Roller Coaster Costume
Bring the amusement park thrills to your next Halloween party.
The roller coaster costume is a classic, hilarious illusion outfit that makes it look like you are riding a high-speed amusement park attraction. It is a massive hit at parties and on social media because of its creative, interactive design. The look consists of a wearable cardboard coaster car, a faux safety bar, and stuffed fake legs draped over the front to complete the riding optical illusion.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~120 min
- Budget
- $20–60
Try it on
See yourself as Roller Coaster
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
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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 Roller Coaster costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Roller Coaster costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
Cardboard box coaster car
A large rectangular cardboard box painted in a bright primary color like red or blue, cut to fit around your waist with shoulder straps.
DIY: Cut the bottom and top flaps off a large box, paint it bright red, and duct tape two thick ribbon straps to hang over your shoulders.
Pool noodle safety bar
A black pool noodle bent into a U-shape to mimic a coaster lap bar, secured to the front of the cardboard box.
DIY: Bend a black pool noodle or pipe insulation foam into a U-shape and secure it to the box sides using zip ties or duct tape.
Stuffed fake legs
An old pair of jeans or pants stuffed with newspaper, bubble wrap, or polyester fiberfill to look like your sitting legs.
DIY: Stuff an old pair of jeans with crumpled newspaper, sew or safety-pin the waist closed, and tape the waist inside the front of the box.
Sneakers for the fake feet
A lightweight pair of sneakers or canvas shoes attached to the bottom cuffs of the stuffed jeans.
DIY: Safety pin or duct tape a pair of old, lightweight sneakers to the ankles of the stuffed jeans so they dangle realistically.
Your actual clothing
A simple t-shirt or windbreaker jacket that matches the casual look of an amusement park visitor.
DIY: Wear a bright t-shirt or a windbreaker that you don't mind getting tape or glue on.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Roller Coaster costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Cut the top and bottom flaps off your large cardboard box so it forms a hollow sleeve that fits easily around your waist.
- 2
Paint the outside of the box a solid, bright color like red, yellow, or blue, and let it dry completely.
- 3
Attach two thick fabric ribbons or backpack straps to the inside of the box using heavy-duty duct tape so the box hangs hands-free from your shoulders.
- 4
Stuff a pair of jeans with newspaper or fiberfill, then secure the waist of the jeans to the inside front lip of the box so the legs drape over the front edge.
- 5
Attach a pair of lightweight sneakers to the bottom of the stuffed jeans using safety pins or wire.
- 6
Bend a black pool noodle into a U-shape lap bar and secure the ends to the sides of the box over the stuffed legs using zip ties or hot glue.
- 7
Step into the box, pull the shoulder straps over your shoulders, and prepare to hold your hands up in the air and scream.
Makeup & hair
Style your hair to look windblown and messy, as if you just went down a 100-foot drop. Use hairspray or gel to spike it slightly backward.
Roller Coaster for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Build a double-wide or two-person tandem roller coaster car so you and your partner can ride side-by-side.
- group
- Line up multiple single-car riders in a row to create a full roller coaster train, moving together in sync through the crowd.
- kids
- Use a smaller shipping box and lightweight pool noodles, ensuring the shoulder straps are soft and comfortable for trick-or-treating.
- Plus size
- Use a wider wardrobe box or heavy-duty flat cardboard sheets taped together to customize the waist width of the coaster car.
More ways people search for this costume
The most-searched variations of “Roller Coaster costume”, and how this look adapts to each.
Diy roller coaster costume
- Skip the store: Cut the bottom and top flaps off a large box, paint it bright red, and duct tape two thick ribbon straps to hang over your shoulders. Bend a black pool noodle or pipe insulation foam into a U-shape and secure it to the box sides using zip ties or duct tape. Stuff an old pair of jeans with crumpled newspaper, sew or safety-pin the waist closed, and tape the waist inside the front of the box.
Tips
- Keep the cardboard box lightweight so it doesn't strain your shoulders during a long night of walking.
- Sell the illusion by throwing your hands in the air, leaning side to side, and screaming whenever someone takes a photo.
- Ensure the shoulder straps are adjusted so the bottom of the box sits high enough that you can walk without your real knees hitting the cardboard.
Roller Coaster costume FAQ
- How do you walk in a roller coaster costume?
- Your real legs are hidden inside and underneath the cardboard box, allowing you to walk normally while the stuffed legs on top create the sitting illusion.
- What is the best material for the safety bar?
- A black foam pool noodle or foam pipe insulation is perfect because it is lightweight, flexible, cheap, and looks exactly like a padded lap bar.
- Can I buy a pre-made version of this costume?
- Yes, there are inflatable and fabric-based 'ride-on' roller coaster costumes available online if you want to skip the cardboard DIY process.
Did you know? The first roller coaster in the United States opened at Coney Island, Brooklyn, in 1884, traveling at a whopping six miles per hour.