Do-it-Yourself Halloween Costumes

More trick-or-treaters will be donning "do-it-yourself" Halloween costumes this year, predicts HowStuffWorks.com, a website that offers explanation for thousands of topics.

The number of people who searched HowStuffWorks.com looking to create their own costumes has doubled since last year, likely due to tough economic conditions.

"Whether cute or creepy, we're seeing more and more resourceful people searching for information online on how to create homemade Halloween costumes," says Conal Byrne, Editor-in-Chief, HowStuffWorks.com.

Here are the 10 most searched 'do-it-yourself' Halloween costumes for kids:

1. Owl

2. Horse

3. Ghost

4. Pig

5. Zombie

6. Donkey

7. Elephant

8. Vampire

9. Turkey

10. Pilgrim

If you're in a bind and don't have time to make a zombie or donkey... how about making your own Halloween mask!

If you need a last minute transformation, this quick idea explains and illustrates how great Halloween Masks can be made with little more than a milk jug and a bit of enthusiasm!

Halloween Masks made from milk jugs!

Here's what you need:

One empty, washed gallon milk jug for every two guests

Scissors

Electrical tape

Permanent marker or paint

String

Hole punch

Glue and yarn (optional)

Directions:

Cut along the side seams of each jug, starting from the mouth of the jug.

Shift direction toward the center of the jug (toward the handle) when the scissors are about even with a point roughly one inch below the handle (the end furthest from the jug mouth).

Continue cutting across the jug until you reach the seam on the other side, then cut back up along that seam toward the mouth until the jug is in two pieces. The handle piece, with its built-in "nose," will be smaller.

To finish, cut the mouth part of the jug from each piece, making a slightly rounded cut after it is removed to echo the shape of the chin. Trim any rough edges.

On the larger piece, the jug bottom is meant to sit atop the child's head and the longer side against the child's face. Cut the shorter side so the opening is large enough to slide comfortably over a child's head.

Using your child as a model, mark dots on each mask for eyes and mouth holes.

Remove the mask, and cut out large eye holes -- at least twice the size of your child's eyes. Make evil upturned eyes, as well as wicked grins, crooked smiles, and gaping-gasp mouths.

Tape the outside edges of the mask with colored electrical tape to prevent scrapes or cuts.

If you're planning on making these with kids at a Halloween party, provide permanent markers or acrylic paints with which the kids can decorate the masks.

Yarn can be glued on for hair. Use a hole punch and elastic string to secure the masks to each child's face.

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