DIY Olympians Costume: 45-Min Cardboard Build

DIY the olympians costume built from white bedsheets or large white fabric, gold rope or gold cord, and gold paper or gold craft leaves

AI-generated concept photo

Pictured: the lightning god, the owl god, and the trident god in togas.

Time45 minEffortMedium

⏱️ We timed it, but results may vary.

Plan this costume →No signup · 2 minutes.

Bedsheet togas, gold rope belts, and laurel crowns. Pick your god: lightning bolt, owl, or trident. About forty-five minutes, a medium build: white bedsheets or large white fabric, gold rope or cord, and gold paper for laurel crowns. The toga should drape over one shoulder, not both; both shoulders reads as ghost.

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

Tap a supply to tick what you own.

Still need:

Gold ropeGold paperGold face paintSafety pins +2

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Tip: wrap gold cord around each wrist as a cuff and tie gold cord laces up the calves.

Materials

White bedsheets or large white fabric, 1 per person (own: raid the linen closet)
Gold rope or gold cord, 2 yards per person (buy: craft store)
Gold paper or gold craft leaves for laurel crowns, 1 pack (buy: craft store; gold paper works too)
Gold face paint or gold eyeliner, 1 (buy: drugstore)
Cardboard for the props, 3 pieces: lightning bolt, trident, owl (own: from boxes)
Gold markers or gold paint pen, 1 (buy: craft store)
Safety pins, 6 to 8; scissors, 1 pair; tape, 1 roll (own: household)

Steps

Make the togas: wrap one sheet around each person over a plain t-shirt and shorts.
Pin at the shoulder with a safety pin.
Belt it with the gold rope.
Safety: Pin from the outside of the fabric so pin backs face the clothes, never the skin. Keep the toga above the ankles so nobody trips. (CPSC Halloween safety tips)
Size the paper strip around each head.
Overlap it by an inch before taping.
Make the laurel crowns: cut leaf shapes from the gold paper.
Tape the leaves along a paper strip sized to each head.
Make the god props: cut a lightning bolt, a trident, and an owl from cardboard.
Color them gold with the markers.
Paint one gold detail on each face: a lightning streak, an owl feather, or a wave.
Each god picks a power pose for the group photo.
Optional pro finish: wrap gold cord around each wrist as a cuff and tie gold cord laces up the calves.

Start this costume in the planner

Common questions

How do you keep the toga from falling off?

Wear a plain t-shirt and shorts under it, pin the sheet at the shoulder, and belt it with the gold rope at the natural waist. The belt does most of the holding.

Is a floor-length sheet a tripping hazard?

Keep the toga hem above the ankles and pin the extra fabric up. Test walking and stairs before leaving the house.