It’s almost Halloween and you have a golden retriever just laying there and looking ridiculously cute for no apparent reason.
Meanwhile, your kids are begging to dress him up. And you are staring at the overpriced store costumes thinking, “hard pass…“
Last year I made a felt dog for my nephew using some felt scraps and hot glue and the whole neighbourhood stopped us to admire it.
Not a very good seamstress? No problem! These diy dog costumes for kids are so easy to make that your kids can help you make them!
If you’re already hunting for some halloween inspiration, these DIY dog halloween costumes have some chef’s kiss ideas.
Seven ideas. All adorable. Zero stress.
#1: Royal Blue Velvet Cape — The Dog Costume That Looks Like a Million Bucks (And Costs Almost Nothing)
There he sits, that big golden retriever, tail wagging, as he looks at you, and you know he deserves something really special for Halloween this year.
I made this exact costume for my cousin’s dog last fall. People thought I bought it from some dog boutique. I think the trick is the crushed velvet.
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Active Project Time: 45 minutes | Difficulty Level: Beginner-Friendly
Materials & Tools:
– ½ yard royal blue crushed velvet fabric
– ¼ yard white faux fur trim (fluffy, curly texture — like Mongolian lamb)
– 1 blue satin ribbon (18–24 inches long) for the bow tie detail
– Fabric scissors
– Hot glue gun + glue sticks
– Measuring tape
– Velcro strips (2 inches, sew-on or adhesive)
– Needle and blue thread (optional but adds durability)
### Instructions
Measure the length of your dog’s back from the base of the neck to the tail. This will be your cape’s main measurement. Use this measurement to cut a piece of the crushed velvet into a semi-circle. The fuller the semi-circle, the more dramatic the cape drape.
Then, cut the faux fur trim into a collar strip that is about 4–5 inches wide and long enough to wrap around your dog’s neck with a 1-inch overlap on each side. Hot glue it, or you can do a quick hand stitch along the edge so that it doesn’t peel off when your dog shakes off.
I attached the blue satin ribbon at the front of the collar where both sides meet. Tie the ribbon into a bow before gluing it down. This helps to keep the Pinterest collar shape. The ribbon also helps to fasten the cape at the chest and keeps the cape from bunching up or sliding off her back.
Attach one side of your Velcro strip to the underside of the collar overlap. Press it on firmly and then let it set for 10 full minutes before trying it on your dog.
The crushed velvet drapes over your dog’s body without binding or restricting her movement so she can walk, sit or shake without the fabric twisting. She’ll keep it on for photos.
But if you have a little bit of iron and a low setting and kind of smooth out the creases in the velvet, you’re not going to see the creases when you cut it out. That looks a little nicer. And if your dog has a deep chest, you might want to add an extra inch to the length of the collar strip before you cut it. You can always trim it down, but you can’t add length back.
Here are 7 creative DIY dog costume ideas for fun that you can do on your pooch, and they work for all breeds, and all sizes. They’re simple, and fun.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @furry_couture
#2: DIY Jester Dog Costume — The Court Fool Look Your Dog Was Born to Rock
So you see your dog sprawled out on the lawn, tongue hanging out, no dignity at all, and looking at you like, “yes, I will wear anything you put on me.” That’s the moment you’ve been waiting for.
This jester costume is so cute that I almost screamed when I finished making it for my cousin’s dog last Halloween! I love the little multicolored hat with the bells on top!
Materials & Tools You’ll Need:
– Felt fabric sheets in orange, green, yellow, purple, red, and white
– Small jingle bells (6–8 pieces, ½ inch diameter)
– Elastic band (¼ inch wide, about 12 inches long)
– Fabric glue or needle and thread
– Scissors and fabric chalk
– A collar base or stiff felt ring for the ruff
### Instructions
Cut the felt into a number of 3-inch pointed triangles; you’ll need around twelve for the collar ruff and six longer (but still 5-inch) ones for the points of the hat. Alternating the colors, as you go along, will give you the jester pattern. You’ll need to layer two triangles on top of each other, in order to get points that don’t flop.
Cut a piece of material in the form of a 10 inch circle and slice it in thirds and roll one third into a cone shape. Use a bit of fabric glue to hold it in place and let it set for about 20 minutes. Sew one orange, one green and one yellow point onto the top of the cone. Sew a jingle bell to each of the points as this is what they will alert you to when your dog is sneaking around.
Attach the elastic under the chin so that the hat sits snug but not tight. The snug fit keeps the hat from sliding down and allows your dog plenty of range of motion so they stay comfy and cute.
For the collar ruff, glue your triangles alternately around the 12-inch elastic ring and stitch the bells in between each point. It will lay flat on the chest, just like in the photo.
Cut your felt points (or tips) straight and clean. Dirty scissors will leave frayed edges that will unravel fast.
Prep Time: 15 min | Active Project Time: 45 min | Difficulty Level: Beginner
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @hgtv
#3: DIY Purple Flower Dog Costume (No Sew, No Stress)
Does your golden retriever sit around being the cutest, fluffiest, most ridiculous dog ever? Well, she needs a costume that matches that whole vibe. This one is it.
A couple of years ago my cousin put this exact look on her cockapoo and I could not stop laughing. It’s just too cute.
– Purple foam sheet (12×18 inch) – large petals – White foam sheet (12×18 inch) – inner petals – Two green foam sheets – leaves – Yellow glitter foam or pom-pom – center – Black dog harness – The dog! – Hot glue gun + glue sticks – Scissors – Velcro strips (1-inch width)
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Active Project Time: 45 minutes | Difficulty Level: Beginner
### Instructions
Cut 8 rounded petal shapes from your purple foam sheet (each should be about 5 inches long). Arrange them in a circle and hot glue the ends together, slightly overlapping so that the ends fan out.
Cut out 6 smaller white petals and glue them directly on top of the purple layer of card. Make sure to center them. Add your yellow glitter pom-pom in the middle. It adds a little pizzazz in the middle of the flowers.
Grab your green foam and cut out 2 large leaf shapes. The leaves should be approximately 7 inches long. Score a center line with the scissors and glue the leaves behind the flower base.
Another way is to attach Velcro strips to the back of the flower, and directly onto your dog’s harness. This method is easy and quick, as it does not involve sewing. The harness will stay on your dog as normal, and the flower can be easily snapped off once playtime is over.
Hot foam edges can feel a bit scratchy, so you may want to run your finger along the cut edges and apply a warm glue line to the back to smooth it out.
For some more hilarious dog costume ideas, take a look at 18 Hilarious Dog Costumes Your Pup Will Love!
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @hgtv
#4: DIY Fairy Wing Dog Costume — Your Pup Becomes Pure Magic
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Active Project Time: 45 minutes | Difficulty Level: Beginner
Saw this picture of our Golden Retriever galloping across the yard and knew I needed a costume to match her excitement! This glittery fairy wing costume would be it!
Looking at this fluff white pup with purple, blue and pink glitter foam wings over her cute hot pink and red mesh vest… I gasped. It’s giving my full Pinterest fantasy.
Materials & Tools:
– Pink and red mesh fabric (about ½ yard total)
– Glitter foam sheets in purple, blue, and pink (9×12 inch sheets, 2-3 per color)
– Velcro strips (1-inch wide, self-adhesive)
– Scissors, hot glue gun, glue sticks
– Elastic band (½ inch wide, roughly 12 inches)
– Fabric marker
Instructions
Cut out the mesh fabric to create a saddle-shaped vest that fits snugly across your dog’s back and doesn’t bunch under her belly. Sew or glue Velcro strips along the chest flap so that you don’t have to wrestle her into it.
Trace petal shapes onto your glitters foam sheets. I did 4-5 petals in each color, about 4 inches long. Hot glue the petals in a cluster alternating purple and blue with the pink in the middle. This layering makes the costume look fuller and more like a fairy flower.
Attach the petal clusters to a small foam circle base (about 3 inches in diameter). Hot glue the whole piece centered on the back of the vest. Attach a thin elastic loop under the base and thread it through two small slits in the mesh, so the wings won’t shift when she runs.
Leave the vest a little loose around the ribcage, your dog breathes easier, moves without restriction and can stay happy in it longer.
The glitter foam doesn’t get messed up when you wear it outside and the mesh vest stays breathable even when it’s hot. Take a great photo of yourself for only $10.
If you are obsessed with DIY pet projects like me, this article 13 Genius DIY Dog Stuff Every Pet Parent Needs to Try Today! is going to have more ideas for your golden.
When you have finished painting your foam, delete the petals. If you intend to save them for future use, store them flat between two books overnight so they will not become curled at the edges.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @hgtv
#5: DIY Super Mario Dog Costume (Complete with Trophy-Worthy Style)
Your golden girl is the cutest thing on every park but that’s her moment this Halloween and this Mario costume will stop people on their feet to take a picture of her.
I saw this on Instagram and immediately sent it to three of my friends. “Red felt cap with a white “M” emblem.” “Denim and red two-tone shirt.” That sounds like a winner to me. He certainly did, taking home the 1st place trophy at the 30th Annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade.
Materials & Tools:
– Red felt fabric (½ yard)
– Denim fabric (½ yard)
– Red cotton fabric for the shirt overlay
– White felt scrap for the “M” emblem
– Fabric glue or needle and thread
– Velcro strips (for closures)
– Scissors, pins, fabric marker
Instructions
First, measure your dog’s neck, chest and back. Take a few measurements on each part to be sure. Many people make a mistake here.
Cut the denim into a vest shape that will cover your dog’s chest plus 2 inches overlap on either side of her body. The vest will be sitting closest to your dog’s body, so you’ll want it to be loose enough for her to be able to breathe and move comfortably. Try for a snug-but-comfortable fit that your dog won’t be able to wriggle out of after five minutes.
Spread the red cotton fabric over the top half of the vest, so that it looks like a two-tone shirt, as seen on Mario. Secure it along the edges with fabric glue and press it down firmly to let it dry for 20 minutes.
To make the cap, cut out a circular brim and a curved piece for the crown from the red felt. Sew or glue these pieces together, then cut a 3-inch circle from the white felt and a bold “M” from the red felt. Glue the white circle to the front of the cap, then glue the red “M” on top. Let the pieces dry flat.
Also, some (including myself) put a small elastic band under the chin to keep the cap in place. The band threads through two small slits on either side of the base of the cap and lies gently under the jaw. This is not necessary for this hat, as there is no pressure put on the neck.
Attach the Velcro strips to the side and belly closure of the vest so that it can be quickly put on and removed, which is a good thing because no one wants to wrestle a golden retriever into a costume in a parking lot before a parade.
What makes a costume a costume is the cap. The more recognizable the costume, the more people will react to it, and that means more positive energy for your pup!
If your dog is particularly sensitive to hats, try practicing a few short, five-minute sessions at home a few days before Halloween. Let her wear the cap while receiving treats so she has a positive association with it before Halloween.
Prep Time: 30 minutes | Active Project Time: 1.5–2 hours | Difficulty Level: Beginner-Intermediate
If your dog has you hooked and you’re looking for more ideas for dog costumes, 13 Adorable Dog Halloween Costumes You Need to See has even more dog costumes to add to your list.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @longboy_lincoln
#6: DIY UFO Dog Costume (With a Cow Abduction Beam!)
So lets say you have a Golden Retriever and she is just sitting there looking at you and you want to do something extra crazy for her this year for Halloween.
This costume is one of my fav’s I’ve seen in a while. A dark, curly-haired pup, with a holographic silver flying saucer collar, green glitter alien antennae, and a yellow tractor beam with a cartoon cow dangling at the bottom? I died. My cousin made something similar for her lab last fall and it was the talk of the neighborhood parade.
Materials & Tools:
– Holographic iridescent fabric (silver/rainbow, approx. 14-16 inch diameter circle)
– Black craft foam for collar structure and dividing strips
– Yellow felt circles (1.5 inch diameter, x8) for saucer “lights”
– Silver pipe cleaners (2, approx. 10 inches each) for antennae
– Green glitter styrofoam balls (1.5 inch) for antennae tips
– Clear plastic headband
– Yellow cardstock for tractor beam cone
– Printed or hand-drawn cartoon cow sticker/image
– Hot glue gun, scissors, ruler, hole punch, velcro strips
Instructions
Cut your holographic fabric into a wide 14-inch donut shape. The center hole should be about 5-6 inches wide (enough to fit snugly around your dog’s neck). Lay the black craft foam strips, overlapping them from the middle and out, like clock hands, and hot glue them down to make it look like a saucer with segments.
Add glue to the back of each yellow felt circle and attach them evenly to the upper rim. These “landing lights” catch every bit of light in photos.
For the tractor beam, roll yellow cardstock into a cone shape that is about 4 inches tall and secure with hot glue. Attach your cartoon cow to the tip of the cone. Attach the cone to the underside front of the saucer with a velcro strip so it hangs nicely and doesn’t flop.
I wrapped the silver pipe cleaners around the base of the headband and made them into gentle curves. I pressed the green glitter balls onto the tips with a little hot glue. The antennae headband goes behind the ears, so your dog stays way more comfortable throughout the whole trick-or-treat walk.
I attached the velcro closures at the back of the saucer collar so it can be easily adjusted in size. Also, I’d suggest to try it on your dog while she/he is standing. The saucer part should sit flat and horizontal, not tilting forward.
And, the iridescent fabric catches the light from all angles, meaning your dog is an instant photo magnet. Which saves me from seventeen blurry, mid-run Halloween pictures of my dog.
Or, if you’re more into tiny printed dogs or pumpkins or ghosts, this cow may not be for you.
Prep Time: 20 min | Active Project Time: 45-60 min | Difficulty Level: ⭐⭐ Beginner-Friendly
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @mr_gunther_
#7: DIY Teddy Bear Dog Costume (The “Living Stuffed Animal” Look)
Okay, I KNOW you’ve seen your golden retriever just crash onto your couch cushions and just stare at you with those big brown eyes and it’s like he is posing for a photo…well…this costume is JUST LIKE THAT and it’s so adorable that it broke my brain the first time I saw it.
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Active Project Time: 1.5 hours | Difficulty Level: Beginner-Friendly
What You’ll Need:
– Brown sherpa fleece fabric (at least 1.5 yards)
– Cream/ivory sherpa fleece for the belly and inner ear patches
– Red felt (4×4 inches) for the heart detail
– Fabric glue or a basic sewing kit
– Scissors, pins, measuring tape
– A hoodie-style dog costume base (thrifted or from a dollar store works great)
– Fiberfill stuffing for the ears and belly panel
Instructions
Start by measuring your dog’s head circumference and neck width. A hood that fits properly will sit snugly on your dog’s head without pulling his or her ears.
Cut the brown sherpa into a hood panel that will wrap around the head. You want the panel to have about 2 inches of overlap at the chin. Cut the top edge into a soft dome. This rounded cut is what gives it the stuffed animal look, not a sack on the head look.
Then cut 2 round ear shapes from the brown sherpa. Each should be approximately 4 inches tall and 3 inches wide. Cut matching smaller ovals out of the cream fleece for the inside of the ears. Glue or sew the cream piece in the center of the brown. Fold the base of each ear slightly inward and stuff very lightly with fiberfill. Then sew shut, leaving only enough stuffing to help the ears stand up on their own.
Attach the ears to the top of the hood panel, spacing them about 3 inches apart. Pin the ears then sew or glue them firmly. This seam takes the most stress when your dog shakes their head (they will shake).
Cut an oval out of the cream sherpa. Cut an oval that is 6 inches wide and 8 inches tall. Cut your red felt heart out, it should be about 3 inches wide. Glue or sew it in the center of your cream oval. Add this to the bottom of your hoodie base over the chest area. Now, from far away, it is easy to see that your hoodie says “teddy bear”!
I attached the hood to the hoodie neckline with a few anchor stitches so that it would stay in place. My dog didn’t mind it so much that I attached it, the texture of the sherpa-to-sherpa isn’t scratchy at all and the hood didn’t slip around. He stayed snug and comfortable, even while he was in the middle of the family photo shoot.
Keep this in mind: Sherpa frays less than regular fleece, so raw edges are fine left unfinished. You don’t need to hem the edges.
The soft sherpa lining means no stiff seams pressing against your dog’s skin, so he can actually relax in this thing. Which means you’ll get the photos you want instead of a great escape.
If you love this dog accessory project idea, you’re going to love these cute DIY dog clothes ideas. We’re sure you’ll find something here that you’d like to give a try.
Wash the costume on a cold, delicate cycle and air dry it flat on a towel. Sherpa holds its texture much longer if you air dry it flat.
📸 Photo credit: Instagram @theartsconnectus
The One Trick That Makes DIY Dog Costumes Actually Stay On Kids
The biggest mistake I see with costumes that people make for their kids is that they design the costume around the dog’s silhouette, forgetting that a kid has to be able to run around and probably eat a ton of Halloween candy at top speeds.
Hot glue, the enemy. Everytime my 7 year old does a cartwheel, the glue cracks. I used fabric glue or a basic whip stitch so it doesn’t fall apart when she was up all night trick-or-treating.
Actually, my best pro-tip is to make the ears and tail as removable pieces with velcro. That way if your kid gets too hot or decides they are “done being a dog” in the middle of the night, you aren’t destroying the entire costume.
I have a niece who wore the golden retriever costume for 2 Halloweens in a row because we just changed the ears to a different color and called her another dog breed.
Also, use fleece. No fraying and no sewing. I know it sounds strange, but fleece is so soft, my kids actually keep it on.
Your Dog-Proof Home Is One Decision Away
So you know, your dog deserves a beautiful home. And you deserve one too. Those two things are not competing.
I like to begin with one spot that is driving you crazy, such as the mud puddle by your front door or the fur covered couch. Start with that one good cover or washable rug. One small win.
Because once you nail the first spot? Everything changes. You stop dreading muddy paw days and start enjoying lazy Sunday cuddles on your sofa. Trust me.
And what’s the one room in your house that your golden has basically claimed as her own?
Amr Mohsen is a software engineer who traded his keyboard for a leash — at least on weekends. His love for dogs inspired him to share what he learns as a dog owner and enthusiast, bringing a detail-oriented, research-driven perspective to every article he writes. If it’s about dogs, he’s probably already looked it up twice.
