Gumball Machine Costume
A bright, colorful, and nostalgic DIY costume that always gets smiles.
The gumball machine is a classic, whimsical costume choice that brings instant nostalgia to any Halloween party or event. This look is highly customizable, combining a vibrant cluster of multicolored 'gumballs' on top with a structured red base and a silver coin slot. It is a favorite for DIY enthusiasts because it is incredibly easy to assemble using simple craft supplies.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~45 min
- Budget
- $15–45
Try it on
See yourself as Gumball Machine
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What you need for a Gumball Machine costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Gumball Machine costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Red skirt or pants
A bright red pencil skirt, mini skirt, or red trousers to form the base of the vending machine.
DIY: Use any red pants or a red dress you already own.
White top
A plain white tank top, t-shirt, or long-sleeve shirt to serve as the canvas for your gumballs.
Multicolored craft pom-poms
A large pack of 1-inch to 2-inch fuzzy craft pom-poms in bright colors like pink, blue, yellow, green, and orange.
DIY: Blow up small, colorful water balloons and safety-pin them to your shirt.
Grey or silver felt sheet
A stiff sheet of grey or metallic silver felt to construct the coin mechanism and dispenser flap.
DIY: Cut the shapes out of cardboard and wrap them in silver duct tape or aluminum foil.
Black fabric marker or felt
Used to draw or cut out the '25¢' price detail and the coin slot outline.
DIY: Use a thick black permanent marker.
Red headband
A simple red headband to top off the look, representing the lid of the machine.
DIY: Glue a few extra pom-poms to a hair clip.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Gumball Machine costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Lay your white shirt flat on a table with a piece of cardboard inside to prevent glue from seeping through.
- 2
Use hot glue or fabric glue to attach the colorful craft pom-poms closely together across the entire chest and torso area of the shirt, leaving the bottom hem clear.
- 3
Cut a rectangular plate shape out of the silver felt to act as the coin slot mechanism.
- 4
Cut a smaller dispenser flap shape out of black felt, and glue it to the bottom center of the silver plate.
- 5
Use black felt or a black marker to write '25¢' on the silver plate, then safety-pin or glue this completed coin plate to the front waistband of your red skirt or pants.
- 6
Put on the pom-pom shirt, tucking it neatly into the red skirt or pants so the silver coin plate sits right at the center seam.
- 7
Finish the look by wearing the red headband to represent the machine's top lid.
Makeup & hair
Keep hair neat and pulled back in a high ponytail or bun to keep the focus on the colorful shirt. For makeup, go for bright, candy-colored pink lipstick and a touch of playful blush.
Gumball Machine for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with someone dressed as a quarter, a retro candy shop worker, or a giant box of bubblegum.
- group
- Have a group dress as different vintage vending machines, such as a toy capsule machine, a soda dispenser, and a candy machine.
- kids
- Use a red youth dress and hot-glue pom-poms directly around the collar and shoulders for an easy, comfortable one-piece outfit.
- Plus size
- A red A-line skirt or red high-waisted trousers paired with a comfortable white tunic top covered in pom-poms offers a flattering, flexible fit.
- pet
- A red pet sweater with a small patch of colorful pom-poms glued to the back and a felt '25¢' sign on the side.
More ways people search for this costume
The most-searched variations of “Gumball Machine costume”, and how this look adapts to each.
Diy gumball costume
- Skip the store: Use any red pants or a red dress you already own. Blow up small, colorful water balloons and safety-pin them to your shirt. Cut the shapes out of cardboard and wrap them in silver duct tape or aluminum foil.
Tips
- If you plan on sitting down a lot, leave the back of the white shirt free of pom-poms so they don't get crushed or fall off.
- Use a low-temperature glue gun to avoid melting synthetic fibers in your white shirt.
- Carry a small purse shaped like a coin or keep a few real quarters in your pocket to use as fun photo props.
Gumball Machine costume FAQ
- How do you wash a DIY gumball machine shirt?
- Because of the hot-glued pom-poms, this shirt should not go in the washing machine. Spot-clean any stains by hand and let it air dry.
- What is the best glue to use for the pom-poms?
- Hot glue is the fastest and strongest option for attaching craft pom-poms to fabric, but fabric glue also works if you allow it to dry overnight.
- Can I make this costume without gluing my clothes?
- Yes! You can safety-pin the pom-poms from the inside of the shirt, or glue them to a clear plastic poncho worn over a red outfit.
Did you know? The earliest gumball machines, introduced in the United States in the early 1900s, dispensed rounded balls of chewing gum that were originally peanut-flavored before fruit flavors took over.