I’ve been waiting for an excuse to build a wagon costume, and this DIY toaster-and-toast idea was irresistible. It’s a playful way to turn a functional wagon into part of a Halloween look, and the finished result is so cute—especially with a child dressed as a slice of toast. If you have twins, imagine two slices side by side! It’s simple to make and a lot of fun to use for trick-or-treating.
DIY Toaster + Toast Costume for Kids
Total Time: 3+ Hours
Supplies
For the Toaster Wagon:
Wagon
Two 32 x 40 sheets of pink mat board (found at art stores)
Thick wrapping paper tube
Smoothfoam ball
Smoothfoam disc
Silver paint
Silver cardstock
Hot glue gun
Scissors
Zip ties
For the Toast:
Craft foam in tan, brown and yellow
White 1/2″ elastic
Hot glue gun
Scissors
Pencil
Directions
Toaster:
- Draw a toaster shape on the back of one mat board sheet and cut it out carefully.
- Trace that shape onto the second sheet and cut the matching piece.
- Paint the bottom edges of each toaster panel with silver paint.
- Cut the wrapping paper tube to about 12″ long.
- Glue the foam ball to one side of the tube to create the knob.
- Paint the tube, foam ball, and foam disc silver; allow them to dry.
- Cut letters from silver cardstock to spell a toaster brand or fun label, then glue them to the front of the toaster panels.
- Attach the foam disc and the tube/ball assembly to the back of one toaster panel for detail.
- Secure the toaster panels to the wagon using zip ties. Hold a panel in place against the wagon, mark two hole positions near the top edge, poke holes through the mat board, thread zip ties around the wagon’s metal rail and through the holes, then tighten. Repeat for the other side and the back piece so the toaster surrounds the wagon securely.
Toast:
- Cut two identical toast shapes from tan craft foam.
- Cut two slightly larger toast shapes from brown foam to act as a crust layer; imperfections are fine—bread isn’t perfect.
- Cut a small rounded rectangle from yellow foam to resemble a pat of butter.
- Glue the tan foam onto the brown foam, then glue the yellow “butter” onto a corner of each toast piece. Repeat for the second slice so you have a front and back.
- Measure two elastic straps long enough to go over the child’s shoulders, then glue one strap to the back of each toast piece to create wearable shoulder straps.
Photos by Jeff Mindell
I can’t wait to build more wagon costumes—there’s another one coming this season. Stay tuned for more ideas and simple tutorials that make Halloween both functional and adorable.