DIY Headless Horsemen Costume: Easy 20-Min Build
Pictured: the headless rider look, three times over.
Time20 minEffortEasy
⏱️ We timed it, but results may vary.
Plan this costume →No signup · 2 minutes.
Black capes, jack-o-lanterns held at shoulder height, and a group gallop. The pumpkin replaces the head. Twenty minutes, easy: a black cape or black sheet, a small jack-o-lantern bucket or foam pumpkin, and a broom or stick-horse. Hold the pumpkin at exactly shoulder height; too high looks like a hat.
1 of 5 things covered, counting basics we assume you have.
Tap a supply to tick what you own.
Still need:
Tip: put a battery tea light inside each jack-o-lantern bucket.
Steps
- Drape the black cape or black sheet over the shoulders.
- Safety: Keep your real head tucked low so you can see the ground.
- Tuck the chin into the chest.
- Hold the jack-o-lantern bucket up at shoulder height like a carried head.
- Add a glow bracelet to each wrist so drivers can see you.
- Hold the broom between the legs like a horse.
- Gallop in a group line.
- Optional pro finish: put a battery tea light inside each jack-o-lantern bucket.
Start this costume in the planner
Common questions
How does the rider see if their head is tucked?
Tuck the chin but keep the eyes looking forward under the cape edge, the cape drapes like a hood, it does not cover the face. If vision is blocked at all, ditch the tuck and just carry the bucket high.
What do we use if we have no capes?
Black trash bags with head and arm holes cut out, or any dark blanket. The silhouette is what matters: dark shoulders plus a glowing pumpkin at head height.
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