10 Creative Halloween Costume Ideas for Wheelchair-Users
It's hard to believe that Halloween is almost here and will kick off the holiday season. This first fall holiday is all about having fun - dressing up for trick-or-treating, costume parades, sweet snacks, scary movies and parties are common pastimes. If you're incorporating a wheelchair into your costume, it's an opportunity to bring some extra creativity. Many creative kids and inventive adults have truly taken this task to the next level. If you're still trying to decide on your costume or helping out a loved one, check out these cool costumes.
Master of the Seas
Building a ship around a wheelchair for Halloween gives way to all sorts of fun costume ideas. Dressing up as a generic pirate is a classic costume, but other options include more specific choices, such as Captain Jack Sparrow, Blackbeard, the famous female pirate Anne Bonny, Prince Eric from The Little Mermaid or, for kids, Moana is a great option. Supplies:
Cardboard for ship
Tall stick and sheet-flag
Markers and paint
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Photo: thislittlemiggy.com[/caption]
I Am Batman
Over many decades, boys, girls and adults have adored the popular Batman franchise whose heroic characters may lack superpowers but have gadgets galore including the infamous Batmobile. Parents of eleven-year-old Gavin truly enjoyed going all out building Batman's ride to transport their son around their neighborhood in style on Halloween. You can try to build something similar to them, or create a less-complex version with cardboard. One thing's for sure - this would be a costume to remember!
Cruising in a Kayak
Speaking of water, the creative minds over at the Fine Craft Guild have showcased a boy riding inside his rowing vessel with the namesake "Toddler Tour Kayaks." This watercraft Halloween costume almost completely encompasses the tiny tot's wheelchair and comes complete with oars as trim. Paint any name you want on the side! Supplies:
Large pieces of cardboard
Paint
Clear packing tape
Straps or zip-ties to attach the "kayak" to the chair
Small oars for props
Princess Power
Little girls have been dreaming about being Disney princesses for decades. Thus, a four-year-old from Minneapolis made headlines with her Princess Sophia-inspired carriage complete with lights and trim. Kudos to the design team behind this transformed a motorized wheelchair. All you need is a princess outfit, then decide how elaborate you want to decorate the "thrown." You could go all out by attaching cardboard or just tie some cool streamers and bows onto the chair to make it fancy.
Seated on The Game of Thrones
Adults can get in on the Halloween fun, too! If you're willing to put some time and energy into a bit more of an elaborate costume - and if you're a fan of the show - this Game of Thrones-inspired throne could be a perfect choice. Although "winter is coming," the person who shows up in his costume should get more than a warm welcome this Halloween.
Super Smart Mario Kart
Super Mario and all the related games are iconic across generations. Mario Kart is a fun and creative option for a Halloween costume incorporating a wheelchair. Standard supplies are below, but images and full instructions for re-creating Mario's Kart can be found on the blog from Wheelchair Costumes. Just pick your favorite Super Mario character costume to top it all off! Supplies:
Cardboard Vehicle Frame
Styrofoam Booster Jets
Tissue Paper Flames
Paint
Rocking and Rolling
Another fun costume idea from Fine Craft Guild, is a rock star. While the drummer is commonly seated at the back of the band, with this costume, percussion takes center stage. With a little imagination, this musician is seated behind a sweet bass drum and smaller drums, and symbols, too. Throw on some rock star attire, and this costume is ready to roll! Supplies:
A hula hoop
Cardboard
Solid-colored gift wrap (shiny for more effect)
2 coffee cans
2 disposable pie tins
A stick or pole for the symbols (pie tins)
Drum sticks for props
Race Car Driver (or other cool car)
For those who like to go fast, there are so many possible designs to turn a wheelchair into a super cool fast car. From an Indie 500 car to the Delorean, to your favorite sports car, there are lots of options. Similar to Mario Kart, all you need is cardboard and paint, plus a helmet for the full effect. You could even attach some battery-powered LED lights on the front for a cool effect!
Life on the Farm
Another creative costume for kids and adults involves transforming the wheelchair into a tractor! With similar supplies as we've mentioned above, and a little green or yellow paint, it's easy to become a full-fledged farmer this Halloween. Grab a cowboy hat, a bandana and a piece of straw to chew on, and you're all set! Yee-haw, ya'll!
If you're in the market for a new wheelchair accessible vehicle or need a rental to make this Halloween special, be sure to check out our huge inventory of new and used vans. From all of us here at AMS Vans, we hope that all who celebrate enjoy safe and happy Halloween festivities! If Halloween's not your thing, then we wish you a Happy Fall!