Easy DIY Costumes for Kids this Halloween

Splashing the cash on an outfit for just one night of the year is expensive – and
unsustainable.

Shop-bought fancy dress costumes may be a quick and easy go-to, but from oil-
based synthetic materials to the plastic fibres shed by polyester, it’s probably
time we considered their impact on the environment.

Did you know:
* On average Halloween costumes only get worn twice, and 2 in 5 are worn only
once
* An estimated 7 million Halloween costumes end up in the bin each year-
adding to the 300,000 tonnes of clothes that end up in landfill annually in the UK
* More than 70% of us buy costumes from supermarkets, fancy dress shops
and online? [wiseuptowaste.org]

“But I don’t have spare hours to spend weaving witchy frocks and kitting
vampire fangs!” we hear you cry. Fear not – we’ve rounded up some of the best
DIY Halloween costume ideas to knock up in a hurry…

Make a skeleton costume in 10 minutes

The always fabulous thisisladyland.com has a genius idea for pulling off a
skeleton suit in mere minutes – perfect for those ‘oh my god it’s 3pm on October
31 and I haven’t got anything for the kids to wear’ moments. All you need is a
dark long-sleeved top, a white T-shirt and a pair of scissors. For the how-to
guide, see thisisladyland.com

Spider tights and umbrella bats
The Mumsnet manual to last-minute Halloween has a wealth of panic-stricken
ideas, from an 11 th hour spider (you need tights) to bat wings fashioned from an
old umbrella. www.mumsnet.com

Ghosts, zombies and mummies

Instant zombie or terrifying mummy, this goodtoknow.co.uk guide has 8
costumes you can pull off in a jiffy.
See www.goodtoknow.co.uk/familycostumes

No Sew Wizard Outfit

With a bit of material, some coloured card, scissors and glue, family blogger
daisiesandpie.co.uk can help you whip up a wizard hat without a stitch in sight.
See www.daisiesandpie.co.uk

Paper bag Frankenstein’s monster

The brilliant craft site Red Ted Art has the perfect solution to Halloween woes.
All you need is a brown paper bag and some paint. Your kids can even pull this
one off themselves. Result!
See www.redtedart.com

Sew a spooky bat top

OK, you’ll need a little more time for this, and access to a sewing machine, but
this tutorial from Etsy blogger Anda makes knocking up a bat-wing costume a
breeze.
See blog.etsy.com/en/diy-bat-costume-for-kids/

Make a ghost costume from an old sheet

This ace tutorial from loveyourcloths.org.uk shows you exactly how to spin some
ghoulish glory. You just need a sheet, dark upcycled fabric (for example an old T-
shirt), fusible webbing, string, a pen and a needle and thread…
See www.loveyourclothes.org.uk

Use what you’ve already got

From pipe cleaner bat ears to a woolly cat’s tail, themadhouse.com has five smart
ways to whizz up a Halloween outfit from things you already have at home.
See www.muminthemadhouse.com

 

 

Turning the clocks back – to a more sustainable way of life

As the nights draw in, leaves turn and fall, and the clocks wind back for the winter, many of us will be mourning the loss of those sun-dappled autumn evenings.

But did you know that changing the clocks began as a campaign to conserve energy costs, and to encourage a more sustainable life?

In 1905, builder William Willett – coincidentally the great great grandfather of Coldplay singer Chris Martin – was enjoying an early summer morning’s horse ride in Petts Wood, near Chislehurst in Kent, when he noticed that many people remained in bed, curtains drawn against the sunlight.

Two years later he published a pamphlet, ‘The Waste of Daylight’, in which he argued that advancing the clocks during the summer months would save £2.5 million in lighting costs and increase time spent enjoying the great outdoors.

 Willett’s vision was finally realised in 1916.

Now, more than a century on, as our understanding of our impact upon the planet deepens, we are more in tune than ever with the notion of conserving its riches, relishing our time with nature and making the most of every precious moment of daylight.

Particularly in this time of seasons’ shift, as mornings grow crisp and cold, winter nights grow long, and thoughts turn to family and celebration, we all know that we have a responsibility to live simpler, better lives.

Here at Treasure House we hope we can help to effect that change. To join – and in our own small way to lead – the growing community of people creating a new way of doing things, a new way of living, that considers our impact on the world.

When we began having families, we realised how much of a battle it was to resist the pull of endless consumption: discarding our children’s old clothes as they outgrew them and splashing out on more as each season loomed. So we came up with a solution – and Treasure House was born.

Our vision is about parents coming together to swap and share the clothes they no longer need; to kick back against a society obsessed with the new, the quick, the cheap.

To make a dent in the 300,000+ tonnes of clothing UK households throw into landfill each year. To invest in pre-loved garments that are manufactured well, and with the human beings who make them in mind.

And to return to a way of thinking and living that treasures society’s resources, shares more, cares deeply and values quality and longevity over all things throwaway. The simplest change, made as stress-free as possible.

Join our community today and help turn back the clocks to a more sustainable way of life.

We are delighted to offer you a ‘welcome to Treasure House’ £15 credit redeemable on your first order, so you can touch first hand our quality. In exchange we would love to hear your feedback:  www.TreasureHouse.com

Top Eco-Friendly October Half Term Activities for Kids (around London)

From leaf printing to pedal power, here’s our round-up of the most eco-friendly
activities for kids in London this October half term.

What: Stick Structure Challenge
Where: London Wetland Centre, Barnes

Team up to build a freestanding structure out of natural materials at this huge
wetland oasis. Suitable for children aged 5+. Lots of other lovely half term
activities are happening here throughout the week, too, including pond dipping,
leaf art and a LEGO trail. Stick Structure Challenge, London Wetland Centre, daily
from Sat 20-Sun 28 October, 2-2.45pm, free, sign up at the activities desk on the
day, Queen Elizabeth’s Walk, Barnes, SW13 9WT, 020 8409 4400,
wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/london/

What: Leaves, Seeds and Prints
Where: Centre for Wildlife Gardening, East Dulwich
A fun-packed day finding out about trees and seeds and using autumn leaves to
create different types of print. Suitable for children of any age, although they
must be accompanied by an adult. Leaves, Seeds and Prints, Centre for Wildlife
Gardening, Mon & Tues 22 & 23 October, 11am-4pm, free, booking required on 0207252 9186 or dwallace@wildlondon.org.uk, East Dulwich, SE15 4EE,
www.wildlondon.org.uk

What: Wildlife Photographer of the Year
Where: Natural History Museum, South Kensington
Take the kids to marvel at the beauty of the world around us – and be inspired by
those who capture it – at this mind-blowing exhibition of the best wildlife
photography of the year. See hidden worlds and awe-inspiring moments, and all
manner of beasties big and small. Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Natural
History Museum, October 19 2018 – June 30 2019, Under 4s free, children £8, adults
£13.50, Cromwell Road, South Kensington, SW7 5BD, www.nhm.ac.uk/

What: Pedal Power
Where: Lee Valley VeloPark
Whatever their age or ability, the cycle classes at the Olympic VeloPark will help
your kids on the path to becoming cyclists for life. From BMX Thrills for children
aged 11+ to VeloBalance for little ones aged 2 and above there’s a host of
activities and courses running throughout half term. Lee Valley VeloPark, £5-£30,
booking essential at 03000 030 613 or velopark@vibrantpartnerships.co.uk,
Abercrombie Road, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, E20 3AB, visitleevalley.org.uk

What: Forest Time
Where: Holland Park Ecology Centre, Kensington
Drop older kids aged 8-12 off for a fun Forest Day, with activities including knot-
making and shelter-building, or accompany younger ones aged 4-8 for an
afternoon whittling and crafting in the woods. Don’t forget macs and wellies!
Holland Park Ecology Centre, £10-£20, Weds 24 October (8-12 year olds), 10.30am-
3pm; Friday 26 October (4=8 year olds) 1-4pm, pre-booking essential on 020 7938
8186 or ecology.centre@rbkc.gov.uk, Adventure Playground near Abbotsbury Road
car park, Holland Park, W8 6LU, rbkc.gov.uk/ecology

What: Super Spiders
Where: Woodberry Wetlands, Stoke Newington
Learn how super spiders really are with fun facts, games, stories and crafts at
one of the capital’s most expansive wildlife havens. Woodberry Wetlands spans
11 hectares of reed-fringed ponds and dykes and this fascinating half term
activity will enchant bug-loving kids aged 4-11. Super Spiders, Woodberry
Wetlands, Thurs 25 October, 1.30-3.30pm, £5 suggested donation, booking required
at amarch@wildlondon.org.uk, New River Studio, 1 Newnton Close, N4 2RH,
woodberrywetlands.org.uk, wildlondon.org.uk