The Chaos Raccoon

Last year's viral raccoon is one of the funniest cheap costumes you can make. Grey sweats, a black mask cut from card, felt ears, a ringed tail and a pillow up your top make the shape, and a slice of pizza in your hand does the rest. About $10, and almost everything is already in your wardrobe.

TIME

45 min

COST

about $10

SKILL

Easy

What you need

• Grey sweatshirt and sweatpants
• Black card or felt for the mask
• Two grey felt or cardboard ears and a headband
• A long sock stuffed with newspaper and black tape for the tail
• A small pillow for the belly
• A cardboard slice of pizza, or a real one in a napkin
• A small cardboard sign on string that says 'Pizza thief'

How to make it

1. 1

   Cut a bandit mask from black card with two eye holes, and tie it on with elastic or string.

2. 2

   Cut two rounded ears from grey felt or cardboard and glue them to the headband.

3. 3

   Stuff the sock with newspaper, wrap it in alternating bands of black tape, and pin it to the back of your sweatpants.

4. 4

   Slide the pillow under the sweatshirt to give the round raccoon belly.

5. 5

   Roll your sleeves up and smear a little grey makeup around your knuckles for grubby paws.

6. 6

   Hang the 'Pizza thief' sign round your neck, carry the slice everywhere and look guilty when anyone looks at you.

Make it better

• Eat in a hurry and look over your shoulder. The acting is half the costume.
• Raid the bins at the party's snack table, in character.
• Wear dark gloves if you want proper raccoon paws.

Questions