15 DIY Group Halloween Costume Ideas You Can Make in Minutes

With October’s arrival comes the inevitable question: What are you going to be for

Halloween? Getting your costume on offers an opportunity to showcase your creativity, a feat that’s even more impressive when carried off as a group—and even more sustainable when your crew crafts said costumes rather than buying them. 

Although it is tempting to just order a costume through

Amazon or head to your nearest Spirit store, deciding to DIY your own costumes is better for the environment and your wallet. It's estimated that we spent about

$3.3 billion on just costumes last year in the United States, the plastic-heavy fast fashion often ending up in trash or donation piles—aka the landfill—after just one wear. 

Rather than wasting money and resources on a store-bought costume, get your group together for a bit of extra bonding time and

craft your own coordinated ensembles. (Even if you aren’t looking to match, a

costume swap party can help you reuse costumes from previous years.)

From classic ghosts to favored food items, these DIY group Halloween costumes will get you into the spooky spirit, sustainably.

"Spice girls" gets literal with this punny group costume. While the above shakers are clearly professionally printed, we challenge you to draw or paint your own spice label—even directly onto an old or thrifted tee to minimize materials.

An appropriately-hued dress, white beret or beanie, and partially blown-up red balloon combine for a memorable (and very sweet) costume. Don't forget to shake!

Dressing as Greek gods and goddesses is forever. Choose between a gold, silver, or white palette and raid your closets for your most regal attire—or go the toga route and secure some sheets.

Necklaces (or even live vines) can serve as mythical headpieces, trashcan lids become shields, and lightning bolts are easily crafted from cardboard. After that, all you need is a "worship me" attitude.

Channel the British Invasion with your favorite retro outfit and a vinyl accessory. The more participants in this group costume, the better—more signs and screams equals more mania.

Be honest: You already own this outfit. A flannel, denim, cowboy boots, and a straw hat transmute to full-scale scarecrow with the addition of some stray hay stuffed into sleeves and shoes.

The possibilities are as endless as the copious pasta shapes. Don a white outfit and craft your exaggerated piece of pasta from felt, pinning it to the front of your ensemble. A fork is the only accessory you'll need.

The classic hippie costume gets a creative upgrade with unique and homemade headpieces. Elevate your favorite headband with cardboard cutouts—think sun rays, stars, or hearts—painted in all your favorite shades.

You're basically a few simple steps away from a night at the drive-thru. Though the small fry costume involves some serious crafting, a turn as an In n Out employee is as easy as an all-white ensemble and a piece of red fabric—plus or minus a hat sourced from the establishment.

And for the burger? Just give your go-to nude dress a temporary upgrade with pinned and layered fabric in appropriate colors.

Spray paint some old pool noodles and commit to your cause—this costume centers on a commitment to theatrics.

This costume is all about the ears (and antlers)! Channel your inner party animal with a slipdress and your ears of choice, an accessory that provides ample opportunity for a maker moment.

(Pro tip: Don't forget your cocktail glass.)

Aesthetically, weather is a fairly abstract concept—so dressing up as a sunny day or a seasonal storm is a great chance to think outside of the box. Sunshine can be as simple as a yellow dress and homemade headpiece, while an all-grey outfit plus an umbrella is all you need for rain.

This deceptively simple costume doubles as an opportunity to upcycle a basic white tee. The Merry Thought provides the stylized designs—just print on iron transfer paper! Or, if you're in a particularly artistic mood, create your own rock, paper, and scissors.

The best avo toast comes fully loaded. Decorate t-shirts to mimic your favorite ingredients, or grab some cardboard boxes bound for the recycling bin and get painting.

As with the "spice girls" costume, dressing as your favorite essential oil allows a lot of room for artistry and sustainable customization.

Good old-fashioned ghosts feel a touch more modern when your elevated bedsheets come in a pastel palette.