Yip Yip Costume
Bring the classic Sesame Street Martians to life with this nostalgic look.
The Yip Yips (or Martian aliens) from Sesame Street are beloved for their curious chatter and distinct, colorful designs. This costume is a massive hit at conventions and Halloween parties because of its nostalgic charm and simple, recognizable silhouette. The look consists of a draped, fringed fleece poncho in bright blue or pink, topped with large googly eyes and pipe-cleaner antennae.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~90 min
- Budget
- $25–75
Try it on
See yourself as Yip Yip
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 Yip Yip costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Yip Yip costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Bright blue or pink fleece fabric
Approximately 3 to 4 yards of curly fleece or textured fabric to create the draped body and fringed bottom.
DIY: Use an oversized, textured fleece blanket in bright blue or pink.
Black mesh fabric
A breathable black mesh panel used for the wide-open mouth area so you can see out.
DIY: Cut a panel from an old black mesh laundry bag.
Styrofoam spheres
Two large 4-inch styrofoam balls to serve as the eyes.
DIY: Use two white plastic play balls or lightweight plastic ornaments.
Large black felt circles
Two small black felt circles glued to the styrofoam spheres to create the pupils.
DIY: Draw the pupils directly onto the spheres with a thick black permanent marker.
Chenille pipe cleaners
Thick pipe cleaners in matching blue or pink to form the floppy antennae on top of the head.
DIY: Wrap wire hangers in matching yarn or felt strips.
Ping pong balls
Two small white balls attached to the ends of the antennae.
DIY: Use small white pom-poms instead.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Yip Yip costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Fold your fleece fabric in half to determine the length, ensuring it drapes from the top of your head down to your shins.
- 2
Cut a wide, oval-shaped opening at face level to serve as the alien's open mouth.
- 3
Hand-sew or hot-glue the black mesh fabric behind the mouth opening so your face is hidden but you can see out clearly.
- 4
Cut the bottom hem of the fleece into long, thick vertical strips to create the signature fringed tentacles.
- 5
Assemble the eyes by gluing the black felt pupils onto the front of the styrofoam spheres, then secure the spheres side-by-side on top of the head area.
- 6
Twist two pipe cleaners together, attach a ping pong ball to the end of each, and secure them directly behind the eyes to form the antennae.
- 7
Drape the finished poncho over your head, aligning your eyes with the black mesh mouth panel.
Makeup & hair
No makeup or hair styling is required, as your entire head and face are completely covered by the mesh-screened mouth of the poncho.
Yip Yip for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- One person goes as the blue Yip Yip and the other goes as the pink Yip Yip.
- group
- Gather a group to wear different colored Yip Yip ponchos (blue, pink, and yellow) and carry a retro telephone prop.
- kids
- Scale down the fabric dimensions to create a cozy, lightweight poncho for children.
- Plus size
- The draped, oversized poncho design is naturally loose-fitting and highly accommodating for all body types.
- pet
- A simple bright blue knit dog sweater topped with two lightweight googly eyes on the hood.
Tips
- Ensure the black mesh fabric is breathable and sheer enough for comfortable visibility in low-light party settings.
- Wear lightweight, dark clothing underneath the poncho to keep cool and ensure you don't show through the mesh.
- Practice your 'Yip-yip-yip-yip, uh-huh, uh-huh' vocal impressions to delight fellow partygoers.
- If using heavy styrofoam eyes, secure them to a lightweight plastic headband worn underneath the fleece to keep them from flopping forward.
Yip Yip costume FAQ
- How do you see out of a Yip Yip costume?
- The large open mouth of the alien is covered with a breathable black mesh fabric, allowing you to see out clearly while keeping your face hidden from the outside.
- What materials do I need to make a DIY Yip Yip costume?
- You will need about 3-4 yards of bright blue or pink curly fleece, black mesh fabric, two large styrofoam balls for eyes, black felt for pupils, and pipe cleaners with ping pong balls for the antennae.
- Is the Yip Yip costume hot to wear?
- Because it is made of fleece, it can get warm. Wearing lightweight t-shirts and shorts underneath helps regulate your temperature.
Did you know? The Yip Yips debuted on Sesame Street in 1972 (Season 3) and are famous for trying to communicate with inanimate Earth objects like telephones, clocks, and computers.