Halloween is always more fun when there’s a theme, and one of my absolute favorites was the year we all dressed up in a sweets theme with a donut and various candy costumes. From fluffy cotton candy, a giant lollipop, a sprinkle-covered donut, and even a classic candy necklace. The best part? Every single one was handmade, colorful, and full of personality. These costumes were budget-friendly to put together, and making them as a family was just as sweet as wearing them.
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DIY Candy Necklace Costume
This one was such a hit and so easy to make! The oversized candy necklace costume was colorful, lightweight, and instantly recognizable. Plus, it was fun to wear and perfect for a playful family candy costume theme.
Materials for a Candy Necklace Costume:
- White pool noodles
- Saw (I used my miter saw)
- Scissors
- Spray paint in pastel colors
- Cotton rope
How to Make a Candy Necklace Costume:
- Slice pool noodles into “candy beads” using a saw.
- Round off the edges of each bead with scissors to soften the edges.
- Spray paint the beads in pastel colors, leaving a few white for variety.
- Once dry, thread the beads onto a length of cotton rope.
- Tie the ends together to complete the oversized candy necklace.
DIY Cotton Candy Costume
I loved all of the adorable kids’ costumes. The cotton candy costume turned out so fluffy and fun. Using simple supplies, it came together quickly and makes the perfect whimsical treat-inspired outfit for a toddler or young child.
Materials for a Cotton Candy Costume:
- Polyfill (spray painted pink)
- Pink leotard
- Pink tights or leggings
- Round piece of cardboard (for the hat)
- Ribbon
- Hot glue gun with glue sticks
How to Make a Cotton Candy Costume:
- Spray paint polyfill a light pink and allow it to fully dry.
- Attach pieces of the pink fluff to a pink leotard with a hot glue gun.
- Pair the leotard with pink tights or leggings.
- For the headpiece, glue some pink fluff onto a round piece of cardboard.
- Add two ribbons to tie it under the chin. (Optional — our toddler wasn’t having it with the hat, but it was cute in theory!)
DIY Donut Costume
Even though a donut isn’t candy, it fit the vibe of our matching family costume set, and it was oh-so-fun to wear. Made from soft fabric and stuffed like a pillow, this donut was topped with bright felt sprinkles for the sweetest finishing touch. Paired with simple, solid-colored clothing, it made a playful and comfy Halloween outfit.
Materials for a Donut Costume:
- Tan felt
- Pink felt
- Small pieces of felt in various colors (for sprinkles)
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Polyfill stuffing
- Basic fabric straps or elastic
How to Make a Donut Costume:
- Cut two large circles from tan felt, each with a hole in the center for the donut shape.
- Cut a pink felt circle, draw a wavy frosting outline with a Sharpie, and trim the edges.
- Glue the pink frosting onto one tan circle, then glue colorful felt sprinkles on top.
- Place the two tan circles together, frosting side in, and glue around the outer edge.
- Flip right side out and glue around the inner circle, leaving a gap for stuffing.
- Stuff the donut with polyfill and seal the opening.
- Glue fabric straps or elastic to the back so the donut can be worn over the shoulders.
- Wear with solid-colored clothing in complementary colors to complete the look.
DIY Lollipop Costume
The lollipop candy costume was colorful, whimsical, and so much fun to make. With bright felt swirls and a tulle wrapper, it looked just like a giant lollipop you’d find at a candy shop. This one made such a bold statement in our candy costume lineup and photographed beautifully.
Materials for a Lollipop Costume:
- Colorful felt sheets (red, yellow, green, blue, etc.)
- White felt
- White tulle
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Polyfill stuffing
- Ribbon
- Basic fabric straps or elastic
How to Make a Lollipop Costume:
- Cut two large circles from white felt in the size you want the lollipop to be.
- Cut swirl shapes from colorful felt sheets and play around with the size and number until you like the design.
- Glue the swirls in place on one white felt circle.
- Place the decorated circle face down on the second white felt circle.
- Hot glue the edges together, leaving a small opening.
- Flip the lollipop right side out, stuff with polyfill, and glue the opening closed.
- Wrap the finished lollipop in white tulle, gathering and tying off each end with ribbon to look like a candy wrapper.
- Attach straps or elastic to the back so the costume can be worn.
- Pair with a white t-shirt and leggings so your child’s legs look like the lollipop stick.
Wrapping up Our Candy Costumes
These candy costumes were such a fun family project. From fluffy cotton candy and a sprinkle donut to a giant lollipop and candy necklace, each one was colorful, budget-friendly, and easy to make. The best part was how they all came together as a sweet family theme — perfect for trick-or-treating, photos, and making memories.
Looking for even more inspiration? Check out my post 31 Family Halloween Costumes and Ideas, where I’ve rounded up some of our favorites over the years — from Harry Potter to DIY Cavemen and plenty more creative themes to try.
📌 Save This Candy Costume Idea for Later
Pin now and come back when you’re ready to make your own sweet family candy costumes!
FAQ – DIY Candy Costumes
Most candy costumes can be made with basic supplies like felt, polyfill, pool noodles, and hot glue. Cut and glue shapes to create cotton candy, lollipop, donut, or candy necklace designs, then add straps so they’re easy to wear.
The candy necklace costume is the simplest. Just cut pool noodles into “beads,” spray paint them pastel colors, and string them on rope for a giant wearable necklace.
Yes! Candy costumes make a colorful and budget-friendly family theme. Each person can choose a different treat like cotton candy, lollipop, donut, or a candy necklace to complete the sweet group look.
