8 DIY Zombie Costume Ideas That Are Scary Good

So many things go into dressing up like a zombie for Halloween — there’s the scary Halloween masks, the unruly hair and most importantly, the costume makeup. But that doesn’t mean making your own zombie costume has to be complicated.
Dressing up as a zombie is super easy and can be a lot of fun when you get creative with it, because with zombie costumes, there’s no right or wrong. Below you’ll find zombie-themed homemade costume ideas you can recreate at the very last minute for children and adults. Also included are famous zombie characters you can emulate from your favorite TV shows (like The Walking Dead).
DIY Classic Zombie Costume
This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

This YouTuber shows how she made a complete zombie outfit in under seven minutes. She breaks down her process, explaining how a craft knife and some food coloring can go a long way in creating a horrifying ensemble. Some comments also suggested using tea bags to stain your t-shirt, which is pretty smart (just know that the stains likely won’t come out).

What You’ll Need for a DIY Zombie Costume

Red Food Color
McCormick amazon.com
$2.98

White T-shirt
Gildan amazon.com
$4.99

DIY Zombie Costume Makeup
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If you’re just starting with face paint and character makeup, you can purchase costume makeup kits that include the supplementary items and instructions you need to create basic costume makeup looks, complete with skin prosthetics, hair color and brushes.
You can also attempt painting your own face with bright colors, the way this creator did here. It does take some skill and a lot of patience, but the results will be so worth it.

What You’ll Need for Zombie Costume Makeup

Liquid Face and Body Paint
Mehron amazon.com
$12.77

Take Me Back to Brazil Color Palette
bh bhcosmetics.com
$2,020.00

Hollywood Makeup Kit
Rubie’s amazon.com
$13.40

Jumbo Eyeliner Pencil in “Milk”
NYX PROFESSIONAL MAKEUP amazon.com
$3.99

DIY Zombie Costume for Girls
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For kids, you want the costume and makeup light and not to scary. For girls, any clothing that’s dark, faded and patterned will work. Bonus: You can make this a fun activity for you and your daughter to do together by tie-dyeing a white dress or shirt.
For her hair, tease it up and make it as unruly as you’d like.

What You’ll Need for a Girl’s Zombie Costume

Tie-Dye Kit
Tulip One-Step Tie-Dye Kit amazon.com
$29.99

Face Paint Set
JOYIN amazon.com
$7.99

Teasing Brush
SPORNETTE amazon.com
$9.97

Temporary Purple Hair Color
l’oreal paris amazon.com
$7.88

DIY Zombie Costume for Boys

SolStockGetty Images

Boys can also go the tie-dye route, or they can wear pajamas they might already have in their closet. Use white or green face paint to cover their entire face, plus gray and red marks for a more zombie effect. Just make sure to not get paint too close to the eyes, face, or mouth.

What You’ll Need for a Boy’s Zombie Costume

Skull Pajamas
MyFav amazon.com
$17.99

Face Paint Kit for Kids
Zenovika amazon.com
$19.99

Skull Cardigan Sweater
LittleSpring amazon.com
$17.99

Boy’s Slip-On Cargo Pants
The Children’s Place amazon.com
$10.60

DIY Zombie Costume for Teens
This content is imported from Instagram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Older kids can start experimenting with more intricate makeup and hair dye, if desired. Many temporary hair colors rinse out within just a few washes and won’t cause as much damage as more permanent dyes. For the costume, tatter and stain a worn dress with food coloring or fabric dye. Fun accessory ideas include a faded rose hair clip, a rag doll, and maybe some fake fangs.

What You’ll Need for a Teen’s Zombie Costume

Green Hair Color Wax
SOVONCARE amazon.com
$9.98

Button Front Dress
Halife amazon.com
$21.99

Black Mao Mao Plush Doll
SUMMIT COLLECTION amazon.com
$21.99

Rose Hair Clip
FIOBEE amazon.com
$6.99

DIY Zombie Costume for Couples
This content is imported from Instagram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Dressing up as a zombie with your significant other can be fun too, and if you add a baby doll to the mix, you can arrive to the party as a zombie family!
Skull dresses and shirts are an easy way to dress up if you already have a face mask or makeup in play. You can also opt for zombie t-shirts that look realistically horrifying, or fabric dye clothing you no longer care about.

What You’ll Need for a Woman’s Zombie Costume

Zombie Baby Doll
Spirit Halloween amazon.com
$39.99

Women’s Skull Dress
CowCow amazon.com
$24.99

Brown Wavy Wig
MapofBeauty amazon.com
$11.99

Women’s Zombie Mask
Forum walmart.com
$2.27

What You’ll Need for a Man’s Zombie Costume

Men’s Zombie Mask
Smiffys amazon.com
$13.51

Men’s Zombie Shirt
Faux Real amazon.com
$26.33

Scary Prop Hands
XONOR amazon.com
$12.99

Liquid Face and Body Paint
Mehron amazon.com
$7.42

DIY Disney’s Zombies Costume
This content is imported from Instagram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

The characters in the Disney hit movie Zombies are great sources to draw inspiration from when recreating zombie costumes for kids. Here, actress Kylee Russell wears a faded denim jacket, key earrings, and green hair dye. Check Disney’s Youtube for the full tutorial.

What You’ll Need for Disney’s “Zombies” Costume

Gray Denim Jacket
Floerns amazon.com
$39.99

Green Color Depositing Conditioner
KERACOLOR amazon.com
$22.00

The Saharan Eyeshadow Palette
Juvia’s Place ulta.com
$20.00

Steampunk Key Earrings
Arsimus amazon.com
$7.99

DIY The Walking Dead Zombie Costume
This content is imported from Instagram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

We love this rendition of the show’s very own Carl Grimes, who can be emulated by both men and women. All you need is a black and white flannel, a dark cowboy’s hat and some bandage wrap. The tricky part is detailing the eye, but you can buy wound kits to make the process easier.

What You’ll Need for “The Walking Dead” Zombie Costume

Black and White Flannel
Alimens & Gentle amazon.com
$21.99

Black Cowboy Hat
Kangaroo amazon.com
$11.55

Chomped Bite Wound Kit
Rubie’s amazon.com
$7.99

Sports Bandage Wrap
RISEN amazon.com
$9.99

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So many things go into dressing up like a zombie for Halloween — there’s the scary Halloween masks, the unruly hair and most importantly, the costume makeup. But that doesn’t mean making your own zombie costume has to be complicated.

Dressing up as a zombie is super easy and can be a lot of fun when you get creative with it, because with zombie costumes, there’s no right or wrong. Below you’ll find zombie-themed homemade costume ideas you can recreate at the very last minute for children and adults. Also included are famous zombie characters you can emulate from your favorite TV shows (like The Walking Dead).

DIY Classic Zombie Costume

This content is imported from YouTube. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

This YouTuber shows how she made a complete zombie outfit in under seven minutes. She breaks down her process, explaining how a craft knife and some food coloring can go a long way in creating a horrifying ensemble. Some comments also suggested using tea bags to stain your t-shirt, which is pretty smart (just know that the stains likely won’t come out).

DIY Zombie Costume Makeup

This content is imported from Instagram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

If you’re just starting with face paint and character makeup, you can purchase costume makeup kits that include the supplementary items and instructions you need to create basic costume makeup looks, complete with skin prosthetics, hair color and brushes.

You can also attempt painting your own face with bright colors, the way this creator did here. It does take some skill and a lot of patience, but the results will be so worth it.

DIY Zombie Costume for Girls

This content is imported from Instagram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

For kids, you want the costume and makeup light and not to scary. For girls, any clothing that’s dark, faded and patterned will work. Bonus: You can make this a fun activity for you and your daughter to do together by tie-dyeing a white dress or shirt.

For her hair, tease it up and make it as unruly as you’d like.

DIY Zombie Costume for Boys

diy zombie costumes zombie skeleton boy

SolStockGetty Images

Boys can also go the tie-dye route, or they can wear pajamas they might already have in their closet. Use white or green face paint to cover their entire face, plus gray and red marks for a more zombie effect. Just make sure to not get paint too close to the eyes, face, or mouth.

DIY Zombie Costume for Teens

This content is imported from Instagram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Older kids can start experimenting with more intricate makeup and hair dye, if desired. Many temporary hair colors rinse out within just a few washes and won’t cause as much damage as more permanent dyes. For the costume, tatter and stain a worn dress with food coloring or fabric dye. Fun accessory ideas include a faded rose hair clip, a rag doll, and maybe some fake fangs.

DIY Zombie Costume for Couples

This content is imported from Instagram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

Dressing up as a zombie with your significant other can be fun too, and if you add a baby doll to the mix, you can arrive to the party as a zombie family!

Skull dresses and shirts are an easy way to dress up if you already have a face mask or makeup in play. You can also opt for zombie t-shirts that look realistically horrifying, or fabric dye clothing you no longer care about.

DIY Disney’s Zombies Costume

This content is imported from Instagram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

The characters in the Disney hit movie Zombies are great sources to draw inspiration from when recreating zombie costumes for kids. Here, actress Kylee Russell wears a faded denim jacket, key earrings, and green hair dye. Check Disney’s Youtube for the full tutorial.

DIY The Walking Dead Zombie Costume

This content is imported from Instagram. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

We love this rendition of the show’s very own Carl Grimes, who can be emulated by both men and women. All you need is a black and white flannel, a dark cowboy’s hat and some bandage wrap. The tricky part is detailing the eye, but you can buy wound kits to make the process easier.

This content is imported from {embed-name}. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io

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