You think you’ve seen enough trash can costumes? Well, we’re going to give you a good laugh with this one! This creative costume is made by using an actual trash can and painting it black. The eyes are cut from the front of a plastic bowl and glued onto the trashcan lid. After that, all that needs to be done is paint in some mouth lines on both sides for teeth.
The trash can costume is a great option for Halloween or any other time of year. It’s also very easy to make with items that are likely already in the home! This creative idea will surely be an attention-grabber at parties and gatherings alike, so if you’re looking for something different this year then look no further than this DIY trash can costume!
Dressing up as a trashcan is an original and creative idea. The best part about this DIY project is the use of items you probably already have in your home, so you save money on supplies while getting to enjoy dressing up for Halloween or any other celebration that may come along during the year. This will surely be the talk of the party, so it’s a win-win for everyone!
To make this costume take an empty trashcan and cover with black paint. Add a mouth on both sides for teeth. Cover your face in white makeup or wear a mask to create the “guts” inside the can. Hands should be covered by gloves with the fingers cut off, for the “handles” of a trash can.
If you’re worried about how to make it easier on yourself with this costume because you don’t want to wear anything and are not into makeup here’s an option that doesn’t require any: Wear all black clothing (or paint your clothes) then put on gloves and cut off the fingers. Wear a white trash bag over your head and then put on some black gloves to create “handles” for the costume.
This is perfect if you’re going to a party or Halloween event. Plus, it’s easy on the wallet too!
What You’ll Need:
Trash can (the bigger the better)
White makeup or a mask to create “guts” inside the trash can
Black gloves cut off at fingers for handles of trash can.
or wear all black clothes and paint them white, then put on a trash bag over your head and cut off the fingers.
White gloves to create “handles” for trash can costume.
or wear all black clothes and paint them white, then put on a trash bag over your head and cut off the fingers.
Tools: white makeup or mask, scissors, fabric marker (if you’re painting).
Total Cost: around $30
Step-by-step instructions on how to make the trash can costume:
First, purchase a trashcan. The bigger it is, the better! I found mine at Home Depot for about $25 and then used some of my fabric markers to draw “guts” inside. The trash was also nothing fancy, so I’m not positive that it will be trash after Halloween.
Next, cut off the top of your gloves at your fingertips to create “handles.”
Get creative with a trash bag and scissors if you don’t want to paint your clothes; this is what gave me the idea for mine! I found an old white kitchen trash back in my basement, too – yay recycling!! Cut off one end of the bottom edge, then put on like a headband or hat around your neck. Then just make cuts up from there until you get to where you want everything to stop being open space. The easiest way was probably by making horizontal lines across both sides (as long as they’re even) but you can use any shape you want.
I cut off the top of my jeans at about mid-thigh to create “legs.”
To make your trash can costume as realistic looking as possible, paint or decorate it with any stickers, glitter, etc.! You will also need some kind of stuffing for inside – toilet paper roll and newspaper work well if you don’t have anything else on hand.
I used packing peanuts from the last time we moved for mine because they’re light weight but there are several other options out there: cotton wool balls; old newspapers (cut into strips); shredded fabric; polyester fiberfill (from a pillow). After that’s all in place, just put the cap back on and tie ribbon around the base to keep it closed.
I used a trash bag and some ribbon for the trash can top but you could also use any kind of material that will fit around the opening of your garbage can – like old sheets or thick fabric (great way to make sure people don’t see what’s inside).
You’ll need an adult helper for this part! To put on my costume, all I had to do was stand up in front of the open trashcan while someone else tied me into place with safety pins from behind.
It sounds very complicated when written out like this, but it was really easy once we figured everything out together! It took about 20 minutes to finish putting mine together start-to-finish including finding rib.
