DIY Construction Costumes

If you read my previous post on encouraging interests, then you won’t be surprised to hear what my son wanted to be for Halloween… an excavator. A construction worker wouldn’t be sufficient – he needed to be the actual machinery. 

The Bulldozer

Last year for Halloween, H asked to be a construction vehicle. I did some research and found out a bulldozer was pretty easy to make using a diaper box, a hot glue gun, some paint, and some time, and I put it together. 

He loved it and was a definite hit as he trick-or-treated. The bulldozer was made from a diaper box. I cut an opening in the top and then used the opening to make the front blades. The CAT label I easily printed from Google Images. The costume came together quickly, and he was so excited. Overall, I was very pleased and proud to help fulfill his costume wish.

The Excavator…

So, fast-forward to early September. My little H noticed some Halloween costumes in Target and asked what he would be for Halloween. I told him it was up to him. Shockingly (no, not at all shockingly), he asked if he could be an excavator. I told him I didn’t think I could make that, to which he replied, “Why? You made a bulldozer. An excavator can’t be that much harder.” Touche, kiddo! I knew I could do it.

There were just two problems. First, there isn’t a lot out there on how to make an Excavator costume. I found a handful of Google Images, but no directions….rather, just dead ends via Pinterest. Second, the time component. I knew it was going to be harder to make this costume while chasing two toddlers around. So, I tried to get him to change his mind. We talked about being just a construction worker, but as he said, “Who wants to be the worker when you can be the machine?” I tried to persuade him to be a farmer like his dad, but he wasn’t interested. I even made a push for a Word Party character, but to no avail. He has his heart set on construction, again. So, I told him I would give it a try. 

It’s not easy to put off a project that you don't know how to proceed with. But the gorgeous weather this week (and more realistically, the impending deadline of New Zoo Boo) kicked me into high gear. I brought home a paper box, headed to the hardware store, and bought yellow, black, and white duct tape, and proceeded with my plan, or rather, lack thereof. The project evolved as I went through it, and in the end, I am super pleased with the result. 

A Picture Guide

The best way to explain how to build a construction costume is to show you via a photo log. So, please scroll through the photos below and read the descriptions for more info. 

If you have questions about how to make a construction costume, let me know. It may not look perfect, and it was time-consuming, but I know the smile on his face when he wears his excavator costume will be worth it!  

Original post by Melissa on 10/3/18