Bug Zapper Costume

My younger sister wanted to go out with us and the kids this year, but she didn't think she could because she was going to have to be in a wheelchair Halloween night. I told her we could come up with something that wouldn't get in the way of her chair.

The idea of the "Bug Zapper" was born. It took me maybe an hour to put it together. the longest wait was watching the paint dry (I'd rather have my toe-nails ripped out)

She loved it, because it was big enough for her to sit set her 2 yr. old son on her lap in the chair and he be under it with her, and it didn't get in the way of the wheels of the chair.

The only complaint she had was that it was a pokey costume (I clipped the zip-ties off on the wrong side in a few places and they were poking her in the head ... OOOOPPPPSSS!)

Here are the step-by-step instructions. I added a illustration chart, so any references to a number, make sure you look at the chart.

Materials Needed:
Cardboard or Corrugated Plastic
Zip Ties
Black Spray Paint
3 Blue Glow Bracelets
9 Blue Glow Necklaces
Black Felt
Plastic Window Screen

Tools Needed
Hand Drill
Side Cutters
Measuring Tape
Stapler

Measure to from the head to the elbow of the person wearing the costume, adding 2" on each side. Measure the width of the person wearing the costume, adding 2" on each side.

Cut three sheets of cardboard this length and width. These will be the sides and the back of the costume. Cut another sheet at half the length and the same width of the previous three pieces. This will be the front of the costume. (See 1.)

Take two of the larger pieces and cut places for it to rest on the person's shoulders. (These will be the sides of the costume.) (See 2.)

Next, lay the pieces out. Cut four triangles the 2" wider than the sides and back pieces of the costume. The triangles (when attached together) will form the dome (top) of the costume. (See 3)

Drill holes in all the pieces and attach together with zip ties, keeping the "knob" on the outside of the cardboard. Be sure to leave an allowance to add the screen later. You may also drill the holes to attach the glow necklaces. (If you do it later, the drill will muss up the paint) (See 4)

Glow Necklace Placement
Add the zip ties for the glow necklaces, but do not attach them yet.

Illustration is only to show where to put the holes. They are not in the exact location. (See 5)

Once all the pieces are attached, snip off the long ends of the zip ties so they are flush with the "knob". Spray paint the costume with the black spray paint. Set aside and allow to dry.

Slide the glow sticks into place, but do not crack them until you are ready to use the costume. Tighten the zip ties down so they will not fall out, but just enough to hold them in place until you are ready to use them.

Take the screen and start stapling it along the outside edge of the top of the costume, on the underside of the top, and starting at the back of the costume. When you get to where you started, fold over and either staple or zip tie the seam shut. Leave some excess at the bottom. (See 6)

NOTE: When you are ready to wear the costume, slide the glow necklaces out and crack them to light them. Tighten down any zip ties and snip off the ends so it is flush with the "knob".

You will need to either take the stapler with you when you wear the costume, or you can use heavy tape to secure the bottom of the screen to wear the costume.

You can also add a flashing blue light of some kind to simulate a bug being zapped, or glue bugs to the screen to simulate "zapped" bugs.

Use spray adhesive and felt anyplace that the cardboard may rub on the wearer and cause discomfort. Wear black pants and a black shirt to complete the costume.