How to Make a DIY Taco Costume for Kids

It’s no secret that we at Nurture Life love food⁠, especially when it’s time to choose our kids’ Halloween costumes. To make your own outrageously adorable (and surprisingly easy) food-themed costume, join us as we taco through the simple steps!

Using one of our kids’ meal delivery b’oxes, we made this DIY taco costume, and the results were so precious that we couldn’t resist sharing. The simple instructions can be adapted for babies, toddlers, and kids of all ages—and even for adults if you’d like to turn the whole family into a walking, talking taco bar!  

Step-by-Step Guide to a Kid’s Taco Costume

Gather up the items below, and you’ll be just five steps away from a Michelin-worthy taco costume for your little one.

What You’ll Need for Your Taco Halloween Costume

• 1 cardboard box* (large enough for your child to step into)
• Yellow acrylic paint 
• Felt (suggested colors: red, brown, light green, dark green, yellow, and orange)
• Ribbon
• Hot glue gun
• Paintbrush

*For toddlers, Nurture Life boxes are the perfect size for this fun cardboard craft! Older kids may need larger boxes.

How to Make a Taco Costume

1. Create the taco shell. Trace a half-circle onto one side of the cardboard box. Trace the same half-circle onto the opposite side of the box. Cut these half-circles out, leaving the bottom of the box intact.
2. Make a hole in the bottom. Cut a hole in the bottom of the box, large enough for your child to step into.
3. Paint the taco shell. Using as many coats as necessary (and letting them dry in between), paint the exterior of the box yellow. 
4. Jazz it up with toppings. From the pieces of colored felt, cut out all the taco toppings: squares for diced tomatoes, circles for ground beef, and thin strips for shredded cheese and lettuce. With hot glue, attach the toppings along the inside edges of the taco shell.
5. Add shoulder straps. Cut two pieces of ribbon and hot glue them across the top of the taco shell to serve as shoulder straps. (Length can vary based on your kid’s size, but around 27” should work well.)

For extra fun while making your toddler’s taco costume, let your little one’s creativity run wild! Younger kids can help with the painting, while older kids can use fabric scissors to cut out their own toppings.

Our Favorite Taco Recipes

The only thing better than your kid dressed up as the world’s cutest taco? Your kid in a taco costume, eating a taco! For the most spec-taco-lar Halloween ever, round out the night with one of these nutritious yet kid-friendly taco recipes.

1. BBQ Pork Tacos 

If you want an easy taco recipe, it doesn’t get better than Nurture Life’s BBQ Pulled Pork. Although our pulled pork makes for a great meal on its own, it can also be used as the pork filling for a delicious twist on a traditional taco! All you’ll need to add is your choice of corn or flour tortillas and toppings!

Just pop the meal into the microwave, toast tortillas on the stovetop, and then scoop the succulent, slow-cooked pork onto the hot tortillas. Our BBQ Pulled Pork is tossed in our housemade sauce, and there’s no need to add taco seasoning! Pile on your kid’s favorite toppings for this easy, BBQ taco.

2. Classic Taco Bar Tacos

Tacos don’t have to be fancy to be a crowd-pleaser. Let your kids have fun making their own tacos by setting out a DIY taco bar, filled with nutritious alternatives to traditional taco ingredients:

• Whole wheat tortillas instead of deep-fried taco shells
• Ground turkey, ground chicken, or tofu instead of ground beef
• Greek yogurt instead of sour cream
• Homemade spice mixes instead of pre-packaged taco seasonings
• No-added-sodium black beans instead of refried beans
• Chopped spinach or romaine instead of shredded iceberg lettuce 
• Fresh diced tomatoes instead of bottled salsa
• Lime juice and hot sauce instead of processed taco sauces

To prevent staining your homemade taco costume, be sure to take off the cardboard taco shell before letting your kid dish out their toppings!

3. Fish Tacos with Pineapple Salsa

Who says that tacos have to be filled with ground beef and cheese? Tacos are so fun on their own that they’re a great way to incorporate less conventionally kid-friendly foods, even “grown-up” ingredients like salmon, halibut, or tilapia!

Skip the deep-fried fillets and try these baked fish tacos instead. While the fish fillets of your choice are baking in the oven, create your own easy homemade salsa with fresh pineapple, red bell pepper and onion.

4. Taco Pizza

Combining two classic kid favorites into one fun-sized meal, taco pizza is sure to be a Halloween hit! Tomatoes, lettuce, ground turkey and shredded cheese bridge the gap between Italian-style pizza and Mexican-inspired tacos—with refrigerated pizza crust and packaged taco seasoning to keep the meal prep quick and easy.

For a healthier twist, we recommend using whole wheat pizza crust and homemade taco spices instead. You can even add your kid’s favorite veggies before baking, too.

With these easy DIY taco costume instructions and even easier taco recipe ideas, you’re ready to turn your Halloween into a serious fiesta. Taco ‘bout a Halloween to remember! If you aren’t feeling the taco spirit, get instructions for more DIY Halloween kids’ costumes here.

If you have any questions about our healthy meals for kids, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at support@nurturelife.com.

FAQ

What age is this taco costume suitable for?

This DIY taco costume can be adjusted for babies, toddlers, and older children. With a larger cardboard box and longer ribbon straps, you can even create an adult taco costume for a full family-themed Halloween party!

Can I make a baby taco costume with this tutorial?

Yes! For a baby taco costume, we recommend using a smaller box, like one of our Nurture Life meal boxes, and ensuring that the straps are snug and secure. Always supervise your little one closely when they’re wearing any costume.

What supplies do I need to create a taco costume?

You’ll need a cardboard box, yellow acrylic paint, felt (for toppings), ribbon, a hot glue gun, and a paintbrush. These easy-to-find costume supplies make this project fun and budget-friendly.

Is this taco costume safe for toddlers to wear?

As long as the taco costume is sized properly and the straps are secure, it’s safe for toddlers. Be sure to remove the costume before eating tacos or running around, and never leave your little one unattended while wearing it.

How can I make the taco costume more fun for kids?

Let your child help paint the taco shell or choose their favorite toppings to cut from felt! It’s a great way to get creative and make the costume uniquely theirs. Plus, dressing up in a cute taco costume while eating tacos? That’s peak Halloween fun.

Can this costume be reused or stored for next year?

If you store it in a cool, dry place, your taco costume can absolutely be reused for another Halloween or a themed party. Just be gentle when handling the cardboard and felt to preserve the look.

What size should the cardboard box be?

The box should be large enough for your child to comfortably step into and wear like a sandwich board. For babies and toddlers, a Nurture Life box is perfect. For older kids, you may need to select a larger size for a better fit.