DIY Halloween costumes for the less-than-crafty mom

It's easy to make a zombie costume out of old clothing and red paint, as mom Victoria Michel, who studied costume design, demonstrates.

As for the top, just head to a thrift store and pick up a cheap shirt if you don't have something old lying around. "I was thinking of flannel button-ups since it can be cold on Halloween," Victoria said. "Cut the shirts a bit and have the kids put red paint hand prints on them."

Add some white face paint for good measure.

Mom, Nicole Bavo, admits her DIY costumes get "a little involved." Her costumes are, admittedly, amazing. "Here are my suggestions for DIYers: Felt, hot glue and attention to detail," Nicole said. "Also something your kid will actually wear makes it better."

Nicole said that attaching a hat to a hoodie will increase the likelihood they will stay in place. She said the traffic cone is essentially a tunic or dress that is Velcroed up the back. She used an orange hoodie for the top and attached with safety pins.

Another amazing idea by Nicole Bavo was this Mailbox and Netflix movie. Despite her evident skills she still considers herself "not that crafty."

To get the patterns so exact, print them on a page and attach to laud the felt before cutting. "Be sure to use a rotary cutter and good fabric scissors," Nicole said.

Follow mom Jayme Tortorelli's example and give your daughter a stunning leopard costume starting with a simple animal ears kit. Use regular black or brown clothes for the "fur," then add the ears, tail and bow from any kit. The final addition, and centerpiece of this costume, is the face paint.

"I was worried it would itch," Jayme said. "But she never complained about the face paint bothering her."