Toddlers are the easiest. Purchase about a 1-1 1/2 yard of fur. (Blue for cookie monster, red for Elmo, Green for Oscar the grouch) Take a sleeper pajama that currently fits and lay it out flat on the fur folded in half. Leaving about a 1-2 inch seam allowance, cut all the way around the sleeper. Stitch the front and back together wrong sides touching. Turn right side out. For each purchase a hat the corresponding color. Purchase ping pong balls and hot glue them to the hat. Using a black permanent marker draw in the eyes. For Oscar, use a scrap of brown fur for the eye brows. For elmo hot glue a third ping pong ball for the nose and color it orange with a marker.
Use a mop head spray painted for hair, Use a extra large embroidery hoop tied to your belt for a hoop skirt. Use imagination over money.
The costume companies won't like me saying it but homemade costumes are always the best. Anyone can purchase a costume. All that takes is the cash. If you are reading this you are obviously creative and appreciate the value of handmade.
