How do you make a DIY cardboard box airplane?

Cut the top and bottom out of a box that fits your waist. Cut out wings and a propeller from spare cardboard, glue them to the sides and front, paint the plane, and attach two shoulder straps.

What should I wear under a wearable airplane costume?

A simple pilot uniform works best, such as a white button-down shirt with a tie, a brown bomber jacket, or a navy blue shirt with pilot wings pinned to the chest.

Are there ready-to-wear airplane costumes?

Yes, you can buy inflatable airplane costumes that self-inflate with a built-in fan, or plush ride-on plane costumes designed for toddlers.

AI-generated example

Airplane Costume

Take flight with a creative DIY cardboard plane or pilot look.

Whether you want to build a classic cardboard box plane or wear a sleek pilot uniform, the airplane costume is a timeless favorite for all ages. It is a popular choice for creative DIYers, kids who love aviation, and anyone looking for a fun, interactive outfit. The look typically centers around a wearable 3D plane structure paired with classic aviator accessories.

Difficulty: Medium
Time: ~120 min
Budget: $15–60

See yourself as Airplane →What you need Buy the Airplane costume

Try it on

See yourself as Airplane

One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.

Choose or drop a photo of yourselfJPG · PNG · HEIC

One render, $1. No account needed — if it fails you're not charged. Pricing.

Your photo is sent to Google's Gemini API to make the render and isn't used for training. Renders are AI-generated and labelled.

Want a different costume on this photo, or a whole group in costume? Open the Try-On Studio.

Airplane costume — Example look · AI-generated

You as Airplane

Result

What you need for a Airplane costume

Short on time? Buy it ready-made

Spirit Halloween sells the complete Airplane costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.

Shop Airplane at Spirit ↗

Cardboard Box Plane Body
A medium-to-large cardboard box painted bright blue or red, cut to fit around the waist with shoulder straps.
DIY: Cut the bottom and top flaps off a cardboard box, paint it, and use hot glue to attach cardboard wings, a propeller, and suspender-style shoulder straps.
Amazon
Pilot Jacket or Shirt
A brown faux-leather bomber jacket or a crisp white button-down pilot shirt with shoulder epaulets.
DIY: Use a brown jacket you already own and safety-pin gold ribbon to the shoulders for epaulets.
Amazon
Aviator Goggles or Sunglasses
Classic silver-rimmed aviator sunglasses or vintage-style pilot goggles worn on the forehead.
Amazon
White Pilot Scarf
A lightweight white satin or cotton scarf draped around the neck to mimic vintage open-cockpit pilots.
DIY: Cut a strip of white fabric or use a white winter scarf.
Amazon
Pilot Hat
A dark blue or black captain's hat with gold embroidery, or a brown faux-leather aviator cap.
Amazon

Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Airplane costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗

How to put it together

1
Find a cardboard box that fits comfortably around your waist and cut out the top and bottom flaps.
2
Cut out wing shapes and a propeller from extra cardboard, then hot glue or tape them securely to the main box body.
3
Paint the entire cardboard plane structure in your choice of bright colors (like red, blue, or yellow) and let it dry completely.
4
Attach two thick ribbons or fabric straps to the inside of the box so it can hang comfortably from your shoulders.
5
Put on your base clothing, such as a white button-down shirt or a brown bomber jacket.
6
Drape the white scarf around your neck and put on the pilot hat or vintage goggles.
7
Step into the cardboard plane, lift the straps over your shoulders, and secure your aviator sunglasses.

Makeup & hair

Keep hair neat and tucked under a pilot hat or vintage aviator cap. No special makeup is required, but a clean-shaven look or a classic pencil mustache fits the retro pilot aesthetic perfectly.

Airplane for couples, groups, kids & more

couples: One person dresses as the airplane while the other dresses as a commercial pilot or flight attendant.
group: Create a fleet of different colored cardboard planes, or have a pilot, flight attendant, and air traffic controller with glowing batons.
kids: Use a smaller box for a lightweight ride-on plane, or opt for a cozy plush slip-on airplane tunic.
Plus size: Adjust the cardboard box size to ensure a comfortable fit around the waist, or use an adjustable harness system instead of fixed shoulder straps.
pet: A small plush red baron airplane harness that sits on your dog's back.

Tips

Keep the cardboard plane lightweight so it is easy to wear and walk around in for hours.
Ensure the shoulder straps are wide and made of soft fabric or webbing to prevent them from digging into your shoulders.
If attending a crowded indoor party, make the cardboard wings detachable or slightly shorter to avoid bumping into walls and people.
Add reflective tape or small battery-operated LED lights to the wingtips for high visibility during nighttime trick-or-treating.

Airplane costume FAQ

How do you make a DIY cardboard box airplane?: Cut the top and bottom out of a box that fits your waist. Cut out wings and a propeller from spare cardboard, glue them to the sides and front, paint the plane, and attach two shoulder straps.
What should I wear under a wearable airplane costume?: A simple pilot uniform works best, such as a white button-down shirt with a tie, a brown bomber jacket, or a navy blue shirt with pilot wings pinned to the chest.
Are there ready-to-wear airplane costumes?: Yes, you can buy inflatable airplane costumes that self-inflate with a built-in fan, or plush ride-on plane costumes designed for toddlers.

Did you know? The classic red-and-white color scheme for toy and costume airplanes is inspired by the Curtiss JN-4 'Jenny', a famous World War I biplane that became iconic during the barnstorming era of the 1920s.