Evolution of a Diaper Box

Ever since we dressed like cows, Caleb has been excited about dressing up for Halloween. Initially he wanted to dress like a cow (again). But I pointed out to him that he could be anything, so, surprise surprise, he wanted to be Thomas the Tank Engine.

Obviously they sell Thomas costumes, but I am kind of a penny pincher and I saw several variations online and thought, "We can do this!". The total project has cost me about $9 as most of the costume is made out of things I either bought for another purpose or was planning to throw away.

Timewise, I have no idea how long this took. I started in early September, working only at night, usually for less than 10 minutes at a time.

Here is the diaper box at the beginning. We tried out another brand's box, but the Luv's Mega Pack was a perfect fit!


The "ribs".


I guess this is the tank.


It was really nice that so many of Thomas's details are perfect circles, straight lines or right angles. Makes you look kind of artistic when all you did was trace!


I considered several options for painting the body, but opted for spray paint...because it's cheap! It also turned out to be very effective!


I used an exacto knife to split masking tape in half to make the lines before I spray painted. It was a gamble because I didn't know if it would work, but as you see, it did!


Notice the ring holding the face on? That's a Duct Tape ring - trash! Love it!


Inside you can see some reinforced walls, Caleb was trying this on several times during the building process and I could see which parts were really going to break down fast.


Ta Da! Thomas in all his cardboard glory! I am really hoping it doesn't rain, we are taking the kids to a community Halloween event (i.e. candy free for all) and we'll be out a couple of hours in the South Florida humidity, which isn't kind to cardboard!


And Annalise...I hope she forgives me because she is going as a ladybug in a borrowed costume! Maybe next year we'll go all out on her. :)