"Think race-car driver, robot, witch, princess or pirate," she says. "For teens or older kids, retro costumes for the '60s, '70s and '80s are always easy. Think hippies, punk or new wave."

Old formals or bridesmaids dresses, Bohren says, lend themselves to killer prom queens, vampire brides or beauty pageant misfits. "Lengths of fabric or old sheets are good for togas, mummies or the Statue of Liberty."

Other costume ideas can be found at www.familyfun.com, www.parents.com and www.coolest-homemade-costumes.com. Among the ideas at FamilyFun magazine is a "windy day duo" costume for a boy and girl.

All it takes is 18-gauge wire to be slid into the front of a tie to make it look like it's blowing to one side.

The same thing is done with the girl's skirt hem and scarf. Hair gel is needed to give hair a wind-blown appearance. In addition, an old umbrella can be turned inside-out, with leaves stuck using double-stick tape.