Super Cute DIY Bull Rider Costume for Halloween
If you’ve ever watched a rodeo and wondered how to bring that excitement to Halloween (or a costume party), this DIY bull rider costume is for you. Best of all: you don’t need fancy sewing skills or big budgets. With everyday supplies (often things you already have), you can make a bold, fun costume that looks awesome.
Here’s how to build your own bull rider outfit, plus tips and tricks to stay on budget and keep it super simple!
There’s no reason to spend big bucks at the store when you can make your own fun DIY bull rider costume right at home!
Why Make a Homemade Bull Rider Costume?
- Cost-effective — Store-bought costumes can get pricey fast.
- Personalizable — You can adjust the style, colors, and accessories to match your needs.
- No-sew or minimal sewing — This project can mostly be done with glue, tapes, and a few hand stitches if you prefer.
- Great for last-minute creativity — The pieces are flexible and forgiving; you can tweak along the way.
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What You’ll Need
I kept this as simple as possible! You probably already have these items at home!
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- 1 large box – that your child could easily fit around himself
- 1 small box – like a shoebox
- Paint
- 2 yards of elastic
- Hot glue gun and glue
- 1 pair of jeans
- Belt
- Cowboy hat
- Shirt – does not have to be a western shirt, can be just a t-shirt
- 1 old pair of tube socks and a stray sock (white, brown, or black)
Once you gather all your needed supplies, it’s time to get started! Just follow the “how to” at the end of the post, and you’ll have your very own bull rider in no time at all!
The cutest twist is that the elastic straps allow the bull to bounce when he is walking.
So it looks like the bull is bucking as he is walking! It is TOO CUTE!!
Additional Tips & Tricks
- Use thrifted items — Old belts, western shirts, or boots from thrift shops can save money.
- Comfort — Make sure to ask your little one if they’re comfortable once they put it on!
- Reuse materials — Save those boxes that get delivered to make this fun costume! No need to purchase items.
Fal Printables
DIY Bull Rider Costume
Materials
- 1 large box – that your child could easily fit around himself
- 1 small box – like a shoebox
- Paint
- 2 yards of elastic
- Hot glue gun and glue
- 1 pair of jeans
- Belt
- Cowboy hat
- Shirt – does not have to be a western shirt, can be just a t-shirt
- 1 old pair of tube socks and a stray sock (white, brown, or black)
Instructions
- To start, take the large box and cut off all flaps from the bottom and KEEP them. Cut a hole large enough for your child to fit in, with a 2-inch allowance added on all the way around. You do NOT want to cut this hole in the middle. It needs to be closer to one side.
- Take the flaps that you cut off and use one of the longer ones to cut bull horns. You can cut one long piece like I did, or two separate horns.
- With the 2 smaller flaps, you will need to cut out the lower foot part of a boot.
- Use the last flap to cut an oval out. This oval, when sideways, should be about the same width as your small box.
- Next, you will want to hot glue the horns to the small box (your bull’s head). Then, hot glue the oval to the lower front of the bull’s head. Now you are going to hot glue the bull’s head to the big box (the body). Hot glue the head to the end that is the closest to the hole. Believe it or not, you are practically done!
- Paint your cowboy boots whatever color you want. I chose red. Now paint the bull the colors you want. My husband said that black would have looked the best (and he is probably right), but black, trick or treating, and night do not go well together.
- I spray-painted this bull, and it took less than 5 minutes to complete the whole thing and cover any words on the box. Make sure to paint the entire outside, head, and body.
- When the spray paint dries, paint spots in brown or black on the body and paint the horns. This is a great time to paint spots on your tube socks as well. Draw the eyes and nostrils.
- If you believe it is going to rain, you may want to put a coat of clear spray paint to seal in the acrylic paint you are brushing on. Take your hot glue gun and glue your stray sock to the back for a tail (I cut the end into little strands to look more like a tail).
- Hot glue 2 straps of elastic to the inside of the hole. Glue each end of elastic to the hole, so the straps will go over each shoulder. You’re done with your bull!
- Now to get your cowboy set up. Put on his shirt and a pair of pants (or shorts depending on where you live). Try not to put jeans on him. Cut the toes off of the tube socks and put them on over the pants like leggings from the 80’s.
- Now press the jeans against the front of your cowboy (like you would at the store to see if they would fit). Thread the belt through the front loops that you can see, then wrap the belt around your cowboy’s waist and thread through the other side’s front loops.
- Fasten your belt and the jeans should stay up just laying flat against your little man. Staple the cowboy boots in each leg, don’t worry these come out easily without damaging the jeans. Have your cowboy step into the bull and pull the straps onto each shoulder.
- Drape the legs of the jeans on either side to give the appearance of him “riding” the bull. You are all done! Have him raise his arm and strike a pose for Mommy to start taking pictures!
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Fabulous, you are so good making such a gorgeous costume for your little boy, it looks great, and at a great price. Just goes to show, a little imagination and little cost can do wonders.
LOVE this..So creative.. Officially following ya with smiles.. I’m Marilyn from http://theartsygirlconnection.blogspot.com and I would LOVE for you to stop in sometime/link this to my Pin Inspirational Thursdays link party happening now. TY.. Off to indulge in all this burst of creativity here.. :))
ADORABLE! What a great idea!
I stumbled this!
So cute and creative!
This is too cute! Thanks for the idea!
We have done this costume!!! One of my favorites. It is really cute although dd didn’t like walking around in the box for long periods!
You did a great job. Your son is a cute cowboy.
Brilliant! Awesomely creative. 🙂
.-= Lis Garrett´s last blog ..Teen Addicts Offer Advice on How to Tell if Your Child is Using Drugs, and Tips for Parents to Prevent Kids’ Drug Usage =-.
Very cute! I posted it on my facebook page for all my friends to see. 🙂
That is so Awesome! I love it!!! Thank you for the tutorial!
.-= Dana´s last blog ..Twinkle Twinkle Little Star…by Dylan Jayde =-.