How to DIY a Butterfly Costume for Kids Without Ever Picking up a Needle and Thread

Halloween is an open invitation to step inside a fantasy world. For some, that means zombies and vampires. For others, that means butterflies and pixie dust. If you or your kid are leaning toward the latter this year, give this DIY butterfly costume a try.
You might think that picking up a cheap pair of butterfly wings may be easier than this DIY, but you’d be surprised: This homemade Halloween costume is practically foolproof, and doesn’t require any serious crafting skills. It doesn’t even call for any sequins, paint, or glitter a.k.a. every parent’s worst nightmare. Instead, just use small feathered butterflies to spruce up an old leotard and tutu, and transform craft wire into a magical, mystical butterfly crown. While we made the costume specifically with kids in mind, it can work for all ages — babies, toddlers, adults, anybody!
No matter if your little butterfly is riding solo or trick-or-treating with an entire kaleidoscope (FYI, the official term for a group of butterflies), we’ve got you covered with this step-by-step guide.
How to Make a DIY Butterfly Costume

Good Housekeeping Staff

Forget basic butterfly wings — this easy DIY relies on dozens of feathered beauties for a butterfly effect. Head straight to their closet to find the foundation for this adorable look — a black leotard and tutu. And if you can’t get your hands on a leotard or tutu, get creative by pairing a long-sleeve tee with leggings, pants, or thick tights.

Lay out the tutu skirt and arrange butterflies in a pattern (we mixed colors and sizes for variation).
Use a few small safety pins to attach the butterflies to the skirt. (Alternatively, you can use a needle and thread to stitch the butterflies to at least 2 layers of the tulle.)
Attach a few additional butterflies to the neckline and waist of the leotard with safety pins or stitches.
Glue a butterfly to a pair of shoe clips, and attach to any shoes or sneakers.
If they insist on having fairy wands with their costume (makes sense!), glue a butterfly to a dowel or stick.

What You’ll Need

Long Sleeve Leotard

Magic Town amazon.com
$9.99

Black Tulle Skirt

Flofallzique amazon.com
$14.99

Feather Butterfly Assortment

Touch of Nature amazon.com
$6.66

Shoe Clips

Sntieecr amazon.com
$7.99

How to Make a DIY Butterfly Crown

Good Housekeeping Staff

Like the one she loves on Snapchat, but with a twist: Finish off your kid’s ensemble with a matching crown, or let the headpiece be the talking point.

Cut 12″ lengths of craft wire. Use hot glue to attach the wire to the back of the butterflies. Let dry.
Wrap each wired butterfly a few times around the headband to secure, trimming any excess wire. Vary the lengths and positions of the butterflies to make them look like they are flying.
Optional: Secure a piece of black ribbon to one side of the headband with hot glue. Wrap the ribbon around the whole headband to cover the wires for a cleaner look. Secure the other end with hot glue and trim any excess ribbon.

What You’ll Need

Wire Comb Headband

XERU amazon.com
$10.74

Craft Wire

Mandala Crafts amazon.com
$10.99

Feather Butterfly Assortment

Touch of Nature amazon.com
$6.66

Satin Ribbon

longteng amazon.com
$4.80

15 Ways to DIY a Unicorn Halloween Costume

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

Halloween is an open invitation to step inside a fantasy world. For some, that means zombies and vampires. For others, that means butterflies and pixie dust. If you or your kid are leaning toward the latter this year, give this DIY butterfly costume a try.

You might think that picking up a cheap pair of butterfly wings may be easier than this DIY, but you’d be surprised: This homemade Halloween costume is practically foolproof, and doesn’t require any serious crafting skills. It doesn’t even call for any sequins, paint, or glitter a.k.a. every parent’s worst nightmare. Instead, just use small feathered butterflies to spruce up an old leotard and tutu, and transform craft wire into a magical, mystical butterfly crown. While we made the costume specifically with kids in mind, it can work for all ages — babies, toddlers, adults, anybody!

No matter if your little butterfly is riding solo or trick-or-treating with an entire kaleidoscope (FYI, the official term for a group of butterflies), we’ve got you covered with this step-by-step guide.

How to Make a DIY Butterfly Costume

Good Housekeeping Staff

Forget basic butterfly wings — this easy DIY relies on dozens of feathered beauties for a butterfly effect. Head straight to their closet to find the foundation for this adorable look — a black leotard and tutu. And if you can’t get your hands on a leotard or tutu, get creative by pairing a long-sleeve tee with leggings, pants, or thick tights.

  1. Lay out the tutu skirt and arrange butterflies in a pattern (we mixed colors and sizes for variation).
  2. Use a few small safety pins to attach the butterflies to the skirt. (Alternatively, you can use a needle and thread to stitch the butterflies to at least 2 layers of the tulle.)
  3. Attach a few additional butterflies to the neckline and waist of the leotard with safety pins or stitches.
  4. Glue a butterfly to a pair of shoe clips, and attach to any shoes or sneakers.
  5. If they insist on having fairy wands with their costume (makes sense!), glue a butterfly to a dowel or stick.

How to Make a DIY Butterfly Crown

diy butterfly costume headpiece

Good Housekeeping Staff

Like the one she loves on Snapchat, but with a twist: Finish off your kid’s ensemble with a matching crown, or let the headpiece be the talking point.

  1. Cut 12″ lengths of craft wire. Use hot glue to attach the wire to the back of the butterflies. Let dry.
  2. Wrap each wired butterfly a few times around the headband to secure, trimming any excess wire. Vary the lengths and positions of the butterflies to make them look like they are flying.
  3. Optional: Secure a piece of black ribbon to one side of the headband with hot glue. Wrap the ribbon around the whole headband to cover the wires for a cleaner look. Secure the other end with hot glue and trim any excess ribbon.

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

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *