hot air balloon costume
Why be a pilot for Halloween when you can pilot your own hot air balloon? This awesome DIY costume is sure to turn some heads at the neighborhood Halloween party. But be careful. You just might get carried away.

Materials
30” red latex balloon
Helium tank
36” Balloon netting
Gold spray paint
10” Foam floral hoop
Red parachute cord
Red woven cotton straps
Red duct tape
Brown lunch bags
Rubber bands
(1/2 yard) 1/2” foam sheet
Basket large enough to fit around your child
Red felt
Utility knife
Scissors
Hot glue gun & glue sticks
Pilot cap
Pilot’s jacket

Instructions
Step 1: Use a utility knife to cut out the bottom of the basket. Line the inside edge with duct tape so there are no sharp edges.

Step 2: Crumple a lunch bag into a ball and stuff it inside another lunch bag; tie with rubber band. Repeat to make 3 more “sandbags.”

Step 3: Spray paint the sandbags, floral hoop, and balloon netting gold. Let dry 30 mins.

Step 4: Cut the red felt into small triangles. Thread the red parachute cord through the spokes of the basket, leaving an arc on each side, and knot at the ends on the inside of the basket. Glue the triangles to the cord to make pennant flags.

Step 5: Thread the red straps through both sides of the basket, as far apart as your child’s shoulders. Glue the ends to the strap on one side, then place the basket on your child to measure where to cut the ends on the other side. Glue those ends in place.

Step 6: Tie red parachute cord from the basket corners to the floral hoop. Hold the hoop level and at a height tall enough to leave room for your child. Tie the sandbags onto each corner of the basket with red parachute cord.

Step 7: Cut the foam into 2” strips as long as the sides of the basket. Hot glue to the top of each basket side. Cover each piece of foam completely in red duct tape to form a cushioned rim to the basket.

Step 8: Cut 4” strips of red felt and glue end-to-end to form a scarf. Cut the ends into strips with scissors to make fringe.

Step 9: Inflate the red balloon and place in the gold netting. Have another person hold the balloon while you tie the netting to the floral hoop, keeping the length even on all sides.

Step 10: Dress your little one in the hat, jacket and scarf. Place the basket over his head and help him pull his arms through the straps. Ready to fly!

Tips
Don't inflate the balloon more than a few hours before you're ready to trick or treat to maximize its fullness. The rest of the costume can be made well in advance.
Pick a basket that is shorter than your child's torso, so he or she can sit down in the costume without it pushing into their armpits.

-----------------
Costume design by Abby Larson, founder of Style Me Pretty Living, www.stylemepretty.com. Photo courtesy of Rustic White Photography.


Published: October 2014

Free Summer Concerts 2025

Free Summer Concerts 2025

San Diego’s Free Summer Concerts 2025 Start the summer on a high note! Here are outdoor gigs and free summer concerts happening throughout San Diego County in 2025.   CARLSBADTGIF Con . . .

Read more

How to Have a Retro Summer

How to Have a Retro Summer

The kids are out of school—it’s time to simplify the schedule and encourage as much outdoor play as possible. Have an old-school, retro summer!   What is a Retro Summer? What does it mean . . .

Read more

10 Tips for Tackling Comic-Con with Kids

10 Tips for Tackling Comic-Con with Kids

You’ve thought about it and have decided to take the kids downtown San Diego during Comic-Con. There are things you can do to help navigate crowds and maximize fun. Here are helpful hints on how to . . .

Read more

Family Fun Outside of Comic Con (no badge needed)

Family Fun Outside of Comic Con (no badge needed)

Even if you weren't able to get a badge to Comic-Con this year, there are plenty of fun events you can take part in outside of the convention center. Often fans in costume, walking around downtown are . . .

Read more

Summer Fun Bingo for Families

Summer Fun Bingo for Families

Looking for awesome unplugged activities for the kids or family this summer? Use our free, printable Summer Bingo game as a guide. You’ll find quintessential summer fun like water balloon fights, su . . .

Read more

Seas ‘n’ Greetings: How to celebrate Christmas in July

Seas ‘n’ Greetings: How to celebrate Christmas in July

Ready to start (or continue) the Christmas in July tradition? Here are fun ideas on how to do it. Ever since my toddler became obsessed with Frosty the Snowman, our family has celebrated Christmas . . .

Read more

San Diego Family's Ultimate Summer Sand-Bucket List

San Diego Family's Ultimate Summer Sand-Bucket List

San Diegans have it really rough—living in a top travel destination that many people dream of visiting. One thing is sure--there is no shortage of fun things to do, especially when the kids are ou . . .

Read more

31 Days of Summer Fun!

31 Days of Summer Fun!

Who’s ready to get out and have some fun in San Diego this summer? Here are 31 awesome ideas—one for every day in July. Plan a late-night date with the kids. We recommend going out for chocol . . .

Read more

25 Summer Boredom Busters

25 Summer Boredom Busters

Boredom is a precursor to creativity, so being bored is not all bad. But if you're ready for a change of pace, our boredom busters encourage families to get moving and start making memories! Go O . . .

Read more

10 Simple Pleasures Kids Will Love this Summer

10 Simple Pleasures Kids Will Love this Summer

When I think back on my childhood summers, it’s the simple pleasures I remember most. Running barefoot in the grass. Romping with my dog in the backyard. Reading my favorite book in a shady spot u . . .

Read more

Be Family Informed – Sign up for our Newsletters below!

Subscribe