The Lion King Costume
Rule the Pride Lands in a classic, cozy lion look.
The Lion King is a beloved Disney classic, making characters like Simba, Nala, and Scar incredibly popular costume choices for all ages. Whether you choose a cozy plush jumpsuit or a DIY ears-and-tail set, this look is instantly recognizable and perfect for group themes. This guide focuses on the iconic golden-yellow Simba look, complete with a fluffy mane and simple face paint.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Time
- ~20 min
- Budget
- $20–75
Try it on
See yourself as The Lion King
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
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What you need for a The Lion King costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete The Lion King costume — one box instead of 4 pieces.
Golden-yellow jumpsuit or sweat suit
A soft, fleece golden-yellow hooded jumpsuit or a matching mustard-yellow sweatshirt and sweatpants set.
DIY: Use a plain mustard-yellow hoodie and matching sweatpants from your closet.
Faux fur lion mane
A fluffy, light brown or dark orange faux fur collar or hood trim to represent Simba's growing mane.
DIY: Hot glue strips of brown and orange felt or yarn to the hood of your sweatshirt.
Lion ears and tail set
A headband with rounded yellow ears and a matching long tail with a brown tuft at the end.
DIY: Cut ear shapes from yellow felt, glue them to a headband, and use braided brown yarn for a tail.
Face paint kit
Non-toxic face paint in black, white, and brown to draw a cute nose and whiskers.
DIY: Use black eyeliner and brown eyeshadow from your makeup bag.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made The Lion King costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the golden-yellow jumpsuit or matching sweat suit as your base layer.
- 2
Attach the lion tail to the back of your pants or jumpsuit using a safety pin.
- 3
Place the lion ears headband on your head, or pull up the hood if using a hooded jumpsuit.
- 4
Secure the faux fur mane around your neck or drape it over your shoulders.
- 5
Apply simple face paint to create a black nose, white muzzle, and delicate whiskers.
Makeup & hair
Paint the tip of your nose black and add a few black dots on your cheeks for whisker spots. If not using a hood, style your hair with volume or wear a messy, teased brown wig to mimic a wild mane.
The Lion King for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair Simba with Nala, or go as the hilarious duo Timon and Pumbaa.
- group
- Gather a full pride with Simba, Nala, Rafiki, Scar, Timon, and Pumbaa.
- kids
- A plush, zippered toddler one-piece is incredibly cute and keeps them warm.
- Plus size
- A loose-fitting, oversized yellow fleece onesie offers a comfortable, flexible fit.
- pet
- Dress your dog in a simple slip-on faux fur lion's mane collar.
Tips
- Onesies can get warm indoors, so wear lightweight t-shirts and shorts underneath.
- For outdoor trick-or-treating, the fleece jumpsuit easily layers over warm winter clothes.
- Use safety pins to secure the tail so it doesn't drag on the ground or get stepped on.
The Lion King costume FAQ
- How do I make a DIY Lion King costume?
- Wear a yellow hoodie and sweatpants, safety-pin a brown yarn tail to your pants, and glue felt ears to a headband.
- What characters can I dress up as from The Lion King?
- Popular choices include Simba, Nala, Scar, Rafiki, Timon, Pumbaa, and Mufasa.
- How do I do Simba makeup?
- Use black face paint or eyeliner to color the tip of your nose black, draw a line down to your lip, and add whiskers.
Did you know? The iconic Broadway musical adaptation of The Lion King uses elaborate puppets and African-inspired masks worn above the actors' heads to bring the animal characters to life.