Make 'Corr Memories' This Halloween

The following article brings together a variety of resources showcasing the versatility of corrugated as an up-cycling material for Halloween costumes. It is shared here for AOTC members who enjoy using corrugated products as much as making them. From TAPPI and the editors of Ahead of the Curve, have a safe and fun holiday!

Did you notice aisles full of princesses, monsters, and superheroes on your last shopping trip? Pop-up stores and big-box retailers across the country have been selling commercially-produced Halloween costumes for weeks now. In fact, the National Retail Federation’s annual consumer survey, conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics, predicts that consumer spending on Halloween will reach US$13.5 billion this year, topping last year’s record spend. 

Still, many families are looking for ways to save money this year—and some trick-or-treaters may be looking for more specialized choices than can be found on a store shelf. Fortunately, there’s a tried-and-true alternative that is affordable, sustainable, and infinitely versatile:

Corrugated board!

For moms or dads who are corrugated professionals, bringing home a few blank boxes or sheets of board and letting the kids create is an excellent way to introduce them to the important job you do. “To a young child, work can sometimes feel like an inconvenient adult obligation that takes parents away from family fun,” according to professionals at KidscoveryLabs. Sharing the corrugated products you make can jumpstart conversations “…about human economic collaboration, providing for family needs, serving community society, and discovering personal fulfillment.”

Making Halloween costumes with corrugated board is also a great time to introduce children to the variety of careers available in corrugated. Many jobs available in the packaging industry—including design, construction, project management, and engineering—will be part of the creative process.

Here are some of our favorite resources for creative kids of all ages who want to “think outside the box” about their costumes this Halloween. 

Zygote Brown Designs

Run by Alicia Brown, a Melbourne-based artist and mom, this colorful website offers inexpensive plans that visitors can purchase, download, and print—with easy-to-follow instructions, illustrations, and video tutorials—to create cardboard costumes from monsters and dragons to more recognizable figures from pop culture. Brown says she began making toys and costumers for her children to combat high price tags. “​Cardboard quickly became my favorite material,” she says. “It’s free, incredibly versatile, and far too valuable to simply throw away. There’s so much more potential in a cardboard box—all it needs is a spark of imagination.”

Makedo 

Since 2008, Makedo has been selling safe, easy-to-use tools designed for kids, specifically for constructing with corrugated board. These Halloween Costume Ideas use Makedo’s own construction tools to craft sturdy and amazing costumes including a witch, a robot, and even an “Equestricycle” that turns a bicycle into a horsey. The best part? You can buy the tools to construct your Halloween costume, then keep them for year-round use constructing forts, school projects, and more. 

Non-Toy Gifts Blog

The Non-Toy Gifts crafting blog was created by Stef, a Romanian mom living in Minnesota with my husband and two boys. Her page for DIY Cardboard Halloween Costumes collects photos and inspo for some of her favorites… from a box of french fries to a can of sardines. She writes, “Cardboard makes it easy to craft something fun, affordable, and memorable. The best part? These DIY Halloween costumes made out of cardboard boxes aren’t just budget-friendly, they’re also a chance for kids and parents to work together and come up with an incredible costume.”

Home Depot

Even the home improvement giant is getting in on the fun with these Duct Tape & Cardboard Truck Costumes. Designed by artist Emily Victory, each one starts with a corrugated box or two, and the instructions and illustrations make it easy to customize your creation into whatever kind of truck is your child’s favorite this month.

We know you’ll have fun making “corr memories” along with your costumes. Feel free to share this article with anyone you’d like to inspire with the versatility of corrugated board!