We at Sprout believe what one parent can do, another can, too. That's why we asked two mom's--who just happen to be very crafty--how they'd turn their Sproutlets into Chica for Halloween. Benita Black and Lisa Ruth took two very different approaches to the challenge--and we think they both did a great job. Here's what they did, and instructions so you can do it too!--Diana
Benita's Chica Costume
You Will Need
Yellow shirt or coat
Small pillows
Yellow or red pants, leggings or tights
Yellow feathers (either bags or from a yellow boa)
Yellow poster board
Pipe cleaner or ribbons
Yellow construction paper
Hot glue gun
Yellow face paint
Red-tinted hair spray
Rubber gloves
Masking tape
Yellow ribbons
Grape vine wreath
Sticks from your yard
For the Body:
Glue feathers to the shirt and tights in a random pattern.
On Halloween Night, put on the the shirt and pants. Stuff a small pillow into the shirt and then tuck the shirt into the pants to hold everything in place.
For the Wings:
Cut yellow chicken wings out of poster board and glue the remaining feathers onto them. Punch a hole at the end of each wing, and attach them together with a paper fastener. At the other end, glue a small yellow ribbon to each wing so that it can be worn around the neck like a necklace.
For Chica’s Head:
Paint your child’s face yellow. Use gel to create Chica’s comb by giving your child a fake mohawk and paint it read with red-tinted hair spray.
For the Beak:
Cut two yellow triangles out of construction paper, fold them in half and glue or staple two corners together. Attach a yellow ribbon through two holes. Tie this in place over your child’s mouth.
For the Feet:
Place yellow rubber gloves over your child’s shoes like galoshes. Tape them into place at the ankles. Color the tape with magic markers or pain so it blends in with the pants. (Have your child practice walking in these Chica slippers—they may take some getting used to.)
For the Nest:
Find a grape-vine wreath at a craft store. Ask your Sproutlet to collect sticks from the back yard and attach them to the wreath with a hot glue gun. To wear, have the child step into the wreath. Hold it in place by attaching yellow ribbon suspenders to the nest and over your child’s shoulders.
Lisa's Chica Costume
You will need
Huge plastic googly eyes Heavy cardstock
Red, yellow and orange black felt
Velcro
Pool Ring
Burlap
Rafia
Tan or Brown Pants
Orange Shirt
Lisa created an illustration to guide you through her steps. Click here to see how you can whip up this adorable costume!
Do you have any great homemade costumes for this year? We'd love to hear how you did it so maybe we can try, too!
And don't forget to check out Sproutonline.com to find lots of activities, crafts and ideas to share with your children--including a Sprouterrific Costume Contest!