Mr. Boy loves Robin Hood. Whether it’s the Disney cartoon version with foxes, or the storybook we’ve read before bed countless times, he can’t get enough of the story. During one such bedtime reading, it occurred to me that Robin Hood would make a fun costume theme for both of my boys.
I was so happy with how both of the costumes turned out! They look detailed, but they were relatively quick and easy to make using basic materials.
Kids Robin Hood Costume
For the Robin Hood costume, I started with a brown turtle-neck we already owned, some camo leggings I found at Walmart, and a plain green sweatshirt that I fashioned into a tunic by cutting off the sleeves and the bottom hem. This eliminated a lot of sewing work, but gave me just the look I wanted. The sweatshirt was two sizes larger than my son usually wears to provide the needed length.
I bought a yard of green felt (though I used a lot less) to make the hooded cape. I folded it over, cut out a semicircle to match the width of the shoulder seams on the sweatshirt, and then cut some notches along the edge. I had never made a hood before, so I had to experiment a bit. The sketch below shows what worked (the felt is folded over, so I only had to sew down the back and then sew the hood to the neck cut-out on the cape). A button and loop holds the cape closed.
I used brown fleece and tan felt to make “spats” to go over some boots we already owned to make them look taller. Some stick-on velcro I had tried earlier didn’t stay in place, so I wrapped twine around each leg instead.
The hat was very easy to make from two 9×12 pieces of green felt.
The arrow quiver started out as a paper towel roll that I wrapped in brown fleece and secured to some brown ribbon with felt straps and hot glue. I used some fabric scraps to make a little pouch that I hot-glued to another piece of ribbon to form a belt. I used safety pins to hold the belts in place. I created some “leather” cuffs with brown fleece rectangles that I safety-pinned around my son’s wrists.
The bow and arrow set was very inexpensive from Amazon.com. I glued pieces of feathers to the ends of the arrows, then glued the arrows inside the quiver. Of course it’s less fun not being able to shoot the arrows, but I had a hunch that all the little boys at the school Halloween party would go for the arrows straight away, and I was right!
Kids Friar Tuck Costume
The friar tuck costume was even simpler. I bought a 50-inch x 60-inch brown fleece blanket from Walmart for just $2.88. I cut a “T” shape, using some baby pajamas as a size guide. I decided to cut the back in half lengthwise to make it very easy to take on and off.
I made a hooded cowl by cutting a circle from fleece, making the head opening large enough to slip on. I fashioned the hood the same way I did with the Robin Hood Costume. I used Bernat Fab Faux yarn that I found on clearance to crochet a headband that looked like hair. I only had to crochet two rows due to the thickness of the yarn. A length of rope tied around the waist completed the look and held the robe closed.
Isn’t he adorable?
I just love how cute these two buddies look together!
Supply List
1 Yard green felt
1 50 x 60 inch brown fleece blanket
Clothesline rope to fit around waist
1 3 yd spool wide brown ribbon
2 9×12 sheets green felt
1 9×12 sheet tan felt
Faux fur yarn
Oversized green sweatshirt
Pair green leggings (or opaque tights)
Brown turtleneck
Brown shoes or boots
Large crochet hook
Twine
Safety Pins
I made both costumes for less than $35.
And, just for fun, I’ll leave you with a cute outtake from our photo shoot.
Want more homemade costume ideas for kids? Check out my Kids Costumes page!
Can you make one for purchase? 🙂 Please.
Hi Maura,
I probably could, but with time and materials it would be kind of expensive. Then, there’s the iffiness of whether or not it would fit (I’ve never made anything to order without having my model right there). I’m not a master seamstress 🙂
This is darling! How did you attach the feathers to the arrow and where did you purchase the feathers? I’m totally going to copy you!!
Thanks! I think I bought the feathers at Walmart, but you can find them in any craft store. I cut them down a bit with scissors, then used a hot glue gun to attach them to the arrows.
what about the arm things robin hood is wearing? how do you make those?
my son is adamant he WANTS this costume.. going to the store today to get this together. any tips on the arm gauntlet thingies would be appreciated
I made those from rectangular pieces of brown fleece (you could also use felt). The stitching you can see was already there–it was the edge of the fleece blanket. The pieces were long enough to reach from the wrist to a few inches past the elbow, and wide enough that they wrap around the arm and have a bit of overlap. I just used safety pins to pin them in place after I wrapped the pieces around the arms, and then I folded over the ends near the elbows to give it a cuffed look. I hope that makes sense, and good luck with your project! It’s such a fun costume. My son loved it, and we had a lot of compliments. Hopefully you’ll find that it’s easier than it looks.
Thank you for this post and all your detailed instructions, which resulted in my son being a very happy Robin Hood in his first grade Halloween parade this morning 🙂
Thank you for letting me know that my post helped you out! So glad to hear. I bet your son was adorable.
Hi Jen, I wandered on to your sight in search of an infant appropriate design for a Friar Tuck costume. My 2 month old has a hair pattern that was just screaming out for this Halloween costume. In any case, I just wanted to let you know how much I’ve enjoyed reading your blog ever since. It’s been entertaining and informative reading during my 2 am feeding sessions with my little one, and has helped us reevaluate our own spending habits (my husband has also been enjoying your entries). Thanks again for this wonderful blog.
Hi Sara,
Thank you so much for your sweet comment–that made my day! I’m sorry I’ve been on a bit of a hiatus recently as I’ve been swamped with various things happening, but hopefully I can pick up the writing pace again soon. I’m so glad to hear you and your husband have been enjoying my blog. Take care!
I love it! Thanks for sharing. Still smiling at the last photo: even the Merry Men can’t be merry all the time!
My 4 yr old has asked for a Robin Hood costume for Christmas. Where did you get the simple toy bow?? I’ll definitely use some of your costume techniques.
Hi Emily,
I found the bow and arrows on Amazon.com. If you have Prime, there’s still time to order for Christmas. If not, you might try a party store.
Oh, I looked it up after I commented. Probably should have before…anyhoo, found it!! Super cheap and prime. I’m so jazzed about my costume.
I know this is an older post but I have to say what cute boys and costumes! Robin Hood looks dashing and little Friar Tuck is absolutely adorable! I love the hair! It is perfect 🙂
Thank you!
Thanks for the ideas! Could you share what book you have? I can’t seem to find a kids book of Robin Hood anywhere!
Unfortunately we don’t have it anymore, as it was loved to death! It wasn’t a well known publisher or anything…I think it came from the bargain bin at someplace like Big Lots.
Can you provide the actual pattern that you show images of? Thanks so much for your tute!
Thank you, Debbie! I’m sorry—-I don’t have a pattern.
I love your little one’s expression. Do you have any actual size printable version of the pattern you used? I tried Google, but couldn’t find any. Thanks.
Thank you! Sorry, I don’t have a printable.