Leonardo Costume
Lead the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in his signature blue gear.
Leonardo is the disciplined, courageous leader of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, instantly recognizable by his blue bandana and twin katana swords. Whether you are going solo or teaming up with three friends as the full squad, this classic 1980s and modern pop-culture look is always a hit. The costume centers around a green base, a brown turtle shell, and bright blue accents.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~45 min
- Budget
- $35–90
Try it on
See yourself as Leonardo
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 Leonardo costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Leonardo costume — one box instead of 7 pieces.
Green bodysuit or jumpsuit
A full-body green spandex suit or a matching green long-sleeve shirt and sweatpants to serve as the turtle skin.
DIY: Wear a matching set of kelly green crewneck sweatshirt and sweatpants.
Brown turtle shell
A lightweight foam or plastic turtle shell worn on the back with backpack-style straps.
DIY: Cut a large oval from cardboard, paint it brown with yellow hexagonal turtle segments, and attach elastic shoulder straps.
Yellow chest plate
A light yellow or tan oval patch worn on the front torso to represent the turtle's plastron.
DIY: Cut a large oval out of yellow felt or foam and safety pin or fabric-glue it to the front of the green shirt.
Blue eye mask
A royal blue fabric strip with pre-cut eye holes that ties securely around the head.
DIY: Cut a 3-inch wide strip of royal blue jersey fabric, cut out two eye holes, and tie it around your head.
Blue elbow and knee pads
Matching royal blue fabric bands or soft skate pads worn on both elbows and knees.
DIY: Wrap strips of royal blue fabric or blue sports tape around your elbows and knees over the green suit.
Brown belt with 'L' buckle
A wide brown strap or belt worn around the waist, featuring a circular buckle with a capital letter 'L'.
DIY: Use a brown strap, cut a circle out of white cardboard, draw a bold black 'L' in the center, and tape it to the front.
Twin toy katanas
Two safe, lightweight plastic ninja swords that can be secured to the back shell.
DIY: Cut sword shapes out of sturdy cardboard, wrap the blades in silver duct tape, and wrap the handles in black tape.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Leonardo costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the green bodysuit or the matching green shirt and pants base layer.
- 2
Attach the yellow felt chest plate to the front of your torso using safety pins or double-sided fabric tape.
- 3
Fasten the brown belt around your waist, positioning the 'L' buckle directly in the center.
- 4
Tie the royal blue fabric bands around your elbows and knees, securing them firmly so they do not slide down.
- 5
Slip your arms through the straps of the turtle shell, wearing it on your back like a backpack.
- 6
Slide the twin toy katanas into the straps or built-in holsters on the back of the shell.
- 7
Tie the royal blue eye mask over your eyes, adjusting the eye holes for clear visibility.
Makeup & hair
No hair styling is needed as the head is covered by the mask or a green hood. If your hair is visible, tuck it under a green bald cap or a green beanie before tying the blue mask.
Leonardo for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with April O'Neil in her signature bright yellow jumpsuit and white boots.
- group
- Assemble the ultimate four-turtle squad with Raphael (red), Michelangelo (orange), and Donatello (purple).
- kids
- Use a comfortable green cotton pajama set with a soft felt shell and a simple blue felt mask for safety.
- Plus size
- Use a loose-fitting green tracksuit as the base layer for a comfortable, breathable, and highly adjustable fit.
- pet
- A green dog shirt paired with a lightweight foam shell strapped around their chest, finished with a small blue collar bandana.
Tips
- Ensure your toy swords are securely fastened to your back shell so your hands remain free during parties or trick-or-treating.
- If wearing a full spandex bodysuit, wear neutral-colored undergarments underneath for a smooth silhouette.
- For outdoor events in cold weather, choose a thick fleece green tracksuit instead of thin spandex to stay warm.
- Practice posing with one hand on a sword handle for dynamic, action-ready photos.
Leonardo costume FAQ
- What color is Leonardo from the Ninja Turtles?
- Leonardo is represented by the color royal blue. He wears a blue eye mask, blue elbow pads, and blue knee pads.
- What weapons does Leonardo use?
- Leonardo fights using twin katanas (two ninja swords), which he carries in sheaths mounted on the back of his turtle shell.
- How can I make a quick DIY turtle shell?
- You can paint a disposable aluminum roasting pan brown, draw turtle shell segment lines on it with a black marker, poke holes in the sides, and thread brown yarn through to make backpack straps.
Did you know? Leonardo was named after the famous Italian Renaissance artist and polymath Leonardo da Vinci.