How does the inflatable Barney costume stay inflated?

It features a small, battery-operated fan that clips to your belt or pocket, continuously blowing air into the sealed suit.

What is the easiest way to DIY a Barney costume?

Wear a matching purple hoodie and sweatpants. Cut a large oval of lime green felt for the belly and fabric-glue it to the chest, then add yellow felt triangles to your shoes.

Can you sit down in the inflatable Barney costume?

Yes, but do so slowly to avoid putting too much pressure on the seams, and make sure the fan intake isn't blocked.

AI-generated example

Barney the Dinosaur Costume

Step out of your imagination as everyone's favorite friendly purple dinosaur.

Barney the Dinosaur is the iconic, cheerful purple T-rex who captured the hearts of children throughout the 1990s and 2000s. Dressing up as Barney is a nostalgic favorite for millennial parents, teachers, and children's entertainers alike. The look is defined by a vibrant purple body, a bright green belly, and yellow toes.

Difficulty: Medium
Time: ~30 min
Budget: $35–80

See yourself as Barney the Dinosaur →What you need Buy the Barney the Dinosaur costume

Try it on

See yourself as Barney the Dinosaur

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.

Barney the Dinosaur costume — Example look · AI-generated

You as Barney the Dinosaur

Result

What you need for a Barney the Dinosaur costume

Short on time? Buy it ready-made

Spirit Halloween sells the complete Barney the Dinosaur costume — one box instead of 4 pieces.

Shop Barney the Dinosaur at Spirit ↗

Inflatable Barney Suit
A full-body inflatable jumpsuit featuring Barney's signature purple body, green belly, and friendly face.
DIY: Use a solid purple hooded onesie or jumpsuit as your base.
Amazon
Green Felt Belly Patch
A bright lime green oval patch to mimic Barney's colorful tummy.
DIY: Cut a large oval from lime green felt and safety pin or fabric glue it to the front of a purple sweatshirt.
Amazon
Yellow Felt Toe Details
Bright yellow diamonds or semi-circles to represent Barney's toenails.
DIY: Cut six yellow felt triangles and attach three to the top of each shoe.
Amazon
Purple Dinosaur Hood or Mask
A soft fabric hood with Barney's friendly eyes and white teeth.
DIY: Glue white felt triangles (teeth) and large white-and-black felt circles (eyes) to the hood of a purple sweatshirt.
Amazon

Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Barney the Dinosaur costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗

How to put it together

1
If using an inflatable costume, insert fresh AA batteries into the fan pack and step into the legs of the suit.
2
Pull the sleeves over your arms and gently pull the hood or neck opening over your head.
3
Ensure all elastic bands at the wrists and ankles are snug to prevent air from escaping.
4
Turn on the battery pack switch to inflate the costume, which should take about 1 to 2 minutes.
5
If going the DIY route, put on your purple jumpsuit or sweatpants and hoodie combo with the green belly felt already attached.
6
Slip on purple gloves and attach the yellow felt toenails to your shoes to complete the dinosaur look.

Makeup & hair

If using an open-face hood, apply bright purple face paint around your eyes and cheeks for a seamless look, or keep it natural. Keep hair tucked back under the hood.

Barney the Dinosaur for couples, groups, kids & more

couples: Pair Barney with Baby Bop (a green triceratops with a pink tutu) or BJ (a yellow protoceratops with red sneakers).
group: Gather a group to dress as Barney, Baby Bop, BJ, and Riff for the ultimate 90s kids' TV ensemble.
kids: A plush, zip-up Barney toddler jumpsuit is comfortable, warm, and widely available.
Plus size: Inflatable Barney suits are naturally roomy and fit a wide range of body types comfortably.
pet: A simple purple dog hoodie with a green felt patch on the chest makes an easy pet version.

Tips

Keep spare AA batteries in your pocket in case the inflatable fan runs out of power during your event.
Inflatable suits can get warm inside; wear lightweight, moisture-wicking clothing underneath.
Watch your step and navigate doorways carefully, as the inflated tail and hips add extra width.
Practice your best 'I love you, you love you' wave for photos.

Barney the Dinosaur costume FAQ

How does the inflatable Barney costume stay inflated?: It features a small, battery-operated fan that clips to your belt or pocket, continuously blowing air into the sealed suit.
What is the easiest way to DIY a Barney costume?: Wear a matching purple hoodie and sweatpants. Cut a large oval of lime green felt for the belly and fabric-glue it to the chest, then add yellow felt triangles to your shoes.
Can you sit down in the inflatable Barney costume?: Yes, but do so slowly to avoid putting too much pressure on the seams, and make sure the fan intake isn't blocked.

Did you know? Barney the Dinosaur was created in 1987 by Sheryl Leach, a former teacher who wanted to create educational videos that would appeal to her young son.