Create a DIY Dusty The Plane Costume for a Halloween costume or for the kids to use as dress-up and imagination play!
Ok, we all know that I’ve had a online shopping addiction this year. Almost daily we are getting boxes delivered to the house. I found that it’s not only tons more convenient, but also cheaper. So, I have now totally justified all of my online shopping, but my garage was starting to look like a warehouse full of empty boxes. Of course my kids love all the boxes, but when they were given an early Christmas present from one of their grandparents (Planes Fire and Rescue) we all came up with a new fabulous idea….making a Dusty Crophopper costume using the boxes. So after 2 coats of spray paint, a little box cutter action, and some fasteners, the kids have their dream costume and have had the time of their life!!!
Dusty The Plane Supplies:
- White Spray Paint
- Orange Spray Paint
- 1 1/2 inch gold fasteners
- Large cardboard box
- Marker
- Box Cutter
Start by cutting off the flaps from your box. You will be removing 7 of the 8. You will want to keep one from the SHORT end on the TOP of your box. Now you will start painting. Start by spraying the bottom half of your box with white spray paint. I’m loving the Rustoleum 2X spray paint because it covers really well and doesn’t soak into the cardboard too much. Once the white is dry, spray the top half with orange, again I used the same type of paint.
Next you will cut out the propellers and wings. I free handed them, but each wing was created using short end flaps and I used the entire length. Leave one end wide and flush with the edge. Bring the other side to a rounded point for the tip of the wing. Once I had one traced and cut out, I used that as a stencil for the second wing and traced it before cutting that way they would be the same size/width. For the propellers I used 2 of the long flaps. Starting in the center of the board I created the same type of shape as the wing, ending in the center again. Then with about a 3 inch width in the center, I did the same thing on the other side. Once again one this one was cut out I used it as a template for the second one. On William’s plane we drew a black circle about 3 inches in diameter on just one of the propellers which was going to be the top one.
Now to put it all together!!!
Take a 2×4 inch strip of cardboard and bend it in half. Now, using a fastener, connect the strip and the top flap that is still attached to the box with the fold lined up with the edge of the flap (see photo). Then connect the side of the box to the other end of the folded strip. Repeat of the other side of the box. These are going to keep the box in the correct shape as well as keep the flap from falling/shifting out of place.
For the wings, bend the wide side down about 1 inch. Then where the orange and white paint meet, attach the wing using 2 more fasteners. Repeat on the other side of the box to connect the second wing.
Lastly you will connect both propellers to the front of the box again where the orange and white paint meet. Spread the propellers out to a 90• angle from one another.
Now let your kid step inside, pick it up from the sides and play to their little hearts content!!! My kids also insisted on drawing eyes and a mouth on theirs. You can let your little ones decorate and personalize it with crayons or washable markers!
This got Gracie so excited about Plane’s Fire and Rescue. So not only did they get the movie from their grandparents for Christmas, but she got William some of the characters which are on roll back at Walmart right now…just in time for last minute gift shopping!!!
Check out everything they have on Rollback:
Disney Planes Flight to the Finish Speedway Rollback to $24.97
Disney Planes Fire & Rescue Die-Cast Vehicles 3-Pack Rollback to $14.97
Disney Planes Fire & Rescue Deluxe Talking Vehicle Assortment Rollback to $19.97
Planes Character Assortment die-cast set and the Disney Planes: Fire and Rescue Character Assortment die-cast set are both on rollback at $4.97
oh my gosh this is such a fun idea! I can see more photos of Teddy in the future
They’re so cute!! This is perfect – our house is completely overrun with boxes right now.
I love cardboard box ideas! This is adorable !
That is super cute!! Great job!
This is the cutest idea EVER! IT reminds me of when we made my son a Racer X (from Speedracer) costume out of a cardboard box. It was a lot of fun. I know my littles would love having their own plane costumes! Fun stuff! #client