Halloween is basically the Super Bowl for people who love dressing up, except it’s way more fun and doesn’t involve awkward football rules. But let’s be real—group costumes can get ridiculously expensive if you buy them straight off the rack. And unless you’ve got a trust fund dedicated to spooky season, you probably don’t want to spend half your rent on matching outfits.
The good news? You don’t need to. Over the years, I’ve hacked together more last-minute DIY group costumes than I’d like to admit (shoutout to my “lazy ghost squad” made out of old bed sheets). So, if you want to roll into the party with your crew looking creative and keep your wallet intact, you’re in the right place.
Here are 10 budget-friendly group Halloween costumes you can make at home, no sewing degree required.
1. The Classic Ghost Squad
Nothing screams “Halloween vibes” like ghosts—and nothing’s easier.
- Grab some old white sheets.
- Cut out eye holes (pro tip: make them slightly bigger so you don’t look like you’re in a horror movie when you try to walk).
- Add sunglasses, hats, or even funny props for personality.
Why it works: It’s cheap, iconic, and everyone looks good in white—well, kind of.
Pro Tip: Want to level it up? Assign each person a “type” of ghost: sporty ghost, grumpy ghost, party ghost, etc. Trust me, personality goes a long way.
2. The Breakfast Club (Literally)
Forget the 80s movie for a second. I’m talking actual breakfast foods.
- Someone can be bacon (red shirt + brown stripes).
- Another person is eggs (white shirt with a big yellow circle for the yolk).
- Toast? Easy—cardboard with brown paint.
- Coffee? Just grab a brown T-shirt and tape “coffee” across it. Done.
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Why it works: Everyone loves breakfast. Plus, it’s hilarious to walk into a party as “Team Breakfast.”
Ever tried dancing dressed as toast? It’s… a vibe.
3. The Scooby-Doo Gang
This one’s a crowd-pleaser and instantly recognizable.
- Shaggy: Green shirt, brown pants, messy hair.
- Velma: Orange sweater, red skirt, glasses.
- Daphne: Purple dress, green scarf.
- Fred: White sweater, blue jeans, orange ascot (optional but iconic).
- Scooby: Brown outfit + dog ears (DIY from felt or cardboard).
Why it works: You don’t need fancy costumes—just raid your closet or thrift store.
Bonus: You get to say, “And I would’ve gotten away with it if it weren’t for you meddling kids!” at least five times that night.
4. Deck of Cards
Simple, cheap, and scalable (great if you’ve got a big group).
- White poster boards + markers = instant card designs.
- Strap them on with string or ribbon.
- Each person picks a card (extra fun if someone insists on being the Joker).
Why it works: You can make this with $5 worth of supplies. Also, it’s the group costume if you’ve got more than four people.
Ever wanted to yell “FULL HOUSE!” at random strangers? Now’s your chance.
5. Emojis IRL
Everyone’s got a favorite emoji, right?
- Yellow T-shirts = the base.
- Black felt or paper cutouts for the facial expressions.
- Tape or glue them on—boom, instant emoji.
Why it works: You can mix and match. One person’s the c
ry-laugh emoji, another’s the heart-eyes, and of course, someone has to be the poop emoji (you know who in your friend group, don’t lie).
IMO, this one always gets laughs because people immediately get it.
6. Men in Black (Budget Edition)
This is basically just an excuse to wear black clothes and sunglasses, which you probably already own.
- Black pants, black shirt, black jacket = uniform.
- Add shades, and if you’ve got toy water guns lying around, even better.
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Why it works: Super low effort, but you’ll look sleek. Also, you get to stand around looking important all night.
And yes, someone will definitely sing the theme song at you. Just accept it.
7. The Social Media Apps
This one’s perfect if you want something modern and meme-worthy.
- Each person picks a social media app (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, etc.).
- Wear the app’s colors and tape the logo to your shirt.
- Add props: TikTok person can dance all night, YouTube person can “interview” people, etc.
Why it works: It’s funny, customizable, and instantly recognizable.
Pro tip: If someone goes as Twitter/X, they can just walk around being chaotic. Fits perfectly.
8. Mario Kart Crew
A classic and ridiculously fun to put together.
- Mario: Red shirt, blue overalls, red hat.
- Luigi: Green version of Mario.
- Princess Peach: Pink dress.
- Bowser: Yellow shirt + cardboard spikes.
- Toad: White outfit + mushroom hat (DIY with paper or fabric).
Why it works: Everyone knows Mario Kart. Bonus points if you bring balloons to tie behind you and pretend it’s Battle Mode.
Ever raced shopping carts in costume? Yeah, don’t. (Speaking from experience.)
9. The Seasons
Got four friends? Perfect.
- Spring: Floral dress or shirt, maybe a flower crown.
- Summer: Sunglasses, beach gear.
- Fall: Plaid shirt, fake leaves taped on.
- Winter: White/blue outfit, scarf, snowflake cutouts.
Why it works: Simple clothes, maximum creativity. Plus, it looks awesome when you stand in a line together.
FYI, people love guessing which season you are—it turns into a party game.
10. DIY Superheroes
Forget Marvel’s billion-dollar budget. You can make your own.
- Grab a plain T-shirt.
- Cut out a logo (felt, paper, whatever) and stick it on.
- Add a blanket or towel cape. Done.
Why it works: You can customize it however you want. Everyone makes their own superhero persona—“Captain Nap,” “Snack Man,” “The Procrastinator.”
Not only is it funny, but it’s also a guaranteed icebreaker at parties.
Tips for Nailing Any DIY Group Costume
Okay, so you’ve got the ideas. Now here’s how to make them actually work:
- Coordinate early. Nothing’s worse than three people showing up as Scooby and no one as Shaggy.
- Hit the thrift store. You’ll find cheap gems for almost every costume here.
- Use cardboard and felt. These two materials can basically build the world.
- Lean into humor. The funnier and more committed you are, the better the costume lands.
Remember: People care way more about the creativity than the budget.
Conclusion
So there you have it—10 budget-friendly group Halloween costumes you can make at home without torching your bank account. Whether you roll up as the Scooby gang, breakfast foods, or a squad of ghosts, you’ll definitely get laughs and compliments.
Halloween doesn’t need to be stressful or expensive. Honestly, half the fun comes from making something goofy with your friends and owning it. So grab some cardboard, raid your closet, and start brainstorming. Who knows—you might end up creating the next legendary group costume everyone remembers.