You didn’t think I’d let Halloween pass without a few easy DIY costumes, did you? The best costumes are the ones that don’t require fancy supplies. Enter the humble cardboard box. I’m a little bit obsessed with airmail envelopes and boutique stationery, so an Air Mail package costume felt perfect. This costume is simple to make, inexpensive, and my niece Kellyn looks absolutely adorable in it.
Supply list:
- Cardboard box (white is ideal; brown works fine with a white cover)
- White poster board and spray adhesive (if the box isn’t white)
- Shipping tape
- Scissors or a box cutter
- Air mail washi tape or red and blue paint
- Stamps, stickers, and other postal embellishments (print postal marks and stamps on adhesive paper if desired)
How to make it:
- Remove the flaps from one end of the box. Tape the other end closed like a regular package.
- If the box is brown, cover it with white poster board using spray adhesive so it looks like a real parcel.
- Measure and cut a hole in the top large enough for the child’s head (I traced a bowl to get a round opening). Smooth and reinforce the edges by running strips of shipping tape along every edge.
- To create the classic airmail border, place a strip of tape along each edge and then align another strip next to it to form a wider red-and-blue stripe. Alternatively, mask the edges and paint red and blue stripes.
- Carefully cut arm holes on each side of the box so the child can move comfortably.
- Decorate the box with printed postal marks, faux stamps, stickers, and any other mail-themed details. I printed postage marks on adhesive paper and added an “Air Mail” sticker from my local mail shop, then stamped a playful address on the package for Dracula.
A few finishing touches make this costume extra cute: add printed stamps and postal marks, attach a small “Air Mail” label, and personalize the package with a funny recipient name or address. Keep decorations lightweight so the child stays comfortable while wearing the box.
For the outfit underneath, choose simple wardrobe pieces that match the airmail theme: white or blue pants, a white shirt, and an optional bow headband to add charm. The result is playful, recognizable, and very kid-friendly.
This costume is budget-friendly, quick to assemble, and can be customized to suit any child. It’s a great way to repurpose a cardboard box into something whimsical and wearable.
All photos by Studio DIY
Watch for another kid’s costume DIY coming Monday!
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