Bubble Gum Costume
A sweet, colorful, and nostalgic DIY costume that pops with fun.
The Bubble Gum costume—specifically the classic gumball machine—is a beloved, vibrant choice for Halloween and school parades. It is highly customizable, budget-friendly, and instantly recognizable thanks to its bright red base and rainbow 'gumballs'. This guide focuses on the popular DIY gumball machine look that uses colorful craft pom-poms and a classic red skirt or pants.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~45 min
- Budget
- $15–40
Try it on
See yourself as Bubble Gum
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What you need for a Bubble Gum costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Bubble Gum costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
White shirt or tank top
A plain, snug-fitting white t-shirt, tank top, or long-sleeve shirt to serve as the base for the gumballs.
DIY: Use any plain white shirt already in your closet.
Multi-colored craft pom-poms
A large pack of 1-inch to 2-inch acrylic pom-poms in bright rainbow colors (pink, blue, yellow, green, red).
Red skirt, pants, or tutu
A bright red bottom, such as a tulle tutu, skater skirt, or trousers, representing the base of the gumball machine.
DIY: Use red pants or a red skirt you already own.
Gray or black felt sheets
Stiff felt sheets to construct the coin slot and '25¢' price sign for the machine's base.
DIY: Cut the shapes out of cardboard and paint them silver or grey.
Fabric glue or hot glue gun
Adhesive to secure the pom-poms to the shirt and the felt pieces to the skirt.
DIY: Safety pins can work for a temporary, non-destructive hold.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Bubble Gum costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Lay the white shirt flat on a clean workspace and place a piece of cardboard inside it to prevent glue from seeping through to the back.
- 2
Arrange the colorful craft pom-poms closely together across the front chest and torso area of the shirt to resemble a glass globe packed with gumballs.
- 3
Use hot glue or fabric glue to secure each pom-pom firmly to the shirt, letting them dry completely.
- 4
Cut a grey felt sheet into a square 'coin mechanism' shape, and cut a smaller black felt piece for the coin slot. Cut out a '25¢' symbol from white felt or use a silver marker to write it on the grey felt.
- 5
Glue the felt coin mechanism onto the front waistband of your red skirt or tutu.
- 6
Put on the dry pom-pom shirt, tuck it slightly into the red skirt, and step into your colorful creation.
Makeup & hair
Keep makeup bright and playful with pink lipstick and a touch of glitter. For hair, glue a few leftover colorful pom-poms onto hair clips or bobby pins to wear in a high ponytail or space buns.
Bubble Gum for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- One person goes as the gumball machine, and the other dresses as a retro quarter or a vintage candy shop worker.
- group
- Have a candy theme where friends dress as different classic sweets like cotton candy, lollipops, and candy corn.
- kids
- Perfect for school parades; use a comfortable red sweatshirt and sweatpants with pom-poms glued to a white bib.
- Plus size
- A red high-waisted A-line skirt paired with a fitted white top covered in pom-poms creates a comfortable, flattering silhouette.
- pet
- A red pet sweater with a small patch of colorful pom-poms glued near the collar and a felt '25¢' sign on the back.
Tips
- If using hot glue, apply it sparingly so the shirt fabric doesn't become too stiff or heavy to wear comfortably.
- Leave the back of the shirt blank if you plan on sitting down a lot during your event, as sitting on glued pom-poms can damage them.
- Carry a pack of real bubble gum to hand out to friends as a fun, interactive prop.
- Wear comfortable white sneakers or red flats to match the color scheme for walking around.
Bubble Gum costume FAQ
- How do I wash the gumball shirt after wearing it?
- Hand wash the shirt gently in cold water and hang it to dry. Avoid the washing machine and dryer, as the agitation and heat can melt the glue and detach the pom-poms.
- What is the easiest way to make a quick bubble gum costume?
- Wear all pink clothing and carry a giant pink balloon or wear a pink umbrella painted to look like a giant blown bubble.
- Can I make this costume without ruining my clothes?
- Yes! You can safety-pin the pom-poms to the shirt from the inside, or glue the pom-poms to a white apron that you wear over a plain white shirt.
Did you know? The classic red gumball machine design dates back to the early 1900s, and using red was a deliberate marketing choice because it was the most eye-catching color for children.