by: Wendy Legendre

Kids love making things with their own hands, including costumes. The two costumes that follow, a flower and a bumblebee, are so easy to make and just perfect for children to help create.

To make a bumblebee you will need ...

• 1 Yellow Garbage Bag

• Black Electrical Tape

• A Hair Band

• 2 Pipe Cleaners

• 2 Small Foam Balls (available at craft and dollar stores)

To make the body, lay the yellow garbage bag flat on a table and have your child hold it down, while you cut and place four stripes of electrical tape across, front and back. Your child can then press the tape down snuggly. (Each stripe needs 3 widths of the tape.) Finally, cut holes out for the arms and the head. Note: If you make a mistake, clear packing tape or scotch tape works wonders.

To make the antennae twist 2 pipe cleaners to the hair band and then, push a foam ball onto the other end of each pipe cleaner (the wire inside the pipe cleaners makes this easy). Note: Before adding the pipe cleaners, wrap them around a pencil to give them that curly look and add strength.

To make a flower you will need ...

• 1 Green Garbage Bag

• Several Sheets of Colored Paper

• Scotch Tape

To make the body, Cut head and arm holes out of the green garbage bag.

To make the head of the flower, cut a 2-inch wide strip of paper and wrapped it around your child's head from the top of her head to her chin, being sure to create a comfortable fit. Tape it and remove it. Next, cut out several petals about 5-6 inches high by 3-4 inches wide. Let your child pick the colors she wants for her petals. Cut the petals by eye, or create a pattern first (wide and rounded at the top and tapering at the bottom.) Next, attached the petals all along the inside edge of the band you just made and finally, fold the petals outward. Note: The number of petals will depend on your child's preference.

If the flower headpiece wants to slip off, add a second strip of 2-inch wide paper to the first one from approximately ear to ear, around the back of the head.

Upon completion, your child will not only look adorable, but will be thrilled with knowing she helped make her own costume.

Please remember, plastic bags are not a toy and should be used with caution, under adult supervision.