Jelly Beans Costume
A colorful, sweet, and budget-friendly DIY classic that everyone loves.
The Jelly Beans costume is a classic, creative DIY project that transforms you into a walking bag of colorful candy. Perfect for school events, Halloween, or group themes, this look is highly customizable and guaranteed to bring smiles. The outfit consists of a clear plastic bag filled with multi-colored balloons, complete with a printed nutrition label or brand logo.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~45 min
- Budget
- $15–35
Try it on
See yourself as Jelly Beans
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.
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.
What you need for a Jelly Beans costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Jelly Beans costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
Clear plastic utility bag
A large, heavy-duty clear plastic bag or clear vinyl garment bag to hold the balloons.
DIY: Use a 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 assorted bright colors to represent the jelly beans.
Red ribbon or drawstring
A thick red ribbon to tie around your neck or shoulders to secure the top of the bag.
DIY: Use red yarn or a red shoelace.
Printed brand logo or nutrition label
A printed paper or cardstock logo (like 'Jelly Belly' style) to tape to the front of the bag.
DIY: Draw a custom logo on white paper using colorful markers.
Neutral base layers
A plain white or black t-shirt and matching leggings or pants to wear underneath the clear bag.
DIY: Use any solid-colored comfortable clothing from your closet.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Jelly Beans costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on your neutral base layers (white or black t-shirt and leggings) to keep the focus on the colorful balloons.
- 2
Carefully cut two armholes in the sides of the clear plastic bag and a large opening at the bottom for your legs.
- 3
Blow up 30 to 50 small 5-inch balloons in various colors (red, yellow, green, blue, orange, pink) and tie them off.
- 4
Step into the clear plastic bag, pulling it up over your torso like a jumpsuit.
- 5
Have a friend 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 shoulders or collarbone using the red ribbon, ensuring it is comfortable and safe.
- 7
Tape or glue your printed brand logo or nutrition label to the front center of the clear bag.
Makeup & hair
Keep makeup bright and cheerful with colorful eyeshadow or face paint dots that match the balloon colors. Style hair in high pigtails or a neat bun to keep it out of the way of the bag's collar.
Jelly Beans for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- One person goes as the bag of jelly beans, and the other dresses as a candy store clerk with an apron and scoop.
- group
- Each person dresses as a single giant jelly bean by wearing a solid-colored inflatable suit or monochromatic clothing with a matching beanie.
- kids
- Use a smaller clear trash bag and fewer, slightly smaller balloons so it is lightweight and easy for them to walk in.
- Plus size
- Use a larger clear mattress storage bag or clear vinyl fabric sheets sewn loosely at the sides to ensure a comfortable, roomy fit.
- pet
- A small clear dog vest lined with tiny colorful pom-poms to mimic mini jelly beans.
Tips
- Do not over-inflate the balloons; keeping them slightly under-inflated makes them squishier, more comfortable to sit on, and less likely to pop.
- Carry a small hand pump and a few spare balloons in your pocket in case any pop during your event.
- Ensure the armholes and neck opening are cut wide enough to allow completely unrestricted movement and ventilation.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes, as the bulkiness of the bag makes sitting down a bit tricky.
Jelly Beans costume FAQ
- How do you sit down in a jelly bean costume?
- Because the balloons are filled with air, you can sit down carefully, but it is best to under-inflate the balloons slightly so they can compress without popping. Alternatively, stand during the event or remove a few balloons from the bottom back area.
- What is the best bag to use for a DIY jelly bean costume?
- A large, heavy-duty clear plastic recycling bag or a clear vinyl storage bag works best because they are transparent and durable enough not to tear easily.
- Can you breathe easily in this costume?
- Yes, because the bag only covers your torso from the shoulders down. The neck opening must be cut very wide and tied loosely to ensure it never restricts breathing or neck movement.
Did you know? The concept of using balloons inside a clear bag to simulate jelly beans became a viral DIY Halloween trend because it is incredibly cheap to make and highly photogenic.