Splinter Costume
Channel the wise, stoic mutant rat sensei of the Ninja Turtles.
Master Splinter is the beloved adoptive father and martial arts instructor of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Choosing this costume lets you portray a legendary, wise mentor figure from pop culture. The look is defined by a traditional Japanese-style robe, a walking staff, and mutant rat features like fur and long ears.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~45 min
- Budget
- $40–120
Try it on
See yourself as Splinter
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 Splinter costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Splinter costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
Japanese-style robe
A loose-fitting, floor-length kimono or wizard robe in dark brown, maroon, or dark gray fabric.
DIY: Use a long, oversized brown bathrobe or a modified dark brown bedsheet draped as a toga.
Rope sash belt
A simple white or beige rope belt tied around the waist to secure the robe.
DIY: Use a length of thick cotton rope or a strip of brown fabric tied in a knot.
Rat mask or snout
A latex or plush rat mask featuring a long snout, whiskers, and large ears.
DIY: Use face paint to draw a pink nose and black whiskers, and attach felt rat ears to a headband.
Faux fur gloves and shoe covers
Grey or brown faux fur gloves and matching shoe covers to mimic rodent paws.
DIY: Glue patches of brown craft felt or faux fur onto old gloves and slip-on shoes.
Gnarled walking staff
A rustic, wooden walking stick or cane, preferably with a curved or gnarled top.
DIY: Find a sturdy, thick tree branch from outdoors, strip the loose bark, and sand down any sharp edges.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Splinter costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on a base layer of comfortable neutral clothing, such as a brown or black t-shirt and pants.
- 2
Slip on the oversized dark brown or maroon Japanese-style robe.
- 3
Wrap the rope sash around your waist twice and tie it in a loose knot at the front.
- 4
Put on the rat mask, ensuring the eye holes are properly aligned for clear visibility.
- 5
Don the faux fur gloves and secure the matching shoe covers over your footwear.
- 6
Pick up your gnarled wooden walking staff to complete the stoic, wise sensei posture.
Makeup & hair
If you are not using a full mask, apply grey and brown face paint across your face, paint the tip of your nose pink, draw black whiskers on your cheeks, and slick your hair back under a headband with attached felt rat ears.
Splinter for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with Shredder for an epic hero-versus-villain rivalry dynamic.
- group
- Combine with four friends dressed as Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, and Michelangelo for a complete TMNT family group.
- kids
- Use a plush, one-piece hooded rat jumpsuit and add a miniature red felt robe over it.
- Plus size
- A loose, flowing Japanese kimono robe offers an incredibly comfortable, adjustable, and screen-accurate fit.
- pet
- Dress a small dog in a tiny red felt robe with a miniature rope belt.
Tips
- Ensure your rat mask has adequate ventilation and visibility, especially if wearing it at night or crowded parties.
- Practice walking with a slight, wise hunch and leaning on your staff to stay in character for photos.
- Keep the robe hem an inch or two off the ground to prevent tripping or getting it dirty outdoors.
Splinter costume FAQ
- What color is Master Splinter's robe?
- Depending on the adaptation, Splinter typically wears a dark brown, maroon, or dark gray Japanese-style kimono robe tied with a simple rope or fabric sash.
- How do I make a DIY Splinter staff?
- You can easily make one by finding a thick, curved tree branch, sanding it down, and staining or painting it a dark wood color.
- Is a full mask necessary for a Splinter costume?
- No, you can achieve the look using a headband with rat ears, a pink nose prosthetic or face paint, and painted whiskers.
Did you know? In the original Mirage Studios comics, Master Splinter was a pet rat who learned ninjutsu by mimicking his owner, Hamato Yoshi, whereas in other versions, he is Yoshi himself mutated into a rat.