in on it…

10 Best Kids Costumes to Make On A Budget

DIY Dinosaur Costume from Simmworks Family

DIY Inexpensive Octopus Costume from Simmworks Family

DIY Star Wars Costumes – Jedi and Princess Leia from Mission to Save

Dr. Seuss Cat in the Hat & Thing 1 and Thing 2 Costumes from Mission to Save

Football Themed Family Costumes from Bare Feet on the Dashboard

Easy Greek Goddess Costume from Uncommon Designs

Easy $3 Medusa Costume from SlapDash Mom

DIY Peacock Tutu Tutorial from 365 Days of Crafts

Mermaid Costume (with a No-Sew Version) from Creative Green Living

No-Sew Pirate Costume from Artsy Momma

What are the best kids costumes you’ve seen recently? 

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10 Easy DIY Baby Costumes

10 Easy DIY Baby Costumes

Halloween is just around the corner and I cannot wait! Not only because it’s Halloween but it’s my youngest’s first Halloween. I love the holidays with a new baby! So many fun things to experience and do. I remember my oldest’s first Halloweentime. He absolutely loved the pumpkin patches, carving his first pumpkin (and eating the raw squash inside), and the fun party we went to with his friend.

In the spirit of Halloween, I love making my kids costumes most years. Sometimes they’re more difficult than others. However for the first Halloween? I love simple! Because babies don’t need a crazy, bulky, uncomfortable costume for their first Halloween. Here’s a list of easy baby costumes for your little one’s first Halloween!

10 Easy DIY Baby Costumes

Easy DIY Charlie Brown from Simmworks Family

DIY Infant Cupcake from Simmworks Family

DIY Fabric Tutu Lion Costume from SlapDash Mom

No-Sew DIY Elmo Halloween Costume from Do Try This at Home

Where The Wild Things Are Costumes from Tried & True

Easy DIY Infant Bear Costume from It Happens in a Blink

Baby Shark Costume from At Home with Sweet T

DIY Cute Little Bee Costume from At Home with Sweet T

A Robber (parent or older sibling) and A Bag of Money (baby) from Domestic Imperfection

DIY Infant Mermaid Costume from The Pinning Mama

Family Friendly Halloween Fun at Boomont Park

Why celebrate Halloween once when you can celebrate all weekend, all October long! We were invited to check out all the happenings at BOOmont Park over at Belmont Park last weekend and I have to tell you, I’m glad we went! BOOmont Park is fun for all ages. Starting Saturday, September 30th, activities will run every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 5pm to CLOSE plus Tuesday, October 31st.

BOOmont Park’s frighteningly-fun weekends include FREE trick-or-treating from 6:30-7:30 pm. Attractions include the Zombie Laser Tag where creatures will join you in this three-floor adventure, superhero Zip Line & Rock Wall and a pumpkin patch station with an option to purchase pumpkins to paint.

Family Friendly Halloween Fun at Boomont Park

Here is a list of frightenly-fun activities for the weekend: www.belmontpark.com/boomontpark. The costume contest starts at 5:30 pm and free Trick or Treating starts at 6:30 pm. There are various times for the other activities, please check the website. The rides will all be open throughout the day and evening. Make sure to check height restrictions for each game here.

Super Hero Zip Line & Rock Wall –

The rock wall was a huge hit with my kids. It’s 30 feet tall and has different routes to the top. Kids who are 40lbs or larger can decide which path to take and get harnessed in for a fun challenge (max 250lbs). 

My kids weren’t quite ready for the zip line* but it looked like a great time! If adrenaline filled adventure is your thing, strap in and soar through the midway!Plus, kids in full superhero costumes receive 50% off both the zip line and rock wall! *Must be 46″+ and 50-250lbs

Zip Line is $15 per person | Sky Climb Rock Wall is $8.00 per person

Belmont Park’s 3-level Tron-themed laser tag arena has been transformed into an apocalyptic war zone in Zombie Lazer Tag. Zombie Lazer Tag is located inside the Lazerblast Arcade and open from 5pm-close.

Each game is $8.00.

Enjoy Fall-Themed Treats – 

Belmont Park is your one-stop-shop for everything Fall!

Pumpkin Spice Funnel Cake
Get your fix at Belmonty’s

Specialty Caramel Apples
Purchase one at the Sweet Shoppe or Midway Snacks

Pumpkin Spice Latte
At Vibe Cafe, located next to Draft

Halloween-Themed Merchandise
Get yours at the Midway Kiosks

Pumpkin Patch – 

Come enjoy fun Halloween-themed crafts every Sunday from 5-7pm at the Pumpkin Patch. 

  • October 1: Make your own Trick-or-Treat bag
  • October 8: Pumpkin sand art
  • October 15: Cookie decorating
  • October 22: Make your own Halloween bracelet
  • October 29: Make a photo frame keepsake

While your kids are crafting, take your pick at a variety of pumpkins.

Belmont Park is your one-stop-shop for all of your fall needs: Pumpkins included! When you purchase a pumpkin from us, you can paint and decorate it for free! Let your inner artist out. The pumpkin patch is open from 12-8:30 pm. 

Cost per pumpkin is $2-12

Free Trick or Treating – 

Wear your costume and visit all of the shops for candy! Don’t forget to say “Trick-or-Treat”! You can grab a bag and a list of the shops participating at the Pumpkin Patch under the Giant Dipper. Trick-or-treating takes place throughout the Park from 6:30pm-7:30pm.

FREE for children 12 and younger

Come out and enjoy free admission and parking at Belmont Park. Print out these #OctoberSavings coupons to use on your next trip to Belmont Park!

For more information about BOOmont Park please visit http://www.belmontpark.com/ or call (858) 228-9283.

When’s the last time you rode the Giant Dipper?

SeaWorld Halloween Spooktacular plus Kids Free in October

Whoever said Halloween is only a night of fright hasn’t celebrated this boootiful holiday at SeaWorld San Diego®! SeaWorld announces its Halloween Spooktacular®, San Diego’s premiere not-too- spooky family-fun extravaganza (geared for kids 12 years and under). This must-see fangtastic experience kicks off Sept. 24–25 and runs every weekend in October.

And how’s this for the ultimate treat without a trick: SeaWorld is offering one child, aged 3 to 9, free admission with one full-paid adult admission through October, making this fun-filled day at the park an even greater value! Thanks to SeaWorld for inviting my family out to check out the festivities and take part in the fun this year! 

New this year for Spooktacular will be a family-friendly celebration of the Mexican holiday Dia de los Muertos. Large, beautifully dressed Catrina statues will welcome guests as they discover ofrendas (offerings) of mementos and flowers honoring loved ones who have left us.

Children 12 and under are encouraged to dress up in their finest Halloween costumes for a howling good time at this year’s festivities that includes free candy at 12 underwater-themed trick-or- treating stations. Guests can also creep over to the Clyde & Seamore’s Big Halloween Bash performance at the park’s Sea Lion and Otter Stadium, where those prank-loving sea lions, Clyde® and Seamore® , and the always-mischievous O.P. Otter® get their Halloween on. 

Plus, Mission Bay Theater will be the ghostly home for Sesame Street’s Who Said Boo?, starring Elmo and his friends as they sing, dance and romp their way through Count’s Castle. Monsters of all sizes can do the mash at the Spooktacular dance party! DJ Cotton Candy will spin sweet beats that will set the bewitching vibe for the ghoulishly fun costume party! On the dance floor, guests can mingle with candy-inspired characters such as Colonel Candy Corn, Lolly Pop N’ Lockit, and Goody Gumdrop, the King of Candy, plus new this year, Tabitha Taffy and Timothy Toffee.

Youngsters can also let their creative Halloween juices run wild while decorating cookies, painting pumpkins, and, at the kinetic sand bar, building sandy masterpieces.

In addition to taking advantage of SeaWorld’s free single-day child ticket with one full-paid adult admission, dads and mummies can unwrap the same offer at Dine With Shamu ® where each child dines free with the purchase of a full-paid adult, all at poolside tables near SeaWorld’s family of killer whales. Plus, a child age 10 to 12 can participate for free in SeaWorld’s Dolphin Interaction Program or Beluga Interaction Program with one full-priced adult participant per interaction (children must be at least 4 feet tall to participate).

What are your kids dressing up as for Halloween?

Visit www.SeaWorldSanDiego.com or call (800) 257-4268 for hours and information.

DIY Lucy van Pelt Costume + Movie Themed Halloween Ideas

If you’re in need of a simple DIY costume for your child (or yourself) look no further then this DIY Lucy van Pelt costume! With a simple blue dress, some black felt, and some glue, you can have a costume put together in minutes.

diy-lucy-van-pelt-costume

I love Halloweentime. The change of the weather, the fun excitement of choosing and making a costume, and the fun parties and treats that come out at this time of the year. I feel like it kicks off the whole holiday season with a bang! When trying to figure out what to dress my youngest as this year (the other two are choosing their own costumes) I thought back to my oldest’s first Halloween when we dressed him up as Charlie Brown. And I wanted to recreate the simplicity of his costume for my youngest.

Just like her siblings, Norah does not like confining clothes or “dress up” costumes. So we are always cognizant of this when choosing costumes for Halloween. By turning normal clothes into a costume, she’s none the wiser that she’s dressed up and it’s a lot easier (and cheaper) for mama! This DIY Lucy van Pelt costume cost less than $20 and most of it was spent on the dress that we can reuse again.

diy-lucy-van-pelt-costume-on-set

I was able to pair up with Norah’s costume and created a Peanuts Teacher sign to carry around so I was “in costume” as well as the Peanuts Teacher. My husband made a shirt for himself when Ethan was Charlie Brown and simply wrote Wah Wah Wah Wah all over it. It was the perfect pairing for a child/parent costume.

If you’re looking for a great base for a DIY costume, check out Primary.com’s selection of dresses, shirts, skirts, pants and shorts in solid colors that will match whatever you’re trying to put together! We were able to grab a blue dress for Norah and a yellow shirt for my son to recreate his Charlie Brown costume for our on-air appearance on The CW Channel 6’s San Diego Living segment yesterday.

diy-lucy-van-pelt-costume-for-halloween

DIY Lucy van Pelt Costume

What you’ll need:

  • prewashed blue dress
  • white socks
  • 1 sheet black felt
  • no sew glue
  • cardboard square
  • black sharpie

diy-lucy-van-pelt-costume-materials-needed

What you do: 

1. Grab your felt and scissors and cut out two small circles with a line connecting them similar to the photo below (or you can do what we did for our Baymax sock rice packs and grab some buttons and felt).

diy-lucy-van-pelt-costume-cut-out-felt-details

2. Add glue to back of felt making sure to get close but not on the edges.

diy-lucy-van-pelt-costume-add-glue-to-felt

3. Glue felt pieces to middle of shirt and let dry completely. Secure with 1-2 stitches in either circle if you plan on washing the dress afterwards.

diy-lucy-van-pelt-costume-add-details-to-dress

4. If you don’t have saddleback shoes for your little one, re-create Lucy’s look by cutting out a black felt strip and gluing to white socks to give the appearance of saddleback shoes. Or, if you have white shoes, use a sharpie or felt to cover and look like saddleback shoes. If you’re wearing shoes, pair with white socks.

diy-lucy-van-pelt-with-cardboard-sign

5. Make an Advice sign similar to what Lucy uses in the cartoon by cutting out a small rectangular hole in a square cardboard piece and writing on it in sharpie.

Enjoy!

san-diego-bloggers-on-san-diego-living-cw-channel-6-for-halloween

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Movie Themed Halloween Ideas

Looking for more great Halloween-movie themed ideas for this Halloween? Check out these amazing San Diego blogger creations featured on the same segment:

san-diego-bloggers-on-san-diego-living-san-diego-featuring-halloween-movie-based-treats-and-craftssan-diego-bloggers-on-san-diego-living-halloween-segment

For more great movie ideas for the holidays and beyond, please check out my friend Suzette Valle’s book, 101 Movies To See Before You Grow Up. It’s a great place to start when thinking of great movies for the kids to see. And to find out what you’ve missed and need to catch up on!

Charlie Brown Halloween Costume for Baby

You can find our original DIY Charlie Brown Costume post here. Perfect for a family costume idea – Charlie Brown, Lucy, and parents as teachers! You can print your own Peanuts Teacher Wah Wah sign here.

diy-lucy-van-pelt-costume-with-peanuts-teacher

Who is your favorite Peanuts character?

Looking for more movie night ideas? Check out these great posts!

movie-night-popcorn-bark-with-dark-chocolate-drizzle

Movie Night Popcorn Bark

5 Reasons To Be Thankful For Summer + an outdoor movie night idea on a trampoline with blankets and pillows

Outdoor Movie Night On A Trampoline

Family Movie Night Snack Recipes and Superhero Spread

Family Movie Night Snack Recipes

Homemade Microwavable Ranch Popcorn in a Bag ready to enjoy

Homemade Microwavable Popcorn

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This post was originally featured on October 12th, 2016

21 Best Birthday Party Ideas for Children

Looking for birthday ideas for children? We’ve rounded up 21 of the best birthday ideas all in one place! And #13 is our favorite, hands down.

If you are looking for some amazing Birthday Party Ideas for Children, I have good news. I’ve gathered up some of the top party ideas for children of every age, gender or interest. With tops tips, tricks, recipes and decor ideas, you won’t have to strain your brain to come up with some wonderful party plans of your own! Jump right in and find the idea that’s right for you!

1. Disney Brave Birthday Party Ideas – All Things Thrifty

This fun birthday party post includes templates and printables to help you plan your very own Disney Brave-themed birthday party. Perfect for little girls OR boys!

2. Planning a Chuck E Cheese Party – Living Mi Vida Loca

Everything you need to know about food, decor and party favors to help you create the best experience at your kids’ favorite pizza place!

3. Ultimate Sports Party – The Joys of Boys

If your kids are the athletic types, it makes sense to give them a super fun sports-themed party. Here you’ll find recipe ideas, sporty games to play and awesome sporty decor, too!

4. Minnie Mouse Summer Party – Simmworks Family Blog

Too often, Mickey Mouse gets all the attention. But if your little one is Minnie Crazy, then you need to feast your eyes on this Minnie Mouse-themed party that features creative decor, food and treats that the whole family and all your friends will love.

5. Butterfly Garden Birthday Party – Lydi Out Loud

For your favorite little girl or boy who loves nature and the outdoors, here is a fun and beautiful party idea.

6. Pirate Birthday Party – Baking with Blondie

Ahoy mateys! It’s a pirate party, and this one has it all. Seafood and other pirate-themed foods, easy decorations and even costumes. Your kids will love it!

7. Pirate Halloween Birthday Party – It’s A Mother Thing

Another fun take on a pirate theme, this one has a Halloween twist! Perfect for your little one’s birthday, OR as a themed Halloween party!

8. Root Beer Float Party – Simmworks Family Blog

While a traditional barbecue may not appeal to some kids, renaming it into a Root Beer Float Party will surely get them excited! And happy bonus for the grownups – you can totally still have the barbecue! This one features healthier options, as well as the star of the show – Root Beer Floats!

9. The Very Hungry Caterpillar Birthday Party – Baking with Blondie

I don’t know a single child that doesn’t love The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and the theme lends itself so well to a young one’s party. It’s an especially good one for those with allergies or health concerns, as it is the perfect party to load up on fruit!

10. Frozen Birthday Party – Dinner at the Zoo

I can’t say enough about the thought that went into this Frozen-themed party. Any child would be delighted to host or attend such a fabulous party, and this will give you a load of ideas on how to throw your own for your little Elsa or Olaf.

11. Angry Birds Birthday Party Part 1 and Part 2 – The Joys of Boys

This two part party post features amazing food and games to help you throw an incredible Angry Birds-themed party that your little ones will be talking about for ages!

12. Fabulous and Fancy Party – The Crafty Chicks

Have you got the girliest girl who loves to feel fancy? Then check out this adorable party plan that just screams fabulous!

13. Reptile Birthday Party – Simmworks Family Blog

Does your child love all things creepy and crawly? They will love this reptile theme! Featuring creative naming of traditional food and drink (Swamp Water? Gecko Grapes??) and ideas of entertainment and decor, this one is perfect for your slithery snake lovers!

14. Under the Sea Birthday Party – Dinner at the Zoo

This super adorable party plan will make your little one feel like The Little Mermaid on their special day.

15. Ghostbusters Birthday Party – Living Mi Vida Loca

This party is perfect for your own little Ghostbuster. With themed games, including a huge pinata, and some fun printable coloring pages, tshirt transfers and Slimer tattoo station, this is one party that will have you saying, “I ain’t afraid of no ghosts!”

16. Princess Birthday Party – The Girl Creative

This is one awesome Princess party plan with some free printables to help you make it easy to throw your own!

17. Farm-Themed Birthday Party – The Joy of Boys

If your kids love animals and the outdoors, you must consider the fun that comes with planning a farm-themed birthday party!

18. The Ultimate Minion Movie Birthday Party – Third Stop on the Right

If your kids are as Minions-obsessed as most, they’re going to LOVE this party idea. Find out how to make an amazing layered minion cake and other fun projects for your party.

19. Easy Cars Party – The Joys of Boys

If you want simple and classic, you can’t go wrong with this fun Cars-themed party. It doesn’t get any easier than chocolate donuts posing as car tires!

20. Star Wars Party – Pretty Providence

I have two words for you: Wookie Cookies. Your kids will love the amazing food ideas from this Star Wars themed party!

21. Princess Tea Party – Dinner at the Zoo

Cuteness cannot be contained when you throw your little one this delightful Princess Tea Party. Edible DIY necklaces, magic wands and fabulous flowers and food are going to wow the adults as much as the children!

With all of these birthday party ideas for children, you are sure to be able to come up with your own take to make your next party amazing. 

What is your favorite birthday party theme for kids?

Leftover Halloween Candy Blondies

This post featuring Leftover Halloween Candy Blondies originally appeared on our site on November 6th, 2012

Leftover Halloween Candy Blondies

With Halloween past us, the one thing I needed to do was get rid of all of the leftover Halloween candy. Especially the ones I loved… anything containing chocolate. So we went with a simple plan. We were going to turn our chocolate treasure into new, yummy treats to share with our friends and family.

This year we had not one but two trick-or-treaters and let me tell you that two adorable children in costumes are magnets for the good stuff. Yes, look at our score of yummy chocolate candies! 

So I had to act fast and turn the above into something I could giveaway as a homemade goodie bound to attract attention and hungry mouths no longer wanting holiday candy. Good thing our extended family loves sweets! It took less than 2 days for the whole batch of blondies to be completely demolished. A few crumbs left in their place. And oh were they worth it!

If you’ve never heard of or made blondies before, think of them as the brownies’ distant cousin. Still ooey gooey but without the cocoa. You can basically put just about anything into a blondie. They’re a great catch all for any ingredients you have on hand and want to combine. We stuck with the Snickers, Reeses peanut butter cups, and Baby Ruths for these blondies. The m & ms are earmarked for cookies and the rest will be taken to work by my husband.

If you have any leftover candy in your cupboards or on your countertop you should definitely try to make these delicious bars of gooey goodness. 

Leftover Halloween Candy Blondies

Leftover Halloween Candy Blondies

Ingredients

  • 1 cup butter, almost melted
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 cup diced candy bars

Candy Blondies Ingredients

 Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350. Grease an 8×8 baking pan. Cut up candy bars.

2. Cream the butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy

Candy Blondies sugar and butter

3. Add in the egg and beat until well combined.

4. Add vanilla and salt and mix again.

5. Take bowl off stand mixer. Fold in flour until just combined.

6. Fold in candy bar pieces until just combined.

7. Spread mixture into pan and cook for 20-25 minutes or until crust is golden brown.

8. Let cool in pan for 5 minutes.

9. Turn onto a wire rack and let cool completely before digging in.

10. Cut into squares and serve.

Makes 16 servings

If you’re like me and cant wait to dig in, grab a small piece from the edge and enjoy it’s yummy gooeyness while everything’s still warm and hasn’t set. You’ll be glad you did. Then enjoy the rest when it’s cooled completely to enjoy the full effect of the melded flavors and crisp edges.

Do you have a great recipe for leftover Halloween candy?

I’d love to hear it!

Fall Festivities + Firsts in October

© Danielle Simmons

October in one word was exhausting. But a good kind of exhausting. Not only was it filled with the fun planning and executing of the Fall Festival but it was also filled with our traditions as well. My favorite? Bates Nut Farm. And the only reason why I love it? The photos.

I know if I go 1/2 an hour earlier than they open, we can get our photos taken, pumpkins picked out, and we can check out as soon as they open. Then we let the kids have fun on 1-2 rides (hay ride, corn maze, or the inflatables), grab some treats from the store, and head back home. This time we let the kids check out the animals too.

I have to admit that I almost didn’t want to go this year. But my husband said we had to. Because it’s Norah’s first Halloween and she needed her pumpkin pictures. Yeah, I was definitely glad he made a point to schedule it into our busy October weekends as I edited the photos. I already want enlargements of a few, including the one of all three of them in the field. What do you think?

© Danielle Simmons © Danielle Simmons

What I love most about our trips to the pumpkin patch is the sheer excitement our kids exude as they run from one end of the patch to the other. They love exploring the grounds, finding all of the smashed big pumpkins, and seeing the guts everywhere. Then Ethan rushes to find his perfect pumpkin while Molly takes her time picking the perfect one. And Norah. Norah just loved being able to get on the ground and climb on and around them, patting them as she went. She loved the hollow thud they gave as she pounded on them and stood up on them.

© Danielle Simmons

Every year Ethan asks us if we can get a huge pumpkin. And we’ve been able to appease him with a few smaller ones instead. But I’m thinking one year we may need to give in and get a huge pumpkin for him. Just one year, right? As long as he guts and carves it. This year he opened up, gutted, and carved his own pumpkin from start to finish so I think he may be ready next year. We’ll see!

© Danielle Simmons © Danielle Simmons © Danielle Simmons

I’m sure I’d get a lot of use out of it. The chickens sure do love the guts and seeds we pulled out of the two we carved. Now we went home with plans to carve three. For each kid. But because it was so late when we ended up carving, we only got through two before we were done. We had plans to carve Norah’s on Halloween but it just didn’t happen. She’s none the wiser and I’m sure had more fun trying to “help” her siblings by pulling the guts down every time she could get her hands on them.

© Danielle Simmons

Costumes this year were easy. I found a Batman shirt at Target after we went to Bates and was able to order a mask right there in the store off Amazon. I also figured out the easy way to add things to the kids Christmas lists while we were in the toy aisles. Talk about convinient!

When I first asked Ethan what he wanted to be he told me a Minecraft spider. So I saved two square boxes with plans to paint and glue up a storm until I had a Minecraft spider costume. And Molly decided she wanted to be a fairy and use what she had in her dress up box already. Then both changed their minds. During the same Target run, I picked up a creeper sweatshirt for Ethan and some green pants (he always needs pants) and a Minecraft shirt as a back up costume because, well, I know him. And I’m glad I did because after I put some hours into crafting his costume he ultimately decided it was too hot and wanted to wear his sweatshirt and pants.

Molly went through three different costume changes the Friday before Halloween getting ready for her school party. She wanted to be a fairy, then she wanted to be a butterfly (I already had the costume) then she wanted to be a ballerina (again). Then 5 minutes before we needed to leave for school she decided she wanted to be Sheriff Callie. Um… I’m good but I’m not that good! She ended up wearing the fairy wings she already had with a dress we grabbed at… you guess it, Target. Later that day she weaseled a full fairy outfit out of her Aunt Louise. I’m assuming they got the pieces from Dollar Tree and she couldn’t be happier with them come Halloween night.

Simmworks Halloween 2015 © Danielle Simmons

“Say Cheese”

Halloween 2015 Outtakes © Danielle Simmons

Someone wasn’t interested in photos. She wanted to go trick or treating already!

We walked down the street by our house and hit about 6 houses before both kids wanted to turn back and go home. But Aunt Helen wanted to check out the decorated house she saw while driving over to our house so we went to one more. Molly was NOT pleased with the decor. I think Ethan liked it.

© Danielle Simmons © Danielle Simmons© Danielle Simmons

I was able to get them to go to 1-2 more homes on the other side of the street as we headed home but once we reached our house, Ethan was done. Molly helped pass out treats to the kids coming up to out house and then decided she wanted to go out one more time. Sans wings. So my husband grabbed the wagon, I grabbed Norah, and we left Grandma Ann to pass out candy again while Ethan was inside playing Minecraft.

We got another street covered and came back home. Passed out candy some more. Molly ate more candy. Then she decided to go out one last time with me. I left Norah and the wagon with Daddy and we headed out in another direction. This time it was a bit later and there weren’t as many people around so she scored big at just about every house we went to.

The next morning Ethan had no candy left and Molly had plenty. I’m sure he’ll be able to convince her to share more with him come tomorrow. Oh, and just to prove I did make him his Minecraft spider, here’s a photo of him after school on Friday with everything assembled.

Minecraft Spider © Danielle Simmons

I’m sure November will be just as crazy but for now I’m enjoying a little peace and quiet. Happy Halloween!

How was your October?

Last Minute DIY Octopus Costume

This easy DIY octopus costume is made with fun finds at our local dollar store. Total cost of the project? $5!! And it came together in less than 30 minutes. 

DIY Octopus Costume - a quick and easy costume you can make for as little as $5 with the help of Dollar Tree

Two weeks ago my family and I were invited to take a peek at Sea World San Diego’s Halloween Spooktacular. Since the invite suggested having our kids dress up in their favorite sea-inspired costumes I knew I would have to get creative.

So the night before the event – yeah, I know… last minute – we headed out in search of supplies for a cool sea costume for my son and daughter. After snagging an Ariel costume at another store for my daughter we headed over to Dollar Tree to see if anything caught our eye.

While there we saw many fun things to use in our costume in the toy aisle, we eventually settled on a simple and easy DIY octopus costume made out of a Dollar Tree shirt and Dollar Tree fuzzy socks. We walked out of the store only paying $5! How awesome is that?

Here’s how we did it:

DIY Octopus Costume at Sea World

DIY Octopus Costume

What you need:

  • 1 Dollar Tree shirt (any color)
  • 4 pair Dollar Tree fuzzy socks (any color/pattern)
  • Black and White felt for eyeballs
  • wash cloths or microfiber shop towels
  • needle & thread

DIY Octopus Costume Dollar Tree suppliesDIY Octopus Costume suppliesWhat you do: 

1. Grab the socks and stuff one washcloth/towel into each sock.

DIY Octopus Costume stuff socks with towels

2. Cut out felt eye balls and sew pupil onto whites. Then sew the eyes onto the shirt 1/2 way down (you can put the shirt on your child and see where the eyes would best fit).

DIY Octopus Costume cut out felt eyes and sew onto shirt

3. Sew stuffed legs onto the bottom hem of the shirt. Make sure to reinforce your stitches by going over them twice so the legs don’t fly off after a night of fun trick or treating!

DIY Octopus Costume sew legs onto bottom of shirt

That’s it! Now your octopus costume is complete! How easy was that? And it takes under an hour to make. If you have sewing skills and prefer to use a sewing machine it’d be even faster!

Too bad my sewing machine is hidden beneath boxes still in the garage… maybe next year!

If your little one would prefer a hat to complete the costume or would like to be a squid instead, consider picking up a beanie hat at Dollar Tree or sewing a felt squid hat in the same color as the shirt.

DIY Octopus Costume

What will your little one be dressed up as for Halloween?

Love this idea? Here’s some more: 

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DIY Dinosaur Hoodie

DIY Dinosaur Hoodie

Last Halloween when I was busy figuring out costumes for the kids to wear I got a request from my son for a dinosaur costume. Since I know he doesn’t like big, full body costumes I thought that trying my hand at a DIY dinosaur hoodie would be easier for him to wear. Well a few months later and the hoodie is getting great use… as a fabulous addition to our dress up closet! And it’ll be the perfect thing to wear to The Good Dinosaur movie when it comes out on November 25th! 

Not only is this hoodie easy to make, it’s almost no-sew! With only a small bit of sewing needed (thanks to the wonderful product that is No Sew), even the amateur crafter can pull off this simple costume. All you need are some matching pants and some socks to cover your shoes and you have the perfect DIY costume for Halloween.

DIY Dinosaur Hoodie side profile

DIY Dinosaur Hoodie

What you need:

  • zip up hoodie jacket
  • adhesive felt in different colors (for spikes, eyes, and belly)
  • 1 piece regular felt (for tail) + more for stuffing tail
  • No Sew adhesive for fabric
  • needle and thread

What you do:

  1. Cut out 8 triangle shapes for spikes.
  2. Cut out a circle in one color felt. Cut that circle in half and adhere to either side of zipper on belly of jacket. Cut out zig zag pattern for decoration for belly in different colors and adhere to half circles.
  3. Cut out eyes using one color for the eye lid, one color for the eyeball, and one color for the pupil.
  4. Take felt for tail and create a cone. Using No Sew adhesive, glue cone in shape so that it stays. Trim away any additional felt.
  5. Stuff tail cone with additional felt and use No Sew to close cone opening.
  6. Using needle and thread, adhere cone tail to bottom back of jacket to secure in place.
  7. Add spikes to the hoodie of the jacket by taking two triangles, removing the adhesive backing, and placing together on the seam of the hoodie.
  8. Make sure about 1/2 an inch is attached to the jacket hoodie with the rest adhering to the other triangle. Use No Sew if additional adhesion is needed. Repeat with other three spikes.
  9. Adhere eyes to side of hood to give the illusion of dino eyes when the jacket is on.
  10. Let No Sew dry completely before letting your child wear the jacket.

Diy Dinosaur Hoodie 2

What themed hoodie would you love to create for Halloween?

THE GOOD DINOSAUR opens in theatres everywhere on November 25th!

Like THE GOOD DINOSAUR on Facebook | Follow @THEGOODDINOSAUR on Twitter | Visit the official THE GOOD DINOSAUR website

A little sneak peek at the movie:



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