Easy DIY Toddler Spaghetti and Meatballs Halloween Costume (Lady & The Tramp)
Halloween has been our thing since 2017. My husband and I have gone from Space Jam to Bruno Mars & Cardi B, Where’s Waldo, and even Harry Potter. But 2024 was extra special, it was our first Halloween where our toddler got to choose his own costume.
We wanted something creative yet realistic for our schedule: cute, comfy, and easy to make after bedtime. We landed on Lady & the Tramp family themed costume with our son as the most irresistible bowl of spaghetti and meatballs. It’s budget-friendly and one of the simplest projects I’ve ever done.
What You’ll Need:
- Styrofoam balls
- Serrated knife
- Red + brown acrylic paint
- Paintbrush
- Off-white yarn
- Scissors
- Hot glue + glue gun
- Red onesie or T-shirt for child’s costume
- Red beanie
Easy Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Make the “meatballs”
Carefully cut Styrofoam balls in half with a serrated knife. Rough up the cut surfaces a bit so they look craggier.
Step 2: Paint the meatballs
Mix mostly brown with a touch of red for a saucey tone. Paint the Styrofoam pieces and let them dry completely; add a second coat if needed. Set aside.
Step 3: Start the “noodles”
Cut yarn into ~2-foot pieces and tie ends to make loops. Bundle several loops together, then hot-glue the bundle along the top shoulder hem of the red shirt.
Step 4: Fill in the spaghetti
Keep adding looped yarn bundles across both shoulders, then drape extra strands front and back until it looks messy.
Step 5: Add meatballs
Once paint is dry, hot-glue meatballs onto the yarn. A little goes a long way, too many can weigh the shirt down.
The Finished Look
This easy toddler spaghetti and meatballs Halloween costume took about 45 minutes and cost under $20. It was comfortable and lightweight. My husband and I ordered some ears and a tail from amazon to complete the look.
The Inspiration
Huge shout-out to Rent-A-Center’s Spaghetti & Meatballs Costume for the original idea. Their easy, no-stress version inspired this Lady & the Tramp spin that fits perfectly into our “Halloween through the years” tradition.
If you try it, tag me @rusafameer! I love seeing your easy-DIY takes.
And stay tuned for this year’s look… let’s just say there’s a wagon, a cage, and a very loud ROAR. 🦖
