Kids PAC MAN Halloween Costume
Ingredients
- Cardboard
- Roll of cheap duct tape
- Bag of Glue Sticks
- Spray Paint black, yellow, pink, blue, orange, red & blue
- Hot Glue Gun
- Exacto Knife/Box Cutter
- Ruler
- Straight Edge
- Hula Hoop or other large circle to trace
- Projector if possible for the ghosts
Instructions
Instructions for PAC-MAN:
- Use a hula hoop or other large circular object as a template to trace the circle for PAC-MAMeasure the diameter to figure out the true center, then create an accurate size mouth by drawing out the triangle from there.
- For the arm hole, trace the duct tape circle, but you could try other plates or saucers to see what works best, depending on the size of your child. Once you have traced the circles, cut them out carefully with an exacto knife.
- For the connecting center, measure from shoulder to shoulder (on this cutie pie it was 10.") and then add ½" - 1" of wiggle room. Cut your connecting center so the cardboard is horizontal. This way it can roll and take shape.
- Once you have your center cut, roll it up so it will take shape easier. Next make a line ½" on each side. Take a blade and make cuts up to that line, bending inward as you go. It also helps to score this line from top to bottom (cut, but not all the way through) so the edges bend easier and make for a cleaner fold/line.
- Begin your assembly. We hot glued and duct taped the pieces together.
- The mouth section should be made of stiffer card board, so measure and cut that separately.
- Once all of the assembly is complete, it's time to paint! I used spray paint for the ease & quickness of it.
- Leave the black mouth pieces unassembled and spray paint those separately. You can add these once the entire yellow piece is painted and dry.
Instructions for Ghosts:
- I found a picture of the ghosts online and used a projector to trace out the shape in cardboard.
- Cut them out and then spray paint the cardboard.
- The eyes were done with paper cut outs that we printed.
Notes
should have it. (Costco) Usually there will be some slip sheets in the
metal box bins or between the water pallets but you just have to ask.
This DIY PAC MAN Halloween costume is sure to stand out when your kid is trick or treating! Cheap to make, and fun to put together. Make some ghosts for Mum and Dad to wear too!
Halloween is coming! With that in mind, even if you don't think you're the DIY costume type, what about giving it a try this year? I teamed up with two friends to make costumes for our kiddos and it was so much fun. I definitely stretched my DIY skills and had a blast in the process. (You can see Parker's costume here!) So without further ado, a pretty cute kids costume for your consideration... (PS. This is a super easy family costume too!)
What You Will Need to Make This Kids PAC-MAN Halloween Costume
- Cardboard
- Roll of cheap duct tape
- Bag of Glue Sticks
- Spray Paint (black, yellow, pink, blue, orange, red & blue)
- Hot Glue Gun
- Exacto Knife/Box Cutter
- Ruler
- Straight Edge
- Hula Hoop or other large circle to trace
- Projector (if possible for the ghosts)
How to Make This Kids PAC-MAN Halloween Costume
1. Use a hula hoop or other large circular object as a template to trace the circle for PAC-MAN. Measure the diameter to figure out the true center, then create an accurate size mouth by drawing out the triangle from there.
2. For the arm hole, trace the duct tape circle, but you could try other plates or saucers to see what works best, depending on the size of your child. Once you have traced the circles, cut them out carefully with an exacto knife.
3. For the connecting center, measure from shoulder to shoulder (on this cutie pie it was 10.") and then add ½" - 1" of wiggle room. Cut your connecting center so the cardboard is horizontal. This way it can roll and take shape.
4. Once you have your center cut, roll it up so it will take shape easier. Next make a line ½" on each side. Take a blade and make cuts up to that line, bending inward as you go. It also helps to score this line from top to bottom (cut, but not all the way through) so the edges bend easier and make for a cleaner fold/line.
5. Begin your assembly. We hot glued and duct taped the pieces together. The mouth section should be made of stiffer card board, so measure and cut that separately.
6. Once all of the assembly is complete, it's time to paint! I used spray paint for the ease & quickness of it. Leave the black mouth pieces unassembled and spray paint those separately. You can add these once the entire yellow piece is painted and dry.
Instructions for Ghosts:
1. I found a picture of the ghosts online and used a projector to trace out the shape in cardboard.
2. Cut them out and then spray paint the cardboard.
3. The eyes were done with paper cut outs that we printed.
Top Tips for Making This DIY Halloween Costume
- We got all of the cardboard for free at Smart & Final, but any bulk item store should have it. (Costco) Usually there will be some slip sheets in the metal box bins or between the water pallets but you just have to ask.
- There is an art to getting an even layer if you spray paint, so I watched some videos on YouTube to get the technique down. (highly recommend) https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=qB_MtpaMYaY
PAC MAN Costume for children
This is such a fun and bright costume for kids! It takes a little time to make, but the finished result is so worth it! It's a great nostalgic costume that's so easy to recognize when you are out and about trick or treating!
PAC MAN Family Costume Idea
I love the idea of adding straps to the ghosts and that way Mum and Dad can join in the retro game vibe too! Why not make a Mrs PAC MAN as well - you just need to add a bow and red lips to this design!
Photography by Emily Morgan
DIY by Kathlene Linehan
Be sure to check out these other fun kids' Halloween Costume Ideas!
Miraculous Ladybug Costume DIY
DIY Toddler Costume || The Mini Yogi
DIY Halloween || Chocolate Chip Cookie Costume
Kids Halloween Costume Ideas // Urban Jungle
Let me know if you made this costume for your kids this year in the comments below!
Kids PAC MAN Halloween Costume
Materials
- Cardboard
- Roll of cheap duct tape
- Bag of Glue Sticks
- Spray Paint black, yellow, pink, blue, orange, red & blue
- Hot Glue Gun
- Exacto Knife/Box Cutter
- Ruler
- Straight Edge
- Hula Hoop or other large circle to trace
- Projector if possible for the ghosts
Instructions
Instructions for PAC-MAN:
- Use a hula hoop or other large circular object as a template to trace the circle for PAC-MAMeasure the diameter to figure out the true center, then create an accurate size mouth by drawing out the triangle from there.
- For the arm hole, trace the duct tape circle, but you could try other plates or saucers to see what works best, depending on the size of your child. Once you have traced the circles, cut them out carefully with an exacto knife.
- For the connecting center, measure from shoulder to shoulder (on this cutie pie it was 10.") and then add ½" - 1" of wiggle room. Cut your connecting center so the cardboard is horizontal. This way it can roll and take shape.
- Once you have your center cut, roll it up so it will take shape easier. Next make a line ½" on each side. Take a blade and make cuts up to that line, bending inward as you go. It also helps to score this line from top to bottom (cut, but not all the way through) so the edges bend easier and make for a cleaner fold/line.
- Begin your assembly. We hot glued and duct taped the pieces together.
- The mouth section should be made of stiffer card board, so measure and cut that separately.
- Once all of the assembly is complete, it's time to paint! I used spray paint for the ease & quickness of it.
- Leave the black mouth pieces unassembled and spray paint those separately. You can add these once the entire yellow piece is painted and dry.
Instructions for Ghosts:
- I found a picture of the ghosts online and used a projector to trace out the shape in cardboard.
- Cut them out and then spray paint the cardboard.
- The eyes were done with paper cut outs that we printed.
Notes
should have it. (Costco) Usually there will be some slip sheets in the
metal box bins or between the water pallets but you just have to ask.
Girl says
Hey, i was wondering if you traced the inside or the outside of the hula hoop
Ellen says
HI! We were wondering how you got the spray paint to adhere to the duct tape?
Jen Pinkston says
Hi Ellen, I emailed Kathlene who did this DIY and this is what she said:
"I used duct tape on the inside (which wasn't spray painted) to reinforce the box seams and then used black duct tape around the PAC MAN mouth area AFTER the cardboard was spray painted black."
Hope that helps!
Julia says
This might be a silly question but how did you get the costume on and off your son without breaking/bending anything? I'm just imagining it might be tough to put on and take off.
Jen Pinkston says
Hey Julia, I do remember him having to wiggle into, but it worked. I would measure across his shoulders and make sure it's wide enough. That will be the trickest part.
Kiki from The Cool Heads says
WE LOOOOVVVEEE IT and it's on our blog today! Thanks for the inspiration! ; )
Jen Pinkston says
I'm so glad! Thank you for sharing!
Sofia says
So darling!
Jen Pinkston says
Thanks, Sofia!