SpongeBob Squarepants remains one of the most popular children’s characters, even after a decade of his crazy antics along with Patrick and Squidward. He is funny, innocent, a bit naive and cute. For that reason, a lot of children want to emulate him for Halloween. Unfortunately, there aren’t a ton of SpongeBob costumes available and the ones that are available tend to be a bit on the expensive side. For that reason, it might be less expensive and more fun to make the costume.
Instructions
1. Go through the child’s closet to find a white button-down shirt and a pair of blue shorts. Denim short will work fine.
2. Locate a red tie at a local thrift shop or discount department store.
3. Purchase two rectangles of foam rubber from a fabric store. The foam should be no thicker than 3 inches and no more than 20 inches in width. Height will be somewhat dependent upon the child who will be wearing it. However, a length of about 18 to 24 inches is standard. The bottom of the foam head should rest directly on the child’s shoulders.
4. Cut bits and pieces out of the foam rubber to make it look more like an actual sponge. Don’t be afraid to make a few big holes. The more weight you can remove from the rubber without ruining the look, the better.
5. Cut out an oval just slightly larger than the child’s face in the front piece of the foam rubber. To make certain it will be the right size and in the right position, use brown paper to make a pattern. Cut out the same size as the foam. Measure it directly on the child’s face and mark the space where the oval should be cut.
6. Sew the front and back pieces of the foam together with wide elastic (at least 3 inches in width and 4 to 5 inches in length) in several spots across both sides and the top. Double enforce the pieces with strong epoxy glue. Test how well the piece will hold by trying it on the child’s head. If need be, further enforce the head with more elastic and glue.
7. Spray the foam rubber with bright yellow spray paint.
8. Dress the child in the white shirt and shorts. Put the tie into place as well. If it is cold Halloween night, dress the child in layers with the shirt (or a shirt jacket) on top with the tie. Let him wear long blue pants or blue jeans rather than shorts.
9. Top the sponge head with a baseball cap, if desired. It is not a necessary part of the costume, however, and can be eliminated.
Tags: foam rubber, child face, directly child, foam rubber make, head with, inches width, pieces foam