DIY Plug and Socket Costume: 45-Min Cardboard Build
Pictured: the plug and the socket.
Time45 minEffortEasy
⏱️ We timed it, but results may vary.
Plan this costume →No signup · 2 minutes.
A cardboard plug and outlet worn front and back. Together you're the circuit. About forty-five minutes, easy: a cardboard box, gray and white acrylic paint, and black markers. The plug person and the socket person should stand prong-to-slot for photos.
4 of 6 things covered, counting basics we assume you have.
Tap a supply to tick what you own.
Still need:
Tip: paint a small lightning bolt where the two panels meet.
Steps
- Mark the panel size against each wearer before cutting.
- Cut two cardboard panels, each about 2 feet square, one per person.
- Cut big, then trim later.
- Buy the gray and white paint and the craft foam.
- Plug: paint one panel gray.
- Draw two prongs on the craft foam.
- Cut them out.
- Tape the prongs sticking up from the top edge.
- Socket: paint the other panel white.
- Draw two dark slots and a round outlet face on it.
- Tape string to the back corners of each panel.
- Hang the panels like sandwich boards.
- The plug person stands next to the socket person.
- Optional pro finish: paint a small lightning bolt where the two panels meet.
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Common questions
How do the panels stay on?
Fix string to the back corners of each panel with tape so they hang like sandwich boards, front and back. Two strings per panel, not one, so nothing spins around.
Cardboard prongs or foam prongs for the plug?
Craft foam, it is light, it will not poke anyone, and it tapes on cleanly. Cardboard prongs snap off by the second hour.
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