No-Sew Phoenix Kids Costume

Does your child love dressing up and playing make-believe? This phoenix kids costume is a very fun accessory for going on adventures. Learn how I made this costume for my daughter using sheer red fabric and strips of tulle.

The Phoenix is an amazing mythological creature found in stories such as Harry Potter and Disney’s live-action MULAN. The phoenix inspires hope, courage, and innovation. At the end of its life, the phoenix is reborn by rising from the ashes. Whatever this metaphor means to you, there’s certainly always reasons for hope and perseverance in our own lives.

I think the idea behind the phoenix is pretty awesome!

My daughter and I worked together to create the phoenix’s wings and tail using flowing strips of colored fabric to represent feathers. We loved how this phoenix costume turned out!

DIY Phoenix Kids Costume

To create the fiery spark represented by the phoenix, I chose to use lots of warm colors in this costume. I mixed varying lengths of materials to give the phoenix wings and tail a flowing design.

To make this costume, you will likely use different materials than I did, but you could follow the same general design.  You will need a variety of sheer fabric, ribbon, warm colors of felt, tulle, artificial maple leaves, 1/4 inch wide elastic, scissors, and a hot glue gun.

Materials:

• sheer red fabric
• red ribbon
• glittery tulle (warm colors)
• red & orange felt
• 1/4 inch wide elastic
• scissors
• hot glue gun
• maple leaf garland

Create the Tail & Wings – Phoenix Kids Costume

First, make the phoenix wings by cutting a length of fabric into connected strips. Measure the arm span of your child and cut the fabric long enough to reach from wrist to wrist. The fabric I used to make the phoenix wings for my 8-year-old daughter was 45 in. long by 24 in. wide.

Cut the fabric widthwise into strips using wavy lines. Leave 6 inches uncut at the top of the fabric to keep the strips connected together. Cut the loose ends of the strips into points. The wavy cut lines will give the wings a fire-inspired design.

Next, cut the phoenix tail using the same method. I used a long piece of fabric and cut the strips lengthwise. The tail should be narrower than the wings, but extend past the bottom of the wings, about twice as long. Attach the tail to the wings at the back using the hot glue gun. Use parchment paper as a workspace. Apply a line of hot glue, and use a piece of parchment paper to press the fabric layers together, to prevent burning your fingers.

You can also sew the phoenix tail onto the wings, if you want to turn this no-sew tutorial into a sewing project!

Add Elastic Bands

Cut 4 lengths of 1/4 inch wide elastic that are long enough to go around your child’s arms and wrists. Hot glue the ends together to make elastic circles. Using the hot glue gun, attach the elastic bands along the top of the phoenix wingspan. Attach two bands at the ends of the wings to go around your child’s wrists, and two bands spaced out along the wingspan to go around your child’s arms near the shoulders. Use enough hot glue to secure the elastic bands in place on the fabric.

Decorate the Wings – Phoenix Kids Costume

Once you have the phoenix tail attached to the wings, it’s time to decorate! You can use long strips of tulle and ribbon in warm colors to embellish the tail. Cut out leaf and flame shaped pieces of felt and hot glue the pieces onto the ribbon and along the top of the wings. You can also glue on artificial maple leaves in vibrant colors. Be as creative as you’d like with this no-sew DIY phoenix kids costume!

Make a Matching Headband

Finally, you can design a matching phoenix-inspired headband using some of the same materials you used to make the wings and tail. Use a plain headband or length of elastic as the base. Tie on fabric, attach leaves, fall flowers, foliage-inspired accents and more. Use a hot glue gun to secure all the accents in place.

Make this DIY fantasy crown look fiery and vibrant with bright sheer fabric, tulle and artificial leaves.

Most importantly, have fun! This is a crafty project you can work on with your kid. My daughter helped design this phoenix costume and watched me do the finer detailing. After all, it takes some practice to effectively use a hot glue gun! She was absolutely thrilled with how this fun DIY kids phoenix costume came together in the end.

Pair these fiery wings with a simple tunic and fun leggings, and your child will be ready to fly! This costume was fun and warm to wear while trick-or-treating.

Find more creative activities for kids on our Kids Activities page!

Katie Wallace

Hi, I’m Katie! I live with my husband and 4 kids in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. I love Jesus, coffee, creative projects, photography, and traveling. I’ve previously worked as a web designer, journalist, and barista. I hope you enjoy our creative projects and family adventures!