Like many families, movie nights are a cherished tradition in our home. Last September, we introduced our children to the timeless classic, The Wizard of Oz, via Amazon Prime, and it was an instant hit! The vibrant characters and enchanting story captivated them, and almost immediately, a spark ignited – Halloween costume planning! While The Wizard of Oz has been a personal favorite of mine for years, this was the first time I’d actually embody one of its iconic roles for Halloween. It blossomed into the perfect family costume theme, and even our youngest, Willow, joined in on the fun!
Family dressed up in Wizard of Oz costumes for Halloween, with Willow as the Wicked Witch, Chris as the Tin Man, Greta as Dorothy, Polly as the Cowardly Lion, Faye as Glinda, and the author as the Scarecrow.
Our family’s Wizard of Oz transformation featured Willow as the Wicked Witch, Chris as the Tin Man, Greta as Dorothy, Polly as the Cowardly Lion, Faye as the radiant Glinda, and myself taking on the role of the Scarecrow. At our community Halloween party, Chris’s Tin Man was a definite showstopper, and rightfully so! The best part? It was surprisingly easy to put together.
Crafting a DIY Tin Man Costume
Forget bulky barrels! We opted for a more streamlined and stylish Tin Man. Chris already owned a grey suit and button-up shirt, which provided the ideal base. To complete the look, we added a heart pendant necklace and a full-head Tin Man mask. Securing the mask with duct tape at the back ensured a comfortable fit, and it was certainly less messy than covering his entire head in silver paint!
Close-up of Chris as the Tin Man in his DIY costume, showcasing the mask, heart necklace, and grey suit details.
Assembling a Scarecrow Costume from Our Closet
Growing up, creating my Halloween costumes was always a highlight, and I still enjoy the creative challenge of finding costume components within my own wardrobe. For my Scarecrow, I started with mustard-colored pants and Chris’s olive green zip-up hoodie. A belt cinched at the waist, a camel-colored scarf for a touch of “hay,” and even some old blonde hair extensions clipped in for that straw-like texture, all contributed to the look. Paired with boots and a hat, the outfit was nearly complete. Of course, makeup played a crucial role in truly bringing the Scarecrow to life.
The author as the Scarecrow, highlighting the makeup, hat, scarf, mustard pants and olive green hoodie elements of the DIY costume.
Dorothy and the Cowardly Lion: Store-Bought Charm
For the girls’ costumes, we opted for store-bought convenience. However, we added a personal touch for Greta’s Dorothy. Instead of purchasing ruby slippers, we spray-painted a pair of her old shoes red and paired them with light blue socks, just like in the movie! Since it was already getting chilly, we layered long-sleeved shirts under their dresses – a practical mom move! Polly’s Cowardly Lion costume was wonderfully warm, complete with paw details (which she wasn’t keen on wearing) and shoe covers, a thoughtful touch.
Two young girls dressed as Dorothy and the Cowardly Lion, Greta in a blue Dorothy dress and red shoes, Polly as the Cowardly Lion in a furry costume.
Two young girls dressed as Glinda the Good Witch and the Wicked Witch of the West, Faye as Glinda in a pink dress, Willow as the Wicked Witch in a black dress and hat.
Happy Halloween! We always prioritize safety during Halloween week. My tradition is to stay home and hand out candy while Chris takes the girls trick-or-treating. We order pizza and invite our friends from out of town to join us for dinner and trick-or-treating in our neighborhood, which is always lively on Halloween night. We usually see around 200 trick-or-treaters! What are your Halloween plans? Who handles the candy distribution in your household?
P.S. Curious to see our family costumes from Halloweens past?
2017: Dolls
2016: The Beatles
2015: Sandlot
2014: Peter Pan
