Super cool homemade Halloween costumes that are so easy and cheap, it’s spooky.

With commercial children’s Halloween costumes being such a big draw for kids enamored with fictional characters, it’s easy as a parent to toss the cashier $25 bucks for the polyester screamfest and call it a day. But the generational tug of homemade costumes is pulling at our heartstrings! Here are a few easy, inexpensive and homegrown costumes that will be sure to please even the pickiest of trick-or-treaters.

For the kid who wants to be a princess: Miss America
Unearth the (insert holiday here) dress from last year and adorn your child with matching tights and shoes. Grab one of the many tiaras kicking around inside your toy box (or easily find one at the Dollar Store) and purchase a small bouquet of fake flowers (also possible to find at the Dollar Store). Make a quick sash out of a roll of thick ribbon and write “Miss America” across the front using a black magic marker. Done.

Tip: Try and talk your little Miss America out of wearing those children’s dress up high heels because you know you’ll either be a) carrying her or b) she’ll be barefoot after three houses.

For the kid who wants to wear comfortable clothes: The American Tourist
This one’s easy. Required attire: loud Hawaiian shirt, shorts (if weather permits), large straw hat and sunglasses. Don’t forget the camera around the neck and hang a few maps out of your pockets. Use a big straw bag for trick-or-treating!

For the kid who wants to be scary: Mummy
Purchase enough rolls to wrap your child, neck to toe, in white bandages (medical gauze). Use white make-up on the face with “age lines” drawn on with brown eye brow pencil.  Don’t forget the stiff-legged gait.

For the kid who won’t need to sit down: Gumball Machine
Take one bag of multicolored balloons, one clear trash bag, and a baseball cap. Blow up the balloons. Be sure to cut two holes in the bottom of the bag for your legs and two on the sides for your arms – not big enough for the balloons to escape from. Step into the bag and secure it at the neck with ribbon or twin or pin it to your shirt underneath. Add the balloons. Now get a piece of paper or cardboard and write 5 cents or other monetary amount of your choice and stick the paper onto the hat. Viola. Gumball machine.

For the kid who wants to be warm and sporty: Diver
This one might be my favorite. All you need is black leggings or sweats, hooded sweatshirt, gloves, swim mask (or safety goggles) and a little creativity. Check out these instructions on how to make the “weight belt” and “air tank”. Super cute, warm and comfortable. Perfect for scouring the neighborhood.

For the kid who’s totally sweet: Cotton Candy
This is an easy costume, and theoretically an easy sell to any kid. Who wouldn’t want to embody cotton candy? Wear white or light clothes underneath and bunch and wrap pink or light blue tulle (you can purchase this from any fabric store) around the upper half of your youngster. Use safety pins to hold in place and bubble around the body. Delicious.

For the kid who can’t leave their favorite stuffed animal at home: Veterinarian
Grab some scrubs or a white doctor coat and bust out that old doctor’s kit for a stethoscope. Don’t forget the crocs (shoes of choice for medical professionals) and their very loved (insert stuffed animal here). The doctor is in.

Do you have any easy and inexpensive Halloween costume ideas? Share with other parents and inspire new ideas for an old tradition. Happy Trick-or-Treating!