Big hits at all kinds of events! DIY dinosaur costume ideas
Dinosaurs are said to have lived on Earth before humans were born.
They’re beloved not only by children but by people of all ages around the world.
In this article, we introduce handmade dinosaur costumes that shine at a variety of events.
We’ve picked a wide range, from impactful dinosaurs that capture large sizes and realistic patterns to ones with a cute vibe.
We’ll present them by material, style, and design, so it’s a good idea to check what fits each occasion.
These can be used in childcare settings for kids in nursery school and kindergarten, and they also make great handmade costumes for events like Halloween.
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1. Materials and Taste (1–10)
cardboard
Creating and crafting with cardboard has developed to the point that the term “cardboard art” has been coined.
Many of you have probably seen it online or on TV.
Here are two dinosaur-making ideas using easily obtainable cardboard.
The first is a cardboard costume.
You make a wearable suit out of cardboard to fit a person’s size.
The charm of a cardboard dinosaur is precisely that it isn’t realistic! A Tyrannosaurus should be relatively easy to make, so start by closely observing photos.
The second is a giant art piece—it can even serve as a symbol for an event that catches people’s attention.
Since cardboard is inexpensive, try making a really large dinosaur.
Be sure to anchor the base of the piece with blocks or similar weights so it doesn’t get blown away by the wind!
felt
https://www.tiktok.com/@kigurumiin/video/7059615100365212929Let’s try making a dinosaur felt costume that will make you a hit at parties or in costume events.
If you use felt from a 100-yen shop, the material cost won’t be high.
Even if you’re not good at sewing, you can easily put it together with fabric glue or double-sided tape—so give it a try first.
For the tail, stuff it with newspaper or bubble wrap to add volume.
Make the dinosaur’s dorsal fins and claws thicker by layering the felt.
By simply changing the size, you can create matching outfits for siblings or a parent and child!
2. Design (1–10)
All-in-one
How about making an all-in-one outfit where a little extra size doesn’t matter? All-in-ones are easy for small children to wear, look cute even when baggy, and above all are incredibly comfortable.
If you’re good at sewing, try drafting a pattern and making one from scratch.
The great thing about handmade is that you can size it to your child and customize it.
If making an all-in-one feels difficult, you can also take a store-bought one and just add spiky plates along the back to turn it into a dinosaur—highly recommended!
Dinosaur tail
How about making a sturdy dinosaur tail to really stand out when all you have are paper costumes and masks? Dinosaurs are known for those thick, solid tails that really catch the eye.
Try using fabric to create a slightly unusual cone shape, and add those jagged bony plates so it pops.
If you want a voluminous tail, you’ll need a lot of stuffing, but if you won’t be washing it, you can pack the center with newspaper instead.
For a smaller tail, try inserting wire so you can adjust the shape!
jinbei
It’s not a costume that looks entirely like a dinosaur, but a jinbei made with dinosaur-patterned fabric.
Kids love dinosaurs, and craft stores sell all kinds of dinosaur-print fabrics.
If you’re making a jinbei, ripple fabric for summer is perfect.
There are plenty of dinosaur-pattern ripple fabrics available, too.
It’s not just for costumes or stage performances—it’s great for summer festivals, preschool or kindergarten sleepovers, and many other occasions.
It might seem difficult, but jinbei patterns are sold in stores, and since most of the sewing is straight stitches, even beginners can make one.