
Bean Costume
Spill the beans this Halloween with a fun, creative food costume.
Whether you want to go as a colorful jelly bean, a giant coffee bean, or a classic can of baked beans, a bean costume is a hilarious and lighthearted choice for Halloween. This guide covers the most popular and creative ways to bring this legume-themed look to life. It is a highly customizable concept that works perfectly for solo dressers, couples, and groups alike.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~30 min
- Budget
- $15–50
Try it on
See yourself as Bean
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
One render, $1. No account needed — if it fails you're not charged. Pricing.
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Want a different costume on this photo, or a whole group in costume? Open the Try-On Studio.

What you need for a Bean costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Bean costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
Clear plastic trash bag or poncho
A large, clear plastic bag with arm and leg holes cut out, used to hold the colorful 'beans' for a jelly bean look.
DIY: Use a clear heavy-duty recycling bag and carefully cut comfortable openings for your head, arms, and legs.
Multi-colored balloons
Small, air-filled balloons in various bright colors to represent individual jelly beans inside the bag.
DIY: Blow up 20 to 30 small balloons to about 3 to 4 inches in diameter.
Printed nutrition label
A printed paper or cardboard sign featuring a mock 'Nutrition Facts' label to tape to the front of the bag.
DIY: Draw a classic black-and-white nutrition label on white poster board using a thick black marker.
Red ribbon or twist tie
A bright red ribbon to tie around your neck (gently and loosely) to simulate the top of a candy bag.
DIY: Use any thick red string, yarn, or a large green pipe cleaner to gather the top of the bag.
Neutral base layers
A simple solid-colored t-shirt and leggings or pants worn underneath the clear bag for comfort.
DIY: Wear any matching solid-colored sweatpants and long-sleeve shirt from your closet.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Bean costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on your neutral base layers, such as a plain black t-shirt and matching leggings or pants.
- 2
Carefully cut a wide hole for your head and two comfortable armholes in the bottom and sides of the clear plastic bag.
- 3
Step into the bag and pull it up over your torso, ensuring your arms and head fit comfortably through the cutouts.
- 4
Have a friend carefully fill the space inside the bag around your torso with the pre-inflated colorful balloons.
- 5
Secure the top of the bag loosely around your shoulders or upper chest using the red ribbon, ensuring it is not too tight.
- 6
Tape or pin the printed nutrition label to the front center of the clear bag.
- 7
Adjust the balloons so they are evenly distributed around your body for a full, colorful look.
Makeup & hair
Keep your hair simple and tied back, or wear a colorful headband that matches one of the balloon colors. Makeup can be bright and playful, featuring colorful eyeshadow or face paint dots that mimic sweet candies.
Bean for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- One person goes as a bag of jelly beans, and the other goes as a giant bottle of soda or a tooth brush.
- group
- A 'chili cook-off' group where everyone dresses as different ingredients: a kidney bean, a pinto bean, a chili pepper, and a spice jar.
- kids
- A smaller clear trash bag filled with colorful pom-poms instead of balloons to prevent popping.
- Plus size
- Use an extra-large clear garment bag or a flexible clear plastic poncho for a comfortable, roomy fit.
- pet
- A small green felt tunic with three stuffed green plush balls attached to the back to look like a pea pod.
Tips
- Do not over-inflate the balloons, as they need to be flexible enough to bend and shift when you sit down.
- Bring a few spare uninflated balloons and a small hand pump in case any pop during your event.
- Ensure the neck opening of the plastic bag is cut very wide to keep the costume safe, breathable, and comfortable.
- Wear comfortable shoes, as the lower half of your body will be fully visible beneath the balloon bag.
Bean costume FAQ
- How do you sit down in a jelly bean balloon costume?
- Under-inflate the balloons slightly so they have some give, allowing them to squeeze and shift when you sit down without popping.
- What is the easiest way to make a DIY bean costume?
- The balloon and clear trash bag method is the fastest and cheapest DIY option, requiring only balloons, a bag, and tape.
- Can I make a baked bean can costume instead?
- Yes, you can paint a large cardboard tube or pop-up laundry hamper to look like a classic baked bean tin label and wear it with straps.
Did you know? The jelly bean costume is one of the most popular last-minute DIY school teacher costumes because it is cheap, highly visual, and fun for students.