If you and your friends are planning a tropical-themed Halloween, these costumes are perfect for a group. Here we share step-by-step instructions to make an easy palm tree accessory that turns a dress into a costume, and a bold, eye-catching beach ball costume. Both are simple, affordable, and fun to wear — win-win.
Palm Tree Costume: What You’ll Need
- Tan dress
- Stiff green felt sheets (12×18”)
- Palm leaf template printed on 11×17” paper
- Chip can (bottom half used for the hat)
- Scissors
- Hot glue gun
- Stretchy headband
How To Make A Palm Tree Costume
- Cut a chip can in half and reserve the bottom half to use as a hat base.
- Wrap the can in green felt and secure it with hot glue so it’s fully covered.
- Using the template, cut 7–8 palm leaves from the felt.
- Hot glue the ends of 4–5 leaves evenly around the base of the can to form the first row. Glue the remaining leaves just above the first row, filling any gaps to create a fuller crown.
- If the can’s top is taller than the two rows of leaves, trim it to match. Optionally glue a felt circle over the top to finish the look.
- Hot glue the bottom edge of the can to a stretchy headband so the palm crown sits comfortably on your head.
Beach Ball Costume: What You’ll Need
- Red dress
- 36” balloon
- Newspaper
- Flour and water (to make paper mache paste)
- Mixing tub or Tupperware
- White, red, yellow and blue paint plus paintbrushes
- Pencil
- Red ribbon (for straps)
How To Make A Beach Ball Costume
- Mix paper mache paste using equal parts flour and water until it reaches a thick glue-like consistency. Tear newspaper into long thin strips.
- Inflate the 36” balloon and set it on a box or stand so it won’t roll. Dip each newspaper strip into the paste, squeeze off excess, and smooth it onto the balloon to form the first layer. Let it dry completely.
- Apply three more layers of paper mache, letting each dry fully before adding the next. Four layers total will make the shell sturdy enough to wear. Once dry, carefully deflate and remove the balloon to leave a hollow paper sphere.
- Cut openings in the top and bottom of the sphere large enough to step into and to move comfortably. The bottom hole should be wider to allow walking.
- Paint the entire sphere white. With a pencil, lightly draw three evenly spaced curved sections around the ball. Each section should be narrower at the top and bottom and wider in the middle.
- Paint the three sections red, blue, and yellow. Allow the paint to dry completely.
- Try on the shell and mark where straps should sit on both front and back. Attach red ribbon straps inside the ball with hot glue to make shoulder straps.
- Wear the finished beach ball shell over a red dress for a bright, playful costume.
Photos by Jeff Mindell
For more costume ideas you could pair a palm tree with a cactus for a playful duo.
If you make one of these costumes, share it on Instagram with the tag #studiodiyincostume so it can be featured.