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DIY Dragon Rider Duo Costume: 60-Min Cardboard Build

DIY dragon rider duo costume built from brown t-shirt and dark pants and gray felt, or old gray blanket
AI-generated concept photo

Pictured: the viking rider and the cardboard dragon.

Time60 minEffortMedium

⏱️ We timed it, but results may vary.

Plan this costume →No signup · 2 minutes.

A viking rider and a cardboard dragon with wings and a tail, ready to fly over the neighborhood. About sixty minutes, a medium build: a brown t-shirt and dark pants for the rider, gray felt, and a large cardboard box for wings and tail. The dragon wings should be wider than the rider is tall.

2 of 7 things covered, counting basics we assume you have.

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Still need:

brown t-shirtGray feltfaux-fur vestHeadband (any color)Tape (any kind) +2
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Tip: tape a row of small cardboard triangles along the dragon's shoulders.

Steps

  1. Draw the wing shape on paper first.
  2. Hold it against the dragon person's back: shoulder to hip.
  3. Cut two wing shapes and a long tail from the cardboard box.
  4. Cut the wings smaller than the paper test, not bigger.
  5. Big wings hit every doorway.
  6. Tape all cut edges smooth before wearing.
  7. Glue the black and yellow foam eyes to a headband.
  8. The rider wears the faux-fur vest over the brown t-shirt.
  9. Safety: Keep wing tips above waist height and tape all cardboard edges smooth so nobody gets scratched.
  10. Rider stands in front, arms out like steering.
  11. Dragon crouches behind with wings spread.
  12. Take the flying photo.
  13. Optional pro finish: tape a row of small cardboard triangles along the dragon's shoulders.

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Common questions

How do you keep cardboard wings up?

Tape them to the gray felt tunic, not the person, with wide packing-tape tabs on both sides. Taped wings stay up for hours; glued wings peel.

What is the best pose for the photo?

Rider stands in front with arms out like steering, dragon crouches behind with wings spread. The crouch sells the size difference.

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