DIY Spaceship Cadet Costume: 20-Min Cardboard Build

Time20 minEffortEasy
⏱️ We timed it, but results may vary.
Plan this costume →No signup · 2 minutes.
A colored sweatsuit plus a cardboard backpack. The backpack is the spaceship part. Twenty minutes, easy: a plain sweatsuit in one solid color, cardboard, and aluminum foil. The backpack should have visible buttons and vents drawn on.
5 of 7 things covered, counting basics we assume you have.
Tap a supply to tick what you own.
Still need:
Tip: draw a mission badge on an index card and tape it to the chest.
Steps
- Dress in the plain sweatsuit.
- With more than one person, give each a different color.
- Wrap the cardboard in aluminum foil for the backpack.
- Draw vents, dials, and one big red button with the markers.
- Tape the two backpack straps to the back of the cardboard.
- Wear the foil backpack, straps over your shoulders.
- Tape the bottom corners snug to the sweatsuit so it does not swing.
- Hold one finger to your lips.
- Strike a heroic pose for the photo.
- Optional pro finish: draw a mission badge on an index card and tape it to the chest.
Start this costume in the planner
Common questions
How do you keep the foil backpack from swinging?
Tape the bottom corners of the cardboard snug to the sweatsuit after the straps are on. Snug at the bottom stops the swing.
What if more than one person wants to be the same color?
Give each person a different color sweatsuit. The joke lands harder when the group has red, blue, yellow, and one classic black.
More costumes like this
Explore similar ideas in the Costume Galaxy →
More cardboard builds
Want one picked for you? Take the 2-minute quiz - free, no signup.
Saving this idea? Pin it on Pinterest








