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Challenge

Fifteen Minute Costume Challenge

Here's one to try together!

Ollie says: turn blankets, boxes and socks into a brand new character before the timer rings!

30 min5 min prepAges 4 and uplow mess

Reviewed by our team.

Safety first
  • scissors are a cutting hazard; kids use kid scissors and a grown-up cuts eye holes
  • masks or coverings over the nose and mouth are a suffocation and breathing risk; never cover them
  • blanket capes and loose costume pieces can cause tripping, especially during the parade, and a cape is never tied around the neck
  • costumes with eye holes or blocked vision may increase fall risk

What you need

  • Blanket, 1 per person
  • Rolled socks, 2 or 3 per person
  • Cardboard box, 1 per person
  • Paper, about 5 sheets each
  • Painter's tape, 1 roll
  • Crayons or markers, 1 handful
  • Kid scissors, 1 pair per child
  • Phone, 1, as a 15 minute timer

How to do it

Grown-up prep: Choose which household items are fair game and tell everyone the rules. Clear the hallway of shoes and rugs for the parade.

  1. Ask a grown-up which things you may borrow.
  2. Set the timer for fifteen minutes.
    Ask: Do you think fifteen minutes is a long time or a short time?
  3. Gather blankets, socks, boxes and paper from around the house.
  4. Make a cape or body piece from a blanket.
  5. Decorate some paper with crayons and make it into a crown or a badge.
  6. Try making sock cat ears, or a robot body from a box. Ask for help if you need it
    Ask: Which costume piece is your favorite so far?
  7. Ask a grown-up to cut any eye holes. A grown-up does this
  8. Put on music and march your costumes down the hall in a parade.
  9. Tell everyone who you are dressed as. Then make a new costume!
    Ask: What is your character's name and superpower?

Play it again

  • Theme round: everyone dresses up as an animal, a job or a feeling.
  • Swap and remix: trade one item with a friend and rebuild your costume.
  • Silent parade: act out your character without talking and let others guess.
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