Franklin Costume

A good costume is the foundation for a fun Halloween. Build this one from scratch!

Franklin's Magic Xmas, 12/2 @ 8pm ET on Nick Jr.

Materials

• 2 yd. bright-green fleece fabric
• Needle and thread
• Child's bike helmet
• Duct tape
• 1 square each white, black, and brown felt
• Glue gun or fabric glue (available in sewing or crafts store)
• 1-in. sponge brush
• 1 two-oz. bottle each yellow and brown acrylic enamel paint
• 8 small, round polystyrene plates
• Small paintbrush
• Large octagonal polystyrene plate
• 1 yd. yellow fleece fabric
• 1/2 yd. sticky-back Velcro tape
• Bright-green sweat suit

Directions

1. Step 1

   Sew a tube from the green fabric to fit over the bike helmet.

2. Step 2

   Slip the tube over the helmet. Fold one end inside the top edge and secure with the duct tape.

3. Step 3

   Cut eyes out of the white, brown, and black felt freehand. Glue to the front of the hooded helmet.

4. Step 4

   Use the sponge brush to paint the fronts and backs of the plates yellow. When dry, use the small paintbrush to create the turtle shell design in brown.

5. Step 5

   Glue four round plates to the inside edges of the large octagonal plate so that they form a cross. Glue on the remaining round plates to complete the shell.

6. Step 6

   Reinforce the plates with the duct tape on the inside.

7. Step 7

   Cut a strip of yellow fabric 15 inches wide by your child's waist size plus an extra 2 inches (for example, if your child's waist size is 18, then cut the yellow fabric 15" x 20"). Fold the fabric in half to make a waistband.

8. Step 8

   Attach a set of Velcro strips to the ends of the waistband. Attach a second set of strips to the middle of the waistband and to the middle of the inside shell.

9. Step 9

   Dress your child in the sweat suit. Secure the waistband around your child's waist. Secure the shell to the waistband.