Every child secretly wants to hold the stars. With this DIY solar system costume, they don’t just hold them, they wear them.
Planets spin around their head, their face becomes a canvas of night sky, and in their hands burns a rocket ready to soar.
It’s more than a Halloween outfit; it’s a reminder that curiosity and imagination can make the universe feel close enough to touch.
Materials Needed
- Large black hat or cardboard cut into a wide brim
- 9 foam or papier-mâché balls (different sizes)
- Acrylic paints (variety of colors)
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Black cape or fabric (about 1-1.5 yards)
- Black face paint + yellow/white paint for stars
- Foam or cardboard rocket ship + tissue paper (red, orange, yellow for flames)
- Elastic string, small craft sticks, or skewers
- Optional: glitter, glow-in-the-dark paint, or tiny LED lights
Step-by-step Guide
Step 1: Paint each foam or papier-mâché ball to resemble planets.
You can add swirls for Jupiter, rings for Saturn, and splashes of color for Earth. Let them dry completely.
Step 2: Attach planets to the brim of the hat with hot glue or skewers. Then position the largest (like the Sun) near the top for a dramatic effect.
Step 3: Paint the child’s face black and dab on small yellow or white dots for stars. This makes their face look like part of the night sky.
Step 4: Add a black cape to tie the costume together. You can sprinkle glitter or glue on small star cutouts for extra sparkle.
Step 5: Create a small rocket from cardboard or foam, then attach red, orange, and yellow tissue paper to mimic flames.
Let your child carry it like they’re ready to blast off.
Tips:
If you want to make the planets glow, coat them with glow-in-the-dark paint or wrap tiny LED lights around the hat’s brim.
This makes the costume magical under dim Halloween night lights.