Jelly Bean Costume
A colorful, sweet, and creative DIY costume bursting with fun.
The jelly bean costume is a classic, cheerful choice for Halloween that is guaranteed to stand out. Most commonly styled as a bag of Jelly Belly candies, this look uses colorful balloons inside a clear garment to mimic a real candy bag. It is a highly customizable, budget-friendly outfit that works beautifully for all ages.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~30 min
- Budget
- $15–40
Try it on
See yourself as Jelly 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 Jelly Bean costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Jelly Bean costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
Clear plastic bag or poncho
A large, heavy-duty clear plastic utility bag, clear trash bag, or a clear vinyl poncho to hold the 'jelly beans'.
DIY: Use a large, clear plastic trash bag with arm and leg holes carefully cut out.
Multi-colored small balloons
A pack of small 5-inch latex balloons in vibrant candy colors like red, pink, yellow, green, and blue.
DIY: Use colorful plastic ball pit balls or crumpled tissue paper if you want to avoid popping hazards.
Jelly Belly logo printout
The iconic red and yellow Jelly Belly logo printed on paper or cardstock to tape to the front of the bag.
DIY: Draw the logo on white poster board using red and yellow markers, then cut it out.
Neutral base layers
A solid white, black, or red long-sleeve shirt and matching leggings or pants to wear underneath the clear bag.
DIY: Any solid-colored sweatpants and t-shirt from your closet.
Red ribbon or sash
A thick red ribbon to tie around the neck or shoulders to secure the top of the bag.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Jelly Bean costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on your neutral base layers (white or black shirt and pants) and comfortable shoes.
- 2
Carefully cut leg holes in the bottom of the clear plastic bag, and armholes on the sides, ensuring they are wide enough for comfort.
- 3
Blow up 30 to 50 small multi-colored balloons to about half-capacity so they look like rounded jelly beans; tie them off securely.
- 4
Step into the clear plastic bag and pull it up to your shoulders.
- 5
Have a helper gently fill the space inside the bag around your torso with the inflated colorful balloons.
- 6
Loosely tie the top of the bag around your collarbone area with a bright red ribbon to secure the balloons inside.
- 7
Tape or glue your printed Jelly Belly logo to the front center of the clear bag.
Makeup & hair
Keep hair neat and tied back in a high ponytail or bun so it doesn't get caught in the plastic bag. Add fun, bright face paint or colorful eyeshadow matching your favorite jelly bean flavor.
Jelly Bean for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- One person goes as a bag of sweet jelly beans, and the other goes as a box of 'BeanBoozled' nasty-flavored beans.
- group
- Each person wears a solid-colored outfit matching a single jelly bean flavor (e.g., all-red for cherry, all-green for lime) with a printed logo on their chest.
- kids
- Use a clear poncho instead of a trash bag for a looser, safer fit, and stuff it with soft colorful pom-poms or balloon-free bubble wrap.
- Plus size
- Use a double-wide clear garment bag or a clear vinyl shower curtain fashioned into a tunic for a comfortable, adjustable fit.
- pet
- A small clear dog vest lined with tiny colorful felt poms to look like a mini candy bag.
Tips
- Do not blow the balloons up to full size; keeping them small and slightly under-inflated makes them look more bean-shaped and less likely to pop.
- Ensure you cut the arm and leg holes large enough to allow for easy movement and ventilation, as plastic bags can trap heat.
- Carry a few spare balloons and a roll of clear tape in your pocket for quick on-the-go repairs.
- If you plan to sit down frequently, place fewer balloons in the back of the bag and concentrate them in the front.
Jelly Bean costume FAQ
- How do you make a jelly bean costume with balloons?
- Cut arm and leg holes in a large, clear plastic bag, step inside, fill the bag around your body with small, colorful inflated balloons, and secure the top with a ribbon.
- Is a jelly bean costume safe to wear?
- Yes, but ensure the arm, leg, and neck holes are cut very wide to allow for plenty of ventilation, and never cover your face with the plastic bag.
- What can I use instead of balloons for a jelly bean costume?
- You can use colorful plastic ball pit balls, crumpled tissue paper, or large colorful craft pom-poms to avoid the risk of popping.
Did you know? Jelly beans became associated with Easter in the 1930s due to their egg-like shape, but they were originally marketed to Union soldiers during the American Civil War.