Robot Halloween Costume

From CRAFT

From CRAFT

This project first appeared on the pages of CRAFT or on Craftzine.

Krylon Sponsored Project

Krylon Sponsored Project

This project is sponsored by Krylon.

Make a robot costume from a cardboard box using Krylon Premium Metallics Original Chrome spray paint and some supplies from the hardware store.

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I know a little girl who has wanted to be a robot for as long as she can remember- a dancing robot, to be precise. The best thing about being a kid is letting your imagination run wild. The best thing about being a grown-up is being able to make a child's dreams come to life. Introducing the BoogieBot 5000, the best robot Halloween costume ever.

After deciding to build my base from two cardboard boxes covered with Krylon Premium Metallics Original Chrome spray paint, I took a walk through the hardware store for inspiration. When you let yourself think from the perspective of a child, everything becomes something- dryer ducting for arms, faucet handles for ears, and cycling reflectors for flashy buttons.

The finishing touches were two big blue eyes. I drew them on with a Krylon Short Cuts paint pen, then taped LEDs to watch batteries to make them glow. The shiny chrome paint brightly reflects the light, and really brings the costume to (artificial) life.

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Add Note Edit Step 1 — Robot Halloween Costume  ¶ 

  • Get ready for a Halloween robot dance party from outerspace!

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Add Note Edit Step 2  ¶ 

  • Gather your materials and set up a workspace with dropcloths.

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Add Note Edit Step 3  ¶ 

  • Size up the child who will be wearing the costume. Make sure that the boxes you have will fit their body and head. The box should be big enough so that their movements aren't hindered, but small enough to allow them to put their arms down at their sides.

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Add Note Edit Step 4  ¶ 

  • Mark and cut the necessary holes in the boxes.

  • For the robot's body, cut a hole for the child's head in the top of the box. Cut two arm holes the same circumference as the ducting in the sides of the box. For the legs, just cut the bottom out of the box entirely.

  • Use a smaller box for the robot's head. Cut a hole in the bottom of the box, centered and wide enough so that it will slip over the child's head. Then cut a mouth into the front of the box, large enough for the child to have plenty of room to see.

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Add Note Edit Step 5  ¶ 

  • Tape the flaps down after you have cut out the holes.

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Add Note Edit Step 6  ¶ 

  • Prep for painting by throwing on some painting clothes. Don't forget to wear your respirator.

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Add Note Edit Step 7  ¶ 

  • Rattle the paint can for 2 minutes to mix the Krylon Premium Metallic. It's a heavy paint, so mixing it well is important.

  • Hold the can 10 to 12 inches from the box and press the nozzle down to spray. Use smooth swooping motions to cover the box evenly and without drips.

  • Apply 2 coats of paint, allowing 5 minutes for the paint to dry in between. If your box is printed, you might need more layers for a perfect finish.

  • Set the painted boxes aside to dry for 20 minutes.

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Add Note Edit Step 8  ¶ 

  • Cut the dryer ducting in half and tape one end of each piece into the arm holes. Just reach inside the box from the bottom and secure the inside of the ducting to the inside of the box with duct tape.

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Step 6 Add Note

With regards respirators and safety goggles and the like, do you have any suggestions on either sourcing child sizes or adapting adult sizes to fit children? I've run into fitting problems before at which point the safety device become unsafe. :(

Marcel Lenormand, · Reply

The respirator we used had adjustable straps. I just pulled them in until it fit snugly on her face. If you are having a hard time finding protective eyewear for kids, a kid sized scuba mask should keep particles out of their eyes really well!

Brookelynn Morris,