Fire Family Costume

FIRE THEME Kid Costumes

This was the first year that the baby of the family (2 years old) had an opinion about his costume, so we decided to work with him and his complete and utter excitement about being a firefighter and all things firetruck-related. Aside from the inexpensive multi-pack of battery-operated light strings and one store-bought costume, all other items for all three kid costumes were already on hand or found on the side of the curb. This was all done for about $35, although I definitely paid my dues in hot glue burns.

FIREFIGHTER AND HIS TRUCK
The 2 year old's firefighter costume with accessories was store-bought (Costco) but his firetruck was homemade very inexpensively with his wagon, cardboard boxes, posterboard, spray paint, egg cartons painted silver, emblems printed on the home printer, and a string of battery operated lights. A handmedown toy that I had relegated to the garage (soon-to-be donated) pile because of its very loud honking and police car/firetruck siren noises found last-minute redemption as the perfect accessory to sit with our firefighter as he rode along in his firetruck. His favorite element was probably the fire hose—a leftover hose from an old broken vacuum and strips of a used Hefty Big Bag hot glued in to the end as the water. He had a great time “spraying the fire out” on his big siblings.

MINECRAFT ZOMBIE ON FIRE
In keeping with our fire theme, 6 year old big brother tied in his own interests/obsession by asking to be a Minecraft Zombie on fire. This was the most daunting costume prospect for Mom initially, but he helped by writing notes to all the neighbors 6 weeks in advance asking for cardboard box donations. Battery-operated tealights hot glued to orange vellum and zip-tied to his boots created the illusion of his feet on fire. Foam board and this pattern (https://kerryannmorgan.com/2013/10/how-to-make-minecraft-diamond-sword-and-diamond-pickaxe.html) made the Diamond sword a piece of cake to create. Some posterboard and a modified printable from this website (https://www.fps-x-games.com/2013/08/how-to-create-minecraft-zombie-head.html) helped complete the head and arms (with window screen behind the eyes for sight and air circulation). Foam board painted with flames and accessorized with two strings of battery-pack lights made his Minecraft Zombie on Fire costume a true standout among all the trick-or-treaters. All of the kids were amazed and immediately knew he was a Minecraft character. Most of the adults (including his grandparents) thought he looked really cool but had no idea what he was supposed to be—LOL.

KATNISS, GIRL ON FIRE (THE HUNGER GAMES)
The costume for 9 year old big sister was probably the most surprising success—it turned out totally stunning, and for $0 additional dollars spent except for the strings of battery operated lights. Because she was just beginning to read The Hunger Games when we started discussing Halloween ideas, she was very motivated to finish the book faster and really got excited about her Girl on Fire ensemble. We upcycled a little black leotard she’s had since HER 2-year-old Halloween by adding some dance shorts/black leggings to the bottom. Painted tulle and battery-operated tea lights helped set her shoes and hair barrette “on fire.” The Mockingjay pin design was traced onto cardstock, reinforced with posterboard, and then—with the dedication of a wonderful craft volunteer (my sweet and artistically talented aunt) made to look 3D with puffy paint and a few layers of gold paint. Dad lovingly helped craft the bow and arrow after a day of yard work and tree-trimming. The cape of flames really turned out so much cooler than we were expecting and totally made the costume. Using leftover flowy peach fabric from her Little Mermaid costume several years ago, we traced, painted, and cut out 6 cape-length flames. Sandwiched between two layers of fabric flames were 3 strings of battery operated lights and tulle for volume and to diffuse the LED lights a bit. When she walked the cape flared out behind her and she truly looked like she had a cape of fire!

FIRED GUY
Dad wore his business attire (stained tie and rumpled shirt, of course, and carried a Banker’s box containing a pink slip, a family photo, a dying ivy plant, and a bottle of booze, of course.

DANTE’S INFERNO
Mom wore a fiery red wig, devil horns and accessories, a pin saying “I