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A treasure chest costume is one of those ideas that looks big and is really just a box, some tape and a little paint. It works for a toddler in a wagon, a kid who wants to be the star of the school parade and a couple who needs a funny pairing.
Below are 22 treasure chest costume ideas. You will find chests to build, props to go with them and pirate pairings, and each one says what to buy or make and how to put it together. All of it can be done in an afternoon.
Making a whole Halloween look? Our pumpkin painting ideas and pumpkin carving ideas go nicely with a costume night.
1. A cardboard box treasure chest with a rounded lid
SaveCredit: Create in the Chaos
This is the classic and it costs almost nothing. A shipping box, some cardboard for the curved lid and silver duct tape for the bands give you a chest that looks like it came off a ship.
Cut the lid curve from a flattened side of the box, tape it on and wrap the edges in tape. Add a cardboard latch and let your little pirate carry it by the handles you cut into the sides.
2. A shoebox treasure chest for a toddler
SaveCredit: Crafting a Fun Life
A shoebox is the right size for small hands. Paint it black, add gold bands and a skull and your toddler has a chest that can hold the candy.
Cover the box in black paint or construction paper, then add strips of gold tape across the lid and sides. Stick a skull sticker in the middle and punch a hole on each end to thread a ribbon strap.
3. A black and gold painted chest with a skull latch
SaveCredit: Make Life Lovely
If you want the chest to look real, paint it. Black paint with gold bands and a skull in the center looks like something from a pirate movie.
Dab on the black paint with a sponge so it looks worn, then brush gold along the bands. Glue a small skull in the middle and let everything dry before the lid goes on.
4. A chest that overflows with coins and bead necklaces
SaveCredit: Make Life Lovely
What makes a treasure chest look like treasure is the stuff spilling out of it. Heaps of gold coins and long strings of pearly beads do the work.
Buy a bag of plastic coins and a few cheap bead necklaces. Pile them in unevenly and let a strand or two hang over the edge so the chest looks stuffed.
5. Gold gems and jewels you glue on
SaveCredit: Make Life Lovely
A handful of acrylic gems turns a plain box into a treasure chest. Rich purple, blue and gold stones catch the light and make it feel valuable.
Hot glue the gems along the lid and the front, and add a few gold circles cut from craft foam. Keep the glue gun away from little ones and let the pieces cool before they wear it.
6. A wearable treasure chest backpack
SaveA small cardboard chest on the back leaves the hands free for trick or treating. It rides like a backpack and still looks like treasure.
Build the chest from a small box, then add two straps of wide ribbon or webbing at the back and tape them well. Keep the lid light so it does not flop, and stick a few gold coins on the front.
7. A laundry basket treasure chest that holds the candy
SaveA laundry basket or toy bin dressed up as a chest works as the costume and the candy bucket. It is sturdy and easy for kids to drag along.
Wrap a rectangular bin in brown paper, tape on black bands and add a cardboard lid that opens like a flap. Cut a handle hole on each side if the bin has none.
8. The mimic treasure chest
SaveThe mimic is a chest that bites. A set of paper teeth and a red tongue inside the lid make it funny and a little scary.
Cut zigzag teeth from white craft foam and glue them along the front edge and the lid. Add a red felt tongue and a couple of googly eyes so the chest looks alive.
9. A pillowcase treasure sack for the loot
SaveNot every treasure chest has to be a box. A dark pillowcase painted with a gold chest outline is quick, soft and holds a lot of candy.
Slip a piece of cardboard inside the pillowcase to keep it flat, paint on a chest with gold fabric paint and let it dry overnight. Tie the top with a bit of rope.
10. Gold foil coins cut from cardboard
SaveYou can never have enough coins. Cardboard circles wrapped in gold foil cost a few cents each and look great spilling out of a chest.
Trace a jar lid on cardboard, cut out a pile of circles and wrap each one in gold foil or paint it gold. Press a design into the foil with the back of a pen.
11. A pirate hat with a skull and crossbones
SaveA tall black pirate hat completes the look. This one works well on a toddler because it sits flat and does not scratch.
Cut the hat shape from black craft foam or felt, stitch or glue the edges and add a white skull from scrap felt. Use a hair elastic to hold it under the chin.
12. Newspaper swords that stay safe
SaveCredit: Alpha Mom
Rolled newspaper swords look better than they sound. They are light and soft, so nobody gets hurt at the party.
Roll a few sheets of newspaper tightly and tape them. Fold a second roll into an L for the handle, tape it on and add a cardboard guard in the middle.
13. A striped shirt and a red bandana
SaveBlack and white stripes with a red bandana is the quickest pirate outfit there is. You probably own most of it already.
Pair a striped shirt with dark pants and tie a red bandana around the head. Add a wide belt or a sash cut from an old scarf at the waist.
14. An eye patch and a spyglass
SaveA patch and a spyglass say pirate faster than anything. Make both from things in the craft drawer.
Cut an oval of black felt, add an elastic loop and you have a patch. For the spyglass, paint a paper towel tube brown and glue a gold bottle cap on one end.
15. A pirate hook from craft foam
SaveThe hook is the fun prop for kids. It is light, and it slips right over a hand.
Draw a curved hook on thick gray craft foam, cut it out and glue it to a paper cup that fits over the fist. Paint the cup black and add a stripe of silver paint to the hook.
16. A felt parrot for the shoulder
SaveA bright parrot on the shoulder makes the costume feel finished. Make one from a few scraps of felt.
Cut a red body, blue and yellow wing shapes and a small beak, then sew or glue them together. Stitch a bit of Velcro to the back so it sticks to the shoulder of a jacket.
17. A tea stained treasure map
SaveEvery treasure chest needs a map to go with it. A tea stained paper map looks old and takes about ten minutes.
Draw an island, a dotted path and a big X on plain paper. Dab it with a wet black tea bag, let it dry and tear the edges for an aged look.
18. A no sew bandana skirt for a girl pirate
SaveA square bandana turns into a pirate skirt without any sewing. It is bright, it twirls and it works with a plain white tee.
Fold two bandanas into triangles and tie them around the waist with the points down. Pair it with a white tee, leggings and a pirate hat.
19. A pirate and treasure chest couples costume
SaveOne of you is the pirate and the other is the treasure. It is a funny pair and easy to do on a budget.
The pirate wears the striped shirt, boots and hat. The chest partner wears a brown cardboard box on their front with gold ribbon and a few coins glued on.
20. A family set of captain, mermaid and chest
SaveA whole family can sail together. A captain, a mermaid and a treasure chest look great in a group photo.
Dress the captain in a long coat and a hat. The mermaid wears a shimmery skirt and shell details, and the chest is a small box worn on the front or carried.
21. A mermaid who lives in the treasure chest
SaveA mermaid sitting in a chest is a clever twist for a toddler in a wagon. The chest becomes the shell she lives in.
Use a big box as the chest, cut a wide opening and paint it brown and gold. Add a shimmery tail blanket, a seashell crown and a strand of pearls.
22. A dog treasure chest costume
SaveYour dog can join the fun. A little chest worn like a coat gets a lot of smiles at the pet parade.
Cut a soft piece of brown felt to fit the back and sides, sew on gold ribbon bands and a small chest lid on the top. Keep the neck and legs free so your dog can move and be comfortable.
How to build a treasure chest costume in five steps
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Pick the base. A cardboard box, a shoebox or a plastic bin all work, so choose one that fits the person who will wear or carry it.
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Shape the lid. Cut a curve from cardboard for the top, tape it down and wrap the edges in tape so it holds.
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Paint or tape the bands. Black or brown paint with gold or silver bands makes the box look like wood and metal.
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Add the treasure. Coins, jewels and bead necklaces spilling over the edge are what make it read as a chest.
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Plan how it travels. Add straps for a backpack, a ribbon to hang it from the neck or a handle for carrying, and test it before the big night.
Treasure chest costume FAQ
Here are quick answers to the questions I hear most about making a treasure chest costume.
How do you make a treasure chest costume?
Start with a cardboard box, add a curved lid cut from cardboard, wrap the edges in tape and paint it brown or black with gold bands. Fill it with plastic coins and bead necklaces and add straps so it can be worn or carried.
What do you need for a treasure chest costume?
You need a box, cardboard, duct tape, paint or paper to cover it, gold bands or tape, a skull or latch and some coins and gems for the treasure. A ribbon or webbing makes the straps.
What goes with a treasure chest costume?
A pirate hat, a striped shirt, a red bandana, an eye patch and a map all go well with it. For a group, add a mermaid or a captain.
Is a treasure chest costume good for a toddler?
Yes. A small shoebox chest or a backpack style chest is light and easy to carry. Keep the lid soft and the straps secure so it is comfortable.
