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If your kids are big fans of Elmo, they will love this soft and cozy handmade DIY Elmo costume for Halloween!
One of our most popular DIY Halloween costumes is this adorable Cookie Monster costume. We thought we’d add to the Sesame Street fun by adding a DIY Elmo costume! My kids LOVED Elmo when they were younger as many kids do!
Elmo, the beloved Sesame Street character, is a cheerful, red, furry monster with a big heart and an even bigger smile. Known for his cute laugh, Elmo’s big eyes and orange nose make him instantly loveable. He’s a curious, friendly monster who teaches kids to be kind and explore the world around them. Honestly, it’s no surprise he’s every toddler or preschooler’s best friend!
Since my kids are long past the preschool stage I asked my cousin to feature her adorable niece Sydney in this cute Elmo costume because she’s also a big fan!
Make sure to read the detailed instructions below and the list of materials to make your own Elmo come alive!
What do you need to make this DIY Elmo costume?
Surprisingly, not much! To create this super cozy and adorable handmade Elmo costume, you’ll need a red hoodie and sweatpants (or footie pajamas, just make sure it has a hood). You’ll also need some soft, fuzzy red yarn that looks like Elmo’s fur. We used this red loop yarn, which made the perfect “fur” and was easy to glue down.
Speaking of glue, you’ll need plenty of hot glue sticks and a hot glue gun. Finally, don’t forget the styrofoam ball eyes and larger one for Elmo’s nose!
Ready to start making your own Elmo costume? Keep reading for the step-by-step tutorial!
What if I can’t find a matching red hoodie and pants?
No need to stress about finding the perfect shade of red. As you can see from the photos, once the yarn was added, you could barely notice what’s underneath. It all comes together in the end!
DIY Elmo Costume – Materials
- Red hoodie and pants
- Red loop blanket yarn
- Hot glue sticks and hot glue gun
- Styrofoam balls (two for the eyes and one larger one for the nose)
- Black Sharpie or black paint pen
- Orange acrylic paint
One tip to save yarn is that you don’t have to layer the yarn so close together because the loops create a bottom finger.
How much yarn do I need?
Our sweatshirt and pants were sized 3T. We used 4 skeins. You will need more for larger costumes sized above 3T.
How to make an Elmo Costume – Instructions:
(Make sure to watch the DIY video to see each step in action!)
Step 1: Start by gluing the yarn onto the front of your sweatshirt. Apply a line of hot glue and lay a row of looped yarn, loop side down. You don’t need to cut the yarn to the exact width of the hoodie—simply glue as you go from right to left, and only cut the yarn when necessary (for example, when starting a new section like the sleeves or hood).
Tip to save yarn: you don’t need to glue the yarn too close together since the loops naturally create a fuller look.
Step 2: When gluing yarn to the hoodie, it helps to fold the hoodie in half and glue one side at a time for better control. Watch the video in this post to see how it’s done.
Step 3: After completing the front, move to the back of the sweatshirt and repeat the same process. Then, do the same for the pants.
Step 4: Once you’re done, inspect the entire outfit for any gaps or loose yarn. Add more glue or additional yarn pieces where needed to fill in any holes.
Step 5: To make Elmo’s eyes, use a black marker to draw the pupils on the white styrofoam balls. Then, glue the eyes together and attach them to the top of the hoodie.
Step 6: To make Elmo’s nose, paint a styrofoam ball orange and let it dry before gluing to the bottom of the hoodie, below the nose.
And that’s it! You’ve just created your very own DIY Elmo costume!
Final Thoughts
With just a few supplies and some creativity, you can bring Elmo to life and make Halloween extra special! Your little Elmo is going to WIN Halloween this year, guaranteed! Bonus, if you live in a cold weather state, this furry costume will keep your kiddo plenty warm while trick or treating!
Agnes Hsu is a mom of three and has been inspiring parents and kids to get creative with easy activities and family friendly recipes for over 10 years. She shares her love for creative play and kids food to her 2MM+ followers online. Agnes' commitment to playful learning and kindness has not only raised funds for charity but also earned features in prestigious nationwide publications.